3 things to watch as Iowa women's basketball faces Michigan State in Big Ten Tournament

3 things to watch as Iowa women’s basketball faces Michigan State in Big Ten Tournament

Posted by author March 6, 2025 Basketball

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INDIANAPOLIS — After cruising through Wednesday’s Big Ten Tournament opening win over Wisconsin with zero drama, Iowa women’s basketball is about to crank up the postseason intensity significantly.

The No. 11 seed Hawkeyes face No. 6 seed Michigan State (8 p.m., BTN) on Thursday inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse to cap a long day of second-round action. A Friday quarterfinal date with No. 3 seed Ohio State awaits the winner.

With that, here are three things to watch in Thursday’s game.

Can the Hawkeyes show how much has changed since these last two teams met?

Iowa’s 68-66 loss in East Lansing on Dec. 15 gave the Hawkeyes some early adversity to learn from, given Jan Jensen’s squad coughed up a second-half lead that seemed sturdy.

Call it early growing pains for a team that was still finding its way. The Hawkeyes have gone 12-7 since that game, while Michigan State has gone 11-8 while winding its way through a long Big Ten season. It’s easy to see a completely different game unfolding Thursday.

How does Iowa handle Michigan State’s defensive intensity?

Iowa had 23 turnovers in the first matchup between the teams and struggled time and time again with Michigan State’s relentless press. The Hawkeyes have had issues with defensive pressure at times this season. Thursday would not be a good time for those issues to resurface.

“It’s going to be a lot different feel than tonight was,” Jensen said after Wednesday’s win. “The defense is going to be in your face. They press after makes. They got different looks. So they’re just a really good basketball team.”

What does Lucy Olsen have for her Big Ten Tournament encore?

Olsen’s Big Ten Tournament debut arrived in style, with points early and relaxation late as the lopsided score allowed Iowa to lean on its bench in the second half. Her 18 points with three treys marked the fifth time in Iowa’s last seven games that she’s hit more than two 3-pointers.

Iowa won’t require Olsen to be in takeover mode to win every game this month, but the Hawkeyes at least need that option on speed dial just about every night.

“We’re just trusting each other,” Olsen said. “We’re getting used to finding each other and finding the spots where everyone likes to shoot the ball from. I think that plays a lot into it. Yeah, and I think just the confidence.”

Iowa women’s basketball vs. Michigan State prediction

Iowa rides the momentum of a strong opening night and topples Michigan State in a satisfying rematch to reach Friday’s quarterfinals. Hawkeyes 72, Michigan State 67.

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.