Expectations?

[Ohio Herky]

2025-2026 Season: Inconsistent Performance​

The team was extremely young and lacked offensive consistency throughout the season.

• We had only one to two players who could consistently create offense.
• When key players got into foul trouble or missed time due to injury, we didn't have enough depth to overcome it.
• We generated a lot of open three-point opportunities, but as a team we were unable to knock them down consistently.
• The loss of McCabe for the season had a significant impact on our depth and scoring.
• When Ava was on the bench, there was a noticeable drop-off in both offensive and defensive play.
• Those limitations were exposed against elite teams like Connecticut and UCLA, resulting in some lopsided losses.
• Defensively, we were a solid team, but when you struggle to score consistently, every game becomes harder to win.

2026-2027 Season: Much Higher Ceiling​

This team is no longer a young team. It has more experience, greater depth, and appears to be more balanced on both ends of the floor.

• I believe Iowa is improved at nearly every position offensively and defensively, with Kylie being the one exception that remains difficult to replace.
• How much Jocelyn and Amari contribute remains to be seen, but both have the potential to make an impact.
• Overall, this roster is far more balanced offensively than last year's team.

Key reasons for optimism:

1. If opponents focus on stopping the perimeter and Iowa consistently hits open threes, Ava should dominate in the post.
2. If Dani has another season like she did last year, Iowa will have a tremendous year.
3. If players such as Layla, Chit, McKenna, Strem, Journey, Amari, Jocelyn, and Bria take the next step, this team could be very difficult to defend.
4. Defensively, Iowa should be strong. Offensively, there are far more scoring options than a year ago.
5. The biggest factor is consistency. If this team can play consistently night after night, they have the potential to be exceptional.

Bottom Line: Last year's team relied heavily on a small number of players and struggled with offensive consistency. This year's roster appears deeper, more experienced, and significantly more balanced. If the key pieces develop as expected and the team shoots the ball consistently, Iowa could be a legitimate contender.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Have to go to the Crisler Center.

Where we handled them pretty well just relying on the defense. Our offense should have more options this season....

 

[Matt1nb7]

Taylor McCabe and Hannah Stuelke now eligible??

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

Taylor McCabe and Hannah Stuelke now eligible??

Yes and maybe a later no ...

"While the preliminary injunction grants immediate eligibility to Class of 2022 athletes, that could change on appeal before the games start being played in the 2026-27 school year. And with preseason practice about to start in football, and rosters and budgets fairly well set, it seems unlikely that a large wave of newly eligible players will be flooding FBS teams.

“I expect this to get appealed by the NCAA incredibly quickly,” said Sam Ehrlich, a former lawyer and a professor at Boise State who has been tracking litigation against the NCAA."

Judge grants injunction giving Class of 2022 athletes fifth year of NCAA eligibility

The injunction stems from a lawsuit over the NCAA’s refusal to grandfather Class of 2022 athletes into its new 5-in-5 rule.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Matt1nb7]

I definitely hope it doesn’t go through.. just creates a cluster..f

 

[Hawkeye_Miguel]

Taylor McCabe and Hannah Stuelke now eligible??

Taylor isn't rehabbing with the intent of playing again, so she probably wouldn't be ready to go for most of next season anyway.

Hannah is a tricky one. She's extremely good at what she's good at: athleticism, rebounding, solid defense. But she also has notable deficiencies that impact how the team can play with her on the floor. She's undersized as a 5, and Ava is clearly ahead of her at that position. If she comes back as a 4, her outside game doesn't work with the 4-out offense the team has been working on all summer. If her goal is to eventually work her way to the W, I think she'd be better suited to go to Italy and really focus on expanding her range and improving her ball-handling.

 

[Clarkedallas]

Taylor McCabe and Hannah Stuelke now eligible??

Is Hannah a portal candidate?

 

[Jonesy5960]

Taylor isn't rehabbing with the intent of playing again, so she probably wouldn't be ready to go for most of next season anyway.

