Addie Deal Steps Into the Spotlight as Iowa Heads West
The Iowa Hawkeyes are rolling. Winners of eight straight, they’ve been one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten since late December.
Now, they’re taking that momentum to California for a two-game swing that could shape their conference destiny - a gritty road test against USC, followed by a marquee matchup with No. 3 UCLA.
But as the Hawkeyes hit the West Coast, they’ll do so without one of their key veterans. Senior guard Taylor McCabe, a steady presence in Iowa’s backcourt, suffered a torn ACL early in the team’s recent win over Ohio State and will miss the rest of the season. It’s a tough blow - not just for McCabe, but for a squad that had been clicking on both ends of the floor.
Still, adversity often opens the door for opportunity. And in this case, it’s Addie Deal’s time.
Deal Gets the Nod
Freshman guard Addie Deal will make her first career start Thursday night against USC, head coach Jan Jensen announced before the team’s departure. The move might have caught some fans off guard - Taylor Stremlow had been viewed as the likely next-up - but Deal’s recent play made her impossible to ignore.
Jensen didn’t hesitate. “She’ll be ready to rock,” the coach said confidently. And based on the way Deal’s been playing lately, there’s no reason to think otherwise.
A Freshman on Fire
Over the past four games - all Hawkeye wins - Deal has emerged as a dynamic two-way contributor. She’s averaging 12.0 points, 2.3 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game while shooting an eye-popping 55% from the field and a scorching 50% from three. Those numbers aren’t just solid for a freshman - they’re efficient, impactful, and exactly what Iowa needs with McCabe sidelined.
Her recent performances earned her back-to-back Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, and now she’s getting a chance to prove she can carry that production into a starting role.
Deal’s response to the news? Just three words on social media: “Let’s get it!” That kind of energy is exactly what you want from a young player stepping into a big moment.
Next Woman Up
This is a pivotal stretch for Iowa. The Hawkeyes are riding high, but the road ahead is no joke. USC brings a scrappy, athletic lineup that can frustrate even the most disciplined offenses, and UCLA - sitting at No. 3 in the country - is a heavyweight that’s been dominant all season.
But this Iowa team has shown it can adapt. They’ve won with offense, they’ve won with defense, and now they’ll look to win with a freshman in the starting five.
Addie Deal doesn’t need to be McCabe. She just needs to keep doing what she’s been doing - playing confident, efficient basketball and bringing energy on both ends. If she does, the Hawkeyes might just keep this win streak rolling.
One thing’s for sure: Iowa’s got a new face in the starting lineup, and she’s ready for her moment.