Iowa

Iowa women’s basketball sees big value in small steps forward amid Big Ten grind

Published

1 year ago

January 29, 2025

Iowa women’s basketball sees big value in small steps forward amid Big Ten grind

IOWA CITY — Of all the coaching cliches uttered throughout an arduous college basketball regular season, coaches and players saying they’re taking things one game at a time can generate the most eye rolls.

Big-picture discussions are everywhere this time of year as the bright lights of March inch a little closer. Conference-race projections, weekly bracketologies, constant chatter about how results offer evidence of what might happen in the NCAA Tournament — all attempts to define each game with future context.

For some squads, that’s a justifiable reality. Several programs are in positions where, no matter how much positivity happens ahead of March Madness, NCAA Tournament results will firmly define season narratives. The last two years of Iowa women’s basketball matches that exact scenario.

The current Hawkeyes, though? They’re walking coach-speak for treating every game as its own four-quarter story. And that’s perfectly acceptable as Jan Jensen’s inaugural squad heads into February planted on the NCAA Tournament bubble. Steps forward, even if they’re sometimes small ones, can be appreciated just as much as the emphatic leaps.

Tuesday’s 85-80 win over Northwestern highlights just that.

Was there more turbulence than Iowa (14-7, 4-6 Big Ten Conference) needed against a team that doesn’t have a win in 2025? Yes. Did the Hawkeyes look like a team ready to charge through a rigorous month ahead that features one intense matchup after another? Not exactly.

But in a game with similar framework as some of Iowa’s most painful losses, the Hawkeyes found the conclusion they needed to keep momentum moving forward. Doing so carries ample significance for a developing group.

“I’ve always told this team they’re closer than they are farther away,” Jensen said after Iowa snapped a rare three-game home losing streak ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated visit from Caitlin Clark, JuJu Watkins and No. 4 USC. “So yeah, do I wish it would look as beautiful and pretty? Absolutely. But I’m telling you what, we are learning maybe the not-as-pretty wins are certainly better than a pretty loss.

“So I want to keep getting better. We certainly need to. We have a heck of an opponent coming up. But this particular team, we need to improve in the areas we aren’t great. But we need to celebrate what we do well.”

Amid frustration that a surge of separation never arrived Tuesday night, Iowa made the best of what it had created.

A seesawing game late created numerous pressure free throws, so five different Hawkeyes stepped up and drained all 12 of them in the fourth quarter. That’s a step forward. Mitigating in-game frustration after Northwestern (7-12, 0-8) constructed a double-digit first-quarter advantage, that’s a step forward.

Hannah Stuelke, after missing two games with a concussion amid her shift back to the “5” position, delivered the second-best scoring night of her career (26 points on 10-for-17 shooting and 6-for-6 from the line). That’s a step forward. Aaliyah Guyton continuing to be a vocal presence in tense moments despite being fresh on the collegiate scene, that’s a step forward.

“I do my mental exercises on and off the court whenever I feel like I’m back-tracking, I have my teammates to help me too,” Guyton said after setting season-highs in points (15) and minutes (31). “Knowing that I’ve put in the work, knowing that my teammates and coaches have my back, that brings energy out of me and that leadership.”

Aaliyah Guyton ready to do whatever Iowa women’s basketball needs after success vs. Northwestern

Considering all Iowa still struggled with — another slow start, another foe going off from deep, another wave of scoring droughts that disrupted offensive rhythm at times despite the strong final total — the Hawkeyes aren’t in a position to be picky about how their victories look.

To some extent, each night inside this daunting league is a roll of the dice until Iowa proves otherwise. One set of 40 minutes may look completely different than the next 40, which may contrast heavily with the 40 after that. Dialing in on one game at a time while valuing the progress is the proper way to dissect the rest of this season, however, and wherever it unfolds.

“Look at us, we’re pretty young,” Jensen said. “We’re trying to figure it out, I’m thrilled. We’ve shown some growth.

“… There was a lot more attention to detail. And we just got a little bit more confidence while leaning into the moment instead of being on our heels. I think that was a big key tonight.”

Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.

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Iowa

Where Iowa State basketball stands in NCAA Tournament bracketology

Published

3 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Where Iowa State basketball stands in NCAA Tournament bracketology

We’re heading down the homestretch.

Iowa State men’s basketball has two regular-season games left, followed by the Big 12 Tournament.

Iowa State enters the final week of the regular season with a 24-5 overall record and an 11-5 mark in Big 12 action.

The Cyclones have a NCAA Tournament resume-bolstering opportunity on Monday, March 2 with a road game against Arizona, before wrapping up the regular-season on Saturday, March 7 against Arizona State.

Plenty can still change with bracketology from now until Selection Sunday on March 15, but here is where experts are projecting Iowa State to land in the NCAA Tournament entering the final week of the regular season:

Iowa State basketball’s computer metrics as of Tuesday

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5

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Iowa Lottery Pick 3 Midday, Pick 3 Evening results for March 1, 2026

Published

15 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.

Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Sunday, March 1, 2026, winning numbers for each game:

Winning Pick-3 numbers from March 1 drawing

Midday: 6-9-4

Evening: 4-2-5

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-4 numbers from March 1 drawing

Midday: 1-7-4-8

Evening: 7-6-9-1

Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Iowa Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Nebraska Men’s Basketball’s Week Ahead: Crucial Games at UCLA and Home vs. Iowa

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska Men’s Basketball’s Week Ahead: Crucial Games at UCLA and Home vs. Iowa

Nebraska men’s basketball faces a critical week that will determine its Big Ten Conference and NCAA Tournament seeding.

