Iowa women's basketball shows promise post-Caitlin Clark

Iowa women's basketball had a promising season in 2025, even after losing star player Caitlin Clark. Coach Jan Jensen described the year as pivotal and successful. The team's season ended with a disappointing loss to Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament, but they bounced back from a tough start to finish strong. After beginning the Big Ten season with a 2-6 record, the Hawkeyes won 11 of their last 15 games, including a first-round victory over Murray State. Jensen praised her team's ability to step away from the achievements of the previous era and find their own identity. The team faced significant challenges, losing four key players and longtime head coach Lisa Bluder. Jensen stepped up as head coach for the first time. She and the team had to adapt quickly. The returners, including Sydney Affolter and Hannah Stuelke, took on larger roles, while transfer Lucy Olsen filled in as point guard. Despite early struggles, Olsen found her rhythm, averaging 17.9 points and 4.8 assists per game. Her growth boosted the performance of other players, leading to overall improvement. The team's chemistry developed as they faced adversity together. The Hawkeyes maintained strong support from fans, with every game sold out before the season began. Jensen noted how the fan base grew to love this new team. Looking ahead, Iowa will miss some key players but brings in highly-ranked recruits for future seasons. Jensen believes Iowa women’s basketball continues to thrive.