Tag: Iowa women’s basketball

Iowa women’s basketball climbs in latest ESPN bracketology projection

After an impressive win over Virginia Tech, Iowa women’s basketball is climbing in ESPN’s bracketology update.

Iowa women’s basketball has opened its 2024-25 campaign with wins over Northern Illinois (91-73) and Virginia Tech (71-52).

The Hawkeyes’ victory over the Hokies in the Ally Tipoff was a strong statement to the Big Ten and the rest of the country that life after Caitlin Clark can still be pretty good in Iowa City.

In the latest USA TODAY Sports Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll, Iowa is right on the fringe of being ranked. The Hawkeyes picked up 34 points to sit just outside the top 25.

With Iowa set to host Toledo on Wednesday night, the Hawkeyes are currently being paced in scoring by senior point guard Lucy Olsen’s 19.5 points per game. The Villanova transfer is shooting 47.4% from the field and averaging 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Senior center Addison O’Grady (15.0), junior forward Hannah Stuelke (13.5) and senior guard Kylie Feuerbach (10.5) are all averaging double-figure scoring thus far this season.

After its two wins to open up the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season, Iowa is seeing its bracketology seeding on the rise.

In ESPN’s bracketology update, the Iowa Hawkeyes are up to a No. 7 seed in Region 4 Spokane. That’s a one-seed climb for Iowa from ESPN’s preseason bracketology.

Here’s a look at the full Region 4 Spokane. Plus, a look at every Big Ten team that finds its way into ESPN’s current bracketology along with their seeding.

Region 4 Spokane

  • No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 16 Albany
  • No. 8 Utah vs. No. 9 South Dakota State
  • No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 12 Gonzaga
  • No. 4 West Virginia vs. No. 13 James Madison
  • No. 6 Creighton vs. No. 11 Penn State / No. 11 Clemson
  • No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 North Texas
  • No. 7 Iowa vs. No. 10 Mississippi State
  • No. 2 Notre Dame vs. No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson

Big Ten teams in ESPN’s bracketology

  • No. 1 UCLA
  • No. 1 USC
  • No. 3 Ohio State
  • No. 4 Maryland
  • No. 5 Nebraska
  • No. 6 Illinois
  • No. 7 Iowa
  • No. 7 Michigan State
  • No. 8 Michigan
  • No. 8 Indiana
  • No. 10 Minnesota
  • No. 11 Penn State

In a show of the league’s perceived strength, the now 18-team Big Ten sees 12 of its members currently accepting bids in ESPN’s bracketology.

The SEC is also projected with 12 bids, the ACC and Big 12 each with eight and the Big East and Atlantic 10 earn a pair of berths.

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Iowa women’s basketball on fringe of top 25 in latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Iowa is on the fringe of cracking the top 25 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll.

After two dominant wins for Iowa women’s basketball over Northern Illinois (91-73) and Virginia Tech (71-52), the Hawkeyes received more love in the Nov. 12 edition of the USA TODAY Sports Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll.

In the Hawkeyes‘ two games this season, senior transfer guard Lucy Olsen has taken charge by leading the team in average points scored (19.5), assists (5.5), and minutes per game (37.2). The hot start from the former Villanova Wildcat has been exactly the offensive force the Hawkeyes envisioned ahead of the season.

Senior center Addison O’Grady has also found herself off to a scorching start by averaging 15 points, three rebounds, and one block per game. While the center’s stats may look tame, her near perfect 14-for-15 shooting performance through two games has been spectacular.

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

As for the rankings, there was no movement within the top five programs as No. 1 South Carolina remains atop the list, followed by No. 2 UConn, No. 3 USC, No. 4 Texas, and No. 5 Notre Dame.

Outside of the third-ranked Trojans, the Big Ten features five other programs within the Top 25 including No. 6 UCLA, No. 12 Ohio State, No. 14 Maryland, No. 20 Nebraska, and No. 24 Illinois.

