An early look at 2023-24 Iowa women's basketball

A magical season for the Iowa Hawkeyes woman’s basketball team fell just short of a title. That disappointment will serve as motivation heading into next season, when the team should be among the favorites to win a national title.

Pundits will be high on the Hawkeyes for one main reason: Caitlin Clark returns. The National Player of the Year finished second in the NCAA with 27.8 points per game and led the country with 8.6 assists per contest. She broke records in the NCAA Tournament and helped spur record viewership throughout the tournament.

She is also polarizing, as she's never shy with the trash talk. Fans can’t get enough while opponents want to beat her, not only because of her skill but also her willingness to let you know about that skill.

“I want my legacy to be the impact that I have on young kids and the people in the state of Iowa,” Clark said after the LSU loss, according to Sports Illustrated. “I hope I brought them a lot of joy this season. I hope this team brought them a lot of joy. I understand we came up one win short, but I think we have a lot to be proud of and a lot to celebrate. I was just that young girl, so all you have to do is dream, and you can be in moments like this.”

But its not a one-woman show in Iowa City next year. Seniors Katie Martin and Gabby Marshall have both said they are returning for their COVID-eligibility season. The two are key three-point shooters that help create space for Clark to work. They should help take some of the pressure off the front-runner to repeat as Player of the Year.

Forwards Monika Czinano and McKenna Warnock will move on, but freshman Hannah Stuelke is ready to step in. She’s more athletic than either and was named Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year in her first season. She will likely take a large leap in consistency and skills after her first offseason training with college coaches. She can step in and help with some of the rebounding and scoring loss from the departures.

Sophomore center Addison O’Grady filled in at center off the bench and will likely continue to improve with more playing time.

The Hawkeyes should also be a popular spot among potential transfers. The team currently is at the scholarship limit, but if a player leaves, Iowa will easily become a top choice for transfer.

Adding a forward or center who can help with rebounding – something both South Carolina and LSU dominated during the Final Four – will make the Hawkeyes stronger. Getting a key center to help bring down boards might make Iowa the favorite in the sport.

While the loss is disappointing, there is plenty of reason to believe the Hawkeyes can be in the same spot next season.