With a First Four win over Princeton in its pocket, Iowa State now takes on Michigan in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Behind a massive comeback led by sophomores Audi Crooks and Addy Brown, who combined for 49 of the Cyclones’ 68 points, Iowa State is still dancing.
“We were 100% focused on [Princeton] and preparing for that game,” senior guard Emily Ryan said. “As soon as that game’s over, you turn all focus to Michigan.”
The fight continues at 10:30 a.m. Friday against sixth-seeded Michigan, who finished 11-7 and seventh in the Big Ten. At 22-10 overall, the Wolverines played some difficult games, many against ranked teams.
“Real excited to still be here,” Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly said. “If you were lucky enough to win, you knew who you were going to play.”
Michigan has played 11 games against ranked opponents and is 3-8 in those games. Iowa State hasn’t fared well in those types of games either, as the Cyclones are 1-8 against top-25 teams.
Like Iowa State, Michigan lost to South Carolina. This came in the season opener by six points. Also, like the Cyclones, the Wolverines lost to Iowa.
Michigan is led by Olivia Olson, a freshman guard out of New Hope, Minnesota. Olson averages the third-most minutes on the team at 30.3 and when she’s on the court, she scores an average of 16.2 points to lead the team, reels in 5.4 rebounds and dishes out 2.1 assists.
Fellow guards Syla Swords, a freshman, and Jordan Hobbs, a senior, are right there with Olson in terms of minutes played and Swords slightly trails Olson in points per game at 16.1. She also leads the team with 6.1 rebounds per game. Hobbs averages 13.4 points and 4.8 rebounds.
“It’s going to be hard,” Fennelly said. “For us, it’s, can we keep them out of the lane when they dribble. The other thing that they do, that we haven’t seen a lot, is they’ll rebound with all five [guards]. That’s a challenge for us as well.”
Because Michigan starts five guards, the Cyclones may have to change a few things on offense but are still expecting a big night again from Crooks in the paint.
A big aspect of Michigan’s play is its defense, as the Wolverines hold opponents to just 65.7 points per game and a blisteringly low 28.9% from 3-point range.
“Lots of scoring weapons all around and defensively, solid and aggressive as well,” Ryan said. “That’s what you’re expecting when you’re in the NCAA Tournament.”
Michigan has given up 80 or more points just six times. Five of those games were against ranked teams and all ended in losses.
If the Cyclones can get going from deep, they will contend with the Wolverines, but if they come out cold, Michigan could find itself walking away with the win.
“We have to keep moving the ball,” sophomore guard Arianna Jackson said. “Especially how fast Michigan plays, going back to what we worked on in the beginning of the season is going to help us be successful in this game.”
Iowa State and Michigan tip off at 10:30 a.m. CT Friday. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
