As the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season approaches, the USA TODAY Sports Network unveiled its preseason poll for the Big Ten conference.
Iowa women’s basketball received an optimistic ranking considering the unknowns that exist within the program entering the season.
The Hawkeyes placed in a tie for sixth in the USA TODAY Sports network’s preseason Big Ten women’s basketball poll, which is constructed from the votes of six USA TODAY Sports writers that cover the conference.
Last season’s run to the national championship game was largely a by-product of the phenomenal play of Caitlin Clark and Co., but with Clark and longtime head coach Lisa Bluder no longer with the program, the Hawkeyes have a bit of a question mark upon whether their current roster can replicate such prolific offensive production.
With the conference adding USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon to an already robust collection of programs, a tie for sixth place in the preseason poll is a rather respectful position, all things considered.
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As for the preseason poll as a whole, USC stands atop as the unanimous preseason conference champion. UCLA slots in close behind in second place, followed by Ohio State in third. Nebraska and Indiana both are listed as a tie for fourth with Maryland and Iowa in a sixth-place tie.
Let’s take a look at the full USA TODAY Sports Network’s Big Ten preseason poll.
Full USA TODAY Sports network Big Ten women’s basketball media poll
Fans got their first look at this new-era Iowa team in its exhibition versus Missouri Western on Wednesday night. Among key takeaways, Stuelke had a big day and Olsen’s rapport with Stuelke was quickly evident.
The Hawkeyes’ home and regular-season opener will be on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. CT versus Northern Illinois and will stream on Big Ten Network Plus.
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