In the heart of Iowa City, the Hawkeyes women's basketball team is gearing up for a season that promises excitement and challenges in equal measure. Iowa's program is renowned for its focus on player development, and this year, Head Coach Jan Jensen and her staff are eager to see how their relatively new squad will rise to the occasion against a tough schedule and high expectations.
With summer workouts in full swing, the team is laying the groundwork for a successful campaign. While star guard Dani Carnegie is showcasing her talents with Team USA's 3-on-3 squad, and incoming freshman Ella Stromdahl is set to join after her stint with Sweden's national team, the rest of the team is hard at work back home. The Hawkeyes are embracing a complete overhaul, returning to their signature four-out offense, which emphasizes reading defenses, stretching the floor, and creating mismatches-a style that demands both skill and basketball IQ.
As the team navigates these early workouts, the focus is on installing this complex offense and building habits that will slice through opposing defenses. It’s a challenging task, but one that could pay off in spades. The players are also committed to honing their individual skills at game speed, with upperclassmen like Taylor Stremlow leading player-organized scrimmages to help integrate newcomers and refine their approach.
Preseason All-American Ava Heiden highlights the importance of these scrimmages, explaining how they help the team understand each other's playing styles and fit within the offense. With a guard-heavy lineup, the emphasis is on developing chemistry and understanding the nuances of post passing and cutting.
The dynamic duo of Carnegie and Chit Chat Wright in the backcourt is expected to be a formidable force. Despite the roster changes, Iowa remains a team to watch, boasting one of the nation's top post players and having strengthened their lineup with a standout guard from the transfer portal. The seasoned players know what it takes to excel in the fiercely competitive Big Ten Conference.
Jensen's ambitious scheduling reflects her confidence in the team's potential. The Hawkeyes are set to face off against powerhouse UConn on their home turf and will soon after challenge a ranked Vanderbilt team in Sioux City. The Commodores bring their own firepower with the electrifying scorer MiKayla Blakes, promising a thrilling matchup.
For Iowa, these high-stakes games are crucial steps on their journey. Jensen believes that facing tough opponents is essential for the program's growth and will be invaluable as Iowa sets its sights on reaching the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
"I know it's going to be hard," Jensen acknowledges, but she remains optimistic. "What a shot we have.
That's where we want to be. You can't say, well, let me see how good we are and then we schedule.
I believe in what we're doing, and I'm pretty pumped up for our fans."
With a blend of seasoned talent, strategic scheduling, and a commitment to player development, the Hawkeyes are poised for a season that could redefine their place in the college basketball landscape.
In Other News...
Jan Jensen Is Closing In On A Massive Iowa Recruiting Win
Jan Jensens Iowa program has already made real noise in the recruiting cycle, headlined by the addition of five-star forward McKenna Woliczko and Ella Stromdahl in the 2026 class. Now the Hawkeyes are pushing to keep that momentum going by targeting backcourt help for the future, with multiple offers out to highly regarded players in the 2028 group as the staff looks to build out guard depth for the seasons ahead.
One of the most intriguing names in that mix is Jhaliana Guy, who recently made an unofficial visit to Iowa City and gives the Hawkeyes a chance to make an impression in a chase that has some built-in appeal for the program. Iowa has been active with her recruitment, and the fact that she fits the kind of guard target the Hawkeyes need only adds to the stakes as Jensen and her staff try to turn interest into a major win. [Read more 🡒]
Brad Underwood Is Right In The Middle Of A Big Ten Debate
Ben McCollums first year in Iowa City gave the Hawkeyes a real foothold in a Big Ten coaching conversation that only gets louder as the league keeps shifting around them. Iowa did not look like a team stuck in transition for long stretches, and the programs recent Elite Eight run under the previous staff still hangs over the way people measure what the ceiling can be if the pieces keep coming together.
Brad Underwood is part of that wider debate because Illinois has been one of the leagues standard-bearers on the offensive end, and his recruiting has kept the Illini in the mix year after year. But when the discussion turns to the coaches who have shaped the conferences hierarchy, Matt Painters staying power and roster management remain hard to ignore, which is why the rankings around these names feel less settled than ever. [Read more 🡒]
Ava Heiden Made One Big Offseason Choice Iowa Fans Need To See
Ava Heiden already arrived in Iowa City with the kind of rsum that makes a roster better the moment she steps on the floor. Last season, the post player was one of the top bigs in womens college basketball, putting up 18.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting with impressive efficiency, then backing it up with First Team All-Big Ten recognition and AP All-American Honorable Mention.
This offseason, though, Heiden made a choice that says plenty about where her priorities are. Rather than spending the summer away from campus, she stayed in Iowa City to keep working with the Hawkeyes, take part in an internship and attend leadership conferences, a setup that keeps her plugged into the program and around younger teammates who can learn from her. For Iowa, that means one of its most proven players is using the summer to deepen her role in more ways than one, even as the bigger payoff from that decision is still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]