Below is the complete USA TODAY Sports Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll rankings for Nov. 12, 2024:

Ranking Team Record Points
1 South Carolina Gamecocks 2-0 772 (29)
2 UConn Huskies 2-0 740 (1)
3 USC Trojans 2-0 707 (1)
4 Texas Longhorns 2-0 674
5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 1-0 652
6 UCLA Bruins 2-0 598
7 LSU Tigers 2-0 586
8 Iowa State Cyclones 3-0 547
9 Oklahoma Sooners 2-0 516
10 North Carolina State Wolfpack 1-1 476
11 Kansas State Wildcats 2-0 462
12 Ohio State Buckeyes 1-0 439
13 West Virginia Mountaineers 2-0 382
14 Maryland Terrapins 3-0 378
15 North Carolina Tar Heels 2-0 327
16 Duke Blue Devils 2-1 281
17 Baylor Bears 1-1 256
18 Louisville Cardinals 1-1 205
19 Kentucky Wildcats 2-0 165
20 Nebraska Cornhuskers 2-0 158
21 Ole Miss Rebels 1-1 145
22 Alabama Crimson Tide 3-0 123
23 Stanford Cardinal 3-0 99
24 Illinois Fighting Illini 2-0 87
25 South Dakota State Jackrabbits 2-0 50

Schools Dropped Out

No. 19 Florida State; No. 20 Creighton; No. 24 Indiana;

Others Receiving Votes

Oregon 42; Florida State 38; Iowa 34; Tennessee 33; Utah 17; Creighton 11; Auburn 11; TCU 10; Michigan State 9; Middle Tennessee 8; Indiana 8; Fairfield 7; UNLV 6; Michigan 4; Penn State 3; Mississippi State 3; Saint Joseph’s 2; Gonzaga 2; Richmond 1; Columbia 1

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Iowa’s Ally Tipoff win vs. Virginia Tech in pictures

A look back at Iowa women’s basketball’s Ally Tipoff win vs. Virginia Tech through the best pictures.

The Iowa Hawkeyes picked up a huge early-season win with an impressive performance in the Ally Tipoff against Virginia Tech.

The Hawkeyes (2-0) topped the Hokies (1-1), 71-52. Senior guard Lucy Olsen led the way for Iowa with 20 points on 9-of-21 shooting. Olsen added six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.

Senior center Addison O’Grady enjoyed a memorable night as well. The 6-foot-4 center was a perfect 9-for-9 shooting and finished with 18 points as the Hawkeyes looked to establish the high-low game all night long.

Junior forward Hannah Stuelke had a strong performance as well. Stuelke was Iowa’s other double-figure scorer with 16 points.

Among one of the other key storylines was the season debut for senior guard Sydney Affolter who has been working her way back from an offseason knee cleanup procedure.

Let’s take a look back at Iowa’s big win through these terrific photos.

Three stars of Iowa women’s basketball’s 71-52 victory vs. Virginia Tech

Three stars from Iowa women’s basketball’s 71-52 victory vs. Virginia Tech.

Iowa women’s basketball passed their first true challenge of the young 2024-25 campaign on Sunday with a 71-52 victory versus Virginia Tech at the Ally Tipoff from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C.

The Hawkeyes and Hokies started in a back-and-forth affair before Iowa was able to close out the first quarter with a 10-point lead. The second quarter saw Virginia Tech claw back into the game to end the first half down by just four points.

The third quarter saw Iowa expand its lead to a 16-point advantage thanks to stellar defensive plays and 3-pointers from senior guards Sydney Affolter and Kylie Feuerbach.

As the fourth quarter rolled around, the Hawkeyes were able to ride the offensive momentum created in the third to close out the Hokies for a convincing 71-52 win.

As a team, the Hawkeyes shot 46% from the field and 22.2% from deep, while collecting 46 rebounds, three steals and one block. In terms of areas of point production, the Hawkeyes dominated the interior by scoring 44 of their total 71 points from inside the paint.

