Iowa women's basketball cracks top 10 in preseason Coaches Poll rankings

For the first time since the 2023-24 campaign, Iowa women's basketball begins the season inside the top 10. Iowa is ranked No. 10 in the preseason USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll.

The Hawkeyes received 476 points in the initial poll.

Iowa is joined by eight other Big Ten programs inside the preseason top 25. USC is the Big Ten's highest-ranked team at No. 3. The Trojans are followed by No. 5 Michigan, No. 12 UCLA, No. 15 Washington, No. 17 Maryland, No. 18 Minnesota, No. 20 Ohio State, and No. 22 Illinois.

Nebraska (40 points), Michigan State (18 points), and Oregon (9 points) are all receiving votes.

Following a second-round exit in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, the Hawkeyes reconstructed their roster by adding four transfer portal players (fourth-year guards Amari Whiting and Bria Medina, third-year guard Dani Canegie, and second-year wing Jocelyn Faison). Iowa also signed first-year forwards Ella Strömdahl and McKenna Woliczko.

The Hawkeyes return a core that features Chit-Chat Wright, Ava Heiden, Taylor Stremlow, and Journey Houston.

Here's a look at the full preseason USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll:

Others Receiving Votes

Baylor 44; Arizona State 42; Nebraska 40; Tennessee 20; Michigan State 18; Gonzaga 15; South Dakota State 11; Oregon 9; Oregon State 8; Villanova 5; Rice 5; Princeton 4; Texas Tech 3; James Madison 3; Florida 3; Virginia 2; Kansas 2; Fairfield 2; Clemson 2;