This afternoon, Iowa women’s basketball will return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena with the momentum of a midweek victory that demonstrated both depth and promise, as well as the confidence of a 7-0 start. Fairfield, a 4-1 team that has already proven it can score, defend, and hang with top-tier opponents, will be welcomed by the Hawkeyes. It’s another chance for Iowa to improve rotations, give younger players valuable playing time, and keep preparing for the more difficult portion of the season.
The 86-69 victory over Western Illinois last Wednesday satisfied a number of crucial requirements for head coach Jan Jensen’s squad. Iowa dominated the pace, set the tone for physicality, and saw freshman guard Addie Deal put on the kind of breakout performance that every program hopes to see early in the season—all without the help of three key players. Deal scored a career-high 17 points after coming off the bench, shooting an effective 7-for-10 from the field and making three three-pointers. The confidence was what attracted attention, not just the score. She played with a veteran’s composure and stepped into open shots without hesitation, giving the impression that she belonged in the moment.
For a team dealing with an unusual cluster of injuries, that was a much-needed boost. The Western Illinois game was missed by sophomore wing Emely Rodriguez, sophomore guard Chit-Chat Wright, and sophomore guard Teagan Mallegni. Jensen had to stretch her rotation and rely more on younger players as a result of their absences, which may eventually help Iowa in a subtle way. Early-season adversity frequently reveals depth, which wins games in March.
Wright sustained an upper-body setback during Iowa’s trip to the WBCA Showcase in Orlando, and her injury has persisted ever since. Although she has been making progress, she is still not prepared for live action. On Monday, Mallegni had an unexpected tonsillectomy, which caused her to be temporarily removed from the rotation. The staff has been keeping a close eye on Rodriguez’s persistent back problem. Rob Brooks of Hawkeye Radio Network reports that all three are still going about their daily business, which is encouraging given the timing and Iowa’s forthcoming schedule.
Jensen provided a calm but upbeat update following Western Illinois’ victory. “Chit-Chat and Emely are both on a daily basis. When I observe her moving around, I do notice progress. Teagan will also likely be around a week. Transparency and caution are always balanced in Jensen’s updates, and this one was no exception. With Big Ten play still to come, the Hawkeyes are not in a rush to get their sophomores healthy.
Iowa’s offense is still humming in the interim. The Hawkeyes demonstrated their typical combination of tempo, spacing, and ball movement against Western Illinois despite the absence of a crucial trio. Younger players were able to find rhythm thanks to the spacing, shots came easily, and players continued to move when the ball wasn’t in play. Deal’s comeback might be especially helpful today against a Fairfield team that enjoys forcing contested looks and interfering with passing lanes.
With a disciplined approach and a roster that perseveres in challenging situations, Fairfield comes in at 4-1. Today’s Big Ten Network noon tip for Iowa is more than just a typical nonconference home game; it’s an opportunity to improve performance, sustain momentum, and gauge how well the team adapts to players coming and going from the lineup. Fans who are unable to travel to Carver can watch the game via Fubo, which is giving new subscribers a free trial. The broadcast should attract a sizable audience given Iowa’s widespread appeal and the rising popularity of women’s basketball. In recent years, the Hawkeyes have been one of the nation’s most watched programs, and the attention hasn’t faded.
The game today also coincides with a number of positive program developments. Iowa recently rose in a number of national rankings, including the AP Top 25 and the USA TODAY Coaches Poll. The Hawkeyes were also moved up in ESPN’s most recent bracketology update, confirming what early results had already indicated: this team is capable of competing with any team. As evidenced by Iowa’s recent offer to elite 2028 prospect Khloe Nicholson, star players are gaining national recognition, freshmen are rising to the occasion, and recruiting excitement is still growing.
But for the time being, the priorities are straightforward: take care of business at home, keep improving the rotation, and keep working toward a full and healthy roster. This period without three sophomores could end up being one of the most significant aspects of Iowa’s early-season narrative if the team can continue to combine veteran poise with up-and-coming talent.
