Iowa State is quietly discovering Audi Crooks' greatest weakness

There is simply no debate, Audi Crooks is the definition of an offensive powerhouse. On countless occasions this campaign, she has dominated the opposition into submission. However, despite her inevitable scoring antics, Crooks has yet to showcase defensive attributes that will allow Iowa State to thrive if it qualifies for the NCAA Tournament.

Undoubtedly, the 21-year-old is a force to be reckoned with in the opposition's painted area. Her ability to post-up defenders and efficiently drain shots has been a vital component in the Cyclones' impressive start to the season. Crooks has averaged an outstanding 28.7 points per game, while recording a 69.1% field-goal percentage.

Yet, there are aspects of the center's game that could create an issue when and if she decides to transition into the professional game.

Crooks' defensive deficiencies

Despite standing at 6’2”, Crooks has displayed some worrying performances on defense when her team's backs are against the wall. For a player who is so aggressive when attacking the opposition's basket, her presence on defense leaves much to the imagination.

During Iowa's most recent 63-71 defeat to Cincinnati—an unranked opponent—Crooks created a highlight reel to forget, even though she chalked up 23 points and 10 rebounds on the night. On several occasions, Cincinnati's players appeared to target the center when occupying the paint, breezing past her with little resistance.

The most worrying aspect of these defensive action are the effort level and intent of Crooks. From an analytical standpoint, this does not seem to happen due to a lack of capacity; it is simply because the player has decided not to put the opposition under any kind of pressure. Even when Crooks decides to challenge the attacker, she does not appear to do so with any form of desperation.

Statistically, the Cyclones' superstar does not present much evidence to suggest this performance was an anomaly. Crooks is averaging around 0.7 blocks and 0.3 steals per game.

Of course, this weakness may occur due to many reasons other than a frailty in her skillset. Given the heavy burden that Crooks carries offensively, when it comes to showing resilience on defense, she may not have the capabilities to do so. Nevertheless, no matter what conclusion the coaching staff comes to, this will become a huge issue when facing a team that possesses its own elite scorer.

When this campaign comes to a close, Audi Crooks will deservedly feature in the discussions for the Naismith Player of the Year award. The sensational string of offensive performances is too great to be ignored. However, individual accolades will not disguise her weaknesses if she wishes to become a superstar in the WNBA and must be addressed before it is too late.