Ohio State Women’s Basketball Faces Identity Crisis After Loss to No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes
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Ohio State’s women’s basketball team suffered a decisive 21-point defeat against the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in Iowa City, marking their second Big Ten loss of the season and exposing critical vulnerabilities in their game plan. The loss, a stark contrast to the closely contested matchups that have defined the rivalry in recent years, has prompted reflection on the team’s identity and path forward.
A Shift in the Series Dynamic
Over the last four games, contests between Ohio State and Iowa were nail-biters, featuring two overtime periods and a point differential of no more than 10 points. That trend was emphatically broken on Sunday, as the Scarlet and Gray struggled for 35 minutes against head coach Jan Jensen’s Hawkeyes. As one analyst noted, “This wasn’t just a loss; it was a statement game for Iowa, and a wake-up call for Ohio State.” The defeat underscores the need for adaptation and resilience as the Buckeyes navigate a challenging Big Ten schedule.
The Impact of Kylee Kitts’ Absence
A significant factor contributing to Ohio State’s struggles is the absence of forward Kylee Kitts, the team’s leading rebounder with 7.1 per game. Her absence has exposed a clear issue with the Buckeyes’ ability to play to their established identity. Earlier in the season, and particularly since December 28, 2025, against UCLA, coach McGuff favored a lineup featuring two “bigs” to strengthen the interior defense – a strategy that had proven effective.
This approach involved a trio of guards handling point guard, shooting guard, and a versatile third guard, complemented by a finesse forward and a towering center. This combination aimed to create rebounding advantages and open up offensive opportunities. Without Kitts, the Buckeyes are limited to just two interior players McGuff trusts: center Elsa Lemmilä and forward Ella Hobbs, both of whom occupy more traditional paint positions.
Matchup Disadvantage Against Iowa’s Frontcourt
Ohio State’s lack of interior depth was particularly evident against Iowa’s formidable frontcourt duo of senior forward Hannah Stuelke and center Ava Heiden. The pair combined for 36 points and 23 rebounds, exploiting the Buckeyes’ vulnerability. While Lemmilä, a sophomore, showcased her defensive prowess with five blocks – elevating her to 12th in program history for career blocks – she was often forced into unfavorable matchups. “Stuelke’s impact was especially difficult to overcome,” a team insider stated, “with a smaller guard often tasked with defending her one-on-one.” It was, in essence, a significant mismatch.
Limited Bench Contribution
The Buckeyes’ roster consists of 11 players, including only three forwards and one center. Forwards Hobbs and redshirt freshman Seini Henry have seen limited playing time this season. Hobbs played a season-high 11 minutes on Sunday, her most extensive action since December 22, 2025, while Henry has seen just 12 total minutes in four Big Ten appearances. This reliance on a limited rotation, particularly with Kitts sidelined, represents a gamble that has yet to pay off. The team’s coaching staff acknowledged that placing the interior play in the hands of only two players, both with prior injury concerns, was a risk.
Defensive Struggles and Offensive Inefficiency
For Ohio State to compete with a team like Iowa, effective pressing, utilizing speed, and disrupting the opposing offense are crucial. However, the Buckeyes struggled in these areas on Sunday. They forced a season-low 15 turnovers in Big Ten play, converting those opportunities into only 13 points, while Iowa capitalized on 11 turnovers for 16 points. Iowa’s ball movement proved particularly challenging, with 28 assists and eight on three-point shots. “They had at least three threes against the zone, maybe four,” McGuff told reporters. “They were all out of the corner.”
Despite Jaloni Cambridge’s impressive performance – a career-first double-double with 28 points and 10 rebounds – Ohio State’s overall team showing was insufficient.
A Reflective Response to Defeat
Unlike some losses that spark immediate frustration, the Buckeyes’ response to the defeat was notably reflective. Coach McGuff, Cambridge, and Lemmilä were not visibly discouraged, instead demonstrating a clear understanding of the areas needing improvement. “I told the team, it’s got to be everything you got to win in a place like Iowa against a great team like that, and we didn’t have it,” McGuff said. “I don’t feel like I coached my best game. I don’t think our players played the best game, and a lot of that had to do with Iowa.”
Iowa’s Masterful Performance
Iowa head coach Jan Jensen deserves credit for her masterful game plan. Despite losing starting guard Taylor McCabe early in the game, the Hawkeyes capitalized on Stuelke’s mismatch and consistently countered Ohio State’s adjustments. Jensen’s team demonstrated a clear ability to learn from previous challenges, building on their overtime victory against Maryland and their resilience against Indiana.
The Buckeyes will face the Wisconsin Badgers and the ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers at home next week. How Ohio State responds to this setback will be a crucial indicator of their ability to overcome adversity and contend for a Big Ten championship.
