No. 10 Iowa flexed its muscle in a statement win over No.
12 Ohio State on Sunday, cruising to a 91-70 victory inside a charged-up Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win pushed the Hawkeyes to 18-2 on the season and a perfect 9-0 in Big Ten play - a clear message that this team is hitting its stride as the calendar turns toward February.
But while the scoreboard told a story of dominance, the mood was tempered by concern for senior guard Taylor McCabe. The sharpshooting veteran exited early in the first quarter with what looked like a non-contact knee injury - the kind that makes everyone hold their breath.
Iowa head coach Jan Jensen confirmed after the game that McCabe will miss the team's upcoming road trip to California, where the Hawkeyes are set to face USC on Jan. 29 and UCLA on Feb. 1.
As of now, the full extent of McCabe’s injury remains unknown. She was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Sunday, and the program will be holding its breath until those results come in. For a player who’s been such a steady presence in Iowa’s rotation, the uncertainty stings.
McCabe’s impact this season has been anything but subtle. She’s averaging 8.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, but the numbers only tell part of the story.
Her ability to space the floor - shooting 37.4% from deep on high volume - has been a crucial piece of Iowa’s offensive identity. She’s the kind of player defenses can’t afford to leave open, and her movement without the ball creates opportunities even when she’s not the one taking the shot.
With McCabe sidelined, the Hawkeyes turned to freshman Addie Deal - and the rookie delivered in a big way. Deal poured in a team-high 20 points and dished out five assists, showing poise and confidence beyond her years. It was the kind of performance that not only helped Iowa secure the win but also hinted at the depth and resilience this team has built.
Deal’s emergence couldn’t come at a better time. The upcoming road swing through California features two top-tier opponents in USC and UCLA, and Iowa will need contributions from across the roster to keep their Big Ten momentum rolling. It’s a tough stretch, no doubt, but also a chance for this group to show just how deep and dynamic they can be - even without one of their key veterans.
For now, Iowa celebrates a big win while waiting anxiously for clarity on McCabe’s status. If Sunday’s performance is any indication, though, this team has the talent and toughness to weather the storm - and then some.