Tonight, the No. 14 Iowa women’s basketball team returns home with the kind of early-season momentum that every program aspires to. The Hawkeyes return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena hoping to maintain their perfect record as they take on an undefeated Western Illinois team after dominating Orlando with consecutive victories over Miami and then-No. 10 Baylor in the WBCA Showcase. Despite having new players in important positions, Iowa’s 6-0 record shows layers of development, resilience, and confidence that indicate this team is settling in quickly.
Ava Heiden, a sophomore center who has quickly emerged as the Hawkeyes’ main attraction and most dependable producer, is one of those faces. The 6-foot-4 native of Sherwood, Oregon, has gone from being a promising contributor to a legitimate go-to scorer. She is leading the team through six games with 15.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, all while shooting a remarkable 63.3% from the field. However, it was her Orlando performance that really made her famous across the country. Heiden shot an even hotter 64% while averaging 19 points and 8.5 rebounds against an athletic Miami team and ranked Baylor. In addition to helping Iowa win the WBCA Showcase trophy, that two-game run won her the USBWA National Player of the Week and Big Ten Player of the Week awards.
Heiden’s ascent could not come at a better time for a program that lost a generational superstar to graduation. She plays with a serene demeanor, delicate hands, and an internal efficiency that breaks down barriers. Additionally, everything around her gets easier when she’s rolling: the ball moves more freely, the perimeter appears cleaner, and Iowa’s offense adopts a more methodical, patient rhythm. Even though the season is still young, her consistency has already established herself as Iowa’s pillar of support.
The Hawkeyes now focus on Western Illinois, a 4-0 team ready for its own big moment. The Leathernecks will go into Iowa City with the confidence that comes from handling business during the first two weeks of the season, even though they haven’t yet faced a test of Iowa’s caliber. A game like this is an opportunity for a mid-major program to assess toughness, gauge progress, and, if all goes well, upend the early-season narrative.
Naturally, Iowa supporters will have their own treat tonight: the opportunity to witness this rapidly improving Hawkeye team return home following a high-profile weekend. Additionally, the game will only be streamed on Big Ten Plus, which is accessible through a monthly or yearly subscription, for those who are watching from a distance. With the tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, fans will have plenty of time to prepare for a midweek game.
However, the Hawkeyes won’t win the entire game. The rotation has begun to suffer from injuries. Chit-Chat Wright, a sophomore guard, will miss her second consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. Wright adds variety to Iowa’s guard play with her defensive fire, speed, and slashing ability, so her absence is significant. The staff won’t rush her back, and the cautious approach seems appropriate considering how long the season is. Teagan Mallegni, a sophomore guard, has also been ruled out of tonight’s game, creating yet another backcourt depth gap. Iowa’s availability board is a little thinner than usual as sophomore wing Emely Rodriguez has been listed as questionable.
There are several implications to the absences. First, Iowa will rely even more on its seasoned players and up-and-coming leaders. This includes Heiden as well as the guards who are anticipated to take on more defensive and playmaking duties. Second, it makes it easier for younger players or underutilized contributors to steal valuable minutes. Early-season nonconference games frequently turn into chances to build depth, which Iowa might appreciate considering the arduous Big Ten schedule that lies ahead.
Despite the injuries, the Hawkeyes appear to be developing a distinct identity. They purposefully defend. They bounce back quickly. Additionally, Heiden is teaching them how to combine inside-out play with tempo, spacing, and astute decision-making. They go into tonight not only as heavy favorites but also as a group with genuine expectations after making the biggest leap of any team this week in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll.
Without a doubt, Western Illinois will try to upset Iowa’s rhythm and bring energy. However, the Hawkeyes will be difficult to defeat at home if they play with the same poise and balance that they displayed in Orlando. With just a few hours until tipoff, all eyes will be on Carver-Hawkeye Arena to see if Iowa can maintain its stellar start and keep laying the groundwork for what looks to be another exciting season.
