Last Time Out

It’s a tall ask to beat a preseason number one ranked team in any sport. It’s an even taller ask after that number one team is pissed coming off of a lost. Iowa State was the unfortunate team that had to play the most talented team, hungry for a win after an upset of sorts as South Carolina lost to North Carolina State a week ago.

The game was closer than the score led on, but South Carolina’s physicality gave Iowa State problems. However, Ashley Joens looked problem free getting 32 points on 50% from the field and 100% from the free throw line. You could argue she was the best player in the building, and she has a legitimate shot at National Player of the Year.

About Iowa

The Hawkeyes are undefeated early in the season but have played three close games against three unranked opponents. However, this team gets buckets and gives up buckets. The Hawks dropped 103 on Drake and their lowest final score was 86 over those three games. The Hawks came into the season with lower expectations than Iowa State, but they aren’t no slouches in Iowa City.

Opponent Player to Watch

The standout freshman for U of I is without a question Caitlin Clark. She looks like an All-Conference player as a freshman. She’s averaging a staggering 27 points, and is a ‘go get a bucket’ player already. She’s a good ballhandler, and tallied 13 assists against Drake. She’ll have plenty of freshman competition from Iowa State including Lexi Donarski and Aubrey Joens.

What Will Happen

The Cy-Hawk women’s games have been electric factories lately and this one won’t be any different. Where Aiden predicted a low scoring affair in the South Carolina game, this one will be quite the opposite. This game will be fast paced, scoring heavy, and defense will be an after thought. It could be a ‘who will get to 30 first’ contest between Joens (the elder) and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark. Iowa State gets back on track in a game that comes down to the wire.

Iowa State- 92

Iowa- 88

Pick Three

No one leaves their shoes at midcourt

The Joens sisters combine for 50 points

Caitlin Clark gets a double double

Game Notes

The Matchup: Iowa State (2-2, 1-0 Big 12) vs. Iowa (3-0, 0-0 Big 10)

Where: Iowa City, Iowa - Carver Hawkeye Arena

When: Wednesday, December 9th, 6:30 pm (CST).

Radio: Cyclone Radio Network/Learfield Talent: Noah Wolf, Jamie Steyer

Live Stats: cyclonestats.com