Iowa Women’s Basketball Grind Begins as Hawkeyes Enter Season-Defining Stretch
IOWA CITY — The Iowa women’s basketball grind has officially arrived, and there’s no easing into it. After weeks of navigating a lighter Big Ten slate, the Hawkeyes now face a brutal schedule turn that will test their depth, toughness, and championship resolve in ways that can’t be faked.
Sunday’s comeback win at Indiana may end up being remembered as the emotional bridge between smooth sailing and survival mode.
Senior guard Kylie Feuerbach knows it firsthand.
Just days removed from being listed as “day-to-day” with an ankle injury, Feuerbach returned and immediately became the defensive difference-maker Iowa desperately needed. Adrenaline and a little ibuprofen powered her through a gritty performance that flipped the game.
“Adrenaline helped,” Feuerbach said with a smile. “So did ibuprofen.”
After missing three games, Feuerbach locked down Indiana scorer Shay Ciezki in the second half, holding her to just two points after a 19-point explosion before halftime. That defensive stand sparked Iowa’s rally from a 16-point hole and helped the Hawkeyes escape with a win that suddenly feels much larger in hindsight.
For the No. 11 Hawkeyes (14-2 overall, 5-0 Big Ten), the margin for error is shrinking fast.
Iowa Women’s Basketball Grind Hits Full Force
Thursday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena marks the start of Iowa’s most demanding stretch yet. Oregon (14-4, 2-3 Big Ten) visits Iowa City for an 8 p.m. showdown, and it’s only the beginning.
Over the next five games, Iowa will face four ranked opponents Michigan State, Maryland, Ohio State, USC, and UCLA with three of those contests coming on the road. In total, 11 of Iowa’s final 13 regular-season games are against NCAA tournament hopefuls.
“This is where it gets hard,” Iowa head coach Jan Jensen said. “Every game counts the same, but the degree of difficulty changes.”
Jensen knows how quickly momentum can flip in the Big Ten.
“If you don’t win the first one, you’re having a different conversation about the next one,” she said. “Suddenly, it becomes pivotal for a different reason.”
Right now, Iowa sits atop the league standings, tied with UCLA entering Wednesday night. A win over Oregon keeps the Hawkeyes in control. A loss opens the door to chaos.
Sophomore guard Chit-Chat Wright said the team isn’t looking ahead even if the calendar screams danger.
“We’re taking one game at a time,” Wright said. “Every game is going to be a dogfight.”
That lesson was reinforced over the past two weeks. Northwestern pushed Iowa deep into the fourth quarter before the Hawkeyes pulled away. Indiana, still winless in Big Ten play, nearly stole a game outright.
Those scares didn’t come from elite opponents they came from teams desperate to prove something.
Feuerbach’s return changes the equation.
Her presence gives Iowa its most reliable perimeter defender back at full speed, and teammates know how much she adds beyond the stat sheet.
“Kylie brings a lot of things that other people don’t like to do,” Wright said.
That includes guarding the toughest scorer, diving on loose balls, and setting the defensive tone when games turn uncomfortable.
Iowa is close to full strength now. Jensen confirmed that Emely Rodriguez remains day-to-day, but the rotation is stabilizing at the perfect time or the most dangerous one.
There’s also a lighter moment amid the intensity.
During the national anthem, Wright often stands between 6-foot-5 Layla Hays and 6-foot-4 Ava Heiden. At 5-foot-4, she can’t help but laugh.
“They’re the two giants on the team,” Wright joked. “I aspire to be that tall.”
The Hawkeyes don’t need to be taller to survive what’s coming. They need to be tougher, sharper, and ready for the grind that defines championship teams.
Because from here on out, nothing will come easy and everything will matter.
