Iowa State women look to enhance their resume Wednesday against Arizona State

AMES — The countdown started on Sunday.

Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly began marking the two-week sprint to the end of the regular season with a tense 76-72 home win over Kansas State.

Then, roughly a week later, the Big 12 tournament begins. And, finally, a week after that, it’s time for the NCAA Tournament’s Selection Sunday.

It’s a whirlwind of opportunity fraught with peril — but one that’s boosted greatly by the apparent return of star guard/forward Addy Brown, who hinted on social media that she may play in Wednesday’s 6:30 p.m. matchup with Arizona State sat Hilton Coliseum.

“Think it’s about time to retire the notebook,” Brown posted on ‘X.’ “ … See you tomorrow Cyclone nation.”

The versatile Brown led the Cyclones (20-6, 8-6 Big 12) in rebounding at 9.0 pregame before being sidelined for 11 games because of a lower-body injury. ISU head coach Bill Fennelly had said recently that she has returned to practice, but on Tuesday said her rehab was still in a holding pattern — so something very positive must have happened quickly.

“The kid loves to play,” said Fennelly, whose team will face a dangerous Sun Devils team (21-6, 8-6) that recently beat Oklahoma State and lost by three points at No. 15 Baylor. “She loves to compete.”

ISU is looking to enhance both its Big 12 Tournament seeding, as well as a solid, but vulnerable NCAA Tournament resume. The Cyclones are currently pegged as a No. 9 seed by ESPN women’s basketball bracketologist Charlie Creme, so they’re likely on the right side of the bubble for now, at least.

“There are a lot of things to play for,” Fennelly said.

The Cyclones continue to get strong contributions from the nation’s second-leading scorer, Audi Crooks (25.3 points per game), point guard Jada Williams, and shooting guard Arianna Jackson, among others, so if Brown is back even in a limited role, all of ISU’s team immediately gets better.

“Everyone’s getting a lot more comfortable and confident, just knowing that anyone can step up at any point,” said Jackson, the Cyclones’ top 3-point shooter at 45.6 percent. “We’ve really just gotta find the hot hand at that point and go from there.”

Brown also averaged 13.8 points and 5.6 assists in the first 13 games of the season and recorded her first career triple-double. So as her countdown to return to the court may be ending, the team’s remains the same.

“Our kids are so blessed they get to play at Hilton in front of our fans,” Fennelly said. “And the year starts, and we have 16, 17, 18 (home games or) whatever, but now you’re down to two. And those moments, when they’re over, they’re over.”

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