Iowa 2024 Preview: 5 bold predictions for Jan Jensen's Hawkeyes this season

The Iowa Hawkeyes will enter a new era in the upcoming season, having lost four key players from last year. Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin moved to the WNBA while Gabbie Marshall and Molly Davis exhausted their college eligibility.

The Hawkeyes also underwent a major coaching staff change as Lisa Bluder retired and Jan Jensen took over. Jansen retained all remaining players from last season and also added Lucy Olsen from the transfer portal, along with new recruits. With the roster set, here are a few predictions for Iowa.

5 bold predictions for the Iowa Hawkeyes this season

#1 Iowa will not win the Big Ten tournament championship

For the upcoming college season, the Big Ten conference added the USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, and Washington Huskies to the mix. The conference re-alignment has significantly increased the competitiveness in the Big Ten and will affect Iowa's chances at the tournament championship.

After three straight Big Ten tournament title wins, winning it again this season is highly unlikely for the Hawkeyes.

#2 Hannah Stuelke will be the star of the show, not Lucy Olsen

When Lucy Olsen transferred to Iowa from Villanova, many predicted her to be Caitlin Clark's replacement. However, the senior guard has had little time to build on-court chemistry with her new teammates.

Meanwhile, junior forward Hannah Stuelke has better playing experience and will lead the Hawkeyes in the upcoming campaign. She also contributed immensely during the postseason run and averaged 14.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists last season. Stuelke will likely be Iowa's savior.

#3 Making it through March Madness will be tough

With the conference realignment, the Iowa Hawkeyes now have an even smaller chance of making it to March Madness. Despite the presence of talents like Sydney Affolter and Kylie Feuerbach, no one comes close to the caliber of the players the Hawkeyes lost.

The trio of Clark, Martin, and Marshall was truly special and Iowa will have a hard time replicating their previous success.

#4 Iowa will no longer be at the center of the Big Ten

For the past four years, Iowa drew the most attention in the Big Ten conference, as well as the entire nation, thanks to the presence of its star talent. However, this is expected to change this season as the USC Trojans will take over the spot.

The Trojans will be the next big super team after they added Kiki Iriafen and Talia von Oelhoffen to their roster, along with the No.1 ranked recruiting class. The Hawkeyes' days in the spotlight are over.

#5 Freshmen to the rescue

In the 2024-25 season, Iowa is set to welcome Ava Heiden (No. 40), Aaliyah Gyton (No. 58), Teagan Mallegni (No. 64), and Taylor Stremlow (No. 91). All four players excelled in high school and there is a lot of optimism for this freshman class. Iowa fans are hoping that they will turn out to be extraordinary players who could change the team's course next year.

What are your Iowa Hawkeyes predictions for the upcoming season? Let us know in the comments section below.