By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – If it weren’t for Drake University, Jan Jensen and Lisa Bluder might never have joined forces.

They might never have become life-long friends or a highly successful coaching tandem.

Drake is what brought Jensen and Bluder together more than 30 years ago.

Prior to Jensen’s senior season, Bluder was hired to coach the Bulldogs and that was the start of a relationship that has been beneficial for both Drake and for the Iowa women’s basketball program.

Jensen led Division I women’s basketball in scoring as a senior under Bluder, finishing with a 29.6 per-game average.

She would go on to join Bluder’s staff as an assistant coach for Drake in 1993, and little did Iowa fans know at the time, but that partnership would ultimately lift the Iowa women’s basketball program to unprecedented success, and help to produce the greatest offensive player in the history of women’s college basketball.

After building Drake into a Missouri Valley Conference power, Bluder was hired to rebuild the Iowa program in 2000, and of course, she brought Jensen with her.

And nearly a quarter century later, Bluder is a Hawkeye legend, while Jensen is in her first season as the head Hawk after having been promoted to head coach on the same day Bluder announced her retirement this past May.

Bluder retired after having led Iowa to back-to-back NCAA runner-up finishes in each of the past two seasons, and after having had the privilege and thrill of coaching two-time National Player of the Year Caitlin Clark over the past four seasons.

But life, and basketball, goes on and now Jensen is preparing to face her college alma mater for the first time as the Iowa head coach with the Hawkeyes and Bulldogs set to square off on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Knapp Center in Des Moines.

There will be even more emotion than usual in the Knapp Center for this game as Drake is set to honor the 50-year anniversary of its women’s basketball program on Sunday.

Drake legends Laurie Baumann and Wanda Ford both will attend the game.

“There’s a lot of brouhaha with it,” Jensen said. “And I just thought, wow, just the irony of it. I’m a proud Drake alum. I mean Drake did so much for me as a student-athlete. I’ve always said I have two favorite teams in the state. That one, and of course, ours. I’m for Drake every game except for the one we have to play.

“So, it’s really special. The tough part is they’re going to have a heck of lot of motivation.  They’re doing an extremely great job. They’ve invited actually the history back from Drake. Every coach and every player.”

And while Jensen is a significant part of that history, Sunday’s game is a business trip for her, for her staff and for her players.

Iowa has won 19 of the past 20 games in series, but the games in the Knapp Center have usually been more competitive, partly because of the environment.

Iowa also has a bigger target than usual because of its success over the past two seasons.

“Last year and two years ago, you’re getting everybody’s best shot,” Jensen said. “This program will continue to get everybody’s best shot.”

Drake (2-1) is the two-time defending Missouri Valley Conference champion and is considered one of the top contenders again this season.

Senior guard Katie Dinnebier has been tabbed as the MVC Preseason Player of the Year, while senior forward Anna Miller was named to the MVC Preseason All-Conference team.

The Bulldogs also have another connection to the Iowa program with Drake freshman guard Peyton McCabe the younger sister of Iowa junior guard Taylor McCabe.

“I’m so excited for Sunday,” Taylor McCabe said. “It’s just going to be so fun having my family there.

“Truthfully, I don’t know that we’ve ever played against each other, and I don’t know if we’ve played with each other. So, this is kind of going to be weird.”

Iowa is 3-0 after double-digit wins over Northern Illinois (91-73), Virginia Tech (71-52) and Toledo (94-57).

Villanova transfer Lucy Olsen leads the Hawkeyes in scoring with a 17.7 per-game average, while All-Big Ten junior forward Hannah Stuelke averages 14.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

Iowa has six newcomers on this year’s roster, including five freshmen.

“Our schedule is going to ramp up,” Jensen said. “I don’t know how really good we are right now. I like what I’m seeing. But boy, Drake, they’re great.’

Iowa (3-0) vs. Drake (2-1)

When: Sunday, 2 p.m.

Where: Des Moines, The Knapp Center

TV: ESPN+

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network

All-time series: Iowa leads the all-time series, 30-25 and has won 19 out of the last 20.