The following is a press release from Iowa State Athletics Communications:
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State women’s basketball team has been picked by the Big 12’s coaches to win the 2022-23 regular season title, the conference announced on Thursday. The Cyclones finished one point ahead of second-place Texas, amassing 75 points to the Longhorns’ 74, with each team receiving four first-place votes.
This is the third time the Cyclones have been picked to win the regular season title. In 1999-00, the Cyclones were picked first ahead of the season and delivered with a regular season crown. ISU was again picked first in 2000-01, and though Iowa State came up a spot short, they did go on to win the 2001 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Expectations are high for the Cyclones after Bill Fennelly’s squad set a program-record with 28 wins last season and returned to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2010. The 2021-22 Cyclones also set a record for conference victories in a season with 14.
Many familiar faces return for this Iowa State squad, led by 2022-23 Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year Ashley Joens. The two-time defending Cheryl Miller Award winner was also a unanimous selection for the All-Big 12 Preseason Team and was joined by Lexi Donarski and Emily Ryan, both of whom were also All-Big 12 First Team selections at the end of 2021-22.
The Cyclones make their first appearance in Hilton Coliseum on Wednesday, Nov. 2 for an exhibition against Winona State prior to the regular season kickoff against Cleveland State on Monday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. at Hilton.
2022-23 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
First-place votes in parentheses
1. Iowa State (4), 75 Points
2. Texas (4), 74
3. Oklahoma (1), 65
4. Baylor (1), 62
5. Kansas, 49
6. Kansas State, 37
7. Texas Tech, 29
8. West Virginia, 26
9. Oklahoma State, 23
10. TCU, 10
