Iowa Fans React To Team's Shocking Unranked Loss

No one expected the unranked USC Trojans to be the team to hand the Iowa Hawkeyes their first conference loss.
Jan 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA;  USC Trojans guard Londynn Jones (3) and Iowa Hawkeyes guard Taylor Stremlow (1) battle for a loose ball in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Jan 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard Londynn Jones (3) and Iowa Hawkeyes guard Taylor Stremlow (1) battle for a loose ball in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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At the end of the day, it was just one of those nights.

The Iowa Hawkeyes trailed the entire 40 minutes as unranked USC put forward its best performance of the year.

This very easily could've been a case of Iowa looking past their opponent, as No. 2 UCLA awaits.

Now, the Hawkeyes' game on Feb. 1 will no longer be a battle of the B1G's undefeated teams. Instead, Iowa joins Michigan as one-loss teams while UCLA sits atop the conference with its perfect 10-0 record. For reference, USC is just 4-6.

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Teagan Mallegni
Jan 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard Jazzy Davidson (9) shoots a basket as she is defended by Iowa Hawkeyes guard Teagan Mallegni (55) and guard Ava Heiden (5) in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Iowa's Loss Leaves Fans Speechless

"Quit sugar coating it people. It was a horrible game that they should be embarrassed about. Turnovers = sloppy basketball. Bad defense. Down at times by over 20 to a team who had lost 6 of last 7," one fan wrote.

Another added, "Awful, awful loss!!! Horrible losing to a team with nine losses!!! Don’t care how close they all were, either! Just a terrible loss!!!"

"No defense. Standing still on offense, looking to pass and too afraid to shoot the ball," this fan said. That led to a separate response, "How Jan didn’t get called for a tech tonight is beyond me. Great job holding her composure and we’ll bounce back."

"I think the girls were not as focused. Hate that," someone added. This individual wrote, "At least journey houston showed up, chit chat 8 assists and 7 boards and ava an acceptable game."

Chit-Chat played all 40 minutes but struggled shooting the ball. Thankfully, not every fan is ready to give up on this team. "Off nights happen. You watch the film. You make adjustments. You flush whatever that was and prep for a huge game Sunday."

"Showed fight at times...sucks losing to the 13th place team in the conference...let's hope it's a learning game, and try pull a miracle Sunday. Going to need to play WAY better than tonight to have a shot on Sunday. GO HAWKS!!" someone else wrote as the positive vibes continue.

Another fan didn't take things super seriously, "Look, USC was unconscious at times. We will learn from this and move on." At the end of the day, they shot 46% from the field and 37% from three point range.

"Thanks Journey, for being the only player who didn't come out flat. The rest of the team needs to learn from her effort tonight," this person added. Someone else responded, "Yikes. Bound to have a off night eventually. Go get the Bruins Sunday!!!"

In what was supposed to be a showdown of the conference's only undefeated teams, Iowa must now look to pull off the upset of the century as it plays at No. 2 UCLA.

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Jordon Lawrenz
JORDON LAWRENZ

Jordon Lawrenz serves as the Eastern United States College Recruiting beat writer On SI. Jordon is an accomplished writer covering the NFL, MLB, and college football/basketball. He has contributed to PFSN’s and Heavy’s NFL coverage. Having graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay with a Sports Communication and Journalism degree, Jordon fully embraced the sports writing lifestyle upon his relocation to Florida.