Let the madness continue! After Friday’s eventful day of First Round action, we’ve got more talented players and Cinderellas ready to dance on Saturday. #15 Fairleigh Dickinson and #2 Iowa face off today in the Women’s First Round, with the Hawkeyes entering as 31.5-point favorites and a total set at 128.5 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Let’s dive into my prediction and pick for Saturday’s First Round matchup, tipping off at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Iowa prediction
It’s been a minute since Iowa last touched the court, 13 days to be exact, but there won’t be a feeling-it-out period once this one tips. The Hawkeyes finished second in the Big Ten with a NET ranking of 10, taking care of business in every non–Quad 1 game (16-0) while going 10-6 against Quad 1 competition, which tells you everything you need to know. This group is battle-tested and capable of hanging with talented teams. Wins over fellow No. 2 seed Michigan (59-42) and No. 3 seed Ohio State back that up, and oh yeah, they’ve cleared 100+ points multiple times this season. That said, Iowa is coming in with something to prove after getting humbled in the Big Ten title game, where No. 1 seed UCLA ran them off the floor, 96-45. Expect a team that’s motivated and looking for a little redemption to open tournament play.
Ava Heiden is the engine. The 6’4” center leads Iowa in scoring and blocks, putting up 17.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 1.2 BPG, plus 1.2 steals for good measure. Hannah Stuelke isn’t far behind, averaging 13.4 PPG and a team-high 8.5 RPG, and at 6’2”, she gives Iowa even more size up front. Then there’s Chazadi Wright, who rounds out the top three at 12.3 PPG. Long story short: FDU is walking into a matchup with real size and real production.
Fairleigh Dickinson, though, isn’t showing up quietly. The Knights ride in on a 22-game win streak with a 30-4 record, and while they don’t have a single takeover scorer, they’re balanced. Ava Renninger leads the way with 12.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 5.2 APG as the primary facilitator, with Kailee McDonald right there at just over 12 PPG and 4.9 RPG. Rebecca Osei-Owusu handles the dirty work inside, pulling down 6.5 rebounds per game.
If there’s one thing to know about FDU, it’s this: they’re letting it fly. The Knights rank 15th in the country in three-point attempts (26.6 per game), though they’re hitting at a 34.7% clip. If those shots start dropping, that 31.5-point spread could look a lot less comfortable. However, the Hawkeyes rank top 15 nationally in three-point percentage (36.2%), with two starters over 40% and Wright knocking down a ridiculous 45.2% from deep.
Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Iowa pick
If there is one thing that’s true, Iowa basketball is familiar with the limelight. 84% of the bets are on Iowa to win while just 16% are on FDU, and I’m agreeing with the public here.
Lean: Iowa ML
