​Iowa women’s basketball is using its shocking second-round exit to Virginia in the 2026 NCAA Tournament as motivation for the offseason. During summer practices, junior guard Taylor Stremlow said the loss has fueled the returning players’ dedication to improve. She acknowledged that while it’s not the sole focus, the sting of losing and the disappointment of a game in Carver are driving forces for the five returning Hawkeyes, along with the coaches, to work harder and think bigger about the program’s future.
Stremlow emphasized that the team must balance that motivation with the reality that many newcomers haven’t experienced that disappointment yet. So, while the returning group carries that fire, it’s important not to let it be the only driving factor. The returning players, including Stremlow, are using the memory of last season as fuel, but also recognizing the need for momentum beyond a single defeat, given the number of new players on the roster.
Last season, Stremlow emerged as a key contributor, starting 18 games and helping Iowa to a 16-2 record in those appearances. The 5-foot-10 guard from Verona, Wisconsin, averaged 7.9 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game, shooting 48.1% from the field, 37.1% from three-point range, and 67.7% from the free-throw line. The Hawkeyes will carry the memory of the loss into the offseason as they build toward the next season.