Syracuse women’s basketball: what to watch and predictions vs Iowa State The 9th-seeded Syracuse Orange will take on the 8th-seeded Iowa State Cyclones in a college basketball matchup tomorrow night in Storrs, Connecticut. The game is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2, with Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe serving as the broadcast team. Key factors to monitor during the contest include Iowa State’s ability to stretch the floor from beyond the arc. The Cyclones are shooting 36.5% from three-point range, with four players hitting over 35% of their attempts. This presents a challenge for Syracuse, as the Orange must avoid overcommitting to defend Audi Crooks, who is a primary threat. The strategy for Syracuse may involve limiting direct matchups between Crooks and Uche Izoje, allowing the Cyclones’ shooters to operate with fewer defenders. Whether the Orange can execute this plan effectively will be critical. Another focal point is Syracuse’s offensive output. The team relies heavily on its ability to force turnovers, block shots, and secure rebounds to create second-chance opportunities. However, Iowa State’s efficient three-point shooting and strong ball movement make them a difficult matchup. For Syracuse to succeed, they will need to generate extra possessions while also converting them into points. Uche Izoje’s performance against Crooks will be pivotal, but other players such as Phelia and Burrows will also need to contribute, especially with Dominique Darius sidelined. Predictions for the game vary between analysts. One projection suggests Iowa State will prevail 77-71, citing the Cyclones’ superior scoring efficiency and firepower.#audi_crooks #iowa_state_cyclones #syracuse_womens_basketball #storrs_connecticut #uche_izoje
Syracuse Women's Basketball Set for NCAA Tournament Opener Against Iowa State The ninth-seeded Syracuse Orange will face the eighth-seeded Iowa State Cyclones in their NCAA Tournament opener this weekend. The game, scheduled for Saturday, March 21, will take place in Storrs, Connecticut, with a tip-off time of 5:30 pm EST. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN2, with live audio available through cuse.com. Syracuse enters the tournament with a 23-8 record, including a 12-6 performance in the ACC. Iowa State, meanwhile, carries a 22-9 overall record and a 10-8 mark in the Big 12. The two teams have a history of neutral-site meetings, with Syracuse holding a 2-0 all-time advantage. The Orange defeated Iowa State by 20 points in Storrs during the 2016-17 season and repeated the victory by 12 points in the 2023-24 season. The game’s key matchup will center around the post play between Syracuse’s Uche Izoje and Iowa State’s Audi Crooks. Izoje, a defensive anchor for the Orange, will aim to limit Crooks’ impact in the paint while using her mid-range shooting to disrupt the Cyclones’ offense. Crooks, a prolific scorer, will look to assert dominance against Syracuse’s freshman standout, Izoje, in a battle of top-tier centers. Syracule is currently listed as a 7.5-point underdog against Iowa State, with the game’s over-under total set at 149.5 points. A Syracuse victory would mark one of the most significant upsets in women’s college basketball history, while a loss would still grant both teams a spot in the tournament. The stakes are high for the Orange, who are seeking to make a deep run in the postseason after a strong regular season.#audi_crooks #iowa_state_cyclones #syracuse_womens_basketball #storrs_connecticut #uche_izoje
