Iowa's Audi Crooks headlines major transfers as women's college hoops season nears

With 100 days until the 2027 women's college basketball season tips off, Iowa native Audi Crooks is making headlines as one of the most impactful transfers in the nation. The former Iowa State star center, who averaged 25.8 points per game last season, has joined Oklahoma State and is poised to lead the Cowgirls into contention for the Big 12 title.

Crooks, a 6-foot-3 center from the Hawkeye State, spent three seasons at Iowa State before entering the transfer portal after the Cyclones' 22-10 season ended with a first-round NCAA tournament exit. She is part of a massive roster overhaul at Oklahoma State, which lost nine players to the portal but signed eight transfers, including Crooks and Florida guard Liv McGill.

“Audi Crooks gives us a centerpiece after we lost nearly 65 points per game to the portal and players out of eligibility,” said Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt, who enters her fifth season leading the Cowgirls. OSU went 24-10 last season and advanced to the NCAA tournament's second round.

For Iowa Hawkeyes fans, there is also reason for optimism. The Hawkeyes have completely reshaped their roster around McKenna Woliczko, their highest-rated recruit since Caitlin Clark. They also landed one of the SEC's most impactful transfers in guard Dani Carnegie, giving Iowa one of the best backcourts in the Big Ten.

“Carnegie's ability to create shots for herself and teammates is something Iowa has lacked since the departure of Caitlin Clark,” ESPN analyst Michael Voepel noted. Carnegie averaged 18.4 points in SEC games last season at Georgia, ranking fourth in the league.

What are the biggest storylines for the 2027 women's college basketball season?

Beyond the transfer drama, several major storylines will shape the season. Defending national champion UCLA lost its top six players to the WNBA, while runner-up UConn lost No. 1 draft pick Azzi Fudd. South Carolina and Texas, last season's other Final Four teams, also had big personnel losses but remain contenders.

South Carolina looks like the favorite, with a strong inside game led by Joyce Edwards (19.2 PPG) and 6-foot-7 Alicia Tournebize. The Gamecocks also added top post recruit Oliviyah Edwards. “South Carolina didn't lose anyone to the transfer portal, the only SEC program for which that is true,” Voepel said.

USC's JuJu Watkins, the 2024-25 national player of the year, is expected to return from a knee injury that sidelined her all of last season. “Considering the success of many athletes returning from ACL surgery, and listening to the positive comments from Watkins and coach Lindsay Gottlieb, there's reason to believe the dynamic guard will pick up where she left off,” Voepel added.

Which Iowa teams and players should fans watch?

Iowa Hawkeyes: The Hawkeyes are rebuilding around McKenna Woliczko, a 6-foot forward who is the No. 6 recruit in the nation. She joins guard Dani Carnegie to form a potent backcourt. “Woliczko can be like Hannah Stuelke was for the Hawkeyes, filling both forward and small-ball center play,” said ESPN analyst Shane Laflin.

Iowa State Cyclones: Coach Bill Fennelly, one of the longest-tenured coaches in college sports, lost nine players to the transfer portal, including star center Audi Crooks. The Cyclones have just one starter returning: guard Arianna Jackson. “Iowa State had never been to the NCAA tournament until Fennelly took over and has missed it just six times in his three decades in Ames,” Voepel noted. “But now he faces the challenge of guiding an almost completely rebuilt team.”

Nebraska Cornhuskers: The Huskers went 19-13 last season and made the NCAA tournament as a First Four team. They bring back their two leading scorers: guard Britt Prince and forward Amiah Hargrove. Forward Natalie Potts, who missed most of the past two seasons with a knee injury, also returns. “The Huskers are looking to make their first Sweet 16 since 2013,” Voepel said.

Oklahoma State Cowgirls: With Audi Crooks and Liv McGill, the Cowgirls have one of the most explosive offenses in the Big 12. “Crooks and McGill combined to average 49.5 points last season,” Voepel said. “Oklahoma State could contend for the Big 12 title this season.”

How will the NCAA tournament format change this season?

The women's NCAA tournament will expand to 76 teams from 68, and the top 16 seeds will be placed on the bracket without considering conference affiliation. Previously, the top four teams from the same conference would be placed in different regions so they could not meet before the Final Four. “We could see some big conference rivalries take place earlier in the NCAA tournament than before,” Voepel said. “And the larger field allows for at least the possibility of a few more Cinderella stories.”

The tournament's opening rounds will continue at home sites, followed by two regionals in Philadelphia and Las Vegas. The Final Four will be in Columbus, Ohio.

What are the wild predictions for the season?

ESPN analysts offered several bold predictions, including that the Final Four could feature the same teams for a third season in a row: South Carolina, UConn, Texas and UCLA. Other predictions include USC going unbeaten to win the national title, a non-Power 4 team making the Final Four for the first time since 2001, and Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame recording more than one quadruple-double.

“The odds of a mid-major making the Final Four have gone down as the power leagues attract so much of the talent,” Voepel said. “But could this be the season when a mid-major surprises us again?”

Key nonconference matchups to watch

Several marquee games are on the schedule, including USC at South Carolina on Nov. 15, UConn vs. South Carolina on Nov. 25, and Notre Dame at Vanderbilt on Dec. 3. For Iowa fans, the Hawkeyes' schedule will be announced later this summer.

About the author

John Damon is a sports reporter for Just The News Iowa, covering college athletics and their impact on Iowa communities.