Hannah is a tricky one. She's extremely good at what she's good at: athleticism, rebounding, solid defense. But she also has notable deficiencies that impact how the team can play with her on the floor. She's undersized as a 5, and Ava is clearly ahead of her at that position. If she comes back as a 4, her outside game doesn't work with the 4-out offense the team has been working on all summer. If her goal is to eventually work her way to the W, I think she'd be better suited to go to Italy and really focus on expanding her range and improving her ball-handling.

Agree. Neither one is going to come back to Iowa and garner a lot of minutes this year with the portal additions and change in offensive schemes.

 

[Anon1750875978]

Since you're a JJ hater how about we have a bet? Right now I'll take Iowa to make it through the round of 64 to get into the final 32?

Given that the Sweet 32 is what we've seen the last two years, why in the f.ck would I bet they won't win the first game???

Don't take this personal, but you're an idiot.
JFC

 

[mphawk]

Is Hannah a portal candidate?

I thought she already signed a contract as a pro so couldn’t.

 

[Ohio Herky]

Even without McCabe, Iowa appears poised to take a significant step forward in 2026-27. The roster is deeper, more experienced, and far more balanced than the team that took the floor a year ago.
But if Taylor McCabe had been able to return healthy, the ceiling rises considerably.
What currently looks like a team capable of competing for a Big Ten championship could have become a legitimate Final Four contender. Her shooting, leadership, and experience would have addressed many of the weaknesses that limited Iowa during the previous season.
Bottom Line: Iowa has the talent to be very good in 2026-27. With a healthy Taylor McCabe added to this roster, the Hawkeyes might have had all the ingredients necessary for a deep March run and a realistic shot at returning to the sport's biggest stage.

 

[Amahawk]

The new players need the minutes. Time to look ahead to the future.

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

LSU has a complete schedule out. We have at least 2 common opponents to somewhat gauge this team around Christmas/New Year time frame. Hopefully this is a sign we'll get our complete schedule soon.

12/20/26 N UConn
1/3/27 H Vanderbilt

LSU Women’s Basketball Complete 2026-27 Schedule Is Out | TigerRag.com

TIGER RAG NEWS SERVICES The LSU women’s basketball team, in conjunction with the Southeastern Conference, announced its 2026-27 schedule Tuesday morning for the Tigers’ 52nd season, which is set to begin on Nov. 2 against Southeastern Louisiana. LSU will play 17 home games (plus two exhibitions)...

www.tigerrag.com

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

More of the non-con schedule is filled in.

Moved to new 'WBB non-conference schedule released' thread.

WBB non-conference schedule released - Forums

Ambitious non-conference schedule released for Iowa women's basketball https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/basketball-women/2026/08/25/iowa-womens-basketball-releases-non-conference-schedule-for-2026-27/91385991007/ “The Hawkeyes will face two national powerhouses plus the...

www.on3.com

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Even without McCabe, Iowa appears poised to take a significant step forward in 2026-27. The roster is deeper, more experienced, and far more balanced than the team that took the floor a year ago.
But if Taylor McCabe had been able to return healthy, the ceiling rises considerably.
What currently looks like a team capable of competing for a Big Ten championship could have become a legitimate Final Four contender. Her shooting, leadership, and experience would have addressed many of the weaknesses that limited Iowa during the previous season.
Bottom Line: Iowa has the talent to be very good in 2026-27. With a healthy Taylor McCabe added to this roster, the Hawkeyes might have had all the ingredients necessary for a deep March run and a realistic shot at returning to the sport's biggest stage.

I thought McCabe was at Notre Dame getting a masters and possibly working as a GA with the ball team?

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

I thought McCabe was at Notre Dame getting a masters and possibly working as a GA with the ball team?

Suspect this will verify the masters part.

"This is also my first time being recognized as a Master’s student at the University of Notre Dame, which will never get old!"

