As No. 12 Iowa women’s basketball (10-1, 1-0 Big Ten) prepares for its clash against defending national champion and No. 1 UConn (11-0) on Saturday in the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic, Hawkeyes head coach Jan Jensen previewed the great challenge that the Huskies present.
“I think what’s kind of unique about this game with UConn is usually when you’re playing UConn, it’s to get out of the first weekend or second weekend of the NCAA tournament or beat them in the Final Four somehow and get to the championship game…
Advertisement
“So with this one, it’s ‘Hey, it’s the last game of the (nonconference) regular season. Everybody knows what they’ve done throughout this nonconference, so (let’s) have a good game plan, go out there and try to enjoy the moment, and you don’t have to worry that this is your last game,'” Jensen said.
Jensen was later asked what specifically stands out about this year’s UConn team, to which the second-year Hawkeyes coach said the Huskies have efficient scorers throughout their lineup and even called it one of Geno Auriemma’s more talented squads.
“Yeah, I think this team has the potential to go down as one of his, Geno and Chris (Dailey)’s best teams,” Jensen said. “I mean, every single one of them. Even the ones deep down the bench are really, really good.”
In terms of the excitement of playing UConn at the 17,732-seat Barclays Center in Brooklyn and what she expects the atmosphere to feel like, Jensen was very thankful for the opportunity and honored to be invited to play in such a high-profile venue against a nationally-respected program.
Advertisement
“I think what’s so fun about this is it’s such an honor to be invited to this tournament,” Jensen said. “If you get to play the best, I’m going to take it every time. I’m not scared of it. I don’t think the team is. I just really feel honored that we’re one of those four.
“To get to go play where the (Brooklyn) Nets play and then the WNBA’s New York Liberty, that’s such a cool deal for our players. We know it’s a premier invite tournament, and to get to do it is really an honor.”
That matchup against the Huskies will begin on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Fox.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women’s basketball previews upcoming matchup vs No. 1 UConn
