As winter temperatures set in, the Iowa State Cyclones are eager to maintain their momentum following a commanding 25-point victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats. This week, they face off against the struggling Arizona Wildcats, who have only managed a single win in their conference games, standing at 1-6. All eyes will be on Jada Williams, who recently scored an impressive 44 points against Cincinnati and now faces her former team, adding an emotional storyline to this matchup. Iowa State currently holds the 32nd spot in the NET rankings, while Arizona sits significantly lower at 130.
After finishing eighth in the conference last season, the Wildcats have faced significant challenges with the departure of head coach Adia Barnes, who has taken a new role at SMU. Her exit prompted a mass exodus of talent, leaving only Montaya Dew to support Becky Burke in a difficult rebuilding phase. Arizona’s struggles have been evident, beginning the season with a loss to Division II West Texas A&M and managing just one win against Power 5 opponents. Defensively, they have been allowing an average of 12.5 more points than they score during conference play, indicating a clear need for improvement.
In stark contrast, the Cyclones have seemingly rekindled their spark with a dominant performance against Cincinnati, where they achieved a shooting efficiency of 55.7% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range. This strong offensive display allowed them to take control of the game from the beginning, winning each quarter decisively.
A few key storylines could shape the upcoming game. First, can Jada Williams replicate her extraordinary performance from the previous game? Though it’s unlikely she’ll score 44 points again, her recent display indicates she has the potential to be a leading force. As Arizona’s roster is relatively small, standing at 5’10” or shorter for their top players, this could create scoring opportunities for Audi Crooks, allowing her to assert her dominance. Additionally, Evangelia Paulk, who played a significant 31 minutes in the last match due to an injury to Addy Brown, has showcased her ability to contribute on both defense and offense, making her a player to watch as her role expands.
With the Cyclones riding high on their recent success, predictions lean heavily towards an Iowa State victory against a reeling Arizona squad, anticipated to drop their fourth consecutive game. The expected score stands at 85-71 in favor of the Cyclones. As Iowa State aims to build on their recent performance, they enter the matchup with the confidence of a team that has found its rhythm.