The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament officially kicks off on Friday, March 21, 2025, with an exciting matchup between the No. 11 seed Iowa State Cyclones and the No. 6 seed Michigan Wolverines. The game, scheduled for 10:30 AM CT at the Joyce Center in South Bend, Indiana, promises to be a thrilling start to the tournament.
After a solid victory over Princeton in the First Four, where Iowa State triumphed 68-63, the Cyclones now aim to take down a formidable opponent in Michigan. Iowa State’s star player, sophomore center Audi Crooks, has been pivotal in the team’s success this season, averaging 23.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Fans are hopeful that she will deliver another standout performance after scoring 27 points in the game against Princeton.
Michigan enters the tournament with a strong 22-10 overall record and is regarded as a tough contender, having clinched the 6-seed in the Birmingham-3 regional. The Wolverines have standout players of their own with three averaging over 13 points per game, including freshman Mia Holloway, who boasts impressive stats of 16.1 points and 4.3 assists per game. Coming off a loss to USC in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, Michigan is determined to make a mark in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
As Michigan prepares for the matchup against Iowa State, the Wolverines look to leverage their high-scoring offense, which averaged 78 points per game this season. They also excelled in shooting efficiency, with a field goal percentage of 45%, including 35.5% from beyond the arc. On the other hand, Iowa State maintains an impressive shooting percentage of nearly 47%, indicating that this game could come down to which team can execute more efficiently on offense.
Defensively, both teams have had their challenges, particularly with turnovers. Iowa State averaged 14 turnovers while Michigan had nearly 16 turnovers per game. However, the Wolverines also possess strength in their defensive efforts, averaging eight steals per game, while the Cyclones led the Big 12 with 29.5 defensive rebounds per game.
Historically, Iowa State has made a remarkable impact in the NCAA Tournament, appearing every season since 2021, with their deepest run being to the Sweet Sixteen in 2022, where they ultimately fell to Creighton. In contrast, while Michigan has made seven consecutive tournament appearances, they have yet to reach a national championship game, with their best performance being the Elite Eight in 2022.
The matchup on Friday is not only crucial for both teams in their quest for the title but also presents an opportunity for prominent players like Crooks and Holloway to shine on a national stage. Upset victories in the NCAA Tournament are always a thrilling possibility, and Iowa State will look to leverage their momentum from the First Four victory into a successful game against a well-rounded Michigan squad.
As tip-off approaches, fans can catch the contest on ESPN2 or stream it through services like fuboTV and Sling TV. The anticipation is palpable as both teams prepare to fight for advancement in one of college basketball's most prestigious tournaments.
With both teams equipped with talented rosters and eager to advance, the prediction for the final score leans slightly toward Michigan, with an anticipated outcome of U-M 77, Iowa State 73. However, in tournament play, anything can happen. For Iowa State, defeating a higher seed would not just be a valuable achievement, but it could also be instrumental in building their confidence as they continue through the NCAA Tournament.
