By Hawk Fanatic

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Emotions will be soaring on Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena as the Iowa women’s basketball team will honor a legend and also try to knock off a nationally ranked Big Ten rival.

During halftime of Sunday’s game against No. 8 Maryland, a tribute to former Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder will be held.

Bluder retired last May and barely a month after having led Iowa to its second straight NCAA Tournament runner-up finish.

She finished as Iowa’s all-time winningest head coach and with a 528-254 overall record. She is ranked No. 10 on the all-time wins list in Division-I women’s basketball history, and she won seven Big Ten titles (five Big Ten Tournament and two regular season).

Bluder also helped to make Caitlin Clark arguably the greatest offensive player in the history of women’s college basketball.

“Just for her to be back and get honored the way she deserves, she was such an amazing person and she was such a big part of changing the women’s game of basketball, and I’m just excited for her,” said Iowa senior guard Syd Affolter.

Bluder also helped to launch the coaching career of Jan Jensen more than 30 years ago, and now after having had success at both Drake and Iowa as Bluder’s top assistant, Jensen has succeeded her mentor and close friend as the Iowa head coach.

Iowa is 12-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play under Jensen, the two losses coming against Tennessee in New York City and against Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan.

Iowa committed 30 turnovers against Tennessee and 23 against Michigan State.

So, it maybe would be wise to assume that Maryland head coach Brenda Frese would try to exploit that in Sunday’s game.

Frese certainly has the kind of talent to do so, with this Maryland team having shown early signs of being a true contender.

The Terrapins have for long been a Big Ten power under Frese, who is from Cedar Rapids, but they haven’t been quite as powerful in recent seasons, losing three of the last four games against Iowa during the Caitlin Clark era.

But Frese’s current team is 13-0 for the first time since starting 16-0 in the 2011-12 and 1982-83 seasons.

And if there is any head coach that would enjoy ruining the festivities on Sunday, it would be the ultra-competitive Brenda Frese, who grew up just up the road.

Maryland was picked to finish fourth in the 18-team Big Ten Conference by both the league’s head coaches and media panel, but early signs show that could be underestimating the Terrapins.

The atmosphere in what is expected to be a jam-packed Carver-Hawkeye Arena should be electric on Sunday, made even more so by Bluder’s presence.

Bluder will get to celebrate what she helped to build as fans show their appreciation by packing the arena and cheering her on.

A win against an undefeated and highly ranked opponent would certainly add to the celebration.

Maryland (13-0, 3-0) vs. Iowa (12-2, (2-1)

When: Sunday, 5 p.m.

Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network

All-time series: The Terrapins lead the all-time series, 11-7. Iowa has won three out of the last four.