Iowa Women Earn #1 Seed But Face Difficult Road to Final Four

There is no "easy" road to the Final Four. But the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament selection committee didn't do the Iowa Hawkeye women any favors. If Iowa gets back to the Final Four, they will have earned it!

First of all, let's start with the positive. The Iowa women earned a #1 seed in the year's NCAA Tournament. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that it is just the third time ever, and the first time in 31 years, that the Hawkeyes have earned a #1 seed. Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said that the seed proves that Iowa is "one of the very best teams in America."

But that #1 seed happens to be in the Albany-2 Region. ESPN called the region 'Murderers Row' according to the Gazette. Why? Well, let's start with the fact that 8 of the top 25 ranked teams in women's college basketball are in this region. The Hawkeyes could face some familiar faces after the first two rounds at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.

Iowa will play either Holy Cross or Tennessee-Martin in the first round on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Iowa City, according to the Gazette. The other first-round game on Saturday is West Virginia versus Princeton. The winners of the two first-round matchups will play on Monday with the winner on to the Sweet 16,

Then things get potentially interesting. USA Today reports that Iowa's Sweet 16 matchup could be Kansas State. The Iowa women have played the Wildcats twice this season, losing at home and winning at a neutral site. If Iowa makes it to the Albany Regional Final, a rematch with Angel Reese and the LSU Tigers may be waiting. I think we all remember that game for the National Championship last year.

If Iowa makes it to this year's Final Four, it will have been an epic run through the toughest region in the NCAA Tournament. In the Final Four, Iowa could run into USC and super freshman JuJu Watkins. Undefeated South Carolina is also out there seeking revenge for its loss to Iowa last season. There are so many storylines to follow during this year's tournament!

The Iowa State and Drake women's basketball teams also made the NCAA field. The Gazette reports the Cyclones are a #7 seed and face Maryland on Friday. The Bulldogs are a #12 seed and play versus Colorado on Friday.