No. 10-ranked Cyclones play quarterfinal game Friday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Bill Fenelli looked at his superiors and his heart sank.
Two years ago, Iowa State's head women's basketball coach was absorbed in the news that the Big 12 tournament had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which she was to pass on to her team later.
He won, then spoke.
"We were literally getting ready to reach for the basketball and they stopped it," Fenelli recalled in March 2020.
The tournament returned last season, but with crowds limited to 20 percent of capacity.
Now it's full for the 10th-ranked Cyclones and their fans, who will give this group of ISU seniors their first so-called "Hilton South" experience, beginning at 5 p.m. Friday. (ESPN+) Quarterfinal matchup with West Virginia or TCU at the venerable Municipal Auditorium.
“We are excited,” said Cheryl Miller Award winner, Cyclone senior guard Ashley Jones. "With what happened last year, not all of our fans were here and then here's an opportunity to experience it with both men and women and all of our fans — I know a lot of people are excited, and we're there. Excited to get out and get ready."
It's three e-words in one quote, but it's essential.
And ISU has three key components that can drive success in a one-and-all tournament setting:
Jones - the program's all-time leading scorer - can and does score from anywhere on the floor. She's also shooting a career-best 37.2 percent from 3-point range and has drained a single-season career-high 77 long-range baskets.
"You can't take anything," said the ex of the Iowa City High Star. "You just go out there and whenever you get the chance, give him everything you have."
Sophomore guard Lexi Donarski gives Cyclone a lockdown defender. The Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year is also capable of posting players and impressing their shots because of their length and athleticism.
"She knows what action they're going to take before they do," Morgan Kane said.
Kane's ability to score, rebound and feature from the post has helped ISU set new standards for regular season wins (25) and conference wins (14). The 6-foot-3 senior averages a career-high 7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds, while Beatriz is spending time with Jordao and the versatile Nymer Du.
"The reason we're here in large part is because of those kids," Fanelli said of his improved post play. "I think they're ready to go."
This was true two years ago, when a regular-season upset from top-order Baylor proved to be the last game the Cyclones would play. This was true last season, even as "Hilton South" was mostly mocked. This is especially true now as the ISU prepares to reach out and really take over basketball this time around.
"You can compare it with this year," Kane said. "Was hilarious. You can feel the energy not just from our team, but from every team just to play in this Big 12 environment. It's unlike any other."