The Iowa State Cyclones women’s basketball team continue their season at the Fort Myers Tip-off on Thursday with a showdown against South Carolina in Fort Myers, Fla.
Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m. central.
No. 15 Iowa State (5-1) has a great record but has been tested lately against in-state rivals. The Cyclones are coming off a two-point win over Drake, which was preceded by an eight-point loss to Northern Iowa, a loss that showed the Cyclones still have a ways to go to be ready for Big 12 action.
No. 1 South Carolina (5-1) already has big wins over North Carolina State and Clemson, but the Gamecocks are coming off a 15-point loss to UCLA. The Gamecocks aren’t used to losing games early in the season, and they certainly aren’t used to losing streaks.
Here’s how you can catch the game and how it is expected to play out.
How To Watch Iowa State vs. South Carolina
The Iowa State Cyclones (5-1) will face the South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1) in a women’s college basketball showdown on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.
Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024.
Time: 12:30 p.m. CT.
TV Channel: Fox.
Streaming: Fox Sports App (regional restrictions may apply).
City: Fort Myers, Fla.
Venue: Suncoast Credit Union Arena
Iowa State vs. South Carolina: Prediction and Projections
The Cyclones have been as advertised, built around the talents of center Audi Crooks and forward Addy Brown. Crooks leads ISU with 21.7 points per game, along with 7.5 rebounds per game. Brown is averaging 16.2 points and a team-leading 8.7 rebounds.
They’ve dominated so far, but the backcourt has been great, too. Fifth-year senior Emily Ryan is averaging 7.5 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Kenzie Hare and Sydney Harris are each averaging more than eight points per game.
Eleven different Cyclones are averaging at least 10 minutes per game. Coach Bill Fennelly will probably shorten his bench for this game, but it’s good to know the Cyclones are building depth for the long haul.
South Carolina has already played four power conference teams this year and has a 3-1 record. So the Gamecocks are not lacking for tests and Iowa State will be the latest.
South Carolina is a different-looking team than last year’s national champions, but their vets are leading the way. Guard Te-Hina Paopao leads with 14.2 points per game. Forward Chloe Kitts is averaging 11.6 points and a team-leading 9.2 rebounds. MiLaysia Fulwiley is averaging 10.7 points in just 17 minutes per game.
Two other Gamecocks, guard Tessa Johnson and forward Joyce Edwards, are averaging nine points per game.
Coach Dawn Staley is a perfectionist and certainly isn’t satisfied with where her team is at, even with a 5-1 record. But that’s why the Gamecocks win national championships.
Prediction: South Carolina 77, Iowa State 74
ESPN Matchup Predictor: South Carolina (97.9% Chance of Winning)
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
