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We are still about 4 weeks away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with JR F Hannah Stuelke, who talked about wining games in March and her expectations for this season.
You were born/raised in Cedar Rapids, IA: what made you choose Iowa for college, and how exciting was it to receive a Key to the City last May?! It was a cool experience for me and my family. I think it shows how much the community gets behind myself and the Iowa program. Hawkeye fans are 1-of-1. Iowa always felt like home to me, and the coaching staff did a great job recruiting me.
As a freshman you were named conference 6th Player of the Year: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It was a huge honor. I know how hard I worked to get to this point, so it was nice to get recognized.
Last February you scored a career-high 47 PTS/17-20 FG in 32 minutes in a win over Penn State: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? I was totally in the zone that day. It was one of those days where I knew that I was going to play well as soon as I woke up. The ball just kept going in the hoop and I credit my teammates for continuing to feed me the ball.
In the 2023 postseason you won the Big 10 tourney and made it all the way to the NCAA title game before losing to LSU: what is the key to winning games in March? I think the key to winning in March is believing in our core principles that the coaching staff instilled in us all the way back in the summer.
In the 2024 Big 10 tourney title game you scored 25 PTS/11-18 FG and played all 40 minutes in a win over Nebraska: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? That was such a fun game. I give credit to Nebraska for playing a heck of a game that day: it went all the way down to the wire. At that point in the season, you must empty the tank every night and that is what I did. It was awesome to win back-to-back Big Ten titles.
In the 2024 Elite 8 you scored 8 PTS in a 7-PT win over LSU: was it extra-special to get revenge after the Tigers beat you in the 2023 title game? The 2024 NCAA Tournament was as memorable as the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Making the Final Four and the National Championship in consecutive seasons was unbelievable. I am so lucky to have done it with some of my best friends for life. When we played LSU in 2024, it felt like even more people were watching than the year before. It is so neat to see the evolution of women’s basketball. I would say my favorite game from the past two years was the Final 4 game against UConn to advance to the 2024 Natty.
You have a new coach this year: how is Jan Jensen doing since getting hired to replace Lisa Bluder last May? Coach J is awesome. She was my lead recruiter and position coach before she got the head coaching position. We have always had a special connection, and I cannot wait to see how she does in her new role.
You lost 4 of your top-6 scorers from last year (Caitlin Clark/Kate Martin/Gabbie Marshall/Molly Davis): how will you try to replace all that offense/leadership, and is it even possible to replace the all-time leading scorer in D-1 history? We will need new people to step up for this team, and that includes me taking more of a leadership role and maybe taking a few more shots/game. Iowa basketball will look different and that is okay: we have a talented group that I believe in.
The Big 10 added several new schools this year: any thoughts on conference realignment? I am super-excited to welcome in the West Coast schools. It brings new opportunities to play new opponents and see some different pockets of the country.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? My goal for this season to be the best leader I can be. My coaches have really emphasized that with me over the summer. This team has put in the work, and I am excited to begin a new chapter of Iowa women’s basketball.