I am also excited to accept the Fred R. Havens scholarship from AISC. I am incredibly thankful for such a prestigious award and for my faculty at the University of Iowa for guiding me toward this… | Taylor McCabe

I am also excited to accept the Fred R. Havens scholarship from AISC. I am incredibly thankful for such a prestigious award and for my faculty at the University of Iowa for guiding me toward this opportunity. This is also my first time being recognized as a Master’s student at the University...

www.linkedin.com

 

[Hawkeye1984]

The last 2 seasons were young and lacking in perimeter talent. That's been rectified and I see this as a Big10 contender and Elite 8 as the floor. Whether they can go there or beyond depends on health and how well they can gel as a unit, but I think fans should be really excited about the possibilities. If Jan can keep this group together I think they are competing for a championship over the next few years.

Elite 8 LOL???? I will be revisiting this comment. They ain’t making the Elite with Jan.

 

[Ohio Herky]

I thought McCabe was at Notre Dame getting a masters and possibly working as a GA with the ball team?

She did - what I wrote - But if Taylor McCabe had been able to return healthy, the ceiling rises considerably.

 

[iThinkiWill]

Expectations are [inexplicably] up…

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

Expectations are [inexplicably] up…

Just a FYI here. Believe this list came out on 4/6/2026. One day after the original ESPN list. There's no way they have any portal players in and out of any of these teams to alter the rankings properly.

The Athletic’s 2026-2027 too-early top 25 women’s basketball rankings

Does UCLA rank in Sabreena Merchant's early rankings? How high is Texas? What about UConn?

www.nytimes.com

Had to go looking coz some of these make no sense to me,
Nebraska #11 and ahead of Minnesota?
No Duke or UCLA, but Nebby?
That's when I found the list above which matches this Top 16 back then.

---

However, we're #8 in the latest list from a few days ago at:
Preseason Women's Top 25: A New Big Ten Superpower - Hoops HQ (9/8/26)
1. South Carolina (36-4)
2. UConn (38-1)
3. Duke (27-9)
4. USC (18-14)
5. Michigan (28-7)
6. Louisville (29-8)
7. Texas (35-4)
8. Iowa (27-7)
9. North Carolina (28-8)
10. LSU (29-6)
11. UCLA (37-1)
12. Vanderbilt (29-5)
13. TCU (32-6)
14. Notre Dame (25-11)
15. Oklahoma State (24-10)
16. Ole Miss (24-11)
17. Washington (22-11)
18. Minnesota (24-9)
19. Kentucky (25-11)
20. Ohio State (27-8)
21. Maryland (24-9)
22. Illinois (22-12)
23. Arizona State (24-11)
24. Nebraska (19-13)
25. Rice (29-6)

Preseason Women's Top 25: A Brand New Superpower

As the season approaches, last year's key contenders — UConn, South Carolina, USC and Duke — prepare to do battle as a Big Ten power shapes up

www.hoopshq.com

Prior to that we came in at #6 in the 2 previous list from:
100 days to women's college basketball: Top stories, players, games - ESPN (7/27/26)
#6 under section '10 title contenders'.

100 days to women's college basketball: Top stories, players, games

As we pass the 100-day mark to the 2026-27 women's basketball season, breaking down the top teams and players to watch.

www.espn.com

BustingBrackets on 5/2/26 (#6)

Entirely too-early women’s NCAA basketball Top 25 rankings

An entirely too-early look at the women’s NCAA basketball Top 25 as of May 1, featuring key players, roster changes, and contenders chasing UCLA.

bustingbrackets.com

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Just a FYI here. Believe this list came out on 4/6/2026. One day after the original ESPN list. There's no way they have any portal players in and out of any of these teams to alter the rankings properly.

The Athletic’s 2026-2027 too-early top 25 women’s basketball rankings

Does UCLA rank in Sabreena Merchant's early rankings? How high is Texas? What about UConn?

www.nytimes.com

Had to go looking coz some of these make no sense to me,
Nebraska #11 and ahead of Minnesota?
No Duke or UCLA, but Nebby?
That's when I found the list above which matches this Top 16 back then.

