The 2025-26 season started with high hopes for the . Under Jan Jensen’s leadership in her second year, the team had posted an impressive regular-season record, generating buzz around Carver-Hawkeye Arena and across the Big Ten. But when postseason play arrived, reality hit hard.
A brutal 51-point loss to UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament championship left the Hawkeyes rattled. Entering the NCAA Tournament, they struggled to regain rhythm, narrowly escaping with a 61–59 win over 15th-seeded . The season came to a painful end at home in the second round, falling to Virginia 78–76 in double overtime. For a team that entered the tournament as a two-seed with national title aspirations, the exit was both disappointing and instructive.
Now, as Iowa looks toward the 2026–27 season, the roster is in a state of flux. Four seniors most notably Hannah Stuelke and Kylie Feuerbach have graduated. On top of that, five players, including Addie Deal and Teagan Mallegni, have entered the NCAA transfer portal, leaving the Hawkeyes with just six returning players.
That means Coach Jensen faces one of her most critical offseasons yet: rebuilding a roster capable of competing at the top level while addressing the weaknesses exposed in postseason play.
Perimeter Shooting: A Top Priority
One glaring weakness last season was Iowa’s 3-point shooting. Over the two NCAA Tournament games, the Hawkeyes went a dismal 6-of-42 from behind the arc, a shooting slump that directly contributed to their early exit. The graduation of Taylor McCabe only exacerbates the issue, leaving Chit-Chat Wright and Taylor Stremlow as the only reliable perimeter shooters returning.
Jensen’s challenge in the transfer portal is clear: acquire one or two guards or wings who can consistently knock down outside shots. The offensive system relies heavily on post play, but without threats on the perimeter, defenses can collapse into the paint and neutralize Iowa’s inside game. Adding sharpshooters will help keep defenses honest, spacing the floor and opening lanes for both the post players and ball handlers.
Depth: Building Beyond a Six-Player Rotation
Depth was another Achilles’ heel for the Hawkeyes. During the postseason, Iowa leaned almost entirely on a six-player rotation: the five starters plus Journey Houston. With Deal, Mallegni, Levin, and other bench pieces off to the portal, the rotation is even thinner heading into next season.
Jensen will need to target high-impact role players in the portal. Ideal candidates are those who bring defensive intensity, can score when needed, and offer positional versatility. Depth isn’t just a luxury it’s a necessity for teams aiming to compete deep into the postseason. The Hawkeyes can’t afford to rely on a handful of players to log heavy minutes while maintaining peak performance throughout a long season.
Veteran Leadership: A Missing Piece
Perhaps the most understated need is a veteran presence. Iowa enters next season without a senior on the roster. The leadership once provided by players like Stuelke, Feuerbach, and McCabe was critical for navigating tense postseason matchups and guiding younger teammates.
While the returning core Wright, Stremlow, Houston, Ava Heiden, Layla Hays, and McKenna Woliczko offers talent and potential, the team will benefit from someone with postseason experience who can act as a floor general. This player doesn’t need to be a 20-point scorer but must have the ability to direct teammates, stabilize the roster in high-pressure moments, and embody a professional approach to preparation and execution.
Transfer Portal Strategy: What Iowa Needs
Given the departures and open scholarships, Jensen must focus on three main areas in the portal:
- Perimeter Shooting – Guards or wings who can consistently hit 3s and stretch opposing defenses.
- High-Impact Depth – Players capable of defending multiple positions and providing scoring relief off the bench.
- Veteran Leadership – Someone who can anchor the locker room, offer postseason experience, and help guide the younger players.
If Jensen can successfully bring in talent across these categories, Iowa has a strong chance to maintain the elite regular-season performance seen in 2025–26 and build toward a deeper tournament run.
Promising Returning Pieces
Despite the turnover, Iowa still retains several key players:
- Chit-Chat Wright (Junior, Point Guard): The returning floor general who will now take on more responsibility in orchestrating the offense.
- Taylor Stremlow (Junior, Shooting Guard): A reliable scorer and one of the few perimeter shooters returning.
- Journey Houston (Sophomore, Small Forward): Offers versatility on both ends of the court, expected to log significant minutes.
- Ava Heiden (Junior, Center) & Layla Hays (Sophomore, Center): The cornerstone frontcourt duo that provides interior scoring and rebounding.
- McKenna Woliczko (Freshman, Power Forward): A highly-touted freshman who impressed at the McDonald’s All-American Game, bringing modern skill sets and immediate scoring ability.
The combination of experience and talent in this core gives Jensen a foundation to build upon, but the new additions from the transfer portal will be crucial.
The Road Ahead
The 2026–27 season represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The Hawkeyes have the scholarship flexibility to make strategic portal acquisitions, but missing the right pieces could leave the team vulnerable against Big Ten competition and national contenders.
Success hinges on balancing experience, skill, and fit. Finding perimeter shooters who complement the post-oriented offense, building depth to avoid overworking a core rotation, and adding a guiding veteran presence are all essential.
It’s a high-stakes offseason that could define the next two seasons for Iowa women’s basketball.
Conclusion
Iowa’s postseason exit highlighted both the potential and the vulnerabilities of Jensen’s squad. With only six returning players and a host of open scholarships, the transfer portal becomes the key to sustaining progress and addressing glaring weaknesses.
If the coaching staff navigates this period effectively, Iowa can maintain its position as a Big Ten contender and improve its chances for a deep NCAA Tournament run. Miss the mark, and rebuilding could take longer than anticipated.
Either way, Hawkeye fans are in for a transformative offseason one that promises roster intrigue, strategic maneuvering, and the next chapter in Iowa women’s basketball history.
