Iowa State, Syracuse to face off in NCAA women's tournament

No. 8 Iowa State and No. 9 Syracuse meet in the first round of the 2026 NCAA women's basketball tournament

Mar. 21, 2026 at 5:50am

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The Iowa State Cyclones and Syracuse Orange will square off in the first round of the 2026 NCAA women's basketball tournament. Iowa State, led by standout center Audi Crooks, is making its return to the tournament after missing out last season. Syracuse, under coach Felisha Legette-Jack, is led by forward Uche Ihezue and looking to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in a decade.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams looking to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Iowa State is aiming to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2022, while Syracuse is seeking its first trip to the second weekend in ten years. The winner will face a tough challenge in the next round as they continue their quest for a national championship.

The details

Iowa State opened the season undefeated before suffering its first loss in early January. The Cyclones are led by Audi Crooks, who ranks among the team's leaders in nearly every major offensive category. Syracuse has bounced back from a losing season last year under coach Felisha Legette-Jack, with Uche Ihezue making an impact as both a scorer and a force on the glass and defensively. The Orange hold a 2-0 all-time advantage over Iowa State, with their most recent win coming during the 2023-24 season.

  • The NCAA women's tournament game between Iowa State and Syracuse is set to tip off at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 21.
  • The 2026 Women's Final Four is scheduled for April 3 and 5 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.

The players

Audi Crooks

A standout center for the Iowa State Cyclones who ranks among the team's leaders in nearly every major offensive category.

Uche Ihezue

A forward for the Syracuse Orange who has made an impact as both a scorer and a force on the glass and defensively.

Felisha Legette-Jack

The head coach of the Syracuse Orange, who has led the team's bounce-back season after a losing year in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The winner of the Iowa State-Syracuse matchup will face a tough challenge in the next round as they continue their quest for a national championship.

The takeaway

This first-round clash between Iowa State and Syracuse features two teams looking to make deep runs in the 2026 NCAA women's basketball tournament. The winner will have the opportunity to advance and potentially reach the Sweet Sixteen, a milestone that has eluded both programs in recent years.