---

However, we're #8 in the latest list from a few days ago at:
Preseason Women's Top 25: A New Big Ten Superpower - Hoops HQ (9/8/26)

Preseason Women's Top 25: A Brand New Superpower

As the season approaches, last year's key contenders — UConn, South Carolina, USC and Duke — prepare to do battle as a Big Ten power shapes up

www.hoopshq.com

Prior to that we came in at #6 in the 2 previous list from:
100 days to women's college basketball: Top stories, players, games - ESPN (7/27/26)
#6 under section '10 title contenders'.

100 days to women's college basketball: Top stories, players, games

As we pass the 100-day mark to the 2026-27 women's basketball season, breaking down the top teams and players to watch.

www.espn.com

BustingBrackets on 5/2/26 (#6)

Entirely too-early women’s NCAA basketball Top 25 rankings

An entirely too-early look at the women’s NCAA basketball Top 25 as of May 1, featuring key players, roster changes, and contenders chasing UCLA.

bustingbrackets.com

Looks like another dog fight in the B1G. Hold onto your hats......

 

[o_AMAYS]

Just a FYI here. Believe this list came out on 4/6/2026. One day after the original ESPN list. There's no way they have any portal players in and out of any of these teams to alter the rankings properly.

The Athletic’s 2026-2027 too-early top 25 women’s basketball rankings

Does UCLA rank in Sabreena Merchant's early rankings? How high is Texas? What about UConn?

www.nytimes.com

Had to go looking coz some of these make no sense to me,
Nebraska #11 and ahead of Minnesota?
No Duke or UCLA, but Nebby?
That's when I found the list above which matches this Top 16 back then.

---

However, we're #8 in the latest list from a few days ago at:
Preseason Women's Top 25: A New Big Ten Superpower - Hoops HQ (9/8/26)

Preseason Women's Top 25: A Brand New Superpower

As the season approaches, last year's key contenders — UConn, South Carolina, USC and Duke — prepare to do battle as a Big Ten power shapes up

www.hoopshq.com

Prior to that we came in at #6 in the 2 previous list from:
100 days to women's college basketball: Top stories, players, games - ESPN (7/27/26)
#6 under section '10 title contenders'.

100 days to women's college basketball: Top stories, players, games

As we pass the 100-day mark to the 2026-27 women's basketball season, breaking down the top teams and players to watch.

www.espn.com

BustingBrackets on 5/2/26 (#6)

Entirely too-early women’s NCAA basketball Top 25 rankings

An entirely too-early look at the women’s NCAA basketball Top 25 as of May 1, featuring key players, roster changes, and contenders chasing UCLA.

bustingbrackets.com

Not sure why people are recycling The Athletic’s pre-portal rankings when The Athletic substantially revised their Way-too-Early rankings post-portal. Here is an article discussing their post-portal rankings, and the post-portal changes. Iowa dropped to # 14 in the Athletic’s post-portal rankings, on the low side compared to other post-portal rankings.

https://amp.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-womens-basketball/article315549272.html

 

[Anon1750875978]

Elite 8 LOL???? I will be revisiting this comment. They ain’t making the Elite with Jan.

There's enough talent to make the E8, but the coaching has to get dramatically better to do it.

 

[Hawkangler]

Not sure why people are recycling The Athletic’s pre-portal rankings when The Athletic substantially revised their Way-too-Early rankings post-portal. Here is an article discussing their post-portal rankings, and the post-portal changes. Iowa dropped to # 14 in the Athletic’s post-portal rankings, on the low side compared to other post-portal rankings.

https://amp.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-womens-basketball/article315549272.html

What does a guy from South Carolina truly know about the Hawks. He's still butt hurt because McKenna became a Hawk. We'll see where we are at year end.