The Iowa women’s basketball team continues to garner national recognition for the upcoming 2010-11 season. On Wednesday, the Hawkeyes were ranked 25th in the preseason ESPN/*USA Today* Coaches Top 25 poll.

Iowa hasn’t appeared in the coaches’ top 25 since the 2004-05 season, when the Hawkeyes were ranked for seven weeks. Additionally, this is Iowa’s first preseason appearance in the poll since 1997, when they posted a No. 12 ranking.

The No. 25 Hawkeyes’ schedule features four opponents that are also ranked in ESPN/USA Today top-25 poll, with No. 17 Iowa State and No. 18 North Carolina highlighting its nonconference slate, and No. 7 Ohio State and No. 24 Michigan State in the Big Ten lineup.

Earlier this fall, Lindy’s Sports had Iowa 19th in its preseason rankings, and the Associated Press tabbed Lisa Bluder’s squad 22nd last week.

Iowa will open its season Nov. 7 with an exhibition against Concordia-St. Paul.

— by Matt Cozzi