Iowa State women’s basketball aims to rebound from a disappointing regular season with a March Madness run STORRS, Conn. — The Iowa State women’s basketball team entered the 2025-26 season with high expectations, hoping to contend for a Big 12 Conference title after retaining most of its roster. However, the Cyclones fell short of that goal, finishing with a 10-8 record in conference play. Despite the setback, the team is now focused on making a postseason push in the NCAA Tournament. As an 8-seed, Iowa State will attempt to make a deep run in March Madness, starting with a first-round matchup against 9-seed Syracuse at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn., on March 21. The game is set for 4:30 p.m. CT. Forward Addy Brown emphasized the importance of starting fresh, stating, “We’re 0-0 coming in. We’re going to come into it with a fresh mindset.” The tournament represents a new opportunity for the Cyclones, who faced significant challenges during the regular season. Injuries to key players like Brown and guard Arianna Jackson disrupted their season, leading to a five-game losing streak and a drop out of the national rankings. Even when the team returned to full strength, it struggled, falling in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament. Despite these struggles, Iowa State secured 22 wins, including victories over ranked opponents Iowa and Texas Tech. The team’s performance in the Big 12 was inconsistent, with a 10-8 record that fell short of expectations. However, the NCAA Tournament offers a chance to rewrite their narrative. The core group of Brown, Jackson, and star player Audi Crooks, who helped the team earn a first-round win two years ago, remains a key asset. Last season, Iowa State won a game in the First Four before losing in the Round of 64.#audi_crooks #arianna_jackson #iowa_state_womens_basketball #addy_brown #bill_fennelly
