What the national experts are saying about Iowa, Iowa State women’s basketball for 2021-22

Final Four potential.

That’s what ESPN experts said about the University of Iowa women’s basketball program while closing their folders on the 2021 season last spring.

And that’s what Lindy’s Sports magazine, just on the shelves in grocery stores this week, echoed.

Yes, the hype on the Hawkeyes is real as the 2021-22 season approaches.

Here’s what some of the national experts are saying about Iowa, Iowa State and their conference counterparts:

ESPN.com

THE TOP 10:

1. Connecticut

2. South Carolina

3. Stanford

4. Baylor

5. Maryland

6. Louisville

7. Indiana

8. North Carolina State

9. Iowa

10. Oregon

Iowa State: 12th

Big Ten: 5. Maryland, 7. Indiana, 9. Iowa, 11. Michigan, 13. Ohio State, 21. Michigan State.

Big 12: 4. Baylor, 12. Iowa State, 16. West Virginia.

ON IOWA:

“The Hawkeyes started a freshman, three sophomores and a junior this season, and if everyone stays will return 97% of their point production. Caitlin Clark is the star, but coach Lisa Bluder has the pieces around her set up nicely, too, and another top-25 recruiting class on the way. Addison O'Grady might give Bluder another post player to go alongside Monika Czinano, who led the nation in field goal percentage this season. If Iowa can find a rim protector in the transfer portal to solidify the defense, this team might have Final Four potential.”

ON IOWA STATE:

“With three freshman starters and a bunch of injuries, coach Bill Fennelly was still able to produce a 17-11 record and a win in the NCAA tournament. Ashley Joens (24.2 PPG) is one of the country's best players and will be back for her senior year with a chance to become the Cyclones' all-time leading scorer. Emily Ryan and Big 12 Freshman of the Year Lexi Donarski are a rookie core that will look to take Iowa State to the next level as sophomores.”

Lindy’s Sports magazine

THE TOP 10:

1. Connecticut

2. South Carolina

3. Stanford

4. Maryland

5. Baylor

6. Louisville

7. North Carolina State

8. Indiana

9. Iowa

10. Michigan

Iowa State: 12th

Big Ten: 4. Maryland, 8. Indiana, 9. Iowa, 10. Michigan, 17. Ohio State, 22. Michigan State.

Big 12: 5. Baylor, 12. Iowa State, 16. West Virginia.

HONORS:

Caitlin Clark, Iowa: First-team all-America

Ashley Joens, ISU: Second-team all-America

ON IOWA:

“The nation’s leading scorer is back, as are the other four starters from a team that won 20 games and advanced to the Sweet 16. Caitlin Clark (26.6 ppg) was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a consensus All-American after scoring 799 points in just 30 games to lead the country. Senior Monika Czinano led the NCAA in field-goal percentage at 66.8 percent while pouring in 19.5 ppg. McKenna Warnock averaged 11.8 ppg while shooting better than 43 percent from 3-point range. This veteran group has Final Four potential.”

ON IOWA STATE:

“The Cyclones return three of their top four scorers, including the nation’s fifth-leading scorer in Ashley Joens (24.2 ppg), who won the Cheryl Miller award as the top small forward in the country. Lexi Donarski (13.0 ppg) was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and made 53 3-pointers at an impressive 41.1-percent rate. Sophomore point guard Emily Ryan had 164 assists to break the program record for a freshman a year ago. Iowa State finished fourth in the Big 12 a year ago but has the talent -- particularly at the top -- to make a run at the league title.”

NCAA.com ‘Preseason Power 10’

THE TOP 10

1. South Carolina

2. Connecticut

3. Stanford

4. Maryland

5. North Carolina State

6. Louisville

7. Oregon

8. Indiana

9. Iowa

10. Baylor

ON IOWA:

“The spotlight was on (UConn’s Paige) Bueckers, but there was also a quiet storm in Iowa with freshman sensation Caitlin Clark, who led the nation in points per game and assists. Clark’s unlimited range gives her defenders a tough task to guard her at all areas on the floor. Her duo with Monika Czinano will also return to the front court, creating a chemistry between the two that is unmatched, especially with Clark's elite passing ability to find Czinano inside (while sometimes ... not even looking).

“When Iowa's supporting cast around this duo is clicking offensively, Iowa is unstoppable. They showed exactly that when ousting Kentucky early in the tournament by double digits. They were the No. 2 scoring offense in the country for a reason!”

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com