Not only did Iowa women’s basketball emerge from the WBCA Showcase with two impressive victories, but the Hawkeyes also returned with a brightening spotlight and national momentum. following outstanding wins over then-No. 10 In the most recent USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll, Baylor and Miami in Orlando, Iowa, shot up six spots to No. 14. It’s difficult to argue that this team’s biggest jump of the week isn’t well-deserved.
The kind of balanced, self-assured play that head coach Lisa Bluder enjoys seeing early in a season has been the driving force behind the Hawkeyes’ 6-0 start. However, sophomore center Ava Heiden is the player who best captured Iowa’s weekend ascent. Throughout the two showcase games, the 6-foot-4 post averaged 19 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting a scorching 64% from the field, displaying the poise of a veteran. Heiden provided both toughness and efficiency inside during a stretch that called for both, and more.
Her performances demonstrated how dangerous Iowa can be when its frontcourt is playing well; they weren’t just numbers on a stat sheet. Heiden’s rise seems appropriate, almost inevitable, given the absence of the megastars from the previous season. She played with such assurance that it seemed as though she was only beginning.
However, good news is frequently accompanied by some worry, and Iowa has some on guard. In the second half of Iowa’s victory over Baylor, sophomore guard Chit-Chat Wright, a dynamic presence whose quickness and defensive play have subtly become essential components of Iowa’s rhythm, suffered an upper-body injury. She was unavailable for Monday’s practice, and the team has listed her as day-to-day. Her status for future games, including tonight’s game, is therefore uncertain.
Iowa won’t have to start over if Wright is unable to leave, but it will need to make quick changes. To help absorb backcourt minutes, the Hawkeyes will likely look to talented freshman Addie Deal and sophomore Taylor Stremlow. Deal contributes adaptability and brief bursts of offensive inventiveness, while Stremlow offers consistency and strong defensive instincts. Although they don’t exactly mimic Wright’s style of play, they can work together to maintain Iowa’s guard rotation’s efficiency.
Big Ten Plus (B1G+) will be the only place where fans can watch tonight’s game against Western Illinois as Iowa attempts to extend its perfect record to 7-0. With tipoff set for 6:30 p.m. CT, Hawkeye supporters will have a prime opportunity to follow a team that has unexpectedly gained more national attention. Iowa’s November has been jam-packed with more than just games, despite their impressive 6-0 start.
Headlines have been coming from every direction: a breakout showing on CBS, updated ESPN bracketology movement, awards recognition, and major recruiting updates — including five-star Addison Bjorn choosing Texas over Iowa. The Hawkeyes’ early season seems to be a never-ending whirlwind of growing expectations, focus, and adaptation.
Additionally, the timing of this Western Illinois game feels precarious. Heiden’s development is quickly emerging as one of the Big Ten’s most captivating narratives, Iowa is on the rise nationally, and pollsters are keeping a careful eye on it. However, they also have to deal with the pressure that comes with a team moving up the rankings, the uncertainty surrounding Wright’s health, and the integration of younger rotation players.
Nevertheless, if the victories over Miami and Baylor taught us anything, it’s that this Iowa team doesn’t back down. They don’t depend on a single player to do everything. They move the ball, defend, and are starting to establish a distinct identity that is independent of previous seasons. For a program whose national profile has skyrocketed in recent years, that’s easier said than done, but this roster is obviously embracing the challenge.
The Hawkeyes have an opportunity to gain even more momentum as they get ready to play tonight. Heiden, Stremlow, Deal, and the rest of Iowa’s developing rotation would have another chance to solidify their roles, bolster their early-season resume, and solidify their new top-15 standing with a perfect performance against Western Illinois. At 6:30 p.m. CT, fans can watch the action on B1G+ as Iowa attempts to maintain its perfect start and continue demonstrating that this year’s squad is deserving of all the attention it is currently receiving.