While the victory over Virginia Tech was an all-around effort by the Hawkeyes, three players stood out as difference-makers contributing to the team’s success in Charlotte.

Lucy Olsen

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Olsen finished with a team-leading 20-point performance, making 9-of-21 shots from the field that included 1-for-4 from beyond the arc. Olsen also recorded six rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block in 39 minutes of play.

While Olsen led the score sheet, her ability to facilitate the ball into the paint to other teammates was a major contributor to the offensive success throughout the night for the Hawkeyes.

The aggressive style of play that Olsen has shown so far is exactly what the Hawkeyes will rely on offensively this season.

Addison O’Grady

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

O’Grady had herself a stellar shooting performance as she registered 18 points on a 9-for-9 from the field to go along with three rebounds and one steal in 26 minutes played.

The senior center’s perfect shooting night allowed the Hawkeyes to take control of the offensive interior, which was a massive area of production throughout the night for Iowa.

Hannah Stuelke

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Stuelke had a solid performance Sunday afternoon as well by scoring 16 points and finishing with seven rebounds and two assists. While her shooting from the field was 6-for-17, she did finish 4-for-6 from the free throw line.

Even though Stuelke’s scoring performance hides behind Olsen and O’Grady, the ability to secure rebounds and push the ball upcourt is a skill that coach Jan Jensen certainly appreciates.

The Hawkeyes now improve to 2-0 on the campaign and return home to face the Toledo Rockets (1-0) from Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. CT. The game is set to be broadcast and air on the Big Ten Network.

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Jan Jensen among ESPN’s 2024-25 coaches to watch

Iowa head women’s basketball coach Jan Jensen made her way onto ESPN’s preseason women’s college basketball coaches to watch.

Iowa women’s basketball has officially begun this new era of Hawkeye hoops.

After spending 24 seasons coaching alongside Lisa Bluder at Iowa, Jan Jensen takes over for her first season as the Hawkeyes’ head coach.

Jensen inherits a roster that features headliners in senior guards Lucy Olsen and Sydney Affolter along with junior forward Hannah Stuelke.

Affolter and Stuelke have been key cogs over the past two seasons as Iowa marched its way to consecutive Final Fours and national championship games. Meanwhile, Olsen comes over as a transfer from Villanova after she ranked third nationally in scoring last season with 23.3 points per game.

In addition to that trio, Iowa also returns senior center Addison O’Grady, senior guard Kylie Feuerbach and junior guard Taylor McCabe to its rotation.

The Hawkeyes also signed one of the country’s top recruiting classes last year. Iowa inked four ESPN top-100 players in guards Aaliyah Guyton, Teagan Mallegni and Taylor Stremlow and in center Ava Heiden.

Though superstar Caitlin Clark and longtime starters Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall have all moved on, Jensen still possesses what’s regarded as one of the Big Ten’s better rosters in her first season at the helm.

In part of its preview for the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season, ESPN took a look at 12 women’s college basketball coaches to watch.

Naturally, Jensen’s name was on that list. Jensen joined Kentucky‘s Kenny Brooks, Tennessee‘s Kim Caldwell, Miami’s Tricia Cullop, Virginia Tech’s Megan Duffy, Stanford’s Kate Paye and Clemson‘s Shawn Poppie within ESPN’s “will they be hits?” category.

Jensen was with Bluder every step of the way for nearly a quarter-century at Iowa and played a big role in every part of the program. Jensen is especially well-regarded for developing post players. With Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall having moved on, the Hawkeyes will lean on the experience of players such as Hannah Stuelke and Sydney Affolter. The way Iowa plays shouldn’t change that much. – Michael Voepel, ESPN.

In its 91-73 season-opening win over Northern Illinois, Iowa took 71 shots and knocked down 52.1% of them. The Hawkeyes assisted on 22 of their 37 made field goals.

Iowa connected on just 9-of-29 3-point tries.

