Tag: Iowa women’s basketball

Hawkeye Sellouts: First and Second Round NCAA Tournament sessions at Iowa sold out

No one does it like Hawkeyes’ fans. The First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Tournament hosted at Iowa have already sold out.

Few teams support their teams the way that Iowa fans support the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s college basketball team. As soon as Iowa was announced as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1992, all attention turned to getting inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the first two rounds.

The excitement for this team and the upcoming tournament was palpable as fans erupted in excitement, anxiousness, and joy for the games to get underway. With tickets being the hot commodity, all eyes became focused on that.

When tipoff was set for 2:00 p.m. CT on March 23 on ABC against the winner of No. 16 seeds UT Martina and Holy Cross, Hawkeyes fans wanted to get tickets quickly. Things didn’t take long to get crazy. Iowa posted that the tickets had sold out almost instantly.

Should Iowa handle their business in the first round, they will take on the winner of No. 8 West Virginia and No. 9 Princeton on Monday, March 25 with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.

Fans still can try to find a ticket to get into Carver-Hawkeye Arena, but they will have to take their searches to SeatGeek. These tickets will be resale tickets that are backed by SeatGeekā€™s Buyer Guarantee.

The sellouts were always going to happen. This team is special and loaded with a cast of stars. Caitlin Clark suits up for her final games inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena alongside a supporting cast of Gabbie Marshall, Kate Martin, Sydney Affolter, Hannah Stuelke, and many more.

When the NCAA Tournament gets underway in Iowa City, expect an even more raucous and rowdy crowd than normal as they will be putting everything they have into starting another deep postseason run.

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Iowa and Caitlin Clark trade spots with USC and JuJu Watkins in CBS’ power rankings

In CBS Sports’ Power Rankings, two of the three podium members are headlined by Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and USC’s JuJu Watkins.

We have hit the point of nitpicking the women’s college basketball top teams and moving them around for the sake of moving them around. On the surface, it sounds questionable, but the fact major outlets are debating how good the women’s game has become is the biggest and best takeaway.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are one of those teams that headline debates and conversations on who the top teams in America are. According to the polls, Iowa comes in at No. 2 in the nation.

According to CBS Sports and its final regular-season power rankings, the Hawkeyes are No. 3 with an upstart team jumping them at No. 2.

Iowa kept the No. 3 spot afterĀ avoiding an upset against Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament championship, as the Hawkeyes pulled out a 94-89 win in overtime. – Isabel Gonzalez, CBS Sports

Iowa can’t move down. It did its job by winning the Big Ten Tournament and locking up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament thanks to efforts from all over the place.

Ahead of Iowa at No. 2 in the rankings are the young, confident and dangerous USC Trojans. Led by star freshman JuJu Watkins, USC went into the Pac-12 Tournament — in its final year of existence — and stole the show by taking home the trophy.

Meanwhile, USC claimed the No. 2 ranking after winning the Pac-12 Tournament with aĀ victory over Stanford in the championship game. In its last season with the classic teams, the Pac-12 was the most competitive conference in the nation, so Stanford, UCLA and Oregon State join USC in our top 10. – Gonzalez, CBS Sports

Iowa and USC could trade spots all day and both could be right. What the NCAA Tournament, the women’s game, and all of us fans need is the chance to see Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins go head to head in appointment television.

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CBS Sports stamps Gabbie Marshall’s block the defensive play of the week

Gabbie Marshall made the defensive play of the season for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Her effort is the CBS Sports’ defensive play of the week.

The block heard around the world. That claim may not be that hyperbolic based on how the women’s Big Ten Tournament was essentially a home game for the Iowa Hawkeyes in what has been deemed “Carver-Hawkeye North.”

Gabbie Marshall made the defensive play of the season for the Iowa Hawkeyes when she got her entire hand on a Nebraska 3-point attempt as it tried to track down the Hawkeyes. Marshall not only swatted the thing backward, but collected the loose ball and had the wherewithal to call a timeout to grant the Hawkeyes possession.

The play by Marshall has earned the honor of being CBS Sports’ defensive play of the week.

Stop of the week: Gabbie Marshall, Iowa

The HawkeyesĀ survived an upset scare during the Big Ten championship game against Nebraska. The game went into overtime, and Iowa had a slight 91-87 lead with 30 seconds remaining. The Huskers were on the attack, but Gabbie Marshall came up with a huge block to kill the momentum that could’ve led to a comeback. – Isabel Gonzales, CBS Sports

Marshall didn’t only do things on the defensive end, either. She has been a spark plug for the Hawkeyes the entire month of March as she has found her stroke from outside.

Since the calendar has hit March, Marshall has shot 44% (11 of 25) from 3-point range to come on at just the right time. She has added in seven steals and 10 assists.

