After a surprising early exit from the 2026 NCAA Women's Tournament, the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball program is already looking ahead to the next campaign. The coaching staff and players are focused on building on the lessons learned and turning the disappointment into motivation for the upcoming season.
A New Era Begins
Head coach Jan Jensen, now in her third year at the helm, has emphasized continuity and development. Her philosophy centers on disciplined defense and a balanced offensive attack, and she believes the roster she has assembled can compete with the nation's elite.
The season will officially begin on November 2, when Iowa hosts the Towson Tigers at Carver‑Hawkeye Arena. The matchup marks a return to non‑conference play that will test the Hawkeyes early and give fans a first glimpse of the new‑look squad.
Towson arrives in Iowa City after a 17‑14 record in the 2025‑26 season, a campaign that included a 10‑8 mark in conference play. The two schools last met in 2019, when the Hawkeyes rolled past the Tigers 100‑72, a memory that adds a modest edge of familiarity to the upcoming contest.
Key Additions
Iowa's roster for 2026‑27 features a mix of returning veterans, transfers and a highly touted recruiting class. Among the newcomers, five‑star wing McKenna Woliczko has generated considerable buzz for her scoring ability and versatility on the wing.
The Hawkeyes will also test themselves against a strong non‑conference opponent in the Vanderbilt Commodores, a game that promises to showcase the team's depth and resilience before conference play begins.
Fans will have a double reason to fill Carver‑Hawkeye Arena, as the basketball game follows the football team's showdown with the Wisconsin Badgers. The overlap offers a unique opportunity for the university community to rally behind multiple sports events in a single weekend.