Even with roster changes on the horizon, the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball program is already generating serious buzz for the 2026-27 season. ESPN's latest "way-too-early" top 25 rankings have placed Iowa at an impressive No. 9, signaling strong belief in the team's foundation despite upcoming transitions.

The confidence stems from a powerful returning core. The Hawkeyes will be led by center Ava Heiden, last season's leading scorer and a dominant force in the paint, who averaged 18 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. She'll be complemented by the backcourt stability of point guard Chit-Chat Wright, a sharpshooter who connected on 44% of her three-point attempts last year.

Adding to the excitement is the arrival of McKenna Woliczko, Iowa's highest-rated recruit since the legendary Caitlin Clark. The 6'2" forward, ranked No. 6 in her class, is seen as a perfect versatile fit alongside Heiden and Wright, poised to make an immediate impact as the team reloads its frontcourt.

This optimism follows a highly successful 27-7 campaign where Iowa finished second in the tough Big Ten and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. While the coaching staff led by Jan Jensen will be busy navigating the transfer portal to fill gaps, the combination of proven veterans and elite new talent has Hawkeye fans eagerly anticipating another championship-contending season.

The national landscape remains fierce, with ESPN's top five featuring UConn, Texas, South Carolina, LSU, and Michigan. Iowa will face stiff competition within its own conference, as the Big Ten boasts eight other ranked teams, including No. 6 USC and No. 12 Ohio State, setting the stage for another thrilling year of women's college basketball.