Iowa Women's Basketball Shocker: Caitlin Clark's Record-Breaking 40-Point Triple-Double Sends Hawkeyes to the Final Four

INDIANAPOLIS — After a 24-5 regular season that locked up the No. 2 seed, Iowa women’s basketball tips off its Big Ten Tournament run tonight against suddenly surging Illinois. The Hawkeyes earned a double-bye and have spent the week fine-tuning under first-year head coach Jan Jensen, who replaced Hall-of-Famer Lisa Bluder last spring. Why the matchup matters • Momentum swing: Illinois stunned No. 18 Michigan State on Thursday, riding balanced scoring and late-game defense to a 71-69 upset that booked a quarterfinal date with Iowa. • Resume booster: A deep tourney run would solidify the Hawkeyes’ push for a top-four NCAA Tournament seed and potential Des Moines regional placement. • Legacy watch: Even in the post-Caitlin Clark era, the program can become the first Big Ten school to claim three straight conference tourney crowns. Key storylines 1. Stuelke’s surge Sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke (16.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG) is playing her best basketball, posting four straight double-doubles to close league play. Her rim-running pace will test an Illinois frontcourt that allowed 40 paint points against Michigan State. 2. Jensen’s chess match Expect Jensen to deploy a three-point heavy lineup early; Iowa leads the conference at 37.9 percent from deep, while Illinois ranks 12th in perimeter defense. Graduate sniper Molly Davis has hit 15 of her last 25 threes. 3. Bench depth Sixth-woman Sydney Affolter provides instant energy; the junior guard’s on-ball pressure could rattle Illini freshman floor general Cearah Parchment, whose late turnover nearly cost Thursday’s upset win. How to watch • Tipoff: Friday, March 6, 8:30 p.m. ET • Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis • TV: Big Ten Network | Stream: Fox Sports app • Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network What’s next A victory propels Iowa into Saturday’s semifinals against the winner of No. 3 seed Ohio State vs. 6-seed Nebraska. Lose, and the Hawks wait eight days for Selection Sunday, likely still inside the NCAA top-16 but without the protective regional seed Jensen covets. Bottom line The Hawkeyes arrive rested, motivated and built to outrun Illinois. If Stuelke controls the glass and Iowa’s shooters maintain their season-long accuracy, a third consecutive championship weekend appearance is within reach—and the national conversation around Iowa women’s basketball will only grow louder heading into March Madness 2026.