Despite a tough loss against Tennessee from inside the Barclays Center on Saturday night, Iowa women’s basketball remains inside the latest edition of the USA TODAY Sports Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll.
The Hawkeyes suffered their first loss of the season and its first of the Jan Jensen era in the 78-68 setback against the Volunteers.
Senior guard Lucy Olsen led the way for Iowa with 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting in the losing effort. Senior center Addison O’Grady registered her third career double-double and the second of this season with 17 points and 11 boards.
After the loss, Iowa slides four spots to No. 24 in the newest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Meanwhile, Tennessee jumped into the poll and is ranked No. 18.
The Hawkeyes’ next two opponents are each ranked. Iowa will battle rival Iowa State on Wednesday night from inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena with tipoff set for 8 p.m. CT and the game to air on FS1. The Cyclones are currently ranked No. 17.
Then, Iowa travels to No. 19 Michigan State on Sunday for a game that will tip off at 11 a.m. CT and air on the Big Ten Network.
UCLA remains the nation’s No. 1 team, while fellow Big Ten squads USC, Maryland, Ohio State and Illinois also crack the rankings. USC is ranked No. 5, Maryland No. 7, Ohio State No. 8 and Illinois No. 25.
Big Ten squads Michigan and Nebraska are also receiving votes.
Here’s a look at the latest USA TODAY Sports Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll in full.
Schools Dropped Out
No. 22 Louisville;
Others Receiving Votes
Georgia Tech 68; Michigan 57; Nebraska 42; Louisville 31; Mississippi State 13; Utah 12; Florida State 11; California 11; Vanderbilt 10; South Dakota State 7; Stanford 1.
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