The expectations for Iowa Women's Basketball are sky high in year two under Head Coach Jan Jensen. During Jensen's first season, and the program's first without superstar Caitlin Clark, the Hawkeyes had a solid year.
Iowa finished the season with a 23-11 (10-8 Big Ten) record and made their seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
After last season, the Hawkeyes lost seniors Lucy Olsen (Washington Mystics), Sydney Affolter (Graduate Assistant), Addison O'Grady (graduation), and AJ Ediger (graduation), and must replace them next season.
To replenish its roster, the program added a few important transfers from the portal and a talented 2025 recruiting class.
Ahead of the 2025-2026 season, the Hawkeyes are earning recognition. In a way too early projection, Iowa begins the season ranked in the top 25.
On3 Sports' Talia Goodman has projected the Hawkeyes to start the season at No. 16 in the nation. Goodman released her rankings before UCF transfer Emely Rodriguez joined the squad, and might have placed the Hawkeyes higher.
The Hawkeyes had a successful 2024-2025 season, and added more talent to the roster through the transfer portal and the 2025 recruiting class.
Before Rodriguez transferred to Iowa, the Hawkeyes added transfer guard Chazadi "Chit-Chat" Wright from Georgia Tech from the portal.
The Hawkeyes also have a stellar 2025 recruiting class, headlined by five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American Addie Deal. Four-star recruits Journey Houston and Layla Hays join Deal in the 2025 class.
The five additions will immediately impact the Hawkeyes, especially Deal, who is projected to start at the off-guard position in her first season.
Iowa is set up for success in Jensen's second season, and she must push the right buttons in year two for the Hawkeyes to continue their success from last season.