It's coming down to the wire, folks.
The IU women's basketball team has just two games left in the regular season before it heads up to Indianapolis to fight for a postseason berth in the Big Ten Tournament. The first of those games comes today at 8 p.m. in Iowa City against Iowa, another team fighting for its life as the calendar turns to March.
Here's a quick capsule look at the matchup as the Hoosiers (13-14, 6-10) aim to win their final road contest against the Hawkeyes (15-12, 8-8).
Last meeting
IU and Iowa met in Assembly Hall Thursday, Feb. 11. The Hawkeyes outrebounded the Hoosiers 53-29 en route to a 71-67 road victory.
Where they stand now
Iowa is tied with Penn State for sixth in the Big Ten. At this point, the Hawkeyes need to win the Big Ten Tournament to have a shot at earning a NCAA Tournament bid, and they might even need to do significant damage, such as an appearance in the conference semifinals or championship, to garner NIT consideration.
IU is in a three-way tie with Michigan and Minnesota for eighth in the conference. The Hoosiers have to win it all next week to go dancing. Otherwise, things look pretty bleak in terms of making a postseason appearance. A bid to the NIT isn't quite out of the question, but like Iowa, IU needs to have an exceptionally strong showing in the Big Ten Tournament to even consider that a reality.
News and notes
- Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, cashing in 69.4 points per game.
- The Hawkeyes were without point guard Kamille Wahlin in their previous meeting with the Hoosiers. Wahlin returned to the team last Sunday at Northwestern and scored 20 points in a 72-66 loss to the Wildcats.
- IU junior guard Jori Davis needs just 23 points to reach 1,000 for her career. Could tonight be the night?
- Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in 3-point field goal percentage with a 37.0 percent season mark from long range. However, on the other side of the court, you'll find the Hoosiers at second in the coference in 3-point field goal percent defense, allowing just 28.1 percent from beyond the arc.
- IU sophomore forward Danilsa "City" Andujar sprained her ankle in practice Tuesday, and her status is unknown for today's game, writes Candice Rohrman in the Indiana Daily Student. I will provide an update on her status as soon as possible.
- Jeremy Price writes in the Herald-Times how sophomore forward Lindsay Enterline, who has missed the entire season, received perspective in coping with injury from a hometown friend.
- These last two games are crucial for the Hawkeyes, writes Jordan Garretson in The Daily Iowan.
Stay tuned to Hoosier Hype for in-game updates.
