
Iowa State women’s basketball star Audi Crooks has yet to find an opponent that can shut her down this season. On Wednesday night, Colorado will become the latest team to tangle with Crooks and the 19th-ranked Cyclones, but shutting down the big and powerful 6-foot-3 junior center isn’t the top priority. Colorado's Jade Masogayo, left, shoots over Cincinnati's Destiny Thomas during their game Jan. 3 in Boulder. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer) “You know Audi’s going to get her points,” CU senior Jade Masogayo said. “But, we’re just making sure that the guards don’t have the opportunity to score, because Audi’s going to get hers for sure.” Not that CU won’t try to limit Crooks, the nation’s leading scorer at 28.3 points per game – 3.2 more than Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, who is second (25.1). Crooks is also remarkably efficient, with the second-best field goal percentage (.698) in the nation. “I think the biggest thing for us, we figure out who we can help off of – who can be an extra defender (against Crooks),” said CU assistant coach Jordynn Hernandez, who helped to develop the Buffs’ scouting report on Iowa State scouting. That’s been difficult for Iowa State opponents because it has talent around Crooks. However, the Cyclones are missing two of their best players. Addy Brown, a 6-foot-2 forward who averages 13.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists is out “indefinitely,” according to coach Bill Fennelly. And junior guard Arianna Jackson, who posts 5.6 points per game, is out…
Want more insights? Join Grow With Caliber - our career elevating newsletter and get our take on the future of work delivered weekly.