March 20, 2026, 3:31 p.m. CT
IOWA CITY — With practically two weeks because it final performed, the Iowa women’s basketball group’s time without work has formally flipped from useful relaxation to stressed days.
That’s largely anticipated for the No. 2 seed Hawkeyes, who start their NCAA Tournament run inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena towards No. 15 seed FDU. The 3 p.m. CT affair on March 21 will comply with the 7-10 seed showdown at 12:30 p.m. between Georgia and Virginia, with the 2 first-round winners assembly March 23 in what’s going to doubtless be an evening game.
Iowa is unsurprisingly an enormous favourite towards the Knights, however the aura of March — plus the lengthy layoff — might create some sporadically tense moments. But the Hawkeyes are properly conscious of what can occur if the main target is not there from the soar.
With that, listed below are three issues that stand out forward of this opening-round showdown.
Can Iowa’s younger gamers discover early confidence on the NCAA Tournament stage?
While a first-round loss can be actually stunning, a herky-jerky begin from the Hawkeyes actually would not be. With quite a few younger gamers making an attempt to re-establish a capturing groove after 13 days since final enjoying, early seesawing motion should not be overly regarding.
That mentioned, it is crucial Iowa would not get rattled if such a situation materializes. Remember, exterior of Hannah Stuelke and Kylie Feuerbach, shouldering these lofty expectations whereas making an attempt to execute them on a grand stage like sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena is a brand new expertise for everybody else concerned.
“Because we haven’t played for a couple weeks, (being at home) helps because you can be a little rusty (to start),” Feuerbach mentioned. “So when you have your crowd behind your back, that helps get things flowing as well.”
The faster Iowa could make the scoreboard appear to be it is anticipated to, the higher it will be for everybody’s psychological toughness.
How a lot pushback will FDU have after rolling by the NEC?
Nearly three months have handed since FDU’s final detect Dec. 29, because the Knights will put their 22-game profitable streak on the road come Saturday afternoon. A squad that ranks fifteenth nationally in 3-pointers tried per game (26.6) will not be shy to let it fly, which is usually the primary ingredient wanted when making an attempt to ship an enormous upset.
However, the Iowa City scene FDU is strolling into hasn’t been replicated at any level throughout its profitable marketing campaign. Far from it, in reality. Adding up the entire attendance of each one among FDU’s 19 residence video games (7,073) barely will get to half of what Carver-Hawkeye Arena will produce. The collective complete of FDU’s complete highway attendance (15,730) barely exceeds one Iowa residence game.
“It’s just something we’ve never taken for granted,” Iowa coach Jan Jensen mentioned. “It is a really, really special element of our program. So to be able to get a top seed — to be a 2 seed and get to host — I’ve just felt just a lot of gratitude. And also just a lot of happiness because of our fan base that really helps us all year long — that they get to have another game for sure in Carver.”
Carver-Hawkeye Arena is a weapon the Hawkeyes can wield all all through this opening weekend. Overwhelming a mid-major foe not used to such a scene is the primary goal.
How rapidly will Hannah Stuelke’s prolonged relaxation show its value as she continues coping with her right-elbow harm?
There’s been a whole lot of athletic tape used on Stuelke’s proper elbow since she first suffered her harm towards Illinois on Feb 26. Plenty extra was on there March 20 because the Hawkeyes hit the ground for follow one last time earlier than the NCAA Tournament commences.
Stuelke’s had to cope with just a few accidents like this through the years — ones that do not sideline her for very lengthy or in any respect however repeatedly linger whereas making an attempt to push by the discomfort. Chalk that up to the physicality she embraces every time stepping on the court docket.
“Basketball is just here for a short time,” Stuelke mentioned, “so I think just cherishing every moment and pushing through it is what’s best for me. It doesn’t seem as hard once you get out there. The adrenaline is pumping.”
This is the ultimate Carver-Hawkeye Arena run for Stuelke and Kylie Feuerbach, the final two standing after fellow seniors Taylor McCabe and Jada Gyamfi have each been sidelined with accidents for fairly a while. Should Iowa advance to the second spherical, Stuelke’s last game at CHA will come at some point wanting seven years since she dedicated to Iowa following the Hawkeyes’ NCAA Tournament win over Missouri.
“I remember the vibes, and everything,” Stuelke mentioned. “I was like ‘I need to go here.'”
Iowa women’s basketball vs. FDU prediction
After needing 1 / 4 to heat up, Iowa overwhelms the Knights as predicted and rolls into the second spherical. The solely surprising consequence to occur at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in spherical one is a Virginia win over Georgia, denying a second-round rematch from 2023. Iowa 82, FDU 52.
Dargan Southard is a sports activities trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or comply with him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
