Iowa Playing Well After Caitlin Clark’s Departure

Caitlin Clark left Iowa after the 2023-24 season. Many thought Iowa would crumble after she left. The Hawkeyes finished 23-11 last season under first-year head coach Jan Jensen. Right now, Iowa is 21-5 and ranked 13th in the country.

Rebounding

Iowa has excelled on the glass, ranking among the better rebounding teams nationally. Senior Hannah Stuelke and sophomore Ava Heiden have been big reasons why, consistently cleaning up missed shots and creating extra opportunities. Stuelke leads the team in rebounding with 8.8 rebounds, while Ava Heiden adds 7.5. Iowa averages close to 40 rebounds per game, contributing to extra possessions and limiting second-chance points for opponents.

Offense

Iowa is also efficient on offense, averaging 79.5 points per game. They are also 6th in the nation, shooting 49.4% from the field. Iowa scores well inside and out. The Hakeeys shoot 36.8% from the three-point line. Heiden leads the team in scoring, averaging 17 points per game on 64.4% shooting from the field. Stuekle adds 13.8 points on 54.6% from the field. Iowa’s third-leading scorer, Chazadi Wright, adds 13.1 points on 44.9% from the field and 47.9% from beyond the arc. Taylor Sremlow has stepped up as a secondary scorer. She averages just 7.9 points per gamebut has come up big in some key games for the Hawkeyes. 

Freshman Journey Houston has played well at times. She recorded 16 points and five rebounds in her first start Thursday against Purdue. Players like Kylie Feuerbach, Teagan Mallegni, and Layla Hays have provided valuable minutes and contributions off the bench. Depth across the rotation means Iowa isn’t reliant on one person to carry the load — a major shift from past years.

Overall

The Hawkeyes’ depth is a key strength, showing they can win even when missing key players, highlighting their resilience and the coaching staff’s adaptability, which bodes well for March and beyond. Iowa’s trajectory suggests a promising future, as they compete for league positioning, earns weekly honors, and builds a postseason-worthy resume, indicating sustained success ahead.