Folks, the one of the biggest (and easily one of, if not the, most anticipated) matchups of the year is here: Jan Jensen, Ava Heiden and the Iowa Women’s Basketball team are in Ames tonight to face up against Audi Crooks and the Iowa State Cyclones.
Not only is this a heated in-state rivalry, the teams come in as high ranked as ever, with the Hawkeyes bring the No. 11 spot in this week’s AP Top 25 Poll, and the Cyclones No. 10.
These teams are playing for more than in-state bragging rights, though.
The matchup on everyone’s mind is between Iowa sophomore center Ava Heiden, who’s averaging 16.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, and Iowa State junior Audi Crooks, who is averaging 27.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Crooks has been on an absolute tear of late, including dropping 47 points in the Cyclones’ recent 106-95 win over Indiana, the toughest opponent Iowa State has faced thus far. For Heiden, staying out of foul trouble guarding Crooks will be crucial. Iowa’s ability to contain forward Addy Brown and guard (and almost Hawkeye) Jada Williams will be crucial is well, as the Cyclones can certainly get it going from deep.
However, I think Iowa takes the edge here as the deeper, and more athletic team. Unfortunately for Iowa, this game is in Ames at is what is certain to be a crazy Hilton crowd, but I still believe.
Injuries: Emely Rodriguez – OUT
Back in the lineup, however, is sophomore Teagan Mallegni, though I don’t know how much usage she’ll see coming off the injury unless things get really dire.
Date: December 10, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. CST
Matchup: No. 11 Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 10 Iowa State Cyclones
Location: Hilton Coliseum, Ames, IA
TV: ESPN (we’re in the big leagues now folks)
As before, I’ll be around here in the comments and on the feed, and will have a full recap afterwards as well. Be respectful, and let’s bring home a nice victory tonight, Hawks. At the very least, it should be a fun game, even if we don’t get the win.
But I really want this win.
