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Iowa women's basketball vs. Michigan: 3 keys to victory
It's almost time. The biggest remaining game on the Iowa women's basketball team's schedule is nearly here.
On Sunday morning, thousands of Iowa fans will flock to Carver-Hawkeye Arena to see their 12th-ranked Hawkeyes take on No. 5 Michigan. There's so much on the line in this game for both teams, as this contest could decide crucial seeding for both the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments.
Entering Sunday, Iowa is a game back of Michigan for second place in the Big Ten standings. The Haweyes are 12-3 in conference play, while the Wolverines are 13-2. An Iowa victory would bring them even with Michigan and give them a critical tiebreaker. A Michigan victory would put them two games ahead of Iowa with just a pair of games left in the regular season, all but securing a second-place finish.
With so much on the line, a sold-out crowd ready to explode, and a nationally televised matinee broadcast, this game is shaping up to be an all-timer. Here's what Iowa needs to do to come out on top:
Take care of the basketball
Michigan is the best team in the Big Ten at turning over its opponents. They force an astounding 22.7 turnovers per game, which includes nearly 12 steals per game. Forcing all those turnovers allows the Wolverines to get out in transition and pick up easy buckets. Those points can make all the difference in what figures to be a close game on Sunday.
Iowa needs to make sure they take care of the basketball. They average 15.1 turnovers per game this season, a mark in the middle of the conference. If the Hawkeyes commit fewer than 15 turnovers on Sunday, they should like their odds. But if the turnovers start to mount, this one could get out of hand. It may sound very simple, but the turnover numbers could easily decide this game.
Force Michigan to beat you from three
Michigan is an extremely well-rounded team with very few weaknesses. But, one of the things they don't do as well as most teams is shoot the three. This season, the Wolverines are the fifth-worst 3-point shooting team in the Big Ten, making 33.1% of their shots from behind the arc. In their four losses this season, Michigan shot a combined 26-of-87 (29.8%) from three.
The Hawkeyes need to force Michigan to win this game from beyond the arc. They're one of the best teams in the conference in the paint, which is where their game thrives. Iowa's goal should be to defend the paint and force kick outs. If Michigan hits a bunch of threes to win, you tip your cap. But, if this season is any indication, there's a decent chance that won't be the case.
Depth must show up
The Hawkeyes' depth has been tested this season, especially with Taylor McCabe's season-ending injury. In some games, the depth has been great. In others, they've been nonexistent. Sunday's game really needs to be one of those games where the entire roster shows up to play. Michigan is going to key in on Ava Heiden and Hannah Stuelke—assuming she plays—which will put a lot of pressure on Iowa's depth.
Taylor Stremlow will need to continue her recent breakout, as hitting some of the open looks from beyond the arc will force the defense to be more honest. Journey Houston has been fantastic as of late, and will be called upon to provide a spark off the bench.
And this would be a great game for five-star freshman Addie Deal to find a rhythm that she's been lacking lately. It'll be all hands on deck for Jan Jensen's team in this one if they want to walk out of Carver with a win.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women's basketball vs. Michigan: 3 keys to victory
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