In the 1987 men’s basketball Elite Eight, second-seeded Iowa held a 20-point lead over top-seed UNLV. The 1970 Iowa men’s basketball team still holds the Big Ten record for points per game (102.3) and was leading Jacksonville by one point with seconds remaining in their Sweet 16 matchup. Ronnie Lester was the standout player in the 1980 Final Four, showcasing his skills as the Hawkeyes’ point guard against Louisville.
Ronnie Harmon, an All-American running back, was poised for the 1986 Rose Bowl against UCLA, with a shot at the national title for No. 3 Iowa. They held a four-point lead over Michigan State in the 2015 Big Ten football title game. In the 1993 Final Four, Iowa’s women’s basketball team possessed the ball with 11 seconds left, trailing Ohio State by one point in overtime. Megan Gustafson, the 2019 consensus national player of the year, was gearing up for the Elite Eight against Baylor.
However, Iowa’s upper-level history in college athletics’ three highest-profile sports is marked by heartbreak. UNLV rallied for a three-point win over Iowa, and Pembrook Burrows III’s tip-in led to a 104-103 defeat. Lester got injured after making every shot attempt, Harmon fumbled and missed a key touchdown pass, and Michigan State scored a late touchdown to secure victory. Laurie Aaron’s slip in the lane sealed the fate of the 1993 women’s team against Baylor.
These moments of heartbreak continue to haunt Iowa’s fan base and are often pondered with “what-if” scenarios. The weight of this history can be felt by current teams approaching the mountaintop, including the women’s basketball squad. Despite facing pressure and expectations, the Hawkeyes managed to overcome and secure a spot in the Final Four with a 94-87 win against LSU.
𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥.#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/jBLB0JKHm9
— Iowa Women’s Basketball (@IowaWBB) April 2, 2024
Coach Lisa Bluder emphasized the importance of viewing pressure as a privilege and used inspiration from Billie Jean King’s book to help the team navigate the expectations. Unlike the 2010 football program that succumbed to injuries and late-game defeats, this women’s basketball team displayed resilience and unity to overcome adversity.
Despite facing challenges such as injuries and departures, the Hawkeyes continued to excel on the court, with players like Caitlin Clark leading the way. Bluder’s strategic adjustments and the team’s chemistry propelled them to success, with a unique four-guard offense and a remarkable scoring average.
As they head into the Final Four, the Iowa women’s basketball team stands out as a beacon of hope, breaking free from the shadows of past disappointments and embracing the opportunity to make history.
(Photo: Greg Fiume / NCAA Photos via Getty Images)