If you’ve stepped foot in Ames lately, you know the vibe is just different. There is this electric hum around Hilton Coliseum that usually doesn't peak until February, but here we are in the thick of January and the place is already a pressure cooker. Honestly, looking at the iowa state womens basketball schedule this year, it feels less like a standard slate of games and more like a gauntlet designed to test exactly how much Bill Fennelly’s squad can handle before the madness of March.
We are currently sitting in that crucial mid-January stretch where the pretenders start to fade and the contenders find their legs. The Cyclones have already navigated a non-conference schedule that featured a massive statement win over Iowa in the Cy-Hawk series back in December—a 74-69 thriller that proved Audi Crooks is every bit the superstar people claimed she'd be. But the Big 12 is a whole different beast this year with the new additions.
The January Grind and What’s Next
Right now, the team is staring down a brutal run of games. You’ve probably noticed that the travel schedule is a bit more taxing than usual. After a tough home loss to West Virginia on January 11th, the team had to immediately pack bags for a high-altitude trip to Boulder to face Colorado on January 14th.
The schedule doesn't let up. Here is what the immediate horizon looks like:
On Sunday, January 18th, the Cyclones hit the road again to take on Oklahoma State in Stillwater. That’s a noon tip-off, which is always a weird energy for a road game. Then they finally come back to the friendly confines of Hilton for a two-game homestand. They'll host Cincinnati on Wednesday, January 21st at 6:30 PM, followed by a Saturday afternoon clash with Arizona on January 24th.
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If you are planning your weekends around the iowa state womens basketball schedule, that January 24th game against Arizona is the one to circle. It’s a 3:00 PM start, and the atmosphere is going to be rowdy. Arizona brings a style of play that really challenges the Cyclones' perimeter defense, and seeing how Jada Williams and Arianna Jackson handle that pressure will be a major storyline.
Why the Big 12 Expansion Changed Everything
It’s kinda wild how much the conference landscape has shifted. We aren't just playing the "old" Big 12 anymore. The schedule now includes trips to places like Salt Lake City and Provo. On February 7th, the team heads to Utah, and then they have a quick turnaround to play at BYU on February 10th.
That "Mountain Trip" is basically a mini-NBA road tour. The logistics of playing at that elevation, back-to-back on the road, is something Fennelly has had to prepare this young roster for all season. You've got players like Addy Brown, who is basically a Swiss Army knife on the court, needing to log heavy minutes in these high-stakes environments.
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Key Games to Watch in February
- February 15th vs. Kansas State: This is the big one. 1:00 PM at Hilton. K-State is always a defensive nightmare, and this game could realistically decide seeding for the Big 12 tournament.
- February 18th vs. Arizona State: A Wednesday night special. These mid-week home games are where the Hilton Magic really earns its reputation.
- February 22nd at TCU: A trip down to Fort Worth. TCU has been a bit of a wildcard, but they play tough at home.
- February 25th vs. Oklahoma State: The final home game of February. Expect a lot of emotion as the regular season starts to wind down.
The Players Making the Schedule Work
You can't talk about the schedule without talking about the engine behind it. Audi Crooks is obviously the focal point. She's averaging north of 20 points for a reason. Teams are doubling her, tripling her, and she still finds a way to finish. But the real X-factor lately has been Sydney Harris. Her ability to stretch the floor as a 46% three-point shooter makes it impossible for teams to just camp in the paint against Audi.
Then there is the newcomer, Evangelia Paulk. She’s been a revelation on the boards. If you’ve watched any of the recent games, you’ve seen her flying in from the wing to snatch rebounds that most guards wouldn't even sniff. That kind of grit is what wins games in February when shots aren't falling.
Navigating the Final Stretch
The regular season wraps up on March 1st with a road game at Kansas State. It’s a bit poetic, isn't it? Ending the season in Manhattan against a rival. By the time that game tips off at 1:00 PM, we will know exactly where this team stands.
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People sometimes overlook how hard it is to maintain focus through an 18-game conference schedule. It’s a grind. There are no "off" nights in this league anymore. Even the games against UCF (January 31st) or Cincinnati (January 21st) are potential trap games if the Cyclones are looking ahead to the bigger names.
Actionable Advice for Fans
If you're looking to catch the action, here is the best way to handle the rest of the season. First, check the official Cyclone Athletics site for any late-breaking time changes; television networks love to flex games last minute. Second, if you’re going to a game at Hilton, show up early. The "Cyclone Alley" section is filling up faster than ever, and the energy during warmups actually seems to feed the players.
Lastly, keep an eye on the injury report. With the travel schedule becoming more intense in February, depth is going to be tested. Watch how Fennelly uses the bench in those mid-week games—players like Reagan Wilson and Aili Tanke are going to need to provide solid minutes to keep the starters fresh for the postseason run.
The path to Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament is laid out. It’s a tough road, but this roster looks like it was built specifically for this kind of challenge.