Iowa women’s basketball is heading into March Madness with momentum, confidence, and a strong national standing. After securing a No. 2 seed and home-court advantage for the opening rounds, the big question remains, where do the Hawkeyes stand among the nation’s elite teams right now?

Iowa Holds Steady in National Rankings

Iowa women’s basketball (26-6, 15-3 Big Ten) continues to hold firm at No. 7 in the latest USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll. Despite the shifting landscape across college basketball, the Hawkeyes have maintained their position, signaling consistency at the highest level.

That stability comes at the perfect time. With the NCAA Tournament just around the corner, staying inside the top 10 reinforces Iowa’s status as a legitimate contender.

Big Ten Shows Strong Presence Again

Meanwhile, the Big Ten continues to prove its depth and competitiveness, placing seven teams inside the top 25 rankings.

UCLA leads the conference pack at No. 2, setting the pace nationally. Michigan follows at No. 8, while Ohio State checks in at No. 11. Maryland lands at No. 16, with Michigan State at No. 18 and Minnesota at No. 19.

In addition, Illinois appears just outside the rankings, earning 10 points in the receiving votes category.

Clearly, the Big Ten is not short on talent. That level of competition has helped sharpen Iowa heading into the postseason.

Hawkeyes

Set for Home-Court Advantage

That said, Iowa now turns its focus to tournament action. The Hawkeyes will host one of the 16 Super Regionals, giving them a valuable edge in the early rounds.

Their first test comes against No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson (30-4, 18-0 Northeast Conference). The matchup is scheduled for March 21 at 3 p.m. CT at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Even better for fans, the game will be broadcast on ESPN, offering a national stage as Iowa begins its tournament journey.

Full USA TODAY Coaches Poll Rankings

Here is the complete breakdown of the latest USA TODAY Sports Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll:

1. UConn (34-0)
2. UCLA (31-1)
3. Texas (31-3)
4. South Carolina (31-3)
5. LSU (27-5)
6. Vanderbilt (27-4)
7. Iowa (26-6)
8. Michigan (25-6)
9. Oklahoma (24-7)
10. Duke (24-8)
11. Ohio State (26-7)
12. TCU (29-5)
13. West Virginia (27-6)
14. Louisville (27-7)
15. North Carolina (26-7)
16. Maryland (23-8)
17. Kentucky (23-10)
18. Michigan State (22-8)
19. Minnesota (22-8)
20. Ole Miss (23-11)
21. Baylor (24-8)
22. Texas Tech (25-7)
23. Princeton (24-3)
24. Georgia (22-9)
25. Notre Dame (22-10)

Others receiving votes include Alabama, Iowa State, Rhode Island, Fairfield, Illinois, Rice, South Dakota State, Colorado, and Villanova.

What This Ranking Means for Iowa

Still, rankings only tell part of the story. For Iowa, holding at No. 7 reflects both consistency and expectation. The team has proven it can compete with anyone, but now comes the real test, surviving and advancing in March.

With home-court advantage, a balanced roster, and strong conference experience, the Hawkeyes have everything in place. The stage is set. The spotlight is on.

Now, it is time to see how far they can go.