Iowa State vs. Maryland: NCAA Women’s Tournament Preview and Prediction
Here is everything you need to know about Iowa State and Maryland in our Cyclones vs. Terrapins NCAA Women’s Tournament first-round preview.
No. 7 Iowa State (20-11) vs. No. 10 Maryland (19-13)
Time, TV: 6:30 p.m., Friday, ESPN2
Location: Maples Pavilion, Palo Alto, Calif.
All-time series: First meeting
Winner: Advances to the second round on Sunday against the winner of the game between No. 2 Stanford and No. 15 Norfolk State
Projected starting lineups
Iowa State: G Emily Ryan, G Hannah Belanger, G Arianna Jackson, C Audi Crooks, F Addy Brown.
Maryland: G Faith Masonius, G Brinae Alexander, G Bri McDaniel, G Shyanne Sellers, G Jakia Brown-Turner.
Players to watch
Iowa State
C Audi Crooks
Crooks was not only an All-Big 12 First Team and Freshman selection, she also just earned honorable mention All-America status this week. So, yes, the Terps will likely focus on finding a way to slow down the 6-foot-3 talent. Many have tried, few have succeeded (18.9 points, 7.7 rebounds per game). Texas managed it for a half in the Big 12 Tournament title game, but Crooks eventually finished with 25 points and nine rebounds. She will wear you out.
Maryland
G Shyanne Sellers
In a lineup filled with guards, Sellers is the one that can do everything. She averaged 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. She’s also one of four Terrapins that averaged at least one steal per game. The junior has spent all three seasons at Maryland and this is her second straight season averaging more than 13 points and three assists per game. Her 6-foot-2 frame combined with her guard skills makes her a matchup problem.
Key storylines
Iowa State
Bill Fennellly did a coach-of-the-year type of job this season, even if he didn’t get the award in the Big 12, after integrating three freshmen into his starting lineup, two more into his bench and two transfers into his rotation, including starter Hannah Belanger. The Cyclones managed to get through nine games without guard Emily Ryan and are now riding a wave of momentum into this tournament, in spite of the loss to Texas. The Cyclones are making their fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance in a full season (excluding 2020).
Maryland
Maryland is one of women’s college basketball consistent powers. The Terrapins won the 2006 national championship and, excluding 2020, the Terps have not missed a tournament since 2010. Coach Brenda Frese led the Terps to that national title and has taken them to three Final Fours. This season marked the first time since the 2003-04 season that Maryland did not win at least 20 games. This is a program that knows how to make things happen in March.
Prediction
Iowa State 67, Maryland 64. This is one of the first round’s most intriguing games. You have two veteran coaches that know how to win and two teams with contrasting styles. Iowa State takes this one late.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
