While Stanford women’s basketball spent last night in cruise control, defeating Norfolk State by nearly 30 points, their upcoming NCAA tournament opponent faced a more strenuous challenge.
In their game against Maryland, Iowa State found themselves down 20 points with 1:28 remaining in the second quarter. The Terrapins had shot 60% from the field and 70% from beyond the arc in the first half, and looked to be clicking on all cylinders.
But there was one player for the Cyclones that stood above the horizon, willing her team back into the game: freshman sensation Audi Crooks. The six-foot-three center’s 40 points and 12 rebounds helped Iowa State achieve the second-largest comeback in the history of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.
However, Crooks isn’t worried about repeating Friday night’s performance against Stanford on Sunday.
“I’m just gonna stick to the game plan,” said Crooks. “Last night, obviously that was interesting, [but] not every game is going to be like that.”
While limiting Crooks is a challenge for any team, Stanford certainly has the personnel to make the freshman’s job tougher. With six-foot-four senior forward Cameron Brink and six-foot-three junior forward Kiki Iriafen at their disposal, the Cardinal have the athleticism and height to throw at Crooks.
“We’ve seen multiple things from [Stanford],” Crooks said. “They front other players, but I’ve also seen them try to go one-on-one in the paint. Early on we’re gonna look and see what they do and we’ll adjust accordingly.”
Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer had high praise for both Crooks and her teammate Addy Brown.
“I think she should be in the talk of the top freshman. I would say Addy Brown, too,” said VanDerveer. “They’re really having a great, great year.”
Sunday’s game will also mark the end of an era, as the remaining members of the 2021 National Championship team, Brink and graduate guard Hannah Jump, will be playing their last game at Maples Pavilion.
“When I think of someone’s last game [at Maples], I think of the great games that Lexi Hull and Candice Wiggins had,” VanDerveer said. “I just want [Cam] to have a great game tomorrow and I want Hannah to have a great game, too.”
Last night, the Cardinal received great shooting performances from both Jump and junior guard Elena Bosgana, who each made four threes. Despite having an inconsistent three-point shooting season compared to previous years, Jump believes that she can continue to have the hot-hand well into the tournament.
“For me, it’s about confidence,” said Jump. “When I have open shots, knocking them down. If I’m getting limited touches, just bring out what else I can do to impact the game.”
In the Round of 32 last season, No. 1 seed Stanford lost to No. 8 Ole Miss 54-49 in perhaps the biggest upset of last year’s tournament. But while last season’s end lingers for those involved with the program, VanDerveer hopes her team will be on the good side of history this time around.
“You’re never gonna get away from history,” VanDerveer said. “There is also a pretty good side of history in that I think we’re 42-5 in this building [during] the NCAA tournament. I would rather think about that.”