WATCH: Iowa Women's Basketball takes the court for practice at Climate Pledge Arena
The Iowa Women’s Basketball team arrived in Seattle on Wednesday evening and took the court for their first practice this morning at Climate Pledge Arena. The Hawkeyes are making their ninth Sweet Sixteen appearance in school history and are seeking their fifth Elite Eight appearance. The 6 seeded Colorado Buffaloes are making their seventh Sweet Sixteen apperance and are seeking a fourth Elite Eight appearance. It will be the seventh time that the Hawkeyes and Buffaloes face off, with the series tied 3-3.
Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder and Colorado head coach JR Payne were both named semifinalists for the Naismith Coach of the Year award, while both teams put multiple players on their respective all-conference lists. G Jaylyn Sherrod and C Quay Miller were both All-PAC 12 selections, while C Aaronette Vonleh was an honorable mention. On the Iowa side, PG Caitlin Clark and C Monika Czinano earned First Team All-Big Ten honors, while F McKenna Warnock was an honorable mention. True freshman F Hannah Stuelke was named Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year.
Colorado defeated 11 seed Middle Tennessee (82-60) and 3 seed Duke (61-53 OT) in the Durham Regional to make it to this point. Iowa defeated 15 seed SE Louisiana (95-43) and 10 seed Georgia (74-66) in the Iowa City Regional.
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The Hawkeyes and Buffaloes are set to face off on Friday at 6:30pm CT on ESPN. The winner will advance to Sunday’s Elite Eight game against either 5 seed Louisville or 8 seed Ole Miss.
Most notably, true freshman forward Hannah Stuelke was participating in practice after missing the Hawkeyes second round matchup against Georgia with an ankle injury. Coach Lisa Bluder said she sustained the injury late in practice last Saturday (March 18). At this time, it appears Stuelke will be available to play on Friday.
