In a highly anticipated matchup, the Ohio State Buckeyes women's basketball team is set to face off against the Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday afternoon at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus. Both teams, ranked in the top 10, find themselves in a three-way tie for the lead in the Big Ten conference, along with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The Buckeyes will be looking to build on their recent momentum after securing a significant victory against then-No. 2 ranked Iowa two weeks ago. With a current record of 18-3, Ohio State has the opportunity to strengthen their bid for the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.

However, the Hoosiers won't make it easy for the Buckeyes. Boasting an impressive 18-2 record this season, Indiana has proven to be a formidable opponent. Their only two losses came against powerhouse teams Stanford and Iowa, both of which are currently ranked in the top four of the AP Top 25.

Indiana's Mackenzie Holmes, a standout 6-foot-3 fifth-year senior, poses a significant threat to Ohio State's defense. Holmes ranks second in the Big Ten with an average of 20.5 points per game and leads the conference with an impressive 66.8% field goal percentage. Her presence in the paint, along with her stellar rebounding ability, makes her a force to be reckoned with.

Last season, Holmes showcased her scoring prowess against Ohio State, totaling 59 points in the two regular-season matchups. However, the Buckeyes managed to contain her in the Big Ten Tournament when they defeated the Hoosiers.

While Holmes is a crucial player to watch, Ohio State must also be wary of Indiana's talented trio of guards: Sara Scalia, Yarden Garzon, and Chloe Moore-McNeil. Despite the absence of senior guard Sydney Parrish due to a foot injury, Indiana's guards have proven their scoring prowess. Both Scalia and Garzon had impressive scoring performances against the Buckeyes last season, with Scalia tallying 24 points and Garzon contributing 20 points.

The Buckeyes have showcased their ability to neutralize dominant post players, as demonstrated in their recent victory over Wisconsin, where they limited 6-foot-4 Badgers star Serah Williams to 16 points. Ohio State will need to replicate this defensive intensity against Holmes while also staying vigilant against the Hoosiers' sharpshooting guards.

Sunday's matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two top-ranking teams with the Big Ten regular-season title hanging in the balance. This game could prove pivotal in determining the eventual conference champion and has undoubtedly captured the attention of fans and basketball enthusiasts alike.