Jan Jensen isn't just "filling in" for a legend. Honestly, anyone who thought the post-Caitlin Clark era would be a quiet rebuilding phase in Iowa City hasn't been paying attention to the standings lately.
The Hawkeyes are currently 14-2. They're sitting at a perfect 5-0 in Big Ten play as of mid-January 2026. This isn't a fluke or a lucky schedule. It’s a group of players who seem to have collectively decided that the "rebuilding" narrative was basically an insult.
If you’ve been looking for iowa women’s basketball news, the big story isn't just who left—it's who stayed and who stepped up.
The Stuelke and Heiden Twin Towers Effect
Let's talk about Hannah Stuelke.
She's a senior now. You've seen her growth from a spark-plug sixth woman to a legitimate double-double machine. This season, she’s averaging roughly 13.5 points and over 8 rebounds a game. But stats don't tell you how she moves. She runs the floor like a wing but finishes with the kind of physical grit that makes opposing coaches lose sleep.
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Then there’s the "new" kid—though she doesn't play like one. Ava Heiden, the 6'4" sophomore center from Oregon, has been a revelation.
Most people expected a learning curve. Instead, she’s leading the team in scoring at 16 points per game. Having two elite posts on the floor at the same time is a tactical nightmare for the rest of the Big Ten.
Recent Results That Matter
- The Indiana Nail-Biter: Iowa just went into Bloomington and escaped with a 56-53 win. It wasn't pretty. It was a defensive grind where every possession felt like a war.
- The Nebraska Statement: On New Year's Day, they dropped 86 on a top-20 Huskers team.
- The Northwestern Business Trip: A 67-58 road win that showed this team can win even when their shots aren't falling.
It’s about resilience.
The Hawkeyes have won four straight games. They moved up to No. 11 in the AP Poll. While they took a couple of lumps earlier in the season—specifically against a #1 ranked UConn and a tough road game at Iowa State—they’ve found a rhythm that looks sustainable.
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The Jan Jensen Factor: More Than a 2nd-Year Coach
Jan Jensen has been in Iowa City for 26 years. Calling her a "second-year head coach" is technically true but feels wrong. She has been the architect of the post play here for decades.
The transition from Lisa Bluder was essentially seamless. Jensen has kept the same high-octane offensive philosophy but seems to have added a bit more defensive flexibility. You’re seeing more tactical shifts in the half-court than we used to see a few years ago.
And let’s be real. The recruiting hasn't dipped.
Landing transfers like Chazadi Wright from Georgia Tech has been massive. Wright is averaging 13.1 points and provides that veteran backcourt presence you need when the pressure ramps up in March.
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What’s Next for the Hawkeyes?
The schedule is about to get brutal.
Tonight, January 15th, they host Oregon at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Then it’s a showdown with No. 15 Michigan State on Sunday. After that? Maryland, Ohio State, and a West Coast trip to face USC and UCLA.
This stretch will define their season.
If they come out of the next three weeks with only one loss, they aren't just a tournament team. They are a Final Four contender. Again.
Key Stats to Watch
- Rebounding Margin: When Stuelke and Heiden both grab 8+ boards, Iowa is almost impossible to beat.
- Turnover Ratio: Chazadi Wright and Taylor McCabe have to keep the giveaway numbers low, especially against the full-court pressure they’ll see from Maryland.
- Bench Scoring: Jada Gyamfi and the freshmen, like Addie Deal, need to provide those 8-10 points a night to keep the starters fresh.
People keep waiting for the "drop-off." It’s just not happening. The sellout crowds at Carver-Hawkeye are still there, the energy is still electric, and the wins are still piling up.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Secure your tickets early: The upcoming games against Michigan State (Jan 18) and Ohio State (Jan 25) are likely to be sellouts if they aren't already.
- Watch the rotation: Keep an eye on how Jensen manages Ava Heiden’s minutes. As a sophomore, she’s the engine of the offense right now, but avoiding foul trouble against physical teams like Ohio State is paramount.
- Monitor the Big Ten Standings: Iowa is currently at the top with UCLA. Every game now is a battle for seeding in the Big Ten Tournament.