All five Hawkeye starters finished in double-figures. Iowa was led by Olsen’s 19 points on 9-of-17 shooting. The 5-foot-10 guard also added seven assists and four rebounds.

Stuelke began her season with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

One of the highlights for Iowa was the combination of Feuerbach and McCabe. That pairing combined to knock down 7-of-16 from beyond the arc as they scored 25 in tandem.

O’Grady added 12 points and a pair of blocks. Mallegni was Iowa’s other double-figure scorer off the bench. The 6-foot-1 frosh added 14 points.

Iowa (1-0) returns to action on Sunday against Virginia Tech at 4:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2 in the Ally Tipoff from Charlotte, N.C.

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Sydney Affolter ahead of schedule in injury return, could play in opener

Sydney Affolter is ahead of schedule.

Iowa head women’s basketball coach Jan Jensen confirmed that senior guard Sydney Affolter is ahead of schedule in her injury return.

Iowa announced in early October that Affolter would be sidelined until early November after undergoing a successful surgical scope of her knee.

Now, Jensen and Iowa are preparing for the opportunity that Affolter might play tonight versus Northern Illinois in the Hawkeyes’ season opener.

“We’re so thankful that she’s ahead of schedule and that’s not surprising. I don’t know if I’ve really coached anyone as tough. Certainly, she’s probably in the Megan Gustafson category, right. Kate Martin-esque. She didn’t really want to sit out, and then when she had to, it was clear before any procedure happened that she would be back earlier.

“And she is. We’re going to work her in slowly. Hopefully we can get a few more reps in practice today and a few more tomorrow. It would be wonderful if she could see some minutes on Wednesday, because then after Wednesday as you all know, we really start to tick up. Really happy with her progress and just so fit and really fit in her mind, too, which is great,” Jensen said of Affolter’s recovery on Monday.

Affolter averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season. The 5-foot-11 guard shot 55.2% from the floor, 41.4% from 3-point range and 83.0% from the free throw line.

Alongside senior guard Lucy Olsen and junior forward Hannah Stuelke, Affolter is expected to be one of the Hawkeyes key offensive cogs.

Affolter discussed what her journey back has been like with the Des Moines Register.

“It’s been hard sitting out,” Affolter said. “I want to be out there competing with them, but I know it’s a very long season. It’s only been about six weeks, so I’ve just got to play it by ear and see how my knee feels. But hopefully quite soon. I’ve been doing a lot of cardio outside of basketball and strength training to get my muscles back to where they were. Then finally getting back into basketball these last two weeks.

“… I’m very glad I got it done. It was definitely needed. But just working to get my muscles back up to where they were and getting back up to speed and on the floor is my main concern. It’s a very long season. There are a lot of games to be played. I don’t want to push it too early for it not to be completely 100 percent in January. Rehab has been going great, and I think just really trusting the process and really listening to myself and how my body feels.”

Iowa tips off its season on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. CT against Northern Illinois (1-0).

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Who is Lucy Olsen? Meet the Iowa guard leading the Hawkeyes in the post-Caitlin Clark era

Lucy Olsen won’t be Caitlin Clark. And she doesn’t have to be.

The Iowa Hawkeyes will enter a transformation when its 2024-2025 season starts Wednesday.

Caitlin Clark, the generational hooper who changed the fabric of Iowa, is now in the WNBA, leaving the proverbial door wide open for someone else to walk through it.

Enter Lucy Olsen — the Pennsylvania native and senior guard who transferred to Iowa in the offseason after three seasons with the Villanova Wildcats. Olsen seemingly takes over for Clark, stepping into the spotlight to keep the Hawkeyes on the path to title contention.

Will Iowa get back to the national championship game with Lucy Olsen leading the team in a post-Caitlin Clark era? That remains to be seen. But now is a good time to familiarize yourself with the player leading the charge.

