The Iowa women’s basketball program and star guard Caitlin Clark get the liberty of facing the winner of the University of Tennessee Martin or the College of the Holy Cross in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes will tip off their NCAA Tournament on Saturday.

This is the first time since 1992 the Hawkeyes have earned a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. At 29-4 on the year and coming off a Big Ten Tournament Championship, it’s a tough draw for whichever program finds a way to advance to the Round of 64.

More: Iowa women’s basketball, Caitlin Clark land first No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament since 1992

Here’s what to know about both programs and a prediction for how the Hawkeyes’ opening game round will go.

What to know about UT Martin’s basketball program

The Skyhawks (16-16) are into the NCAA Tournament despite losing the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title game to Southern Indiana, which was was ineligible to compete in the big dance since the program moved from Division II to Division I in 2022. NCAA rules prevent programs that have moved divisions to compete in NCAA championship events for four years.

UT Martin is the beneficiary of that rule, making the final and automatically clinching a spot in the NCAA Tournament despite finishing second in its conference tournament.

The Skyhawks have been devastated by injuries this season, with seven season-ending injuries, according to the school’s website. As a result, they run just six players in rotation. Kenley McCarn is the team’s leading scorer at 16.7 points per game, closely followed by Anaya Brown at 15.1 points per game.

Its offense, despite playing just six women at times, is fairly efficient from beyond the arc. They rank 16th in 3-point field goal percentage at 36.6% on the season, as well as the top-scoring team from the Ohio Valley Conference.

Hear from Iowa coach Lisa Bluder after the Hawkeyes learn their NCAA Tournament path

Hear from Iowa coach Lisa Bluder after the Hawkeyes learn their NCAA Tournament path

What to know about Holy Cross’s basketball program

Holy Cross secured a bid into the big dance with a 61-55 win over Boston University on Sunday in the Patriot League title game. It’s the third straight year the Crusaders have won 20 or more games.

They’re led by senior guard Bronagh Power-Cassidy, who averages 16.6 points per game. A Dublin, Ireland native, she’s the 36th member of the 1,000-point club with Holy Cross and the Patriot League Tournament MVP for the second consecutive season. She’s an elite 3-point shooter, shooting 39.7% from beyond the arc this season.

This is their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Last year, Holy Cross lost its first-round matchup with Maryland, 91-63.

Prediction for Holy Cross vs. UT Martin

Holy Cross runs a slightly bigger lineup than UT Martin, with eight players in the rotation. They should be able to outrun the Skyhawks in convincing fashion.

Prediction for Iowa vs. Holy Cross/UT Martin

Whoever Iowa gets, they should be the heavy favorite. As long as Iowa prevents the three-ball from falling with consistency from either school and limits turnovers, they’ll be just fine.

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Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.