The most recent ESPN NCAA Women’s Bracketology shows that the Iowa women’s basketball program is still among the best in the country. The Hawkeyes are once again predicted to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament despite how early in the season it is, which highlights both their impressive start and the high expectations surrounding the program.
Iowa won the NCAA Tournament away from home last season despite having to travel for the first round of March Madness. The Hawkeyes’ ability to overcome hardship was demonstrated by that experience, but the internal standard remained unchanged. This program anticipates playing in front of a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City during the postseason. Hosting is considered the standard rather than an extra perk.
Iowa hasn’t done much to refute that attitude in 11 games. The Hawkeyes are currently 10-1, with their lone defeat occurring in a fiercely contested rivalry matchup with Iowa State. Since the Cyclones are regarded as one of the best teams in the country, Iowa’s overall reputation has been largely unaffected by the loss. As a matter of fact, selection committees tend to view it favorably when March arrives because it has been viewed as a high-quality loss.
Iowa is ranked as the fourth seed in ESPN’s most recent bracket prediction. With that arrangement, the Hawkeyes would be able to host the first two rounds and spend the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The margin for error is still very small, though. Although Iowa is getting close to securing that position, more work needs to be done before it can be deemed secure.
There is nothing more intriguing about the timing. When Iowa plays No. 1 UConn this weekend, it will have a huge opportunity to boost its resume. In women’s college basketball, especially in December, games don’t get much bigger than that. The Hawkeyes could move up the seed line and secure Iowa’s status as a host site with a strong performance, or even better, a victory.
According to the current bracket, Iowa would play No. 13 UC Irvine in the opening round of the tournament. On paper, the Hawkeyes have an advantage in this matchup, but March is rarely that easy. However, there are benefits to being a No. 4 seed, and Iowa would benefit from the familiar rims, routines, and one of the nation’s most encouraging fans if they were to host.
The remainder of the projected area shows how competitive the field is expected to be. No. 1 UConn and No. 16 UIC are at the top. Other games are No. 8 Georgia vs. No. 9 Illinois, No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 12 Colorado State, and No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 11 Rhode Island. No. 7 Washington would play No. 10 Arizona State, and No. 3 Iowa State would play No. 14 Pepperdine. No. 2 Oklahoma takes on No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson to complete the group.
The top seeds in the entire bracket are still Texas, South Carolina, UCLA, and UConn. Oklahoma, TCU, Michigan, and LSU are ranked second, and Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Iowa State, and Maryland are ranked third. North Carolina, Tennessee, and Louisville are on the No. 4 line with Iowa. The bubble image is equally packed. Indiana, Virginia, Syracuse, and BYU are among the final four teams in, while Oregon, Villanova, Richmond, and Arizona State currently hold the final spots with byes. Just outside the field are Miami, Utah, Clemson, and Seton Hall, followed closely by Kansas, Columbia, Virginia Tech, and Florida.
With 13 teams projected into the field, the Big Ten continues to demonstrate its depth as a conference. The ACC and Big 12 each have seven teams, followed by the SEC with eleven. With two each, the Big East and Atlantic 10 complete the predictions. The message is clear for Iowa. The prospects are huge, the resume is solid, and the forecast is positive. The Hawkeyes have an opportunity to make a national statement with their upcoming game against UConn, and they could even make a projected host site almost a given.
