The Iowa women’s basketball team has been steadily improving over the last few seasons, and as December draws near, the Hawkeyes are once again in a comfortable and advantageous position. Iowa, ranked No. 11 in the country and off to a 6-0 start, is getting ready to play Western Illinois at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday night. The game is expected to draw close to 15,000 spectators, a far cry from the small audiences the Leathernecks have been playing in front of thus far this season.
The Hawkeye Radio Network and B1G+ will cover the tip-off, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Even though the season is just getting started, Iowa has already made an impression. In this week’s AP Top 25 poll, the Hawkeyes moved up eight spots, reflecting not only their perfect record but also their noticeably better defense and the emergence of several important players. This week’s main topic of discussion is sophomore forward Ava Heiden, who was named Big Ten Player of the Week following an impressive two-game run during Iowa’s trip to Orlando.
In Florida, Heiden was outstanding, scoring 38 points and grabbing 17 rebounds in the two wins. Her effectiveness in the second game, a hard-fought victory over Miami (Fla.), was striking. She demonstrated a level of poise and touch that is getting harder for opponents to contain as she shot 9-for-11 from the field. She is becoming more and more like the kind of interior anchor Iowa can rely on for years to come. However, the Hawkeyes’ injury report isn’t entirely spotless. Chit-Chat Wright is still sidelined after sustaining an upper-body injury late in last Thursday’s victory over Baylor. Her return hasn’t been hurried, and Iowa will probably keep assessing her as they move through this stretch of nonconference play. The Hawkeyes’ depth has fortunately held up well.
Holding each of its first six opponents to 61 points or fewer is something Iowa hasn’t done since the mid-1990s, which is part of what makes this 6-0 start impressive. The 1995–96 team was the last Iowa team to start a season with that degree of defensive consistency. Iowa may not have been known for its defense in recent years—particularly under Caitlin Clark, when the offense frequently garnered the most attention—but this team seems determined to change that. They are putting together comprehensive, coordinated defensive efforts, protecting the paint, and effectively guarding the perimeter.
Additionally, Iowa has not started back-to-back seasons 6-0 since the early 1990s. Starts of 7-0 in 1991–92, 6-0 in 1992–93, and an outstanding 11-0 in 1993–94 were part of that earlier run. The team’s eight-game winning streak at the beginning of the previous season set the stage for a Final Four finish. Although it won’t be simple to duplicate that kind of run, the Hawkeyes are undoubtedly setting the stage.
Western Illinois, the opponent on Wednesday, is also undefeated at 4-0. Raegan McCowan’s 28-point performance helped the Leathernecks defeat Bradley 84-77 in their most recent game. She did a lot of damage from the free-throw line, making 14 of 16 shots and demonstrating her willingness to engage in physical play.
Mia Nicastro, a senior forward who has had an incredible start to the season, is another important player for Western Illinois. Nicastro, who stands 6 feet 2 inches tall, averages 26.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game while shooting a remarkable 59.7% from the field. Iowa’s main goal inside will be to slow her down because she is the focal point of their offense. Iowa should have confidence if past performance is any guide. The Hawkeyes have defeated the Leathernecks seven times in a row and have a 9-2 series advantage. They haven’t lost the match since 1980. The most recent encounter that provided a genuine scare occurred in 2015, when Iowa needed overtime to win.
The record books won’t deter Western Illinois, though. They have demonstrated their ability to score points and have taken care of business early in the season. However, the task they are facing at Carver-Hawkeye Arena is unlike anything they have encountered this year. Just 544 people attended their first four games on average. They will perform in front of almost 15,000 people on Wednesday night.
Before playing Fairfield on Sunday at noon, Iowa will have another opportunity to build on its momentum. The Hawkeyes appear ready to continue winning because Heiden is playing some of her best basketball of her young career, the defense is playing well, and the team is still figuring out who they are after Clark.
