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Iowa has transitioned into a post-dominant offensive style under second-year head coach Jan Jensen. Meanwhile, Minnesota is playing its best basketball in years, coming in on a four-game winning streak.
Iowa's Top Players to Watch
Iowa has shifted from a guard-heavy "deep-shot" team to an efficient, inside-out powerhouse.
- Ava Heiden (C, Sophomore): The focal point of the offense, leading the team with 16.3 PPG and a highly efficient 64.8% true shooting percentage. She is also their primary rim protector.
- Hannah Stuelke (F, Senior): A mid-season finalist for the Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Award. She leads the team in rebounding (8.6 RPG) and adds roughly 14 PPG.
- Chazadi Wright (G, Sophomore): The primary floor general who leads the team in assists (4.3 APG) and steals (1.5 SPG).
- Taylor McCabe (G, Senior): The Hawkeyes' primary threat from deep, averaging 2.5 made three-pointers per game.
Game Preview: The Minnesota Perspective
From the Gophers' viewpoint, this is a "statement game." Minnesota hasn't had a win streak this significant in Big Ten play since 2018, and they are currently the top defensive unit in the conference.
1. The Defensive Wall
Minnesota ranks
1st in the Big Ten and
10th nationally in scoring defense. Their strategy tonight will be to pack the paint to neutralize Ava Heiden and Hannah Stuelke, forcing Iowa’s guards to beat them from the perimeter.
2. Guard Play & Ball Security
The Gophers take care of the ball exceptionally well, ranking
4th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio.
- Amaya Battle is the engine, leading the team in both rebounds and assists.
- Grace Grocholski is the scoring leader and will need a big night from three to keep pace with Iowa's high-scoring offense
3. Historical context
Minnesota is chasing their first five-game winning streak since their 2024 WBIT Championship run. A win tonight in Iowa City would likely propel them into the AP Top 25 and solidify their resume for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Mara Braun is back and has become a major storyline for the Gophers this season. After enduring two consecutive season-ending foot injuries in 2024 and 2025, she is playing as a
redshirt junior and is finally regaining her elite form.
Current Performance (2025–26 Season)
While she started the season somewhat "shaky" as she rediscovered her rhythm, Braun has surged recently.
- Recent Momentum: In the two games leading up to late January, she averaged 16.5 points and 3.5 rebounds, including a season-high 18-point performance against Washington.
- Season Stats: She is currently averaging 11.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 2.4 APG.
- Shooting: Known as one of the best pure shooters in the Big Ten, she is an elite free-throw shooter (91.9%) and has been working her way back to being a high-volume threat from deep.
Her Role in Tonight’s Game
For the matchup against Iowa, Braun is a "X-factor" for Minnesota.
- The "Shooter's" Gravity: Even when her shots aren't falling at her career-high rates (she averaged 17 PPG before her injuries), she provides crucial spacing for teammates like Amaya Battle and Grace Grocholski.
- Leadership: Having spent last season essentially acting as an "extra coach" from the sidelines, her veteran presence and basketball IQ are vital in high-pressure road environments like Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
- Rim Protection (for a Guard): Interestingly, she is currently among the team leaders in blocks per game (0.8 BPG), showing her increased focus on the defensive end since her return.
Minnesota's path to an upset tonight depends heavily on whether Braun can continue her recent hot streak and provide the scoring punch needed to match Iowa’s efficient post-play.
Key Takeaways for Tonight
- Consistency from Deep: Braun has been finding her rhythm after a slower start to the season. Her 22-point performance against Penn State showcased her ability to take over a game, shooting 57.1% from the field and 42.9% from three in that contest.
- All-Around Impact: Even in lower scoring outings, such as the Oregon game where she scored 2 points, she contributed significantly on the glass with 9 rebounds.
- Defensive Presence: She has recorded at least one block in four of her last five games, highlighting her defensive activity leading into the Iowa matchup.
- Season Overview: Currently, she is averaging 11.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 2.4 APG for the season, while maintaining an elite free-throw percentage of 91.9%.
