Monday’s zoom call with Jan Jensen: We asked, and she answered

IOWA CITY — Jan Jensen met the media via zoom Monday morning, and not a single question focused on the next opponent, a mid-major foe that enters Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday at 4-0.

The Hawkeyes — 6-0 and up eight spots in this week’s Associated Press women’s basketball poll at No. 11 — have more pressing issues, primarily the health of point guard Chit-Chat Wright.

Here are three major talking points as the Hawkeyes prepare for their encounter with Western Illinois (tip is 6:30 p.m.):

How is Chit-Chat, and what is her availability?

(Context: Wright was injured early in the third quarter on the Hawkeyes’ 57-52 win over Baylor last Thursday. She did not play vs. Miami on Saturday.)

Jensen: “She took a pretty hard hit, and we’re concerned about her head, neck, shoulder and back.

“I (didn’t) anticipate her practicing (Monday). I’m pretty sure she’d day-to-day, and that’s not just coach-speak.

“I was extremely impressed and pleased with the team’s resolve. The gym goes silent ... (Wright) is a beloved leader ... for the team to stay in the moment.

“Taylor (Stremlow) really, really did a great job stepping up. She’s just that kid who leans into the moment. She has since the moment I recruited her.”

Where is Addie Deal at this stage, compared to expectations?

(Context: A freshman guard from California, Deal was the No. 18 overall prospect in the Class of 2025. She is averaging 14.4 minutes per game, scoring at a 4.7-point clip.)

Jensen: “I think Addie had a really nice tournament down there. How she’s understanding spacing, I definitely think she’s progressing.

“The current situation puts a lot of hype on people. You just have to let the process settle. She just needs to drop her shoulders and trust the process.

“Ava (Heiden) went through the same thing last year, really coming on at the end of last year. I think with Addie, we’re going to see that, and we’ll probably see it sooner.”

You’ve landed one five-star recruit (for 2026) and came close on two others. What’s next?

(Context: McKenna Woliczko, a 6-foot-2 forward from San Bruno, Calif., is committed and signed to join the Hawkeyes next season. Iowa was a finalist for Jenica Lewis and Addison Bjorn, who ultimately picked Notre Dame and Texas, respectively.)

Jensen: “We could look for one or two more. But in this day and age, we don’t overhaul. I recruit for need.

“I suspect we’ll need more in the guard court, a combo wing that can back up the 1, 2 or 3, since we’ll be losing both Taylor (McCabe) and Kylie (Feuerbach, to graduation).

“I love the pieces we have right now, but I could take one or two more.”

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com