She is doing all of the little things right that help this team come together and go when it matters. With the NCAA Tournament on the horizon, Marshall is going to be called upon to hit from deep.

While the Hawkeyes await who they will meet in the first round, one thing almost a lock at this point is that she will get to fine tune her shot at home in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is waiting to have a No. 1 seed stamped by their name.

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USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll slots Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 2

Following suit of other polls, the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll has moved the Iowa Hawkeyes to No. 2 in the nation.

The Big Ten Tournament did wonders for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Not just their future No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament that has become inevitable at this point, but their ascent up the polls once again.

Like the AP Top 25, the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll has slotted the Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 2 in the country, only behind the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks. Iowa is sitting ahead of the upstart USC Trojans, the Texas Longhorns, and the Stanford Cardinal, who round out the top-five.

Iowa’s conference tournament win solidified their upcoming one seed and cemented the legacy that this team has built over the last three years. Up next is another deep run in the NCAA Tournament; something that has become much more attainable now due to earning a top seed. Iowa will get to host two more games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and then draw a more desirable path.

As Selection Sunday approaches and the Hawkeyes find out their destiny, here is a look at the full USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll:

Rank Team Record Points Change
1 South Carolina 32-0 800 –
2 Iowa 29-4 763 +1
3 USC 26-5 716 +5
4 Texas 29-4 701 +2
5 Stanford 28-5 665 -3
6 LSU 28-5 601 -1
7 UConn 29-5 591 +2
8 UCLA 25-6 581 -1
9 Ohio State 25-5 571 -5
10 Notre Dame 26-6 544 +4
11 North Carolina State 30-2 469 -1
12 Gonzaga 24-7 448 +1
13 Virginia Tech 24-5 401 -2
14 Oregon State 24-7 383 +1
15 Indiana 24-5 362 -3
16 Kansas State 25-7 325 –
17 Colorado 22-9 239 +2
18 Baylor 24-7 224 -1
19 UNLV 28-2 178 +4
20 Oklahoma 22-9 158 +1
21 Creighton 25-5 154 -3
22 Utah 22-10 138 –
23 Syracuse 23-7 103 -3
24 Princeton 23-4 82 +1
25 Louisville 24-9 67 -1

Schools Dropped Out

n/a

Others Receiving Votes

Iowa State 27;Ā Fairfield 24;Ā West Virginia 22;Ā Richmond 20;Ā Tennessee 14;Ā Toledo 12;Ā Ball State 9;Ā Nebraska 5;Ā Ole Miss 1;Ā Marshall 1;Ā Jackson State 1;

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Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 2 in AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll ahead of NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament is next up for the Hawkeyes. In this week’s AP Top 25 poll, Iowa saw a jump from their Big Ten Tournament title.

It is officially time for the big dance. The Iowa Hawkeyes took care of business in the Big Ten Tournament by winning their third-straight title in a comeback win over Nebraska.Ā 

The win and tournament run has the Hawkeyes sitting at No. 2 in the country in this week’s AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball poll. The move up to the number two team in America all but locks the Hawkeyes into an NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed with Selection Sunday becoming more or less a formality. This will be the Hawkeyes’ first No. 1 seed since 1992 and another goal this team can check off a long list of already completed goals.

Ahead of Iowa remains undefeated South Carolina who had to fight and claw their way through the SEC Tournament by way of a buzzer-beater to win their semifinals followed by an eventful championship victory over last year’s national champions, the LSU Tigers.

As we get ready to find out what region Iowa is headed and who they draw in their bracket, here is a look at the entire AP Top 25:

Rank Team Record Points Change
1 South Carolina 32-0 875 –
2 Iowa 29-4 821 +1
3 USC 26-5 809 +2
4 Stanford 28-5 750 -2
5 Texas 28-4 740 +1
6 UCLA 25-6 646 +1
7 Ohio State 25-5 642 -3
8 Ā LSU 28-5 627 –
9 Notre Dame 26-6 613 +5
10 UConn 28-5 612 -1
11 Ā North Carolina State 27-6 513 -1
12 Oregon State 24-7 465 +1
13 Virginia Tech 24-7 437 -2
14 Gonzaga 29-2 412 +1
15 Indiana 24-5 399 -3
16 Kansas State 25-6 365 –
17 Oklahoma 22-8 302 +2
18 Colorado 22-9 262 –
19 Baylor 24-7 234 -2
20 Utah 22-10 170 +2
21 UNLV 27-2 156 +2
22 Syracuse 23-7 129 -2
23 Creighton 25-5 91 -2
24 Louisville 24-9 90 –
25 Fairfield 28-1 88 –

Schools Dropped Out

n/a

Others Receiving Votes

Princeton 36, Nebraska 21, Mississippi 20, West Virginia 16, Iowa St. 10, Columbia 6, Tennessee 4, Toledo 4, Florida St. 3, Duke 2, Richmond 2, Kansas 2, Jackson St 1.

