Audi Crooks To Return To Hilton Coliseum January 9

Former Iowa State standout Audi Crooks will face her former team in Ames while playing for Oklahoma State.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball

Audi Crooks To Return To Hilton Coliseum January 9

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Oklahoma State center Audi Crooks is set to return to Hilton Coliseum on January 9 to play against Iowa State. The matchup marks a significant homecoming for the player who spent three seasons in Ames.

Why it matters

The game represents a highly anticipated reunion between a former star and her previous program. The reception from Iowa State fans is expected to be mixed as Crooks competes against her former head coach, Bill Fennelly.

Bill Fennelly, who is retiring at the end of the season, has accumulated 822 career head-coaching wins. Audi Crooks, now an Oklahoma State center, played three seasons for Iowa State and ranks as the school's second all-time leading scorer.

The players

Audi Crooks

She is an Oklahoma State center and the second all-time leading scorer at Iowa State.

Bill Fennelly

He is the head coach of Iowa State who is retiring after the current season.

The details

Audi Crooks transferred from Iowa State to join the Oklahoma State roster following her three-year tenure in Ames. She is expected to face a complex homecoming when she steps onto the floor at Hilton Coliseum.

January 9: Oklahoma State plays Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum.

Season Trajectory

This game highlights the ongoing roster shifts across the Big 12 following discussions at Big 12 Media Days. It serves as a pivotal moment for Iowa State as they navigate Bill Fennelly's final season.

This game will test the chemistry of the Iowa State defense against a known quantity in Audi Crooks. The outcome of this conference matchup will influence the standings trajectory for both programs heading into the middle of the season.

The takeaway

This return highlights the personal narratives that unfold during the college basketball conference schedule. Fans attending the game should prepare for an emotionally charged atmosphere at Hilton Coliseum.