Iowa State Women’s Basketball: Cyclones Receive 5th Seed, Play Gonzaga in Spokane

Mar 11, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Nikki Moody (4) drives against Baylor Bears guard Odyssey Sims (0) during the Big 12 Championship game at American Airlines Center. Baylor won 75-47. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

The men won’t just be having all the fun. For the second straight year, both the Iowa State men’s and women’s basketball teams will be playing in their respective NCAA Tournaments. The Cyclone women were awarded a 5th seed but will have to take on their lower-seeded opponent at their home court.

Iowa State will face the 12th-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs in Spokane, Washington, on Saturday afternoon. They’re a part of the Spokane region, and it will continue to play their if they are able to advance. All games will be played in the McCarthey Athletic Center, which is the Bulldogs’ home.

The game is scheduled for tip-off at 1:15 p.m. PT (3:15 p.m. CT).

Sure, it’s not the most fair way to do things, but because of the low amount of attendance in women’s basketball as it is, any site that’s selected will likely host a team if they’re available. Hosting doesn’t necessarily guarantee success anyway – as the 10th seed, Iowa State lost to Green Bay in the opening round last year.

Iowa State finished ranked 23rd in both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls. They finished as runners-up in both the Big 12 regular season and the conference tournament, not being able to compete with top-ranked Baylor in any of their three contests.

The Bears obviously got the top overall seed in the tournament, taking on the Prairie View A&M Panthers in the opening round in Waco, Texas.