Iowa's women's basketball team beat Oklahoma State 93-86 in a closed scrimmage last weekend, and head coach Jan Jensen likes exactly what these private matchups bring to her young roster: real competition without the noise.
Speaking on the program's show, I On The Hawks, Jensen laid out why the Hawkeyes scheduled two secret scrimmages this fall, with a second one against Lindenwood set for this coming weekend. According to Yahoo Sports, which relayed the coach's comments, the scrimmages give Iowa a chance to test itself against quality opponents while keeping the results and the film behind closed doors.
Why Jan Jensen Values the Private Scrimmages
For a program rebuilding after the Caitlin Clark era and now working with a largely new roster, the scrimmages serve a clear purpose. Jensen was candid about the benefits of practicing against someone other than her own teammates.
Those private scrimmages are really valuable, Jensen said, according to comments USA Today also highlighted from her appearance.
There's none of the noise. There's nobody's opinion. There's you and the deal you make with the opposing team. There's no sharing of the film.
The arrangement is simple: both teams agree to keep the results quiet, and neither side shares film or scouting reports. That lets coaches experiment with lineups and rotations without giving future regular-season opponents a free look at what Iowa is planning to run.
Dani Carnegie Delivers a Statement Performance
The headline from the scrimmage was Georgia transfer guard Dani Carnegie, who stuffed the stat sheet with 31 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals, per On3's Talia Goodman, as reported by Yahoo Sports. If Hawkeye fans were wondering who might carry the scoring load this season, Carnegie offered an early and emphatic answer.
First-year forward McKenna Woliczko added 19 points, showing that the freshman class may contribute right away rather than wait its turn. Third-year center Ava Heiden chipped in 12 points, seven rebounds, and three steals while drawing one of the toughest assignments on the floor.
Ava Heiden Tested Against Audi Crooks
Heiden spent much of the scrimmage matched up with former Iowa State star Audi Crooks, one of the best post players in the country. Hawk Central reported that Crooks poured in 25 points for the Cowgirls in the contest, a reminder that the in-state rivalry talent runs deep even in an exhibition setting.
Jensen said the matchup taught her center something she could not learn in practice.
You know, that's another great post player. So Ava did well, but when you play against another big body, Ava is going to play a little differently than you do if you're playing a post that's more similar to her.
Heiden also scored 12 points against her former team, per Hawk Central, and the only Iowa players who did not see the floor were Bria Medina and Ella Strömdahl. Guard Amari Whiting drew praise from Jensen as well for doing some really nice things on both ends.
What Coach Jensen Saw Beyond the Box Score
Jensen called the game well matched, with the lead going back and forth before Iowa pulled it out by seven. More important than the final margin was what the coaching staff learned about a team still finding its identity.
We were able to see a lot of the things we were hoping we'd see. Dani Carnegie certainly had a really nice game. She scored a lot and had some good rebounds. She's a pretty solid guard.
The coach did not pretend everything is finished. She said Iowa learned a lot, grew a lot, and has lots to work on before the season opener. Still, she left the scrimmage with a really positive feeling about where the group stands in mid-October.
What's Next for the Hawkeyes
Iowa has one more closed scrimmage, against Lindenwood, this weekend. After that, the Hawkeyes get their first public look of the season in an exhibition game against Maryville at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday, Oct. 29, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. CT. The exhibition will be streamed on B1G+, giving fans across Iowa their first chance to see Carnegie, Woliczko, and the rest of the new-look roster in game action.
The regular season will follow shortly after, and if the Oklahoma State scrimmage is any indication, the Hawkeyes have the pieces to compete in a Big Ten that keeps getting tougher. For now, Jensen and her staff will keep tinkering behind closed doors, exactly the way she wants it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the most points in Iowa's scrimmage against Oklahoma State?
Georgia transfer guard Dani Carnegie led all Iowa scorers with 31 points, adding 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals, per On3's Talia Goodman.
When does Iowa women's basketball play its exhibition game?
Iowa hosts Maryville in an exhibition at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. CT, streamed on B1G+.
Why does Iowa hold closed scrimmages?
Coach Jan Jensen said private scrimmages let the team face quality opponents without media attention, shared film, or scouting reports circulating to future opponents.