Iowa Women’s Basketball: 2026 Season Primer

It’s been a few minutes since the Hawkeyes 2025-26 season came to an abrupt and unexpected end in the NCAA tournament. No. 2 seed Iowa was favored by 14 points against No. 10 seed Virginia. Instead, Iowa lost in double overtime on their home court.

The dust has long since settled from that painful ending, and it has been months since there was an uncharacteristic exodus of portal transfers from Iowa and some key graduations. Before we dive headfirst into the new season, let’s take pause and look at where the dust did indeed settle.

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Completed Eligibility / Graduated:

Some big gaps to fill here, with Stulke’s rebounding and ability to also play the 5 position, Feuerbach’s defensive prowess and senior leadership, and McCabe’s three-point shooting.

Transfer Portal Departures:

Addie Deal (Guard) – Transferred to Wisconsin

Teagan Mallegni (Forward) – Transferred to Wisconsin

Emely Rodriguez (Forward) – Transferred to Syracuse

Callie Levin (Guard) – Transferred to Northern Iowa

Kennise Johnson (Guard) – Transferred to Delaware

Mallegni is from Wisconsin so being closer to home makes sense, and Levin is from Solon so UNI is a natural fit for her. Wisconsin plays at Carver Hawkeye Arena on January 31, and that will be an interesting one to watch. Rodriguez had raw potential but the fit at Iowa did not work.

Returning Players:

Chit Chat Wright (Guard / 5-4 / 3rd Year)

Taylor Stremlow (Guard / 5-10 / 3rd Year)

Journey Houston (Guard-Forward / 6-0 / 2nd Year)

Ava Heiden (Center / 6-4 / 3rd Year)

Layla Hays (Center / 6-5 / 2nd Year)

Chit Chat is back to run the offense from the point guard position, with Heiden picking up where she left off last year at the post. Stremlow brings some much needed cohesion as the season begins, while Houston has been putting in the work during the offseason and looks like she has the potential to up her game a couple notches this season.

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Incoming Portal Transfers:

Dani Carnegie (Guard / 5-9 / 3rd Year)

Amari Whiting (Guard / 5-10 / 4th…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/iowa-women-basketball-2026-season-011033622.html

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Publish date : 2026-11-05 01:10:00

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