Third-ranked Iowa is set to face off against No. 14 Indiana in a highly anticipated Big Ten women's basketball clash on Saturday at 7 p.m. However, the game hangs in the balance due to severe weather conditions caused by a blizzard in Iowa.

The Hoosiers had initially planned to fly to Iowa on Friday afternoon but were forced to cancel their travel plans due to the dangerous blizzard. As a result, the team is now scheduled to depart on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. (CT), hoping that the weather will improve by then.

Both coaches, Lisa Bluder of Iowa and Teri Moren of Indiana, expressed their concerns about the weather's impact on the game. Bluder stated, "Hopefully we have a game tomorrow. That's what I'm hoping for," while Moren emphasized that the safety of their team is of utmost importance and that they would not risk their well-being by boarding an unsafe aircraft.

In the event that the game cannot take place on the scheduled date, the two schools will have 48 hours to find a solution before the Big Ten Conference steps in to make a decision. There is a potential window for rescheduling the game in the range of January 23-25, as both teams have available dates within their schedules around this time.

Assuming the game proceeds as planned, it promises to be an exciting matchup between two teams riding impressive 13-game winning streaks. Indiana, the reigning Big Ten regular-season champion, holds a record of 14-1 overall and a perfect 5-0 conference record. Iowa, on the other hand, boasts a record of 16-1 overall and is also undefeated in Big Ten play at 5-0. Both teams are seen as powerhouses in women's college basketball, with Indiana's Teri Moren being the 2023 national coach of the year and Iowa's Caitlin Clark named the national player of the year.

Last season, the teams split their regular-season battles, with Iowa securing a dramatic 86-85 victory in an encounter that featured a game-winning 3-pointer from Caitlin Clark at the buzzer. This memory adds to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming clash, as the two teams have a history of delivering intense and closely contested matches.

While there have been some changes in the team rosters since their last meeting, many key players from both sides remain. Lisa Bluder highlights Indiana's Mackenzie Holmes as one of the best centers in the game, while also acknowledging the 3-point shooting abilities of Sydney Parrish and Sara Scalia. Indiana's Holmes, averaging 19.7 points per game while shooting 67 percent from the field, poses a significant challenge for Iowa's Hannah Stuelke and Sharon Goodman, who will have to step up to defend against her.

Teri Moren recognizes the formidable challenge that Indiana presents and acknowledges their experience and skill set. She emphasizes the need for her team to guard against Indiana's strong perimeter shooting, which has led them to a 38 percent success rate from beyond the arc.

As the fate of the game hangs in the balance, fans and players alike hope that the weather conditions improve, allowing for a thrilling Big Ten battle on Saturday. The outcome of this game will have significant implications for the conference standings as both teams vie for the top spot in the Big Ten.

"Hopefully they get here, the fans get here, and it's a great atmosphere," Coach Bluder expressed, capturing the anticipation surrounding the game and the desire for a highly competitive showdown.