NCAA Women's Tournament Bracket: Iowa State Cyclones Preview

Who? The Cyclones of Iowa State.

When do they play? The Cyclones will play against Dayton on Friday, March 20 at 12 p.m. ET.

What? Cyclones are a danger across the Midwest. Cy's been around since the '50s; cardinal is a bit of a pun off the color.

Where? Ames, Iowa, astride the Skunk River.

Why? Strength of the Big 12 buoyed them.

How? They were an at-large selection.

Surprise? Predicted to finish sixth in the conference, they tied for fourth with three other teams, seven games behind Baylor.

RPI: 54

SOS: 41

Record: 18-12 (9-9 Big XII)

Good wins: Baylor.

Bad losses: At Texas Tech.

Who's running this show? Bill Fennelly, since 1995, who was born and raised in Iowa.

Extra, Extra! The Des Moines Register.

Senior point guard Nikki Moody runs the Cyclones' show, with 14.5 points and 6.9 assists per game. She's creative, and occasionally reckless. Sophomore guard Seanna Johnson is in charge of the boards, at 9.3 on the season.

As usual, it's bombs away from deep for the Cyclones, with 770 attempts on the year, led by senior swingman Brynn Williamson's 211. There are actually Iowa State players who have not taken threes, though. This might be a new wrinkle.