Recapping the Iowa State women's basketball 2024-25 season. What went right and wrong

SOUTH BEND, Ind. − Iowa State women's basketball star Emily Ryan stood in the hallway outside of the team's locker room at Purcell Pavilion with her Cyclones uniform still on after a season-ending loss to Michigan.

One of the most decorated players in school history was somber as she reflected on Friday's NCAA Tournament loss. What bothered her most was not that her career was over. It was that Iowa State's season was finished.

"I don't think it's necessarily a disappointment about everything being over for myself, but it's more so just that this team isn't going to be back together again," Ryan said. "I think that's what most of the disappointment is from. But I couldn't be more proud of this team and the way they go about their business every single day and show up and care about each other."

Iowa State's heavily anticipated season came to an early end with the 11-seed Cyclones falling to 6-seed Michigan in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 80-74. Iowa State, a preseason top-10 team in both major polls, finished the season with a 23-12. record.

"From my standpoint, I could not be more proud of what they did, and I think they accomplished a lot," said Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly.

The Cyclones (23-12) were a preseason top-10 team and picked to finish second in the Big 12. When it was all said and done, Iowa State fell from the Top 25 and finished seventh in the league (12-6). The 2024-25 season was full of twists and turns, ups and downs, memorable moments and disappointment. Let's take a look back at what went right and what went wrong.

Most valuable player: Addy Brown

Sophomore sensation Audi Crooks generates most of the attention, and rightfully so after leading the Big 12 Conference in scoring. But Brown's versatility and being able to play all over the floor made her arguably the most important player on the roster.

She ranked first on the team in rebounds (7.7) and minutes (32.0) and second in points (15.2) as well as assists (5.4). Brown was constantly on triple-double watch, coming close to tallying one on Friday, finishing with 10 assists, nine rebounds and eight points.

High point of the season: Beating Kansas State

The Cyclones struggled mightily against top-tier opponents. They lost their first seven games against ranked foes, including blowout losses to South Carolina, UConn and West Virginia.

Those struggles left Iowa State on the March Madness bubble heading into Selection Sunday. The Cyclones likely punched their NCAA Tournament ticket when they knocked off 16th-ranked Kansas State on the final day of the regular season.

The upset victory sent Iowa State into the Big 12 Conference Tournament with momentum, having won six of its last seven games.

Iowa State guard Emily Ryan, second from right, played her final game as a Cyclone on Friday in the NCAA Tournament loss to Michigan. She is one of the most decorated players in program history.

Low point of the season: Losing Kenzie Hare

Perhaps the biggest blow to Iowa State's season came in December when Marquette transfer Kenzie Hare was shut down and had season-ending surgery for a torn hip labrum. Hare was expected to play a big role for the Cyclones at the guard spot.

She brought experience and was a strong shooter from beyond the arc. Hare appeared in just 10 games, averaging 8.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Iowa State lost a starter and spent most of the season trying to find her replacement. It wasn't until late in the season that Fennelly finally settled on Kelsey Joens, who ended up being a difference-maker down the stretch.

Could have used: more 3-point shooters

Iowa State appeared to have a well-rounded team heading into the season. The Cyclones had a dominant post player in Crooks and solid options beyond the arc with Joens, Ryan, Brown and Arianna Jackson returning. The Cyclones added transfers Hare, Sydney Harris and Lily Hansford and freshmen Aili Tanke and Reagan Wilson.

Iowa State's 3-point percentage as a team was strong, ranking 25th in the nation (35.9%). Brown, Ryan, Harris, Jackson and Joens all were efficient from long range. But when Hare went down with her season-ending injury, the Cyclones needed another player or two to step up from long distance, and that largely didn't happen.

Iowa State saw its NCAA-record streak of consecutive games with a 3-pointer end at 945 during a January victory over Texas Tech.

Looking ahead to 2025-26 season

There should be high hopes for the Cyclones again with the program losing only Ryan to graduation. Having to replace one of the program's best point guards won't be easy, though.

Brown, Jackson, Crooks and Joens will be juniors next season. Tanke and Wilson will be sophomores and they showed plenty of promise.

But as Iowa State fans have learned, the transfer portal can be extremely costly. Player movement is sure to impact the roster in some way this offseason. We'll find out soon how much.

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Evaluating the Iowa State women's basketball 2024-25 season

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