3 things to watch as No. 22 Iowa women's basketball closes non-conference vs. UNI

3 things to watch as No. 22 Iowa women’s basketball closes non-conference vs. UNI

Posted by author December 19, 2024 Basketball

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IOWA CITY — After four days off for the always-tricky in-season finals week, No. 22 Iowa women’s basketball is back in action Friday for its last non-conference test of Jan Jensen’s inaugural season.

It’s an important one inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where the Hawkeyes (9-2) will face Northern Iowa (5-5) for a chance at another proverbial “state title.” Iowa has already toppled Drake and Iowa State this season, eyeing yet another in-state sweep.

Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on BTN+. Here are three things to watch ahead of Friday’s matchup.

The in-state games have been in Iowa’s favor recently. Can the Hawkeyes finish off another sweep?

A win Friday would give Iowa its sixth in-state sweep in the last eight seasons, with its only neighborly losses in that timeframe coming at Iowa State in December 2021 and at UNI in November 2019. The Hawkeyes haven’t suffered an in-state loss at Carver-Hawkeye Arena since Dec. 19, 2006, against the Panthers (83-62).

That’s the only time UNI has won in Iowa City, an impressive streak for the Hawkeyes given how pesky these in-state foes can be. Panthers coach Tanya Warren has leaned even heavier recently on in-state talent, and plenty of high school overlap will be on display again Friday.

Even as Iowa ascended into premier status the last two seasons, no one inside the program ever diminished the importance of these in-state matchups. Another tense matchup is seemingly on deck.

“It wouldn’t be a big deal to be a state champ if you were walking away with it and winning all these games by ease,” Jensen said. “I think that’s what makes the state championship in the state of Iowa more fun.”

After late defensive struggles at Michigan State, can the Hawkeyes regroup with super scorer Maya McDermott on the other side?

While Sunday’s 68-66 loss at Michigan State looks like a game without defensive struggles, Iowa’s inability to get stops in the fourth quarter initiated its downfall on the road. Thirteen of the Spartans’ 19 fourth-quarter points came from one player, as Nyla Hampton came somewhat out of nowhere to ignite the Michigan State rally.

The Hawkeyes can’t afford a similar one-woman takeover on Friday. Because if one does materialize, it’ll likely be Maya McDermott spearheading the charge toward another in-state upset.

The fifth-year guard from Johnston is clearly operating with that inevitable end-of-career urgency. McDermott enters as the nation’s ninth-leading scorer (21.9 ppg) and ranks 21st overall in 3-point percentage (46.43% on 26-for-56). Her teammate Kayba Laube, another in-state player from Marion, sits ahead of McDermott at 52.17% from deep (36-for-69), good for fourth nationally. UNI has more than enough offensive firepower to make serious noise Friday.

McDermott has saved some of her most dominant performances for the Panthers’ toughest foes. She ignited the Iowa State stunner with 37 points on 14-for-21 shooting, went for 29 in a one-point loss to Auburn and put up 23 points in a near upset of Creighton. Not matter how rowdy Carver-Hawkeye Arena gets, McDermott won’t be intimidated one bit.

Can these Hawkeyes show the necessary maturity to conquer the always-tough game-before-Christmas-break situation?

Every college basketball coach in the country can see it coming, the full week off for Christmas that can be just as problematic as enjoyable if not handled correctly. The game before the break can become a problem even when there’s little on-paper to suggest it will be.

Even last season’s veteran Iowa squad with Caitlin Clark at the controls needed a half to warm up against an inferior foe before the break. Iowa’s 98-69 win over Loyola (Chicago) on Dec. 21, 2023 saw the Hawkeyes lead by only five at halftime before taking off in the third quarter. Lisa Bluder’s halftime blowup that day was featured prominently on the “Full Court Press” documentary that highlighted Clark’s senior season.

What happened last season obviously has no direct bearing on this season. But if a more experienced team against a worse opponent can get somewhat tripped up on the pre-holiday challenge, the current Hawkeyes squad could definitely encounter similar vibes.

Conquer this one, though, and Iowa gets a well-earned reset without any negative cloud over the off week. That’ll be productive with a head-first plunge into a tough Big Ten up next.

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.