Caitlin Clark, Hawkeyes still a 2 seed in women's NCAA Tournament projections
Iowa has all but locked up a pair of home games to begin its 2024 NCAA Tournament run, while a pair of other in-state teams are in good position to make the field of 68.
The Hawkeyes (26-4, 15-3 in Big Ten play) will almost certainly be a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in this month's NCAA Tournament thanks to a strong finish to the regular season that saw them knock off No. 2 Ohio State on Senior Day.
Video above: Caitlin Clark featured in new Nike billboard in Times Square
That means good news for Hawkeye fans: teams seeded 1-4 in each region get the option to host the first and second rounds of the Big Dance at home, meaning there will be two more chances to see Caitlin Clark play at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Meanwhile, Iowa State and Drake are both in prime position for a bid as well, but seeding and locations won't be known until Selection Sunday.
Women's basketball NCAA Tournament projections: Drake, Iowa and Iowa State
released this week shows Iowa as a No. 2 seed, hosting the first two rounds at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa would take on No. 15 seed Maine in the first round before a potential matchup with the winner of Duke vs. Middle Tennessee.
Iowa State (18-10, 12-6 in Big 12 play) is listed as a No. 9 seed. The Cyclones would head to California to face No. 8 seed UNLV in the opening round before a potential date with No. 1 seed and site host Stanford.
Drake's situation is a bit more fluid; the Bulldogs still have two regular season games remaining, but with a 17-1 record in Missouri Valley Conference play, they'll be the top seed in the MVC Tournament with a great chance to win the league's automatic bid.
Right now, ESPN projects the Bulldogs to grab the auto-bid and earn a No. 12 seed in Spokane, Washington, where they would open the tournament with a matchup vs. No. 5 seed Baylor. No. 4 seed Gonzaga would likely await in the second round.
Drake won the MVC Tournament last year, grabbing a No. 12 seed before losing a narrow 83-81 game to Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Up next
Drake wraps up its regular season with a pair of road games at Evansville and Indiana State.
Iowa is the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament and will play its first game Friday.
Iowa State is the No. 4 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and will play its first game Saturday.