The Hawkeyes are doing things in year two under Jan Jensen that we have not seen since the Caitlin Clark days.
Jensen took over the program after legendary head coach Lisa Bluder retired at the end of the 2024 season, and she has guided the Hawkeyes to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
Iowa also earned a two seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, its highest overall seed since a one seed in 2024.
Jensen has the squad rolling this year, and even though the NCAA Tournament is a gauntlet, she believes the rigorous Big Ten Conference has set up the Hawkeyes for success in the postseason.
Iowa has confidence knowing they have already beaten some of the Tournament's best
The Hawkeyes finished the regular season and conference tournament with a 26-6 (15-3 Big Ten) record, finishing as the runner-up to UCLA.
Iowa knocked off multiple talented teams along the way, taking down 10 of the conference-tying record 12 teams in the field this season.
After Iowa played and beat some of the best teams in the conference, Jensen believes it prepared them for success in the Tournament.
During a portion of her media availability on Selection Sunday (posted by "The Hawkeye Report"), Jensen was asked if she got confidence from beating some of the Big Ten's elite, and she responded with "I think it does."
Every conference can claim they are the best, but sending 12 teams speaks for itself, and Jensen said they will draw on that experience in the tournament.
Iowa is hosting the first round in Iowa City, giving them a leg up in the first few games, and after that, they have already beaten two of the top teams in the Sacramento region, including Washington and Michigan State.
The experience will be massive for the Hawkeyes as they get into the later stages of the bracket, and Jensen is confident that drawing on that experience will help them in postseason play.