Things getting mighty tight in Big Ten, and Iowa's next

The Gophers are in fourth place, but just a game out of first, where the Hawkeyes currently share the lead.

By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune

Last update: February 16, 2008 - 10:43 PM

Iowa forward and former Osseo standout Krista VandeVenter admits she checks the Big Ten women's basketball standings nightly. But with the conference race reaching its stretch drive, the standings provide little clarity.

"This is as jam-packed as I've seen it," said VandeVenter, a senior whose team is tied for first place. "Usually it's one or two teams [at the top]. Right now it's anyone's title."

The Gophers are squarely in the mix, which makes their game today at Iowa the latest in a string of critical contests. Gophers coach Pam Borton said the Big Ten race typically has some separation at the top at this stage of the season. But with four games remaining, four teams have a realistic shot to win the conference.

The Gophers are fourth in the conference at 9-5, but they trail co-leaders Iowa and Purdue by only one game. Ohio State is third at 9-4. The Gophers kept pace by notching their first victory ever at Penn State on Thursday.

"It put us in a good situation going into Iowa," Borton said.

Iowa, one of the surprise teams in the Big Ten this season, defeated the Gophers in overtime at Williams Arena last month and has won five consecutive home games.

The Hawkeyes have not been in first place this late in a season since 1998, when they won the Big Ten title. A victory by Minnesota today would make the conference race even more jumbled.

At 18-8 overall, the Gophers are in great shape to make the NCAA tournament. But they still have their sights set on the Big Ten title.

Minnesota has a manageable remaining schedule -- at Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana and at Michigan. At worst, the Gophers should split those games.

Ohio State has perhaps the easiest closing schedule of the four teams still in the mix, but this season has been anything but predictable. A lot can change in four games.

"It's exciting but also a little nerve-racking knowing you can drop or move up several places with one game," VandeVenter said.

Iowa lost sole possession of first place and had its eight-game winning streak stopped in a 59-46 loss at Purdue on Thursday. Few thought the Hawkeyes would even be in this position.

Iowa was picked to finish fifth in the preseason media poll. But the Hawkeyes got hot at the right time, avoided injuries and received consistent performances from their veteran lineup.

"I don't think we're surprised by what we've been able to do," said VandeVenter, who hit two clutch shots, including the game-winner, in a 68-66 victory against the Gophers earlier his season. "We knew all along the potential this team had."

Borton did, too, saying injuries more than anything have hurt Iowa in recent years. But Borton also likes the way her team is playing right now. The Gophers have won three consecutive games and are still disappointed in their poor showing in the first meeting with Iowa, which is their only Big Ten home loss.

They can redeem themselves and make the conference race even more interesting today.

"You have to treat your next game like it's the biggest game of the season, because at this point, it is," Borton said. "Our players are excited for this game."

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