IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Caitlin Clark era at Iowa has officially concluded, marked by her record as the NCAA Division I overall scoring leader, with the Hawkeyes reaching two consecutive national championship games and becoming the premier attraction in women’s basketball.
Clark has recently wrapped up a successful first season as a professional, becoming the WNBA’s rookie of the year. Meanwhile, Iowa is embarking on a new journey with a fresh head coach, a new point guard, and significantly tempered expectations moving forward.
Jan Jensen, who has been a long-term assistant coach and took over the role of head coach after the retirement of Lisa Bluder in May, shared an encouraging message with her players at the start of their summer conditioning: “We’ve got next.”
Hannah Stuelke, who is expected to be the team’s standout returning scorer, echoed Jensen’s recurring mantra.
The Hawkeyes are set to compete without Clark for the first time since March 6, 2020, as they welcome Missouri Western for an exhibition game on Wednesday night.
After spending the entirety of last season ranked in the top 10 of The Associated Press poll, they now find themselves just outside the preseason Top 25, receiving the highest number of votes among the unranked teams.
During Clark’s four years with the program, Iowa amassed an impressive record of 109-30, highlighted by four NCAA Tournament appearances, three Big Ten Tournament titles, and a share of the regular-season championship. Clark’s career total of 3,951 points stands as the highest in NCAA history for both women’s and men’s Division I players, along with setting records for 1,293 field goals, 548 three-pointers, and 480 points in NCAA Tournament games.
Along with Clark, the Hawkeyes will also miss the contributions of sixth-year guard Kate Martin and fifth-year guard Gabbie Marshall, both of whom played crucial roles in the team’s recent success.
After winning 528 games and leading the team to 18 NCAA appearances over 24 years, Bluder retired in May. Jensen, who worked alongside Bluder since their initial coaching days at Drake in the 1990s, was appointed as the new head coach on the same day.
This transition marks a significant shift in a program known for its stability under Bluder. The considerable success achieved in recent years with Clark has given rise to concerns regarding how the Hawkeyes will fare in her absence.
“I think everybody wants to be the New York Yankees, right?” Jensen remarked, reflecting on the former success. “It was exciting to be a favorite with experienced players like Caitlin, Kate, and Gabbie in the starting lineup, but there’s also enjoyment in being the underdog. I believe many fans typically root for the underdog.”
Despite the challenges ahead, there will undoubtedly be moments that underscore the difficulty of moving forward without Clark. Stuelke and her new teammate Lucy Olsen encountered numerous inquiries concerning Clark during the Big Ten media days, and Jensen faced similar questions at the Hawkeyes’ media day regarding Clark’s influence on the program.
Olsen, who excelled at Villanova last season, finishing third in the nation for scoring, is one of six newcomers joining the team. Stuelke and guard Sydney Affolter are the only starters returning, though Affolter will be sidelined for the first few weeks while recovering from knee surgery.
Jensen has emphasized to her players that the departures of Clark, Martin, and Marshall can lead to new opportunities for others.
“There are new roles, more shots available,” Jensen noted. “Plus, there will be more significant defensive responsibilities for some players now. I love to see them stepping up and being prepared to surprise some people.”
Fifth-year senior Kylie Feuerbach views this as a tremendous opportunity to make an impact. “But nothing is guaranteed,” she cautioned, stating, “and we have to earn it.”
The Hawkeyes continue to attract fans, as evidenced by the complete sellout of all season tickets for the second year running.
Feuerbach shared that Jensen reminded the team of the significant crowds supporting them by taking them high in the Carver-Hawkeye Arena to witness the enthusiastic fan turnout.
“Coach J had us take a seat in a higher section and explained to us the magnitude of the arena we’re filling. It really puts into perspective how special it is that so many people want to watch us play every game,” Feuerbach said.
Jensen encourages the team to concentrate on “the windshield” and to let go of the “rear-view mirror.”
“I keep emphasizing the importance of embracing this moment and who they are,” Jensen stated.
Every season brings a fresh start for all teams, but this is particularly true for Iowa as they approach the 2024-25 season.
“If everyone allows this year’s team to be defined on its own terms, rather than drawing comparisons to past squads — and refrains from imposing expectations about what they should accomplish — I believe they can achieve a great deal of success,” Jensen concluded.
