With a performance that demonstrated both their depth and resiliency, the Iowa Hawkeyes defeated Penn State at home on Sunday to secure victory No. 11 of the season. Despite being shorthanded without two important players, Iowa, ranked No. 14 going into the game, never allowed the Nittany Lions to pose a serious threat.
The Hawkeyes were in control from the very first few minutes. The game was blown open by Iowa’s decisive run, which also set the tone for the remainder of the afternoon after Penn State managed to hang around for a little while. The Hawkeyes easily won the Big Ten after overwhelming Penn State both mentally and physically with dominance in the paint and on the glass. However, the narrative went beyond the scoreboard. Iowa’s performance occurred in the midst of persistent concerns regarding the health and availability of key players, especially starting guard Kylie Feuerbach and transfer forward Emely Rodriguez.
One of the team’s more perplexing developments this season has been Rodriguez’s absence. Her status was unknown until Sunday’s victory, and she has now missed seven straight games. The program did not formally suspend Rodriguez, and any internal issues had been resolved behind closed doors, according to head coach Jan Jensen, who addressed the issue head-on. Although Iowa supporters welcomed the clarification, there were some issues with it. Rodriguez has yet to fully resume playing games due to a persistent back problem, even though the internal issue seems to be resolved. Her timeline is still up in the air, so Iowa will have to continue navigating the Big Ten schedule without one of its frontcourt options.
The Hawkeyes’ lack of starting guard Kylie Feuerbach, whose injury could have a big impact going forward, made the situation even more difficult. Feuerbach was sidelined against Penn State due to an ankle injury after playing just nine minutes in Iowa’s defeat to UConn in New York. Feuerbach is officially listed as “day-to-day,” according to Hawkeyes Wire. Her availability for Iowa’s upcoming game against Nebraska on January 1 and beyond is still uncertain, so that designation offers some hope but little clarity.
Feuerbach’s contribution, which isn’t always reflected in the box score, makes her absence especially noteworthy. She has been one of Iowa’s most dependable defenders and is frequently assigned to guard the top perimeter scorer on the other team, despite the fact that her offensive numbers have varied this season. It is challenging to replace her veteran presence, defensive instincts, and on-court communication, particularly against Big Ten opponents who thrive on physical, disciplined play. Nevertheless, Sunday’s victory demonstrated Iowa’s flexibility. Jensen used reserve guard Taylor Stremlow in Feuerbach’s absence, and the sophomore gave one of her best games of the year. Stremlow played with poise and confidence, scoring 14 points and dishing out four assists in 25 minutes off the bench.
Stremlow’s performance served as a reminder that depth is important, particularly when playing in a conference. She took advantage of opportunities to attack, made crucial shots, and stabilized the offense when rotations were switched. Stremlow made a meaningful contribution, which was more important than simply filling minutes. The larger picture is both promising and uncertain as Iowa looks to the future. The Hawkeyes’ ability to win handily even in the absence of a full roster speaks volumes about their internal belief, culture, and preparation. As the schedule intensifies, concerns about Feuerbach’s ankle and Rodriguez’s comeback remain significant.
There’s rarely much room for error in Big Ten basketball in January. Roles will change, depth will be put to the test, and health may ultimately determine Iowa’s ceiling. For the time being, though, the Hawkeyes can be confident in what they demonstrated against Penn State: a team that can dominate when it plays well, relying on defense, rebounding, and next-player-up contributions to complete the task. Win No. 11 demonstrated that Iowa has the resilience and adaptability required to overcome hardship as the season progresses, in addition to improving the standings.
