Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball program’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament haven’t diminished despite losing to the top-ranked team in the country. In fact, according to ESPN’s most recent Bracketology update, Iowa is still unwavering, which is encouraging as the season approaches the Big Ten playoffs. The Hawkeyes have a 10-2 record going into the holiday season. Despite the fact that both of their setbacks have occurred against top teams, the team’s overall performance has been sufficient to maintain Iowa’s position as a projected No. 4 seed. This consistency is important, particularly at this early stage when perceptions can change rapidly and every performance is amplified.
It’s never ideal to lose to No. 1 UConn, but it’s also not the kind of loss that ruins a season. If anything, it strengthened Iowa’s position in the country. In women’s college basketball, the Huskies continue to be the best, and Iowa’s ability to compete on that level only makes the Hawkeyes’ case stronger going forward. This confidence is reflected in ESPN’s bracket projection. Iowa is currently in a good position. The Hawkeyes would host a first-round game in March as a projected No. 4 seed, which is a significant advantage. Iowa would start the NCAA Tournament against No. 13 seed UC Irvine, according to the most recent bracket. Although this matchup theoretically favors the Hawkeyes, it still requires concentration and skill.
The top seed in the same regional draw, UConn, would play No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round. In that section, there are also games between No. 8 Georgia and No. 9 Minnesota, No. 5 Ole Miss and No. 12 Colorado State, and No. 6 Alabama and No. 11 North Dakota State. No. 7 NC State would play No. 10 Richmond, while No. 3 Iowa State would play No. 14 Green Bay. No. 2 Oklahoma would play No. 15 Western Illinois to complete the region.
Naturally, the December brackets are far from final, and Iowa’s future is far from certain. The Hawkeyes now have a unique chance to take a break, regroup, and bounce back. As they get ready to start conference play, the timing couldn’t be better—they have over a week off before their next game.
On December 28, Iowa will make its Big Ten debut at home against the Penn State Nittany Lions. It’s the beginning of what will ultimately determine Iowa’s season. Once again, the Big Ten appears to be competitive and deep, and those league games provide the Hawkeyes with exactly what they need: opportunities to accumulate high-caliber victories that can bolster their resume and help them land hosting spots in the NCAA Tournament. There are reciprocal benefits to playing in the Big Ten. Opportunities abound, but the grind is unrelenting. Every week offers a new challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate that Iowa is one of the best teams in the country. Those games will be crucial for a team that is hovering around the No. 4 seed line.
Individually, Iowa still relies on its seasoned backcourt, which includes guard Chazadi “Chit-Chat” Wright, who has been a reliable presence all season. As the competition tightens and margins narrow, her leadership and offensive prowess will be essential. According to ESPN, UConn, Texas, South Carolina, and UCLA are currently the top seeds in the country. LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, and TCU are in the No. 2 seed line, and Maryland, Iowa State, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt are in the No. 3 seed line. The Hawkeyes are in good company as Iowa is ranked fourth along with North Carolina, Louisville, and Notre Dame.
According to ESPN, UConn, Texas, South Carolina, and UCLA are currently the top seeds in the country. LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, and TCU are in the No. 2 seed line, and Maryland, Iowa State, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt are in the No. 3 seed line. The Hawkeyes are in good company as Iowa is ranked fourth along with North Carolina, Louisville, and Notre Dame. Additionally, bubble teams are already emerging. The final four byes are Mississippi State, Villanova, Oregon, and Indiana; the final four in are Virginia, South Dakota State, Syracuse, and BYU. Clemson, Duke, Columbia, Virginia Tech, Kansas, Miami, Rhode Island, and Utah are all on the outside looking in.
With 13 teams predicted for the field, the Big Ten leads the conference, closely followed by the SEC with 11. The Big East and Summit League project two teams each, while the ACC and Big 12 each place seven teams in the bracket. Everything is still ahead of Iowa. The Hawkeyes’ postseason potential is still high because they haven’t reached their peak yet and have rest, health, and Big Ten opportunities ahead of them. The bracket projection for December might only be the start of something much larger in March if they manage business.
