Iowa's women's basketball team opens a new season this week with a rebuilt roster, a familiar offensive scheme, and something to prove after a stunning double overtime loss to Virginia ended its 2025-26 NCAA tournament run on the Hawkeyes' home floor.
No. 2 seed Iowa was a 14-point favorite against No. 10 seed Virginia in that March game. Instead, the Hawks fell in double overtime at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and the months that followed brought an uncharacteristic wave of departures through the transfer portal, according to Yahoo Sports, which published a detailed roster breakdown ahead of the new campaign.
Who is gone from last season's roster
The program lost four players to graduation: forward Hannah Stuelke, guards Kylie Feuerbach and Taylor McCabe, and forward Jada Gyamfi. Stuelke's rebounding and her ability to slide into the center spot, Feuerbach's defense and senior leadership, and McCabe's outside shooting leave real holes.
The transfer portal took five more. Guard Addie Deal and forward Teagan Mallegni both left for Wisconsin, with Mallegni returning closer to her home state. Guard Emely Rodriguez headed to Syracuse, guard Callie Levin of Solon landed at Northern Iowa, and guard Kennise Johnson transferred to Delaware.
Hawkeye fans who want to see the former players again won't wait long. Wisconsin visits Carver-Hawkeye Arena on January 31, a matchup Yahoo Sports flagged as one to watch.
Who is back in Iowa City
Coach Jan Jensen does return a core. Point guard Chit Chat Wright is back to run the offense, and 6-foot-4 center Ava Heiden picks up where she left off in the post. Guard Taylor Stremlow adds continuity, while sophomore guard-forward Journey Houston put in serious offseason work and could take a step forward, according to Black Heart Gold Pants, which noted her potential to raise her game a couple of notches. Center Layla Hays, at 6-foot-5, gives Iowa size inside.
New faces through the portal
The staff hit the portal hard, and the additions fit a clear plan. Guard Dani Carnegie, now in her third year, brings the outside shooting Iowa lacked badly last season. Guard Amari Whiting, a fourth-year player who spent last season at Oklahoma State after starting at BYU, adds defense, scoring, and veteran leadership.
Guard-forward Jocelyn Faison and guard Bria Medina round out the group.
The connective tissue here is assistant coach Lasondra Barrett. She coached at Georgia Tech in 2024-25, where she worked with both Carnegie and Wright. Carnegie then played at Georgia last season alongside Faison. Those Georgia ties, Yahoo Sports reported, are what pulled Carnegie and Faison to Iowa City to rejoin Barrett and Wright.
A freshman to watch: McKenna Woliczko
The headline newcomer is 6-foot-2 forward McKenna Woliczko, a five-star recruit who has looked every bit the part early on. Yahoo Sports described a player with no hesitation, no freshman jitters, and the versatility to post double doubles with her scoring and rebounding. Her shot blocking should grow with time.
Fellow first-year guard Ella Stromdahl is expected to see limited minutes this season.
Back to the Caitlin Clark blueprint
The roster construction points to a specific style. With scoring guards added through the portal and the flexibility of Woliczko, Houston, and Faison at the wing and forward spots, Jensen has the pieces to return to the 4-out, 1-in offensive scheme Iowa ran during the Caitlin Clark era, stretching the floor and opening driving lanes.
The official Iowa athletics site lists Jensen as the program's head coach heading into the season on its women's basketball roster page.
When does Iowa play next?
Iowa hosts a non-conference warmup at home on Thursday at 7:00 PM CT against Eastern Iowa. The real test comes Sunday, November 8, when the Hawkeyes travel to face No. 2 UConn at 1:00 PM CT.
A road date with the nation's second-ranked team in the season's opening stretch will tell Iowa fans quickly whether this rebuilt roster is ready for the Big Ten grind.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Iowa lose so many players after last season?
Four players graduated, including Hannah Stuelke and Kylie Feuerbach, and five others transferred out, among them Addie Deal and Teagan Mallegni, who both went to Wisconsin.
Who are Iowa's key newcomers in 2026?
Portal additions Dani Carnegie, Amari Whiting, Jocelyn Faison, and Bria Medina join five-star freshman forward McKenna Woliczko and guard Ella Stromdahl.
What offense will Iowa run this season?
Coach Jan Jensen is positioned to return to the 4-out, 1-in scheme the program used during the Caitlin Clark years, with shooters around a single post player.