The March Madness games so far have seen little drama, with the early rounds offering few surprises. Iowa State, on the other hand, entered the competition riding high on its star forward’s scoring spree as Audi Crooks shattered her own Iowa State scoring record with a 47-point explosion against the Indiana Hoosiers.
Many expected a similar showing from the sophomore star, and she delivered on the big stage with a 37-point outing. Sadly, it wasn’t enough to win the game.
Audi Crooks Mammoth Score Couldn’t Save Iowa State From Loss
At the start of the 2025-26 season, the 21-year-old showed great composure and touch around the rim, scoring big on game nights. Analyst Pat McAfee even predicted Iowa State as a possible champion behind the star forward.
She stayed lethal in the games in March Madness. Playing against Syracuse, Crooks did everything in her power to try to stave off elimination. But the first half gap was too much to overcome as Iowa State ended up on the losing side.
Audi Crooks and No. 8 Iowa State fall to No. 9 Syracuse despite 37 points from the Cyclones center.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 22, 2026
She scored 59% of her team's 63 points. pic.twitter.com/9wveELToNf
Crooks finished with 37 points on 17-of-25 shooting from the field and also grabbed five rebounds for the Cyclones.
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Fans voiced their concerns over her usage at Iowa State and the return she gets from the side. Many fans even asked to join a contender team to win championships. The player also reflected on her future right after the game.
Audi Crooks Talks About Future With Iowa State
The buzz over her future became louder and louder as the player mentioned that the first priority is to look after the players. After her press conference, she even shared a post particularly to answer questions about her future.
In an Instagram post, Crooks wrote, “Dear Cyclone Nation, Thank you to all the coaches and fans that have supported me on this journey. After much thought and consideration… quit asking! I am right where I want to be! Let’s run it back. #LOYALforevertrue”.
Earlier in the regular season, WNBA fans pointed out one gap in Audi Crooks’ skill set after she tied Brittney Griner’s Big 12 record, but she is still a top offensive player, and many teams would look to add her to the lineup, making a formidable roster for the championship.