Iowa Wins 2024 top Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Title

MINNEAPOLIS — Regardless of the opponent, the atmosphere at Carver-Hawkeye Arena should be electrifying as tickets for the Iowa women’s basketball season of 2023–24 sold out months ago.

During the Big Ten media days on Monday, Iowa coach Lisa Bluder stated, “We will be challenging ourselves (with our schedule), but when they come into Carver, it’s going to be one hostile environment.”

When considering the season as a whole, which Big Ten games are most likely to have lasting significance? These are the rankings of one reporter.

1. Ohio State (Sunday, March 3, 12:00) — Iowa has performed admirably in its last two regular-season finales. The Hawkeyes shared the Big Ten title in 2021 after defeating Michigan, and they had an amazing conclusion in 2022 versus Indiana.

Finished second behind Iowa was Ohio State.

The final opponent for this season is included in the preseason league poll. The preseason all-conference team included Jacy Sheldon and Cotie McMahon. In addition, the Buckeyes enjoy pushing the pace just like the Hawkeyes do.

At Target Center on Monday, Sheldon declared, “We’re probably one of the fastest teams out there, both offensively and defensively.” “We enjoy playing in that manner. We’re excited because this year we have a lot of fresh players that will fit in with that kind of play.

2. Indiana (Jan. 13, Saturday, 7:00 p.m.) — Had ESPN’s College GameDay been in town the previous year, the game would have been sufficiently memorable. Then, to defeat the Big Ten champions in the regular season, Caitlin Clark drained a 3-pointer in the final second.

Fox will air a nationwide Saturday night primetime broadcast of this year’s game.

In the preseason Big Ten poll, the Hoosiers are ranked third.

“Having that stage to compete on is fantastic for women’s sports and the game,” Mackenzie Holmes of Indiana stated. “It means a lot to people to watch and want to support that.”

3. Illinois (noon on Sunday, February 25,) — Last year, the Illini defeated Iowa in their lone meeting. Illinois is ranked fifth in the Big Ten as Shauna Green returns all five starters for her second season in command after the team lost in the NCAA tournament’s First Four.

This may quickly develop into a pleasant border rivalry.

“Seeing all the teams we faced in the tournament kind of confirmed our feelings, but it also refuted our perception of where we ought to have been,” Makira Cook, an All-Big Ten guard for Illinois

stated. “We’re happy for them, it was cool to see them, but we want to be competing against them this year.”

4. Nebraska at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 27 Despite their sub.500 league performance the previous season, the Huskers had enough talent, led by two preseason all-conference picks in Alexis Markowski and Jaz Shelley, to pose a threat to the best clubs.

5. Michigan (February 15, Thursday, 7:00 p.m.) — Preseason all-conference pick Laila Phelia. Fans who choose not to subscribe to Peacock may find this one to be more appealing.

6. Minnesota (December 30, Saturday, 1 p.m.) — In her first Big Ten away game as head coach of the Gophers, Dawn Plitzuweit was able to reunite with Mara Braun and   several more important players from the youthful squad that finished 4-14 in the conference previous year.

7. Penn State (Feb. 8, Thursday, 8 p.m.) — Makenna Marisa, a preseason all-conference pick, is a terrific scorer, and the Nittany Lions have a fresh face in Ashley Owusu, a guard from former Maryland. Last year, Iowa scored 108 points versus PSU.

8. Wisconsin (Today, January 16, Unknown Time) — Although it’s not at the top of the list, Iowa fans would never grow tired of their team defeating the Badgers—something they have done 27 times in a row.

Michigan State (Jan. 2, Tuesday, 8 p.m.) — One of the few late-night, weekday suggestions this season that isn’t too fan-friendly. The Spartans, who are under new coach Robyn Fralick, forced Iowa to OT in East Lansing the previous season.