The No. 9 Iowa women’s basketball team, boasting an impressive record of 24-5 and a 15-3 mark in the Big Ten, is gearing up for the Big Ten Tournament after receiving a coveted double-bye as the second seed. The Hawkeyes will open their tournament play against 10th-seeded Illinois (21-10, 9-9 Big Ten) on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
This fortunate position for Iowa is a result of their remarkable regular season, which concluded with a robust six-game winning streak. Their latest outing saw them dominate Wisconsin with a comprehensive 81-52 victory on March 1.
Leading the Hawkeyes offensively is sophomore center Ava Heiden, who has been a standout performer with an average of 17.6 points per game and an impressive shooting percentage of 65.1%. Heiden, a 6-foot-4 talent from Sherwood, Oregon, has also tallied nine double-doubles this season and earned unanimous All-Big Ten first-team honors from both coaches and media.
The Fighting Illini enter the tournament following back-to-back wins, defeating Wisconsin 82-70 and Michigan State 71-69. Illinois’ offense is headlined by sophomore forward Berry Wallace, averaging 18.9 points per game on 48.5% shooting, while freshman forward Cearah Parchment contributes with 13.8 points per game on 51.1% shooting. Wallace and Parchment’s previous success against the Hawkeyes in their February 26 matchup will be an element to watch.
Fans eager to catch the game can tune into the Big Ten Network for live coverage starting at 5:30 p.m. CT, with Sloane Martin, Christy Winters Scott, and Elise Woodward commenting live from the field. Additionally, Hawkeye supporters can stream the game via Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers, or listen to the Hawkeye Radio Network featuring play-by-play from Rob Brooks alongside color analyst Kathryn Reynolds.
In all-time series history, Iowa leads with a resounding 62-21 advantage over Illinois, having secured victories in nine of the last eleven matchups, including a close 82-78 win just weeks before the tournament.
This season’s performance reflects Iowa’s capacity for strong showings, and with the Big Ten Tournament underway, the Hawkeyes remain poised for further success.