(11) Murray State vs. (6) Iowa preview
WBB: The Racers will play in their first NCAA Tournament game since 2008
For the second time in program history, Murray State will play an NCAA Tournament game as they challenge Iowa in the opening round on Saturday morning. Here’s what you need to know:
#11-seed Murray State (25-7 overall) vs. #6-seed Iowa (22-10 overall) — 11:00am at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma
NCAA NET Rankings: Murray State #51; Iowa #24
Series history: First meeting
You can watch the game on ESPN
Jeremy Rose will have the radio call on WNBS, with the pregame show starting at 10:30am
Vegas line: Iowa -10.5
Murray State Scouting Report
For the first time since 2008, and just the second time ever, Murray State will be playing a game in the NCAA Tournament. The Racers will try to become the first Missouri Valley Conference team since Missouri State in 2022 to win a game in the tournament.
Murray State continues to be led offensively by their Big 4 of Katelyn Young (22.2 points per game), Halli Poock (17.1 PPG), Haven Ford (15.2 PPG) and Ava Learn (13.9 PPG). They remain the only team in the country with four players all averaging at least 13.9 points per game.
The Racers will try to add to their program record of 25 wins this season.
With 10.2 made three-pointers per game this year, the Racers rank 2nd nationally in that category. Murray State has made at least eight triples in a game 22 times this year, and they’re 20-2 in those games.
If the Racers can get points from outside of the Big 4, they’re really tough to beat. When Briley Pena makes at least three three-pointers in a game this season, Murray State is 7-0. When Trinity White can make at least two triples, the Racers are 8-0.
Iowa Scouting Report
After playing for the national championship in each of the last two years, Iowa took an understandable step back this season after the graduation of all-time great Caitlin Clark. Even without Clark, they’re still really good.
The Hawkeyes won 22 games overall this year, finishing 10-8 and in a tie for 8th place in the Big Ten.
Iowa is led by Villanova transfer Lucy Olsen, who averages 18.0 points per game. The Hawkeyes have plenty of size around Olsen with 6’2 Hannah Stuelke and 6’4 Addison O’Grady. Stuelke averages 12.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, while O’Grady chips in with 9.7 points and 3.5 rebounds a game.
The Hawkeyes are very efficient offensively, ranking 19th in field goal percentage (46.3%) and 13th in assists per game (17.8).
Defensively, Iowa ranks 320th in the country in three-point defense, allowing teams to shoot 34.1% from beyond the arc.
In terms of common opponents, Iowa beat Drake 86-73, and held off Northern Iowa 92-86. Drake’s Katie Dinnebier scored 40, while UNI’s Maya McDermott dropped 30 in their games against the Hawkeyes. Iowa has shown they can give up big numbers this year, so we’ll have to see if any of the Racers can get hot today and take advantage.
I’ll have a ‘Ride Home’ podcast posted after the game.
LET’S GO RACERS!!!