The Huskers play at UCLA on Tuesday night and finish the regular season next Sunday at home vs. Iowa.

The Huskers are currently tied for second place in the Big Ten with Michigan State. Both teams have four conference losses. They are one game in the loss column ahead of Illinois and Purdue, with five losses. Wisconsin has six losses.

The top four teams earn the coveted triple bye for the Big Ten Tournament. Regular-season champion Michigan has one spot locked up.

Here are the remaining schedules of the contenders for the triple bye, with conference record in parentheses:

Nebraska (14-4)
* Tuesday: at UCLA
* Sunday: vs. Iowa

Michigan State (13-4)
* Sunday: at Indiana
* Thursday: vs. Rutgers
* Sunday, March 8: at Michigan

Illinois (13-5)
* Tuesday: vs. Oregon
* Sunday, March 8: at Maryland

Purdue (12-5)
* Sunday: at Ohio State
* Wednesday: at Northwestern
* Saturday: vs. Wisconsin

Wisconsin (12-6)
* Wednesday: vs. Maryland
* Saturday: at Purdue

Maintaining an NCAA seed no worse than 3 should benefit the Huskers, who wouldn’t have to play, theoretically, the No. 1 seed until the Elite Eight game.

It’s a ton to play for in the final week of a historic regular season for Nebraska. But that’s what March is all about.

Nebraska at UCLA

When: Tuesday, 10 p.m. CT
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles
Records: Nebraska, 25-4, 14-4 in Big Ten; UCLA, 19-10, 11-7 in Big Ten
TV: FS1

Rankings updated based on games through Saturday.

UCLA rankings

* Associated Press Top 25: Not ranked
* NCAA Net Ratings: 40
* USA Today Coaches Poll: Not ranked
* Kenpom.com: 41
* ESPN Power Index: 34
* Top 25 and 1: Not ranked
* Team Rankings.com: 41

In Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology projections for ESPN, UCLA is a 9-seed for the 68-team NCAA Tournament. The next Bracketology will be released Tuesday.

Nebraska rankings

* Associated Press Top 25: 12
* NCAA Net Ratings: 12
* USA Today Coaches Poll: 10
* Kenpom.com: 11
* ESPN Power Index: 15
* Top 25 and 1: 8
* Team Rankings.com: 11

In Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology projections for ESPN, Nebraska is a 3-seed for the 68-team NCAA Tournament.

Nebraska-UCLA analysis

The Bruins are coming off a strange week. They crushed visiting rival USC, 81-62, on Tuesday, then lost at Minnesota, 78-73, on Saturday.

UCLA is 16-1 at home, its only loss to Indiana, 98-97, in double overtime on Jan. 31.

The game will be a homecoming for Huskers forward Berke Buyuktuncel, who played at UCLA in 2023-24, his freshman season. Buyuktuncel has started 27 games and averages 6.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season for the Huskers and frequently earns praise from coach Fred Hoiberg.

Nebraska thoroughly dispatched USC on Saturday, 82-67, an impressive performance on the road against a Trojans team desperate for a statement win to help — or save — their NCAA hopes.

Pryce Sandfort scored 32 points — one short of his career high — as the Huskers won their 14th conference game, a school record. Nebraska is 7-2 on the road in conference games.

This should be a great matchup — UCLA a strong team playing at home vs. a Nebraska team playing well and full of confidence. This feels like a one-possession game.

Nebraska guard Sam Hoiberg goes to the basket as Iowa forward Cooper Koch defends during the first meeting in Iowa City. | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Iowa at Nebraska

When: Sunday, March 8, 4 p.m. CT
Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena
Records: Nebraska, 25-4, 14-4 in Big Ten; Iowa, 20-9, 10-8 in Big Ten
TV: Fox

Rankings updated based on games through Saturday.

Iowa rankings

* Associated Press Top 25: 33
* NCAA Net Ratings: 28
* USA Today Coaches Poll: 30
* Kenpom.com: 24
* ESPN Power Index: 35
* Top 25 and 1: Not ranked
* Team Rankings.com: 31

In Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology projections for ESPN, Iowa is an 8-seed for the 68-team NCAA Tournament.

Nebraska rankings

* Associated Press Top 25: 12
* NCAA Net Ratings: 12
* USA Today Coaches Poll: 10
* Kenpom.com: 11
* ESPN Power Index: 15
* Top 25 and 1: 8
* Team Rankings.com: 11

In Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology projections for ESPN, Nebraska is a 3-seed for the 68-team NCAA Tournament.

Nebraska forward Braden Frager defends a fast-break layup attempt by Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz in the teams’ first meeting on Feb. 17. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Nebraska-Iowa analysis

The Hawkeyes are coming off a puzzling, 71-69 loss at Penn State on Saturday. Iowa led 67-62 with 3:49 to play, and then scored only one more basket. Iowa plays host to Michigan on Thursday.

Nebraska will get a final curtain call at Pinnacle Bank Arena, where the Huskers are 15-2.

Nebraska should have revenge on its mind after losing at Iowa, 57-52, on Feb. 17, in Sandfort’s return to Iowa City, where he played for two seasons.

Whatever Nebraska nerves were a factor at Iowa shouldn’t be in play at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska shot only 21 percent from distance in Iowa City. Sandfort scored 13 points, his lowest total since Jan. 10, when he scored 12 at Indiana.

Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz scored 25 points. That won’t happen in this game. Neither will Nebraska’s ice-cold shooting from distance, especially if the game could determine the triple bye for the Huskers.

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