Iowa Hawkeyes Shattered: “So Many Tears at Practice,” Jan Jensen Says Following McCabe ACL Blow Iowa City, Iowa — The head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team, Jan Jensen, confirmed what many inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena feared: heartfelt moments and emotional tears filled the gym following a devastating practice on Friday. Why? The ACL injury that ended senior guard Taylor McCabe’s season had a significant impact on the team and even the coaching staff.
Iowa women’s basketball injury updates
”There were a lot of tears at today’s practice,” Jensen said, her voice breaking as she detailed the unfiltered reaction of players who were still processing the loss of one of their leaders. The atmosphere surrounding one of the Big Ten’s rising teams was altered by McCabe’s injury, in addition to changing the lineup. The intensity of the scene inside the arena is reflected in the focus keyphrase, “Iowa Hawkeyes practice tears.”
Iowa Hawkeyes Practice Tears: Emotional Reaction After Injury
McCabe, a reliable starter who averages 8.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, sustained a non-contact knee injury just 23 seconds into Sunday’s Big Ten matchup against No. 12 Ohio State. It was an abrupt and startling moment when McCabe grabbed her left knee and needed assistance getting off the court.
After that, Jensen informed the media that McCabe would have an MRI and probably wouldn’t be able to travel to the West Coast to play USC and UCLA. Jensen bluntly expressed the emotional toll on her and her team when she said, “I’m really, really sick about Taylor’s injury.” McCabe’s Iowa career and senior season were cut short when scans showed the worst: a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
That revelation hit practices hard.
“Jensen told reporters on Friday, “There were a lot of tears at today’s practice,” describing the team’s difficult realization. “These players adore Taylor because she is a fierce competitor and one of our rotation’s anchors. It’s difficult both strategically and emotionally to lose her in this way.”
Iowa Coach Jan Jensen on Taylor McCabe’s injury
Not only was her team lacking a contributor, but they also lacked a mentor, a leader, and a calming presence during difficult Big Ten contests.
Inside Carver-Hawkeye: More Than Just X’s and O’s
Iowa’s rotation is drastically altered by McCabe’s absence. With her long-range shooting and dedication on the glass, she has been an essential component of the Hawks’ offense and defense. The pain of witnessing a teammate’s career change in an instant cannot be measured by statistics alone, even though other players like Addie Deal stepped up with 20 points in the Ohio State game.
After that, practice was different, quiet, solemn, and introspective, according to Jensen. She claimed that players shared memories, talked about McCabe, and offered unadulterated support to one another.
Staff members and coaches also had trouble finding the right words. Jensen clarified, “It’s not just losing a player.” “It’s the loss of a friend.” In that locker room, it’s like losing a sister.
There were a lot of tears because of this. She described how the typically reserved veterans gave each other tender hugs, wiped each other’s tears, and made an effort to cheer each other up in the midst of the loss.
McCabe’s Legacy Lives On
Shortly after the injury was confirmed, McCabe made an emotional statement in which she stated that even as she deals with her recuperation process, the Hawkeyes and her teammates remain her top priorities. She had already made a name for herself in program history with her productivity this season, long-range accuracy, and defensive vigor.
Jensen anticipates that the team will come together with a purpose, not just through suffering. Iowa’s response could determine the remainder of their season as the Big Ten races tighten and their chances of qualifying for the NCAA tournament simmer. “This moment does not define us,” Jensen emphasized. “How we react defines who we are.”
