3 big takeaways from Iowa's dominating performance to close out the regular season

The Hawkeyes showed they are worthy of a 2-seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament
Iowa guard Chit-Chat Wright (11) shoots the basketball against the Ohio State Buckeyes Jan. 25, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa guard Chit-Chat Wright (11) shoots the basketball against the Ohio State Buckeyes Jan. 25, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Hawkeyes were in Madison, Wisconsin, to close out the regular season against the Badgers.

Iowa entered the game in a prime position to lock up a two-seed not only in the Big Ten Tournament, but also in the NCAA Tournament, and they did not disappoint.

Even without star forward Hannah Stuelke, who was out with an upper-body injury, the Hawkeyes cruised to a near-30-point victory over the Badgers in the season finale.

After a tightly contested first half, the Hawkeyes came out hot after halftime and earned an 81-52 victory.

Iowa's depth is extremely important for future success

The Hawkeyes were without their second-leading scorer and leading rebounder, Hannah Stuelke, but it didn't matter against the Badgers.

Wisconsin has been struggling mightily this season, but Iowa's short-handed win over the Badgers is a credit to its depth.

The Hawkeyes were once again led by a double-double from Ava Heiden (16pts, 14rebs), but everyone contributed in the win.

Chit-Chat Wright nailed four thre-pointers, Layla Hays and rarely-used Teagan Mallegni each scored 10 points off the bench, and Taylor Stremlow had a near-double-double with 12 points and 9 assists.

Iowa has proven it can win in multiple ways, thanks to the depth of the roster

Ava Heiden is absolutely unstoppable

This one is obvious, but Heiden notched another double-double and is steadily pushing her way into the Big Ten Player of the Year conversation.

Iowa has gotten it done with depth and everyone contributing at some point this season, but there is always one constant: Ava Heiden.

After forcing her way into the rotation late last season, Heiden has become Iowa's best player, and she is getting hot at the right time.

Following another dynamic performance against Wisconsin, Heiden has notched a double-double in three of Iowa's last four games, all resulting in Iowa wins.

It will be an absolute shock if she doesn't get strong consideration for the conference's player of the year when it is all said and done.

Iowa proved it is worthy of a 2 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament

Few teams have been hotter than Iowa, and excluding a tight win over Illinois, the Hawkeyes have crushed the competition.

That includes a blowout win over No. 6 Michigan and a dominating win over Wisconsin to close out the season.

The Hawkeyes are getting hot at the right time, and have a great chance to make it to the Big Ten Tournament title game.

Although nothing is guaranteed, Iowa's recent performance prove its worthy of a two seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Iowa has won in multiple ways with multiple contributors and has a potential player-of-the-year candidate in Ava Heiden.

Jan Jensen has the girls rolling, and there is no doubt that regardless of what seed they ultimately earn, Iowa is going to be a tough out in the NCAA Tournament.

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations