When the Iowa State women’s basketball team was bounced from the second round of the Big 12 Tournament, it led to a long layoff for the Cyclones as they had to anxiously wait to find out when they would be playing next.
One good thing did come from the extended break: Addy Brown had more time to rest.
The hope is that the break will help Brown when the Cyclones return to the court for their first-round NCAA Tournament game against Syracuse on Saturday, March 21 in Storrs, Conn.
“I think it’s been really good,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said.
If anyone can use the time off, it’s Brown. The junior forward for the Cyclones hobbled to the end of the regular season with a lower-body injury that forced her to miss 11 games. Iowa State sorely missed her during that time, with the Cyclones enduring a five-game losing streak.
Brown eventually returned and gave Iowa State a much-needed boost for the end of the season. But she’s been far from her regular self since getting back on the court, shooting just 30% from the field.
Brown still has had a positive impact with her passing and rebounding. The shooting struggles are to be expected for Brown, who missed substantial time and likely still isn’t 100%. Simply preparing for practice can take her hours.
Iowa State’s brief break has allowed Brown to at least get closer to fully healthy. While she may never get there this season, any improvement is important.
“Every day, it’s better,” Fennelly said. “It’s not going to be what it was when we pulled her out … when she had to get pulled out of the lineup. But every single day, every minute, it’s better.”
Fennelly said the Cyclones took three days off after their Big 12 Tournament loss. Iowa State then had some practices into the week and a scrimmage on March 13. They took March 14 off and had individual workouts the following day.
“She’s ready to go,” said Iowa State center Audi Crooks.
Brown is one of the most versatile players in the nation, averaging 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. Earlier this season, she tallied Iowa State’s first triple-double in more than a decade.
“Where she gets to … I don’t know, but it’s just another week of work and prep,” Fennelly said. “But she’s headed in a really, really good direction.”
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020, 2023 and 2025 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State’s early exit from the Big 12 Tournament helped Addy Brown
Reporting by Tommy Birch, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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