After a tough Big Ten road victory, ESPN Women’s Bracketology elevates Iowa to the No. 3 seed. Hawkeyes supporters received good news from ESPN’s most recent Iowa women’s bracketology update. Iowa women’s basketball moved up a full seed line in the NCAA Tournament projections following a hard-fought road victory in Big Ten play, indicating that the team’s consistent development under head coach Jan Jensen is beginning to be reflected in the national picture.
Although it’s never glamorous to grind out victories in conference play, particularly when playing away from home, those are the games that frequently matter most in March. In addition to keeping the Hawkeyes on course in the Big Ten standings, Iowa’s survival and advancement at Northwestern advanced them in the national bracket discussion.
A road test that was more important than it appeared Iowa’s victory over Northwestern on the road doesn’t immediately stand out on the stat sheet. It was not ostentatious. It wasn’t in charge. But it was earned, hard, and disciplined. These characteristics typically distinguish tournament teams from pretenders in a league as harsh as the Big Ten.
When things became awkward, Jan Jensen’s group maintained their composure. When momentum threatened to swing, they made timely plays, rebounded, and defended. Teams typically have to learn these lessons the hard way, but Iowa discovered them in real time on the home court of an opponent.
Although it doesn’t always make headlines, bracketologists find great resonance in that kind of resilience. It’s obvious that ESPN noticed.
The outlook for Iowa women’s bracketology improves Iowa is now predicted as a No. 3 seed, an improvement of one full seed line after Northwestern’s victory, according to the most recent ESPN NCAA Women’s Bracketology. At this point in the season, it’s a significant leap that could have a big impact on Iowa’s tournament trajectory.
The Hawkeyes are currently scheduled to play No. 14 Western Illinois in the first round as a No. 3 seed. This forecast puts Iowa in a favorable position both in terms of confidence and matchup. Being ranked in the top 12 nationally confirms what supporters have been feeling: this team is discovering its identity.
Here’s how Iowa’s projected region currently shapes up:
No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 16 California Baptist
No. 8 Stanford vs. No. 9 Utah
No. 5 Baylor vs. No. 12 UNLV
No. 4 Ole Miss vs. No. 13 McNeese
No. 6 West Virginia vs. No. 11 Mississippi State / Villanova
No. 3 Iowa vs. No. 14 Western Illinois
No. 7 Duke vs. No. 10 Fairfield
No. 2 Vanderbilt vs. No. 15 Howard
It’s a competitive bracket, but one that reflects Iowa’s growing national respect.
The landscape of the country surrounding Iowa A more comprehensive picture of the women’s college basketball landscape is also provided by ESPN’s most recent forecasts. As of right now, Louisville, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, and Maryland are ranked No. 2, while UConn, Texas, UCLA, and South Carolina are ranked No. 1. Alongside LSU, TCU, and Kentucky, Iowa is in good company on the No. 3 seed line. The crowded nature of the upper tier of the tournament field is highlighted by that grouping.
With 12 teams projected into the field—more than any other conference—the Big Ten, on the other hand, continues to demonstrate its depth. Because of this fact, every league victory is worth more, and every victory on the road has even greater significance.
The Hawkeyes won’t have much time to celebrate the bracketology boost. Sunday’s road game against Indiana presents another chance to bolster their resume. Such victories not only safeguard a seed line but also have the potential to improve it. The message is clear for the time being. The rest of the nation is watching Iowa as it learns how to win difficult games. This won’t be the final time Iowa women’s bracketology trends upward before Selection Sunday if the Hawkeyes continue to put on strong performances. Even though March is still far off, Iowa is making steady progress toward its goals.