1. Lucy Olsen picked the Iowa Hawkeyes for the team’s family culture

Former Iowa’s women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder greets Lucy Olsen after practice Tuesday, July 16, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen-USA TODAY NETWORK)

Why would Lucy Olsen pick Iowa as her next destination, knowing she would have so many expectations — fair or unfair — placed on her?

Former coach Lisa Bluder and the Hawkeyes seemed to have fostered a warm and inviting culture. From a quick phone call right after she transferred to a Zoom meeting with her parents, Iowa was all in on Lucy Olsen. That notion was only reinforced when she met the team in person.

“When we got on campus for a visit, I was like, ‘Wow, this feels like family already,'” Olsen told Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register earlier this year. “There was something about the culture they’ve built (that) felt so like home. That’s what sold me.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C54XgCXuAiC/?igsh=dmVuMXF0ancybmpw

2. Lucy Olsen isn’t trying to be Caitlin Clark

Iowa’s Lucy Olsen (33) reacts during a game against Missouri Western Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA TODAY NETWORK)

Stepping in behind Caitlin Clark (and her legacy) can feel daunting. But Lucy Olsen isn’t trying to fill Clark’s shoes.

“Caitlin Clark is Caitlin Clark. I’m not going to try to be her,” Olsen said. “But they need a point guard, and it’s a perfect opportunity to try to make something happen.”

To her credit, Olsen holds her own on the court, which is a huge reason why she was also heavily pursued by schools like LSU and Maryland when she entered the transfer portal. The senior guard was third in Division I women’s basketball scoring last season, just behind Clark and JuJu Watkins, averaging an impressive 23.3 points per game.

3. Lucy Olsen brings her own unique game to the Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa’s Lucy Olsen (33) sets up a play against Missouri Western Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Lucy Olsen works very well in the midrange and has a patented stepback fadeaway jumper that should get some real shine this season. It’s her go-to move, unleashing it from multiple spots within the arc. She’s also a willing three-point shooter despite only shooting 30 percent from deep last year.

Also, Olsen has plenty of basketball experience that should lend well to a young Iowa team. In addition to three productive seasons at Vilanova, where she finished her career ranking ninth all-time in scoring with 1,504 points, Olsen has also played on the international stage. She’s been playing for Team USA Basketball for nearly two years and won a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 U23 Nations League Final.

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ESPN highlights Iowa’s new leadership among top women’s college basketball storylines

ESPN featured Iowa and its new leadership among its top women’s college basketball storylines for the 2024-25 season.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have been the toast of the women’s college basketball world each of the past two seasons with superstar Caitlin Clark guiding them to the brink of national championships.

With Clark’s superstardom as its guiding light, Iowa advanced to back-to-back Final Fours and national championship games.

Now that Clark is a WNBA star with the Indiana Fever, the show goes on for Iowa with a mix of familiar faces and a new cast of characters.

In its 10 questions for the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season, ESPN mentioned one of Iowa’s new faces among its transfers that are set to make the biggest splash.

Iowa point guard Lucy Olsen transferred in from Villanova after averaging 23.3 points per game, which ranked third nationally. ESPN mentioned Olsen among its top transfers heading into the season alongside Oklahoma‘s Raegan Beers and Kentucky‘s Georgia Amoore.

ESPN also wonders what Iowa will look like under new leadership.

The situation at Iowa is most similar to Stanford, with Lisa Bluder stepping down after 24 years and her assistant during that time, Jan Jensen, taking over. The Hawkeyes lost not just a generational star in Clark, but players such as starting guards Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall as well. That said, forward Hannah Stuelke is primed for a big junior season, and Jensen should get the best out of this group. – Michael Voepel, ESPN.

After that lengthy stint by Bluder’s side, Jensen gets her chance to lead this Iowa program as the head coach. With Olsen, Stuelke and guard Sydney Affolter, Jensen has a strong starting three to build around.

In its lone exhibition contest, Iowa dispatched of Missouri Western, 110-55. Stuelke led the way with 18 points on 5-of-6 shooting.

