IOWA CITY — After a successful trip to Florida where they secured two impressive victories, the No. 11 Iowa women’s basketball team is back at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, gearing up for a match against Western Illinois. This game is set for 6:30 p.m. on BTN+ and will provide the Hawkeyes a final opportunity to enhance their game before the Thanksgiving holiday. In an unusual twist, this marks the first Thanksgiving in 17 years where Iowa doesn’t participate in an out-of-town tournament.
The Hawkeyes have dominated their earlier mid-major opponents—Southern, Evansville, Drake, and UNI—besting them with significant margins. Western Illinois, meanwhile, aims to make this contest a tougher challenge. The Leathernecks come into this matchup boasting a 4-0 record and a recent road win against Northern Illinois, marking their best start since the 1977-78 season.
As they prepare for the game, there are several key points to monitor. First and foremost is the status of starting point guard Chit-Chat Wright, who remains uncertain after suffering an upper-body injury in the match against Baylor. If she is unable to play, Taylor Stremlow will likely step in again, as she has effectively managed the position in Wright’s absence, posting admirable stats over six quarters in Florida.
Head coach Jan Jensen is optimistic about Stremlow, recognizing her as a vital team player who thrives in pressure situations. Despite Western Illinois not pressing as aggressively as Miami did, they will still present a worthy contest that Iowa needs to approach with focus.
Another player to watch is freshman Addie Deal, who is gradually finding her footing in line with high expectations. Deal has scored 28 points over the first six games but has shown promise in understanding her place on the court and the team’s offensive dynamics. Jensen believes in her progress and expects extended playtime against the Leathernecks, providing her an opportunity to showcase her talent further.
Lastly, sophomore guard Emely Rodriguez is on the radar as she seeks to improve her consistency within Iowa’s offensive setup. Rodriguez had a mixed tournament experience, although she did hit a crucial shot to help Iowa defeat Baylor. Coach Jensen acknowledges her shot creation ability and emphasizes the importance of timing in her game development.
Iowa is favored to win this matchup, with analysts predicting they will pull away in the second half, securing their 10th victory in 12 encounters with Western Illinois. The forecast suggests a final score of Iowa 85, Western Illinois 62. The atmosphere at Carver-Hawkeye Arena is poised to be electric as fans look forward to supporting their team in this mid-major contest.