Iowa Hawkeyes back as a No. 1 seed in latest women’s bracketology
One big goal looming on Caitlin Clark’s list is to get the Iowa Hawkeyes into the NCAA Women’s Tournament as a No. 1 seed. The Hawkeyes have yet to do so during her tenure and are looking to add another historic footnote.
For the moment, the Hawkeyes are a No. 1 seed in ESPN’s latest women’s bracketology. Following a slip to a No. 2 seed, Iowa’s used bounce-back wins over Nebraska and Northwestern to regain a top seed.
With Big Ten games the rest of the way, the path to a No. 1 seed is in the Hawkeyes’ control. They will be favored the rest of the regular season in all likelihood and the favorites to win the Big Ten Tournament.
If Iowa can handle its business, it should position itself nicely in the NCAA Tournament. Here is a look at the latest women’s bracketology updates.
Iowa's bracketology
Iowa’s current seed: No. 1 seed in the Portland 3 Region
What it means: Despite a hiccup, the bracketology has the Hawkeyes regaining a spot on the 1-seed line. Iowa has two losses on the year and should be expected to win the rest of the way. If Iowa can minimize and avoid hiccups down the stretch, a top seed is within its control.
Iowa's Region
No 2 Colorado
No. 3 Louisville
No. 4 Gonzaga
No. 5 Utah
No. 6 Creighton
No. 7 Ole Miss
No. 8 Marquette
No. 9 Miami
No. 10 Iowa State
No. 11 Maryland
No. 12 Drake
No. 13 Ball State
No. 14 South Dakota State
No. 15 Jackson State
No. 16 Sacred Heart/Lamar
Analysis of the Region
Talk about an Iowa-heavy region. Three teams from the state of Iowa: the Hawkeyes, Drake and Iowa State. Iowa has taken down both teams this season and would surely take a matchup with any of them in the tournament.
Looking at the region in its entirety, this is a favorable path for the Hawkeyes. They avoid UConn and Kansas State who are No. 2 seeds elsewhere and have to prefer Louisville as the No. 3 seed in their bracket compared to other No. 3 seeds Indiana, Ohio State and Texas.
The No. 1 seeds
Top overall seed: South Carolina in the Albany 1 Region
Other No. 1 seeds: Stanford in the Portland 2 Region and North Carolina State in the Albany 4 Region
Conference breakdown
ACC: 9
Big Ten: 9
SEC: 8
Pac-12: 8
Big 12: 6
Big East: 3
Bubble teams
Last Four Byes: Iowa State, Texas A&M, Maryland, Oklahoma
Last Four In: Minnesota, Alabama, Tennessee, Washington
First Four Out: Michigan, Richmond, Auburn, Arkansas
Next Four Out: George Mason, Belmont, Villanova, Oklahoma State
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