The Iowa State Cyclones women’s basketball team is gearing up for action today and Sunday in Fort Myers, Florida, as they participate in the Coconut Hoops Tournament in the Blue Heron Division. They will face off against the Marquette Golden Eagles, who currently hold a record of 4-1 and boast a victory over the Wisconsin Badgers.
Marquette averages approximately 70 points per game while allowing about 61.5 points to their opponents. However, they experienced a significant setback earlier this season when they conceded 90 points in a loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Leading the scoring for Marquette is senior guard Lee Volker, who puts up around 14 points per game. The team has a balanced offensive presence, featuring four players who average at least 12 points each. Last season, Marquette narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament with a record of 21-11 (12-6) in the Big East. In previous years, they enjoyed appearances in the tournament and even cracked the Top 25 rankings during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, indicating that they pose a serious challenge for the Cyclones.
After today’s game, the Cyclones will prepare to face either the Indiana Hoosiers or the Gonzaga Bulldogs, as this tournament follows a bracket format, contrasting with the men’s recent festival-style event. The format will see winners and losers battling it out in championship and third-place games, respectively.
For Iowa State to secure a win against Marquette, they will need to maintain their focus on key strategies that have been effective throughout the season. Limiting turnovers while effectively distributing the ball will be crucial. Should Marquette apply double teams on standout player Audi Crooks, the Cyclones must capitalize by finding their open shooters from long range. Additionally, Marquette has struggled with turnovers this season, and if Iowa State can exploit this weakness coming out of Iowa for their first away game, they could clinch a decisive victory. Both teams hold a three-point shooting percentage of around 36%, but Iowa State has taken significantly more shots this season, giving them an advantage if they can keep the pressure on defensively.
The matchup is set to tip off at 10 AM on FLO College, and Cyclone fans are eagerly anticipating a strong showing from their team as they step into this exciting tournament.