With all the nerves hopefully well behind them, Iowa welcomes the Virginia Cavaliers to Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hawkeyes are coming off a challenging game against Fairleigh Dickinson, where they needed nearly all 40 minutes to seal the victory over the Knights.
Virginia is coming off a thrilling OT victory over the seven-seed Georgia and is looking to continue its magical run to start the Tournament.
The Cavaliers are attempting to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2000, and the Hawkeyes want to keep them from getting there.
How to watch Iowa vs. Virginia
Date: March 22
Time: 1:00 p.m. Central Time
Venue: Carver-Hawkeye Arena (Iowa City, IA)
TV: ESPN
Iowa record: 27-6 (15-3 Big Ten)
Virginia record: 21-11 (11-7 ACC)
TV announcers for Iowa vs. Virginia
Play-by-play: Matt Schumaker
Analyst: Ros Gold-Onwude
Spread, moneyline, and total
Odds are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
- Iowa: -13.5 (-110)
- Virginia: +13.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- Iowa: -1400
- Virginia: +760
Total
- Over: 135.5 (-110)
- Under: 135.5 (-110)
Iowa injuries
- F Emely Rodriguez (back): Out
- F Jada Gyamfi (undisclosed): Out
- G Taylor McCabe (ACL/meniscus): Out for the season
Virginia injuries
- N/A
Series history
The Hawkeyes and Cavaliers have met three times, with Iowa holding a perfect 3-0 record against them.
The two programs last met on the court during the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on December 2, 2015, with Iowa winning 85-73.
Keys to victory
- Knock down open shots
- Take care of the basketball
- Avoid long scoreless droughts
Final predictions
Virginia likes to mix in a lot of zone defense, something the Hawkeyes have not seen very much in the Big Ten.
Especially after Iowa dominated in the paint against FDU and struggled shooting, we should expect to see Virginia use its zone defense more often.
If the Hawkeyes can get back to knocking down open looks and still get the ball inside to Ava Heiden, they will run away with this game.
Virginia has proven they can win in big moments, already winning in the First Four and the first round, and Iowa needs to slow down Kymora Johnson.
Limiting Johnson is a big key, and if Iowa can do that, it takes away a lot of what the Cavaliers want to do on offense.
Iowa will knock down more shots and advance in another close game.
Final score: Iowa 71, Virginia 64