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USA TODAY Sports network shares preseason Big Ten ranking for Iowa women’s basketball

USA TODAY Sports network revealed its preseason Big Ten women’s basketball rankings, including its projected finish for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

As the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season approaches, the USA TODAY Sports Network unveiled its preseason poll for the Big Ten conference.

Iowa women’s basketball received an optimistic ranking considering the unknowns that exist within the program entering the season.

The Hawkeyes placed in a tie for sixth in the USA TODAY Sports network’s preseason Big Ten women’s basketball poll, which is constructed from the votes of six USA TODAY Sports writers that cover the conference.

Last season’s run to the national championship game was largely a by-product of the phenomenal play of Caitlin Clark and Co., but with Clark and longtime head coach Lisa Bluder no longer with the program, the Hawkeyes have a bit of a question mark upon whether their current roster can replicate such prolific offensive production.

With the conference adding USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon to an already robust collection of programs, a tie for sixth place in the preseason poll is a rather respectful position, all things considered.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

As for the preseason poll as a whole, USC stands atop as the unanimous preseason conference champion. UCLA slots in close behind in second place, followed by Ohio State in third. Nebraska and Indiana both are listed as a tie for fourth with Maryland and Iowa in a sixth-place tie.

Let’s take a look at the full USA TODAY Sports Network’s Big Ten preseason poll.

Full USA TODAY Sports network Big Ten women’s basketball media poll

Fans got their first look at this new-era Iowa team in its exhibition versus Missouri Western on Wednesday night. Among key takeaways, Stuelke had a big day and Olsen’s rapport with Stuelke was quickly evident.

The Hawkeyes’ home and regular-season opener will be on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. CT versus Northern Illinois and will stream on Big Ten Network Plus.

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Iowa duo named to preseason All-Big Ten rosters by USA TODAY Sports network

Iowa guard Lucy Olsen and forward Hannah Stuelke each earned preseason All-Big Ten honors from the USA TODAY Sports network.

As the Iowa Hawkeyes prepare for another march toward a Big Ten championship and deep NCAA Tournament run, senior transfer guard Lucy Olsen and junior forward Hannah Stuelke earned preseason All-Big Ten honors from the USA TODAY Sports network.

Olsen was named a member of the preseason All-Big Ten first team, while Stuelke joined as part of the All-Big Ten second team.

Even though both will be critical to the Hawkeyes’ offensive production this season, they differ in their journeys to Iowa City.

Stuelke committed to Iowa as a high school freshman and had key roles on the Hawkeyes’ back-to-back Final Four squads, including a 23-point performance in last season’s national semifinal game against Connecticut.

Olsen joined the program through the transfer portal this offseason after starting three years at Villanova. In her 35 games played last season, she averaged 23.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest while averaging 36.2 minutes per game.

Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

With the offensive production of Caitlin Clark no longer present, Iowa will look for Olsen and Stuelke to spearhead a large portion of the Hawkeyes’ attack this season.

Iowa’s home and season opener is on Nov. 6 versus Northern Illinois at 6:30 p.m. CT and will air on Big Ten Network Plus.

Below are the rest of the preseason All-Big Ten selections and awards.

Preseason All-Big Ten first team

  • G JuJu Watkins, USC
  • G Lucy Olsen, Iowa
  • F Cotie McMahon, Ohio State
  • F Kiki Iriafen, USC
  • C Lauren Betts, UCLA

Preseason All-Big Ten second team

  • G Shyanne Sellers, Maryland
  • G Kiki Rice, UCLA
  • F Serah Williams, Wisconsin
  • F Hannah Stuelke, Iowa
  • C Alexis Markowski, Nebraska

Preseason Coach of the Year

Lindsay Gottlieb, USC

Preseason Player of the Year

JuJu Watkins, USC

Preseason Newcomer of the Year

Kiki Iriafen, USC

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

Serah Williams, Wisconsin

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