Iowa Women's Basketball Ranked No. 7 in Latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Hawkeyes advance to Big Ten Tournament championship game after wins over Illinois and Michigan

Mar. 11, 2026 at 1:35am

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After a run to the 2026 Big Ten Tournament championship game, the Iowa women's basketball team is ranked No. 7 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. The Hawkeyes, led by standout performances from sophomore center Ava Heiden, defeated Illinois and Michigan to reach the title game before falling to UCLA.

Why it matters

The Hawkeyes' strong showing in the Big Ten Tournament has them positioned as an NCAA Tournament host, continuing the program's success and solidifying their status as one of the top women's basketball teams in the country.

The details

In the wins over Illinois and Michigan, Ava Heiden combined for 36 points on 13-for-22 shooting, while Hannah Stuelke, Chit-Chat Wright, and Taylor Stremlow also made significant contributions. Heiden also recorded a career-high 5 blocks in the win over Michigan. However, Iowa's run came to an end with a 96-45 loss to a dominant UCLA squad in the Big Ten Tournament championship game.

  • Iowa defeated Illinois 64-58 in the Big Ten Tournament.
  • Iowa defeated Michigan 58-42 in the Big Ten Tournament.
  • Iowa lost to UCLA 96-45 in the Big Ten Tournament championship game.

The players

Ava Heiden

A sophomore center for the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team who had a standout performance in the Big Ten Tournament, combining for 36 points and a career-high 5 blocks.

Hannah Stuelke

A player for the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team who scored 26 points in the team's wins over Illinois and Michigan.

Chit-Chat Wright

A player for the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team who scored 25 points in the team's wins over Illinois and Michigan.

Taylor Stremlow

A player for the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team who scored 19 points in the team's wins over Illinois and Michigan.

UCLA

The team that defeated Iowa 96-45 in the Big Ten Tournament championship game.

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What’s next

As the Hawkeyes await Selection Sunday, Iowa is currently projected as an NCAA Tournament host.

The takeaway

Iowa's strong performance in the Big Ten Tournament, led by standout players like Ava Heiden, has solidified the Hawkeyes' status as one of the top women's basketball teams in the country and positioned them as a potential NCAA Tournament host.