The Iowa Women's Basketball team is poised to embark on a new chapter as they kick off their 2024-2025 season at home against the Northern Illinois Huskies. This marks the official beginning of the Jan Jensen era, as well as the post-Caitlin Clark era for the Hawkeyes.

Navigating the Transition: Iowa's Roster Reshuffles and Newcomers

Filling the Void Left by Caitlin Clark

Despite the departure of the iconic Caitlin Clark, the Hawkeyes are still expected to field a veteran-laden squad. In an effort to help fill the void left by Clark's departure, Iowa has brought in senior Villanova transfer Lucy Olsen, who averaged an impressive 23.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game last season. Olsen is expected to start alongside fellow senior Kylie Feurbach and junior Taylor McCabe in the backcourt, while junior Hannah Stuelke and senior Addison O'Grady round out the anticipated starting lineup.

Battling the Huskies: A Clash of Experienced Rosters

The new-look Hawkeyes will face a formidable challenge in the form of the Northern Illinois Huskies, who boast their own veteran roster. Tenth-year NIU coach and Iowa native Lisa Carlsen returns 6th-year senior Chelby Koker, a three-time All-MAC honoree who missed last season but averaged 15.4 points per game in 2022-2023. The Huskies also added Southeast Missouri State transfer guard Alecia Doyle, who averaged 13.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game last season and was a Second Team All-OVC selection.

Frontcourt Showdown: Stuelke and O'Grady vs. Stonebraker

In the frontcourt, Iowa's Hannah Stuelke and Addison O'Grady will have their hands full trying to contain the 6'3" Brooke Stonebraker, who led Northern Illinois in scoring and rebounding last season. Stonebraker's presence will be a significant challenge for the Hawkeyes' interior defense.

Bench Contributions: Barkema Brings Firepower for the Huskies

The Huskies' bench also boasts a notable addition in the form of Bradley transfer Reagan Barkema, who put up 12 points in 25 minutes in NIU's season opener, including three made three-pointers. As a sophomore at Bradley last season, Barkema averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, while knocking down 45 three-pointers.

Rivalry Renewed: A Clash of Familiar Foes

Tonight's matchup will mark the 13th meeting between Iowa and Northern Illinois, with the Hawkeyes holding a 7-5 advantage in the all-time series. However, the Huskies haven't defeated the Hawkeyes since 1993, making this a highly anticipated clash between two programs with a rich history.As the Jan Jensen era officially begins, the Iowa Women's Basketball team faces a formidable challenge in the Northern Illinois Huskies. With a mix of veteran leadership and promising newcomers, the Hawkeyes will look to establish their dominance and set the tone for the season ahead.