3 major takeaways from Jan Jensen and Iowa's Big Ten Media Day
A huge shift occurred for the Iowa Hawkeyes this summer when Caitlin Clark transitioned to the WNBA and Jan Jensen was promoted to the head coaching role. While the fans showered Clark and Jensen with love throughout their journeys, uncertainties around the Hawkeyes remain.
Who will replace Caitlin Clark? Will the Hawkeyes’ offense change under Jensen’s leadership and how much of former coach Lisa Bluder’s culture will be carried forward?
The first-year coach gave fans insight into all these and more during the Big Ten Media Days, which began on Wednesday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
Takeaways from Iowa coach Jan Jensen's Big Ten Media Day appearance
#1 Jan Jensen will tweak Hawkeyes’ style
Jensen knows that the impact Caitlin Clark made cannot be replicated. While she mentioned adding more 3-point shooting multiple times during her interviews, Jensen is still aiming to maintain a fast-paced offense.
Being an offense-oriented coach, Jensen said she plans to retain most of the scoring playbook. However, to ensure efficiency and get the most out of her personnel, certain actions can be deployed this time around instead of just the motion offense Lisa Bluder posed last year.
On the other end of the floor, Iowa has already begun practicing a tweaked approach. However, the coach did not reveal much about it. The Hawkeyes allowed nearly 72 points per game last season.
#2 Lucy Olsen and Hannah Stuelke will be Iowa's new faces
Olsen comes to the Hawkeyes after being the third-best scorer in the NCAA, behind Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins. She averaged 23.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game on nearly 44% shooting for the Villanova Wildcats.
Will the lack of high-frequency 3-point success enable Olsen to be Iowa’s go-to? Only the season will tell. However, Lucy Olsen is a crafty guard who can easily run the offense.
Jan Jensen also plans on utilizing Hannah Stuelke’s athleticism and explosiveness to complement Olsen. Expect Stuelke to be Iowa’s new leader and anchor the floor on both ends. Whatever the Hawkeyes’ final starting lineup might be, Stuelke and Olsen will be put into situations to become a star duo.
#3 Fans can still expect a show
Iowa fans are already committed. Despite Caitlin Clark’s absence, the Hawkeyes have sold out their season tickets.
Throughout Jan Jensen’s interviews, a common theme was fans’ inclusion and a promise to keep the Hawkeyes show running. In one of her insights, the coach said that fans filled arenas because of Caitlin Clark but stayed for Kate Martin, Hannah Stuelke and other integral pieces.
With that, alongside playing efficient basketball, the coach plans on rendering entertaining games throughout the season.
Also Read: Caitlin Clark: 3 biggest expectations from Iowa transfer Lucy Olsen in 2024-2025 season