With the regular season winding down-yes, we’re officially in single-digit games remaining-it’s go time for Iowa State. And after two weeks on the road, the Cyclones are finally back in the friendly confines of Hilton Coliseum, where they’ll host Kansas State in a matchup that carries weight both on the court and beyond it.
This isn’t just another Big 12 showdown-it’s Iowa State’s annual Play4Kay game, part of a nationwide initiative in the fight against breast cancer. Expect a sea of pink in the stands and a little extra emotion in the air. The game will be broadcast on ESPN, marking the team’s sixth network appearance of the season, with two more still on deck.
Where Things Stand
The Cyclones return home after splitting a Utah road trip-taking down the Utes before falling to BYU. Both were Quadrant 2 games, so while the loss stings, it doesn’t shake their NCAA Tournament trajectory too much.
Most projections still have them hovering in that 7-to-9 seed range. This matchup with Kansas State is technically a Q3 opportunity, with the Wildcats sitting 59th in the NET rankings.
Not a resume-maker, but certainly one you can’t afford to drop.
Audi Crooks: Still Dominant, Still Unstoppable
Let’s talk about the engine behind this Iowa State offense: Audi Crooks. She’s been everything the Cyclones could ask for and more-still the focal point of every defensive scheme they face, and still producing like clockwork.
Crooks has led the team in scoring in three of the last four games and continues to be a walking mismatch in the post. She’s second in the nation in scoring at 25.5 points per game and is converting a jaw-dropping 70% of her shots.
That’s not just efficient-it’s elite.
The Cyclones have leaned heavily on her, but what’s really helped elevate the offense lately is the improved play from the backcourt. Arriana Jackson’s return has brought stability, while Sydney Harris and Jada Williams have been stretching the floor with confidence. That shooting gravity is opening up more room for Crooks to operate down low, and when the spacing clicks, this offense hums.
Kenzie Hare’s Resurgence
Even in a tough loss to BYU, there was a silver lining: the return of Kenzie Hare’s shooting stroke. After struggling through much of conference play, Hare caught fire-draining five of her nine attempts from deep and finishing with a season-high 15 points. That kind of performance changes the geometry of the floor for Iowa State.
This team’s offensive ceiling rises significantly when multiple players are hitting from beyond the arc. Not only does it boost scoring potential, but it also makes it much harder for defenses to collapse on Crooks without paying the price. And there’s a ripple effect: better shooting means fewer long rebounds and runouts, which helps mitigate Iowa State’s vulnerability in transition defense.
If Hare can stay hot, she adds another serious weapon to a team that already boasts plenty of firepower from deep.
Kansas State: A Mystery Wrapped in a Wildcard
Trying to get a read on Kansas State is like trying to predict Midwest weather-unpredictable at best. They’ve been all over the map in Big 12 play: solid wins over Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, but head-scratching losses to teams like Arizona (2-12 in conference) and a 22-point blowout against Kansas. Their non-conference resume is rough, and that could keep them out of the NCAA Tournament conversation.
The Wildcats are guard-driven, with Taryn Sides, Nastja Claessens, and Tess Heal all averaging double figures. That kind of perimeter production gives them a high ceiling offensively, but it also explains their volatility-when the guards are clicking, they can hang with anyone. When they’re not, things unravel quickly.
One interesting stat: while Brandie Harrod leads the team in rebounding at 5.3 per game, Kansas State has six players averaging 3.7 boards or more. It’s a by-committee approach on the glass, which can be effective, but it also means they don’t have a true post presence to counter someone like Crooks, who averages 7.5 rebounds herself.
Turnovers Could Tell the Story
Kansas State’s defense thrives on chaos. They rank fourth in the Big 12 in forced turnovers and second in steals.
That’s a red flag for Iowa State, which has had its struggles against full-court pressure. If the Wildcats decide to press, it could disrupt the Cyclones’ rhythm and force them into uncomfortable possessions.
That’s why ball security-especially before crossing half court-will be critical. Iowa State doesn’t need to be perfect, but they do need to be composed. Breaking the press cleanly and getting into their sets will go a long way toward dictating the pace of this game.
Three Keys for the Cyclones
- Let Audi Cook-But Make Smart Reads
Kansas State doesn’t have the size to match Crooks one-on-one, so expect plenty of double teams and zone looks. The key for Crooks will be recognizing those traps and making the right reads-whether that’s powering through contact or kicking it out to an open shooter.
She’s shown she can do both.
- Hit the 74-Point Mark
It may sound arbitrary, but there’s a trend here. Iowa State has scored at least 74 points in all but one of their wins, and they’ve failed to reach that number in all of their losses.
That threshold seems to be the tipping point, especially considering their struggles defending in transition. The more they score, the less they have to scramble back on defense.
- Win the Turnover Battle Early
Kansas State will test Iowa State’s ball-handling from the jump. If the Cyclones can avoid early giveaways and establish a rhythm, they’ll force the Wildcats to play from behind.
That’s not a spot Kansas State thrives in. But if Iowa State lets the Wildcats dictate tempo with their defense, things could get dicey.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those games that might not look like a marquee matchup on paper, but it carries real weight for Iowa State’s postseason positioning-and for their momentum heading into the final stretch. With just a handful of games left, every possession matters a little more, every adjustment becomes a little more important.
The Cyclones are back home, back in front of their fans, and back in control of their own destiny. Now it’s about execution.