Iowa vs. Indiana Women’s Basketball: Why Despite Records, This Rivalry Is Still Important The Iowa vs. Indiana women’s basketball rivalry defies logic, according to head coach Jan Jensen. Records are irrelevant. Standings are irrelevant. History has demonstrated that anything is possible when these two programs come together. As the 14th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes travel to Bloomington to play Indiana in a Big Ten match at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Sunday, this belief is what keeps interest high. The tipoff time is 4 p.m. CT.
The tension between Iowa and Indiana in women’s basketball is familiar. Jensen knows better than to believe the numbers because he has been in this league long enough. Jensen stated this week, “I don’t trust records and standings.” “And with Teri Moren, I definitely don’t trust them.” The matchup appears unfair on paper. Iowa has a perfect 4-0 record in Big Ten play and a 13-2 overall record. One of the conference’s best teams in recent years, Indiana, is currently 11-6 and 0-5 in league play. However, rivalries are unconcerned with paper.
Indiana has beaten Iowa in each of the last two meetings, and the past 10 matchups between the programs are split evenly. That history alone is enough to keep Iowa alert.
Respect for Indiana Runs Deep
Despite Indiana’s recent slide, Jensen made it clear that she’s not underestimating the Hoosiers.
Even top programs may see abrupt declines due to graduation losses and transfer portal movement that are changing rosters nationwide. Despite its recent difficulties, Indiana has made progress. Jensen remarked, “I really admire Teri.” “Anyone will find them frightening.” Respect is something that must be earned. Over the past few years, Indiana has been one of the Big Ten’s most reliable contenders, and its home court continues to be one of the conference’s most challenging settings.
Iowa Seeking to Correct Recent Errors Iowa defeated Northwestern 67-58, but it wasn’t an easy night. For almost three quarters, the Wildcats held the Hawkeyes close, highlighting their inconsistent play. Jensen acknowledged, “That was one of those games.” “The start was excellent. We got off the rails after foul trouble, and we were unable to find a way to get back on. She was not afraid to take on responsibility.
“We had an off day, and that’s on me.”
Despite this, Iowa and fourth-ranked UCLA are still tied for first place in the Big Ten. The fact that Ohio State, Michigan, Maryland, and Michigan State are only half a game behind highlights how close the race is already.
Moments of Rivalry Are Still New Moments from the Iowa-Indiana series will never be forgotten. Iowa defeated Indiana 74-67 to win the 2022 Big Ten tournament. A year later, Caitlin Clark’s last-second 3-pointer gave the Hawkeyes an 86-85 victory at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Both sides’ competitive advantage is fueled by those lingering memories.
A Personal Relationship Adds One More Layer For Iowa sophomore Taylor Stremlow, Sunday’s game has additional significance.Attachments, whose mother, Sarah Stremlow, was a player for Indiana head coach Teri Moren at Butler from 1994 to 1998. In 1996, Sarah guided Butler to the NCAA tournament, and in 1998, she was named Midwestern Collegiate Conference Player of the Year. Drake, which was later coached by Lisa Bluder and had Jensen on staff, was one of the schools that recruited her. According to Taylor, “my grandma discovered the letter from Bluder in Mom’s recruiting mail.”
Kylie Feuerbach’s ankle injury has forced Taylor Stremlow into Iowa’s starting lineup. Feuerbach is still on a daily basis, but Jensen was upbeat about her development this week.
Why Sunday Is Important The Iowa vs. Indiana women’s basketball game has repeatedly shown that rivalries rewrite expectations, even though it may not appear dramatic in the standings. It’s a focus test for Iowa. It’s an opportunity for Indiana to remind the league of its past. For supporters, it’s just another phase of an unpredictable rivalry.
