Iowa Women’s Hoops Regains Momentum, Eyes Big Ten Tournament Positioning
Next up for Iowa: a Thursday night road test at Purdue, tipping off at 6 p.m. CT. And with just five games left in the Big Ten regular season, every matchup from here on out carries serious weight.
The Hawkeyes are coming off a much-needed bounce-back win, snapping a three-game skid with a 65-56 victory over No. 24 Washington.
That wasn’t just a win-it was a defensive statement. After surrendering an average of 86.7 points over their previous three games, Iowa locked in and gave up just 31 points over the final three quarters against the Huskies.
That’s the kind of defensive turnaround that can shift a season’s trajectory.
Right now, Iowa sits alone in fourth place in the Big Ten standings. That’s a key spot, because the top four teams earn a coveted double-bye in the conference tournament.
But the margin is razor-thin. Minnesota is lurking just a half-game back and holds a potential tiebreaker over the Hawkeyes.
Translation: Iowa can’t afford to slip.
Their most recent Big Ten outing was a New Year’s Day showdown with Nebraska, and the Hawkeyes came out on top, 86-76, in Iowa City. It was a tale of two halves-after trailing by one at the break, Iowa turned up the heat and pulled away down the stretch. Chit-Chat Wright led the charge with 24 points, while Nebraska’s Britt Prince dropped 27 in a losing effort.
That win was part of a season split between Iowa and Nebraska, who’ve been double-play partners since the Big Ten expanded to 18 teams. The rivalry has been tight, and this year was no different.
Meanwhile, Nebraska is in a rough patch. The Huskers have dropped four straight, including three on the road, all by double digits. That skid has put them squarely on the NCAA tournament bubble, and they’re in desperate need of a turnaround.
Prince continues to be the bright spot for Nebraska, averaging 17.4 points per game and knocking down free throws at an elite 93.7% clip. She’s been consistent all season, but she’ll need help if the Huskers are going to claw their way back into the tournament conversation.
As Iowa prepares for Purdue, the mission is clear: stack wins, lock in that top-four seed, and carry momentum into March. With the defense showing signs of life and the Big Ten standings tightening up, the Hawkeyes are very much in control of their fate.