The stakes feel familiar but no less significant when No. 14 Iowa women’s basketball returns to the court on Sunday afternoon.
After returning from the Christmas break, the Hawkeyes host Penn State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, a venue that is usually lively once conference play starts, to kick off the Big Ten schedule. Penn State is 7-5 and 0-1 in the league going into the game, while Iowa is 10-2 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play. Even though it’s an early conference game, the Hawkeyes are trying to regain their rhythm and confidence following a challenging performance right before the holidays.
That defeat occurred on December 20 when Iowa lost the Champions Classic to No. 1 UConn 90–64. The turnovers told the whole story, while the final score only revealed a portion of it. UConn turned Iowa’s 26 giveaways into 41 points, turning minor errors into a decisive surge. It served as a sobering reminder of how merciless top opponents and eventually Big Ten rivals can be.
Sunday presents a chance to respond.
Throughout the first twelve games of the season, Iowa’s offense has demonstrated efficiency and balance. Ava Heiden, a sophomore center, has become the Hawkeyes’ most reliable scorer, averaging 14.6 points per game and shooting an outstanding 64.4% from the field. Particularly in games where perimeter shots haven’t been made, her ability to score effectively around the rim has stabilized Iowa’s offense. Heiden is not by himself. Hannah Stuelke, a senior forward, continues to be a dependable presence with her athleticism and versatility, averaging 13.4 points per game. Chit-Chat Wright, a sophomore guard, has also improved, scoring 11.7 points per game and providing Iowa with an additional scoring option in the backcourt.
Wright’s influence on defense manifests itself in a variety of ways. With 1.6 steals per game, she leads the team. Her quick hands and anticipation frequently create transition opportunities. With an average of 1.2 blocks per game and a physical presence inside, Heiden leads the Hawkeyes in rim protection.
Still, Iowa’s rotation isn’t without question marks.
Emely Rodriguez, a sophomore, has been out for more than a month, according to the game-day availability report. Just before tipoff, there is some uncertainty in the backcourt as graduate starting guard Kylie Feuerbach is listed as questionable. Feuerbach’s situation will be worth keeping an eye on because her defensive presence and experience are frequently crucial in conference games that call for poise and discipline. Penn State, on the other hand, arrives hungry. After losing their conference opener, the Nittany Lions are still looking for their first Big Ten victory. Teams trying to gain momentum frequently have an advantage in early league games. Even everyday items can feel heavier due to this urgency, particularly in a road setting like Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Big Ten Network will broadcast the game at 3 p.m. CT, providing fans with another nationally televised look at a Hawkeyes team that is still figuring things out as the season progresses. Sunday is also a kind of milestone. It’s Iowa’s last game of 2025, an opportunity to end the year on a high note before the schedule gets more demanding and the real grind begins. Road tests, ranked opponents, and limited margin for error are all part of January. The way Iowa reacts now, particularly in light of the UConn defeat, may determine the course of events.
Consistency is still the aim for a team that has demonstrated both high-level execution and moments of carelessness. There won’t be much more room for error in the Big Ten, and the lessons learned from Connecticut are still relevant. Even though Penn State doesn’t have the same national reputation as UConn, conference games can still reveal bad habits. The Hawkeyes’ strategy for Sunday afternoon’s game is straightforward: value the ball, play purposeful defense, and let Carver-Hawkeye Arena handle the rest. The lengthy conference season is beginning to feel real, and Iowa’s response will reveal a lot about this team’s future.
