How do you stop Iowa State’s Audi Crooks? West Virginia coach Mark Kellogg has some ideas
West Virginia coach Mark Kellogg breaks down Audi Crooks’ game and explains how to try to slow her down
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Texas Tech coach Krista Gerlich knew Iowa State women’s basketball post player Audi Crooks was going to be a potential problem for opponents long before she got to college. Gerlich hoped the Algona native would land somewhere besides the Big 12 Conference.
“I think we thought she might go to the other Iowa school,” Gerlich said at Big 12 Conference media day at the T-Mobile Center on Tuesday. “So when she landed at Iowa State, it wasn’t a good feeling.”
Crooks has been an issue for teams throughout the conference ever since. Slowing her down has turned into one of the biggest predicaments for league coaches. It may be the key to success against a talented Iowa State squad this season.
“Everything runs through her,” said Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly.
Iowa State’s Audi Crooks embraces being center of scoring
Iowa State’s Audi Crooks understands the amount of attention she’ll receive on the court from her team and opposing teams
Crooks, after just one season, has already become a full-blown college basketball star. The 6-foot-3 center averaged 19.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a freshman. She shot 58% from the floor, the best field-goal percentage by a Division I freshman. Crooks poured in an Iowa State single-season freshman record 635 points, including 40 during a win over Maryland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
She led a surprising Cyclones team to the Big 12 Tournament title game and the round-of-32 in the NCAAs.
More: Hines: Audi Crooks’ star rising at the right time for Iowa State women’s basketball
“Super talented,” said West Virginia coach Mark Kellogg. “Obviously she has the size to match the skillset.”
If Iowa State is going to live up to the massive expectations placed upon them, Crooks will have to deliver again. The Cyclones were picked to finish second in the Big 12 in the league’s annual preseason poll. They were ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press preseason national poll.
Crooks will be the focal point of the Cyclones and their opponents.
“Every game will be the same,” Fennelly said. “Every game plan will start with how are people going to guard Audi and then we have to work around that.”
Kellogg said teams can bring double teams at Crooks or throw different looks at her. They can try to play at a faster pace to limit her production in the halfcourt. They can try to deny her touches in the paint. Or they can let the Cyclones star do her thing and just focus on stopping everyone else on Iowa State’s roster.
But every solution presents potential problems for opponents. Crooks, known for her great hands and footwork, has been able to handle multiple defenders. The Cyclones upgraded their 3-point shooting by adding transfers Lily Hansford, Kenzie Hare and Sydney Harris, so sagging defenders into the paint comes at a price.
And don’t forget that the Cyclones return their Nos. 2 and 3 scorers from last season, Addy Brown and Emily Ryan. If defenses put too much emphasis on Crooks, the Cyclones have plenty of other scoring options.
Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly on his talented team this season
Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly talks about the window that is open for the Cyclones to have success
“You hope you can take things away that she brings but then also not have the other players get off on a hot shooting night,” said BYU coach Amber Whiting.
Fennelly said his staff has tried to prepare Crooks for the challenges she’ll face by having her see double teams throughout practice. It’s nothing new for Crooks, who has faced double and triple teams her entire basketball career. She’s ready for the challenge.
“(I) pride myself on being someone this team can depend on,” Crooks said.
Most likely, opponents will need to try many different things when facing Crooks. There’s no simple remedy.
“You just have to try everything and throw the kitchen sink at her,” Whiting said.
Teams will have plenty of time to try to come up with answers. Crooks has three seasons left to wreak havoc in Big 12 competition.
“I think it’ll be interesting to see how we approach it this year,” Gerlich said. “I just think if she catches it with two feet in the paint, she’s going to score or get fouled every single time.”
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
