Iowa’s Taylor McCabe Goes Down Early With Knee Injury, Leaves Big Void for Hawkeyes
IOWA CITY - Just 23 seconds into Sunday’s matchup against No. 12 Ohio State, Iowa’s senior sharpshooter Taylor McCabe went down with a non-contact injury to her left knee. The timing couldn’t have been more jarring - first possession, first play, and suddenly one of the Hawkeyes’ most reliable perimeter threats was being helped off the floor.
Assistant coach Jan Jensen didn’t mince words postgame. “I think it’s a tough one,” she said, visibly emotional after Iowa’s 91-70 win over the Buckeyes.
“I’m really, really sick about Taylor’s injury. It’s heartbreaking.”
McCabe, a Fremont, Nebraska native, has been a steady force for the Hawkeyes throughout her career. This season, she’s averaging 8.1 points per game - good for fourth on the team - and continues to be one of the most efficient three-point shooters in program history.
She’s knocking down 37.8% of her attempts from deep this year, and her career mark of 40.7% puts her among the elite in Iowa’s record books. With 177 career threes, she currently ranks 11th all-time for the Hawkeyes.
But beyond the numbers, McCabe’s presence on the court is about more than just spacing the floor. She’s a senior leader, a calming influence, and a player who’s seen and done a lot in the Big Ten grind. Losing her - even temporarily - shifts the dynamic for a team with championship aspirations.
McCabe was scheduled to undergo an MRI Sunday night. While there’s still no official word on the extent of the injury, Jensen was clear: “She won’t be ready for this trip, at the very best.”
That trip? A crucial West Coast swing that includes top-tier matchups against USC on Thursday and UCLA on Sunday. Iowa, now 18-2 overall and 9-0 in Big Ten play, will need to dig deep to maintain momentum without one of their most trusted shooters.
In the face of adversity, though, the Hawkeyes got a spark from an unexpected source. Freshman guard Addie Deal stepped up in a big way, pouring in a career-high 20 points.
Her energy was infectious, and her confidence? Unshakable.
“As soon as my number is called, I’m going to go out there and give it my all,” Deal said after the win - and she backed it up.
McCabe did return to the bench briefly late in the first half, but her absence loomed large. Teammates like Kylie Feuerbach made it clear that McCabe was on everyone’s mind throughout the game.
“I’m praying for her,” Feuerbach said. “I hope that everything’s OK.
She was in the back of our minds.”
Adding to a tough day for the McCabe family, Taylor’s sister, Peyton McCabe, also suffered an injury on Sunday while playing for Drake.
For now, the Hawkeyes await clarity on Taylor’s status. But one thing is certain: her impact on this Iowa team goes far beyond the box score. Whether she’s on the floor or not, her leadership and presence will continue to shape this group as they head into a critical stretch of the season.