Let's make a Deal!
Iowa is in California for two pivotal Big Ten matchups against USC and No. 3 UCLA after a torrid two-week stretch.
The Hawkeyes are on an eight-game winning streak, winning every game since December 20.
Iowa easily took care of a good Ohio State team at home last weekend, and four days later, it faces a pesky USC team at home.
The Hawkeyes were firing on all cylinders in the win, but will be without a key contributor for the rest of the season.
Senior guard Taylor McCabe tore her ACL early against Ohio State and will miss the remainder of the season.
While this is a big blow to Iowa's chemistry, it paved the way for a fabulous freshman to earn her first of hopefully many starts in Iowa City.
Addie Deal will get the start for the Hawkeyes against USC
After playing some of her best basketball this season en route to earning back-to-back Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards, Addie Deal will get the first start of her career against the Trojans on the road.
Jan Jensen announces that freshman Addie Deal will start on Thursday against USC.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) January 27, 2026
Shortly before Iowa flew to Southern California, Head Coach Jan Jensen announced that Deal would get the start in place of Taylor McCabe.
This came as a bit of a surprise to Hawkeye fans because even though she has been on a torrid streak, Taylor Stremlow was expected to earn more starts with Deal being the first player off the bench.
Jensen is not worried about Deal being inserted into the starting lineup, and she said Deal will "be ready to rock."
In a response to the news, Deal posted "let's get it!" on X.
Deal has been hot over the past four games, as she continues growing into the player Iowa fans were hoping to see.
Over the past four games (all Iowa wins), Deal averaged 12.0 points, 2.3 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game, and is shooting 55 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc.