Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly on his goals for the 2024-25 season
Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly is excited about what’s happening at the school right now.
The Iowa State women’s basketball team ended last season on a high note by reaching the Big 12 Conference Tournament title game, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and coming within a victory of the Sweet 16.
The Cyclones enter this season riding some of that momentum.
With the bulk of its roster returning from last season’s successful team, Iowa State begins the 2024-25 season as a top-10 team, listed at No. 8 in the Associated Press’ annual preseason Top 25 poll released Tuesday.
It’s an impressive honor for the Cyclones, who are surrounded by hype and hope as they get ready for the highly anticipated season. Iowa State returns its top three scorers from a season ago in star Audi Crooks, versatile forward Addy Brown and veteran point guard Emily Ryan.
More: Iowa State women’s basketball: Takeaways from Cyclones media day include high expectations
They aren’t the only ones coming back from a team that matched its best start in conference play in program history with a 6-0 start last season. Iowa State, which was thought to be in rebuilding mode, went on to win 21 games and finish tied for fourth in the league.
After upgrading their 3-point shooting with three additions in the transfer portal, the Cyclones are expected to do even bigger things this season. Iowa State was picked to finish second in the Big 12 this season by the coaches. Now, the AP’s preseason poll shows voters are anticipating a huge season for the Cyclones as well.
Iowa State kicks off the season with an exhibition game against Central on Oct. 30. The Cyclones officially open the season on Nov. 4 against Chicago State.
Associated Press women’s basketball preseason top 25
1, South Carolina; 2. UConn; 3. USC; 4. Texas; 5. UCLA; 6. Notre Dame; 7. LSU; 8. Iowa State; 9. North Carolina State; 10. Oklahoma; 11. Duke; 12. Baylor; 13. Kansas State; 14. Ohio State; 15. North Carolina; 16. West Virginia; 17. Louisville; 18. Maryland; 19. Florida State; 20. Ole Miss; 21. Creighton; 22. Kentucky; 23. Nebraska; 24. Alabama; 25. Indiana
Others receiving votes: Iowa 37, TCU 30, Utah 24, Illinois 23, Stanford 17, Michigan St. 16, Gonzaga 16, Vanderbilt 12, South Dakota St. 7, Miami 4, Tennessee 3, Fairfield 3, Middle Tennessee 3, Georgia Tech 2, Syracuse 1, Princeton 1.
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.
