In a post-Caitlin Clark world, Iowa doesn't even make ESPN's preseason Top 25

Iowa women's basketball is heading into some uncharted territory in this upcoming 2024-2025 season. For the first time in 24 years, Lisa Bluder will not be on the bench coaching the Hawkeyes every game and for the first time in four years, the Hawkeyes will be without star player and the most legendary and famous Iowa player ever, Caitlin Clark.

The loss of those two famous Hawkeyes figures seems like enough, but Iowa also lost starters Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall, along with Molly Davis. This Hawkeyes team will look immensely different at the start of the 2024-2025 season the media is very aware of that.

ESPN released its first way-to-early top 25 rankings of the school year, and the Iowa Hawkeyes, without Clark, Martin, Davis, Marshall, and Bluder, are nowhere to be found on the list. The reigning National Champion South Carolina Gamecocks were ranked No. 1 with a good portion of their squad returning and famous coach Dawn Staley sticking around.

After Bluder announced her retirement from the team and coaching, Iowa didn't waste much time in deciding who would fill her big shoes. Bluder's top assistant coach Jan Jensen was promoted to head coach, much to the joy of both current and former members of the Hawkeyes squad.

Jensen is heading into her 25th season with Iowa, all spent as an assistant coach, but now she will get her chance to lead the team, but it may not be so easy.

The Hawkeyes have been the center of all the media attention for the past four years, with Clark on the court breaking records and leading her team to championships. Now, with the strongest players on the roster from last season gone, Jenson will essentially be starting from square one.

ESPN must feel that the Hawkeyes are going to have a steep hill to climb this season, and that is probably a big reason the Hawkeyes are even sniffing the top 25 at the moment.