2025 Women's March Madness: Murray State vs. Iowa predictions, picks for NCAA Tournament
Editor's note: Follow Women's March Madness live updates and scores from Friday's first-round action.
The women's March Madness Round of 64 is here, featuring No. 11 Murray State against No. 6 Iowa in a game that will kick off Saturday's action.
Murray State, the underdog making its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament and its first since 2008, is a team to watch. The Racers enter the tournament with a reputation for effective scoring, leading the nation by averaging 87.8 points per game. Katelyn Young is a standout player for Murray State, averaging 22.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
The Hawkeyes may not have Caitlin Clark, but they are still expected to perform well in the tournament. This marks their seventh consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament, and they reached the national championship game in the last two seasons. The team is led by Villanova transfer Lucy Olsen, who is averaging 18 points per game.
Here is how to watch the first round matchup between No. 11 Murray State taking on No. 6 Iowa on Saturday.
Women's March Madness: Murray State vs. Iowa picks and predictions
Paste BN: Experts 4-1 in favor of Iowa
Four of our women's basketball experts chose Iowa to advance past Murray State, but one expert — Cora Hall from the Knoxville News — is taking Murray State to upset the Hawkeyes. All five experts are unanimous in their decision whoever wins this game will play Oklahoma in the next round.
ESPN: Murray State can upset
Staff writes: "Aptly named, the Racers like to play fast (they rank seventh in the country in pace) and can score. Katelyn Young is a 3,000-point career scorer and might be the best player on the floor in this game. The Hawkeyes' Hannah Stuelke and Lucy Olsen will have something to say about that, but if Young gets the upper hand, so will the Racers."
Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa 85, Murray State 76
Gus Martin writes: "Murray State, the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champion, enters the NCAA Tournament riding a 10-game winning streak, seven of which by double-digits. Katelyn Young leads the squad at 22.2 points per game, and Ava Learn is averaging nearly a double-double at 13.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. At 87.8 points per game, Murray State wants to play a fast-paced offensive game. Iowa's strong defense will try to slow down the Racers. With the Hawkeyes winning 10 of their last 13 games entering this contest, and the improvement of star Lucy Olsen over the final stretch of the season, Iowa will advance to Round 2."
Murray State vs. Iowa date, start time, how to watch
- Game Day: Saturday, March 22, 2025
- Game Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Location: Lloyd Noble Center (Norman, Oklahoma)
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Fubo
Watch Murray State vs. Iowa on Fubo
Murray State vs. Iowa odds
Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday, March 20.
- Spread: Iowa (-9.5)
- Moneyline Favorite: Iowa (-450) Murray State (+349)
- Total (over/under): 165.5
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