Thursday's game featuring #4 Iowa at #22 Indiana is big. How big? Dick Vitale big.  The Hawks and Hoosiers tangle Thursday night on ESPN and the network is sending it's 'A' team of broadcasters Rece Davis and Dickie V. The national spotlight will be on an Iowa team that has responded to every challenge the season has thrown at them. The Hawkeyes are 10-1 in the Big 10. Indiana is close behind at 9-2. This won't be an easy test for Fran McCaffery's team.

Even though Iowa has had great success in Assembly Hall, Indiana will be highly motivated Thursday night. They're already a game back in the Big 10 race. A loss to Iowa would probably end their title hopes. The Hoosiers are the top scoring team in the league. Iowa has held down the offenses of Illinois, Northwestern and Penn State the last 3 games. Not exactly murderers row. Indiana shoots 51% from the field. That's #2 in the nation.

And finally it's Iowa's latest tip time of the year, at 8pm central time. I'm not sure how much that affects players, but it doesn't really worry me. Actually, nothing worries me about this Iowa team. With 4 seniors in the starting lineup this team is loaded with leadership and players who have seen it all. It doesn't mean Iowa will win every game. But it DOES mean they'll be IN every game. Bring on the Hoosiers.

 

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