Iowa, Indiana Meet in Key B1G Tilt

The Big Ten women’s basketball regular-season title chase is a three-team race, and Iowa has a chance to trim it to two in Thursday’s game at Indiana.

But there’s danger for the Hawkeyes — a loss could put them two games behind conference leader Ohio State with three to play.

The fourth-ranked Hawkeyes (23-3 overall, 12-2 Big Ten) are a game behind Ohio State (22-3, 13-1) with four to play — the two teams play in the regular season finale in Iowa City next week. Indiana (21-4, 12-3) is a half-game behind Iowa, and another loss basically ends the Hoosiers’ hopes.

Still, associate head coach Jan Jensen said on Wednesday it’s important not to put too much emphasis on the game.

“We're excited about what's ahead, obviously,” Jensen said. “Every game is very important. Someone asked me, they’re like, ‘Oh, this game tomorrow, is it so much different because you’ve got to win all four and it’s at Indiana?’ I mean, when we opened up the season at Wisconsin, you had to win that one, you feel as a coach, if you want a shot at the title.

“So I think, as a coach, you know why they’re all important.”

The Hawkeyes can’t afford a stumble in their last four games. They get Illinois at home on Sunday, then play at Minnesota before the closer against Ohio State.

“Yeah, this is a big one, but you know, so is Sunday’s (game),” Jensen said. “That’ll be a big one, too.”

Indiana is coming off an 86-66 loss to Illinois on Monday that set the Hoosiers back in the standings.

“We’re prepared for their best shot,” Jensen said. “I don’t think they’re going to do anything to give it to us, especially if they’re coming in hot after a disappointing performance at Illinois. They want to play for pride and there’s a lot that can happen.”

Iowa beat the Hoosiers 84-57 at home earlier this season, but Jensen knows this game will be different.

“I think the trick is to make sure everybody’s on the same page,” Jensen said. “They know what’s at stake. But also, that’s not the focal point, right?”

The Hawkeyes fell short of the Big Ten regular-season title last season, then roared through the conference tournament on the way to the championship then reached the Final Four and the national championship game.

“I think the beauty of what I really love about being a basketball coach is you always have a shot at the title,” Jensen said. “If you’re a football coach, and you’re predicted to be the national champions, if you lose one, it might be iffy. Lose two or three, boy, you’re in a different bowl.”

It’s been a season when the Hawkeyes have embraced the theory that, “Pressure is a privilege.”

“There certainly has been pressure at different times, and maybe we haven’t always handled it, but I think we’ve acknowledged that,” Jensen said. “And I think that’s the trick for tomorrow night. Yes, if we want to get an ultimate goal, one of them that we set, this (game), we need to have it. But also don’t put so much weight on it that all is lost.”