Hawkeye Hoops Doubleheader: Men Hit the Road, Women Host Top-25 Clash
It’s a full night of Iowa basketball, with both the men’s and women’s teams taking the floor in pivotal matchups that could shape the rest of their seasons. The men are in College Park looking to extend a rare Big Ten win streak, while the women return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena for a top-25 showdown with major implications in the conference standings.
Men’s Game: Iowa Seeks Seventh Straight Big Ten Win at Maryland
#25 Iowa (18-5, 8-4 Big Ten) at Maryland (9-14, 2-10 Big Ten)
Tipoff: 5:00 PM CT | Fox Sports 1
XFINITY Center - College Park, MD
The Hawkeyes are riding a wave of momentum, aiming for their seventh consecutive Big Ten victory-a feat they’ve only pulled off once in the last four decades, back at the start of the 2015-16 conference slate. That’s not just a hot streak; it’s historic territory for a program trying to climb the Big Ten ladder.
Maryland, meanwhile, is trying to find some footing in what’s been a tough season. The Terrapins just picked up their second conference win with a gritty road victory at Minnesota-a place that’s tripped up more than a few Big Ten squads this year.
Their only other conference win came against Penn State. Statistically, this Maryland team is tracking toward one of the lowest finishes of the modern era for the program, with only the 2011-12 squad under Mark Turgeon posting a similar KenPom ranking.
They’ve also been without Pharrell Payne since mid-December, and his absence has been felt, especially on the boards and in the paint.
Maryland by the Numbers (KenPom):
- Overall Efficiency Rank: 139th
- Offensive Efficiency: 110.3 (137th)
- Defensive Efficiency: 107.9 (153rd)
- BartTorvik Rank: 129th
Team Stats (via Sports-Reference):
- Points Per Game: 71.8 (285th nationally)
- Points Allowed: 79.0 (308th)
- Rebounds Per Game: 34.8
- Rebounds Allowed: 35.1
Key Players:
- David Coit: 15.2 PPG, 2.7 APG, 43.2% FG, 38.0% 3PT
- Darius Adams: 11.7 PPG, 1.6 APG
- Solomon Washington: 8.8 RPG (3.3 offensive)
- Elijah Saunders: 4.1 RPG, 44.8% FG, 38.8% 3PT
Last 5 Games (Maryland):
- 2/8: W at Minnesota, 67-62
- 2/5: L vs Ohio State, 82-62
- 2/1: L vs Purdue, 93-63
- 1/24: L at Michigan State, 91-48
- 1/21: L at Illinois, 89-70
Maryland’s recent results show a team that’s been struggling to stay competitive, especially against the conference’s top-tier programs. But that win at Minnesota proves they’re still capable of pulling off a surprise-especially at home.
For Iowa, the challenge is staying focused and continuing to build on what’s been one of the program’s most impressive midseason runs in recent memory. If they can keep the offense humming and control the tempo, they’ll have a great shot at keeping the streak alive.
Women’s Game: No. 15 Iowa Hosts No. 25 Washington in Crucial Conference Clash
#15 Iowa (18-5, 9-3 Big Ten) vs #25 Washington (18-6, 8-5 Pac-12)
Tipoff: 6:30 PM CT | BTN+
Carver-Hawkeye Arena - Iowa City, IA
The Iowa women are back on their home floor tonight, and they’re facing a test that could have major postseason implications. After a week off, they’ll try to bounce back from a tough stretch without senior sharpshooter Taylor McCabe, who went down early in their win over Ohio State and hasn’t played since. Without her, Iowa is 0-3, and trying to rediscover its offensive rhythm.
They’ve slipped to 15th in the national rankings, but the opportunity to right the ship comes against a Washington team that’s been a fixture in the 20-25 range most of the season and has proven they can win on the road.
Washington is 6-3 away from home and has already shown they can grind out tight games, including an overtime win at Wisconsin and a double-overtime thriller at Maryland. They’re physical, they rebound well, and they’ve got multiple scoring threats that can stretch a defense.
Washington by the Numbers (Sports-Reference):
- Points Per Game: 74.1 (59th nationally)
- Points Allowed: 60.9 (102nd)
- Rebounds Per Game: 40.5
- Rebounds Allowed: 31.5
Key Players:
- Sayvia Sellers: 19.6 PPG, 3.5 APG, 50.0% FG, 38.2% 3PT
- Avery Howell: 13.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 42.7% 3PT
- Elle Ladine: 5.0 RPG
- Yulia Grabovskaia: 5.0 RPG (2.4 offensive), 50.0% FG
- Hannah Stines: 2.5 APG
Last 5 Games (Washington):
- 2/8: W at Wisconsin, 91-86 (OT)
- 2/5: L vs Ohio State, 70-60
- 2/1: L vs Illinois, 75-66
- 1/28: W at Maryland, 83-80 (2OT)
- 1/26: W at Rutgers, 76-48
This is a huge game for positioning in the Big Ten and, potentially, seeding in March. Iowa currently sits fourth in the conference standings, with Michigan State and Minnesota right behind them. Washington is lurking just behind in the Pac-12, which makes this non-conference clash even more significant.
For Iowa, the key will be adjusting to life without McCabe’s perimeter shooting and leadership. That week off could be just what they needed to regroup, reset, and find new ways to generate offense. If they can do that, and keep Washington off the glass, they’ll be in a strong position to protect home court.
Bottom Line:
Two games.
Two very different challenges. But for both Iowa squads, tonight is about proving they can adapt, stay focused, and keep climbing.
Whether it’s the men chasing a historic win streak or the women looking to steady the ship, Hawkeye fans are in for a night of high-stakes hoops.