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Caitlin Clark passes Steph Curry’s NCAA single-season record for made 3-pointers

Caitlin Clark passed another name in basketball royalty. Clark overtook Steph Curry’s NCAA Division I single-season 3-pointers record.

Caitlin Clark made more history on Friday night.

After recently overtaking Kansas legend Lynette Woodard and LSU great Pete Maravich for the all-time NCAA Division I women’s and men’s all-time scoring marks, Clark surpassed another name in basketball royalty.

With her 3-pointer in the fourth quarter of Iowa’s 95-62 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal win over Penn State, Clark eclipsed Steph Curry’s NCAA Division I single-season record for made 3-pointers.

The basket was Clark’s 163rd made 3-pointer this season, moving her just past Curry’s 162 made 3-pointers with Davidson during the 2007-08 men’s college basketball season.

Liberty’s Darius McGhee also sank 162 3-pointers during the 2022-23 men’s college basketball season.

Before she set the record, Iowa’s win over Penn State actually featured a rare off shooting night for Clark.

Clark finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the win over the Nittany Lions, but she shot just 5-of-19 from the field and 2-of-14 from 3-point range.

“It took me a while, but that’s what makes it fun and some of the best shooters in the world they have off nights like that from the 3-point line. But, they all felt good and that’s all you can ask. Steph’s amazing, somebody that I grew up idolizing, so pretty cool moment. And we’re excited, obviously we get hopefully two more games in this building in front of our fans who have showed out and really traveled and spent a lot of time, money to be here, so I’m just happy for our group,” Clark said.

Clark came into the 2024 women’s Big Ten Tournament averaging 32.3 points, 8.7 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 46.5% from the field and 39.3% from 3-point distance.

Curry led Davidson to the Elite Eight during that 2007-08 men’s college basketball season. Of course, Curry has become one of the NBA’s greatest players of all time during his career with the Golden State Warriors. He and the Warriors have captured four world championships during his NBA career.

Now, Iowa (27-4, 15-3 Big Ten) will turn its attention to Michigan (20-12, 9-9 Big Ten) in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Saturday. Sixth-seeded Michigan topped No. 3 seed Indiana, 69-56, in the quarterfinals. Tipoff between the Hawkeyes and Wolverines is slated for 3:30 p.m. CT.

The other semifinal features No. 5 seed Nebraska versus No. 8 seed Maryland. The Terrapins upset top-seeded Ohio State on Friday, 82-61.

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Iowa’s win over Ohio State the most-watched women’s basketball game in over two decades

The Iowa Hawkeyes continue to shatter records. Their win over Ohio State was the most-watched women’s game in over two decades.

The Iowa Hawkeyes’ win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the regular season finale absolutely shattered women’s basketball viewing records. The Hawkeyes have been appointment television all season long but this game set the bar higher than it has ever been before.

The Hawkeyes’ victory in the regular season finale drew 3.39 million viewers on FOX. This puts it as the most-watched women’s basketball game on any network since 1999.

The game is also the most-watched women’s college basketball game in the history of FOX. At its peak, nearly four and a half million viewers were tuned into the matchup as the Hawkeyes pulled away at the end.

The game featured Caitlin Clark breaking Pete Maravich’s all-time scoring record among many other things. Iowa was able to exact revenge on the Buckeyes for a loss earlier in the season and thrust themselves back into the conversation for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

With the Big Ten Tournament on the immediate horizon, Iowa will continue to draw massive ratings as fans tune in to see the final acts of Clark’s illustrious career along with droves of Hawkeyes’ fans hoping for another deep postseason run.

All in all, the Iowa Hawkeyes are garnering national attention every single time they lace up their shoes and tip it off. They are forever changing the way women’s sports are viewed and doing so for the better.

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Trio of Hawkeyes in Clark, Martin, and Stuelke named to All-Big Ten teams

Three Iowa Hawkeyes, Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin, and Hannah Stuelke, have been named to the All-Big Ten teams.

The Iowa Hawkeyes relied on contributions from all over the court this season on their way to another outstanding regular season. Caitlin Clark, the recently announced Big Ten Player of the Year, did her thing, but without her supporting cast, who knows if this magical season would have ever been possible.

Clark was named as a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten player this year. Her 2023-24 regular season saw her average 32.3 points, 8.7 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game. She shot 46.5% from the field and 39.3% from three.

