NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma coach Jennie Baranczyk expects to encounter some emotions when she coaches against her alma mater and mentor for a chance to reach the Sweet 16.
Baranczyk grew up in Iowa and played for the University of Iowa when Jan Jensen was an assistant coach for the Hawkeyes. Now, Jensen is Iowa’s head coach, and her team is a roadblock for Baranczyk. Third-seeded Oklahoma (26-7) will host No. 6 seed Iowa (23-10) on Monday.
“Every other game that Iowa plays, I want them to win,” Baranczyk said. “Of course I do. I want them to be really successful.”
Jensen, Iowa’s first-year head coach, remembers Baranczyk as a go-getter and expects to see the best of the fierce competitor she’s always known.
“When the ball goes up, I mean — it’s been a long time since she’s been in a Iowa Hawkeye uniform, right,” Jensen said. “I think it will be a really good game and I think it will be competitive, hopefully.”
Baranczyk said she can’t afford to spend too much time being sentimental. The Hawkeyes, after all, have played in the national championship game the past two years.
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Iowa coach Jan Jensen claps during the first half against Murray State in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) -
Iowa guard Lucy Olsen (33) looks to pass the ball away from Murray State guard Briley Pena (3) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) -
Iowa guard Lucy Olsen (33) looks to shoot as Murray State guard Haven Ford (2) watches during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) -
Oklahoma center Raegan Beers (52) and Florida Gulf Coast guard Kaelyn Flowers (12) bettle for a rebound the ball during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) -
Oklahoma center Raegan Beers, right, looks to score against Florida Gulf Coast guard Lauryn Taylor, left, during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) -
Oklahoma coach Jennie Baranczyk getures during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Florida Gulf Coast, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
And Iowa has found another big-time scorer now that Caitlin Clark has moved on. Lucy Olsen averages 17.8 points for a team that won’t be afraid to run with the up-tempo Sooners.
“I know how good they are and how good they’ve been,” Baranczyk said. “I know for a lot of years I followed that program. We’re not overlooking anything, and we’d better be ready.”
Oklahoma features Raegan Beers, a dominant 6-foot-4 post player who had 25 points and 18 rebounds in the win over Florida Gulf Coast.
Iowa counters with three players with height, but not the strength, to possibly challenge her — 6-4 Ava Heiden, 6-4 Addison O’Grady and 6-2 Hannah Stuelke. They were key elements to Iowa’s win over Murray State in the first round.
“I don’t think there’s anything new that she hasn’t seen, right, that the SEC has not thrown at her,” Jensen said. “So you just probably try to limit touches.”
Baranczyk said the game will offer a chance to celebrate her former Iowa teammate, Jamie Cavey-Lang, who died of cancer in December 2024.
Baranczyk said her team will wear pins with the number 52 on them and she will provide them for Iowa’s staff.
“She meant a lot to me personally, but she really meant a lot to that program, and that’s important for me on both levels,” Baranczyk said.
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