Kate Martin was named as a member of the Second Team All-Big Ten team. Iowa’s heart and soul averaged 13 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. Martin shot an outstanding 52.2% from the field and often did the tough, gritty things that helped Iowa get extra possessions or shut down opponents. She was also named the winner of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

Last, but most certainly not least is Hannah Stuelke. She was named a member of the Second Team All-Big Ten team this year. Stuelke so immense growth in her second year as she averaged 14.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and converted 64.4% of her shots from the field. Stuelke’s year featured a 47-point outburst in February where she shot 17-20 from the field.

The three starters each had their moments this year for Iowa and are going to be leaned on heavily as the Big Ten Tournament gets underway. That will be a tune up as they look to defend last year’s Big Ten Tournament title as well as get ready for the NCAA Tournament.

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Three’s Company: Caitlin Clark wins third Big Ten Player of the Year

Caitlin Clark heads into the postseason being named the B1G Player of the Year. This is her third time winning the award.

The first of many awards has rolled in for Iowa Hawkeyes’ living legend Caitlin Clark. The list is sure to grow and likely be even longer than last year’s after the magical season she has had so far.

Caitlin Clark has been named the Big Ten Player of the Year for the third time in her career with the Hawkeyes. The decision was clear all along for the Big Ten and this solidifies what has already been known by many.

Caitlin Clark is having her best year yet and the numbers back it up. The Iowa point guard is averaging a whopping 32.3 points, 8.7 assists, and 7.3 rebounds this year. She is shooting 46.5% overall and 39.3% from three. Clark has buried 162 three pointers this season, another record she can stake her claim to.

The numbers are there and the recent records are also another feather in her cap. Caitlin Clark has overtaken the women’s NCAA all-time scoring record and the overall NCAA all-time scoring record this year as she sits alone as the greatest NCAA scorer of all-time.

This award is a nice way to usher the postseason in but there are much bigger goals for Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Every award combined that Caitlin Clark takes home is nowhere near as important as another deep postseason run by her and her teammates that they are about to begin on.

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Iowa back inside nation’s top three in latest AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll

The Iowa Hawkeyes were rewarded with a nice jump in the latest AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll after topping Ohio State.

The Iowa Hawkeyes were rewarded accordingly for their big 93-83 Senior Day victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes.

In front of a rabid Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa’s collection of seniors delivered in a revenge game against Ohio State. Senior superstar guard Caitlin Clark had one final virtuoso regular season performance inside Carver.

Clark knocked down six 3-pointers en route to dropping 35 points. The West Des Moines product added nine assists, six rebounds and three steals.

Fifth-year guard Gabbie Marshall knocked four 3-pointers to score 12 points. It was the eighth time this season in which Marshall knocked down four or more 3-pointers. In each of those games, Iowa has won by double figures.

Graduate guard Kate Martin added 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting with nine rebounds.

Sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke had a big day for the Hawkeyes, scoring 23 points and grabbing nine boards while shooting 9-of-12 from the floor.

Following the win, Iowa has jumped up three spots to No. 3 nationally in the latest AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll.

The Buckeyes dropped two spots to No. 4. Undefeated South Carolina remains the consensus No. 1 team in America, while Stanford climbed two spots to No. 2. Behind star freshman JuJu Watkins, USC rounds out the nation’s top five teams.

Here’s a look at the full AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll ahead of this week’s Big Ten Tournament.

Rank Team Record Points Change
1 South Carolina 29-0 875 (35) ā€”
2 Stanford 26-4 822 +2
3 Iowa 26-4 786 +3
4 Ohio State 25-4 761 -2
5 USC 23-5 699 +2
6 Texas 27-4 687 -3
7 UCLA 24-5 673 +1
8 LSU 26-4 638 +1
9 UConn 26-5 566 +1
10 North Carolina State 25-5 526 +2
11 Virginia Tech 23-6 513 -6
12 Indiana 24-4 499 +2
13 Oregon State 23-6 472 -2
14 Notre Dame 23-6 470 +3
15 Gonzaga 29-2 399 +1
16 Kansas State 24-6 288 -1
17 Baylor 23-6 273 +4
18 Colorado 21-8 259 -5
19 Oklahoma 21-8 239 +1
20 Syracuse 23-6 210 -1
21 Creighton 24-4 199 +2
22 Utah 21-9 172 -4
23 UNLV 26-2 113 +1
24 Louisville 23-8 108 -2
25 Fairfield 26-1 60 NR

Others receiving votes: Princeton, 24; Michigan State, 12; West Virginia, 9; Mississippi, 9;Ā Duke, 3; Columbia, 3; North Carolina, 3; Richmond, 1; Kansas, 1; Toledo, 1; Jackson State, 1; Iowa State, 1;

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