Chris, Jeremy and I are all set up at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 

Join us for coverage this afternoon and keep this thread going.

Big game for Northwestern, as always. Hope the exciting day of Big Ten basketball (looking at you, Michigan-Wisconsin) continues with this one.

Things to note about the opponent:Iowa is desperate for win. They're talented this season, but the wins have yet to come. The Hawkeyes are 3-7 in Big Ten play, with the most recent close loss coming against Wisconsin in double overtime on Wednesday. Roy Devyn Marble is looking to get back on track for Iowa. He's scored only 10 points in his last three games combined.

Great atmosphere inside Carver-Hawkeye. This place, when filled, does get quite loud.

The usual starting lineup for Northwestern this afternoon.

TIP OFF NOW. COME JOIN US. (And not TOS.)

Certainly a must-win for both teams today. Iowa making an effort to post Woodbury early.

A lot of offense in the opening minutes.

Swopshire and Hearn with some nice buckets. Olah with a layup inside — and not a dunk.

Only concern: Marble looks solid in the opening minutes. Transition dunk and three from the left wing.

9-7 Wildcats at the first media timeout.

Northwestern's offense is looking effective thus far, which is much different from these teams' first meeting.

ChrisEmma wrote: Northwestern's offense is looking effective thus far, which is much different from these teams' first meeting.

Preach.

Huge that Hearn is off to a good start on the road.

We talked with Dave Eanet before the game about how Hearn's success can key NU. Looks solid so far.

Northwestern creating open looks in transition. (Of all the things.)

Northwestern 7-for-15 with 11:22 left in the first half.

Out-rebounding Iowa 10-4 so far.

These are good signs. Center position struggling a little bit right now for NU, though.

Much better showing today. I hope Hearn stays hot.

GoNUCats120 wrote: Much better showing today. I hope Hearn stays hot.

Thanks for checking in GoNUCats... They are looking pretty solid. 

Strange officiating early on though.

Pretty encouraging for Northwestern right now. Pace of the game favors them, they've capitalized on opportunities. It's getting physical and they'll need to keep pace with Iowa, but getting shots within the offense and looking confident. Defensively NU has been alright, but Iowa shooting poorly.

Well. Interesting start. 

The emerging contrast: depth.

Iowa bringing in its subs almost immediately, and as Kevin Trahan pointed out, Fran rested all of his starters at once.

Meanwhile, NU still running with about seven guys. Should be interesting to see what kind of role fatigue plays in this one.

Northwestern looks rattled. The only way to win one of these games, if the opponent isn't going cold, is with in-game adjustments. Carmody needs to be on point today.

Mike Turner with another brutal second foul.

After an awful stretch of play, Northwestern settles down and draws even at 21. 3:46 remain in the first. As Chris said, it'll come down to Carmody's adjustments—I think particularly on the defensive end—for the 'Cats to pull this out. Haven't seen the 1-3-1 yet, and Iowa destroyed it last time.

Well, Iowa's still a tough opponent and NU has come to play, at least so far. 

Like what I see from the Wildcats. Just need to keep up the energy and get Demps or a surprise contributor on track.

For a shameless plug, I'll be on the WGN Radio halftime show. Listen live here: wgnradio.com

Great job, Chris!

Second half starts on bad note. 

Olah heads to the locker room with injury. Marble blows by Swopshire. Turner struggling big time and picks up third. 34-28 Iowa. Hawkeyes with all the momentum.

It's 36-34, as the Wildcats go to the 1-3-1 and begin to hit threes. Iowa looking frustrated with zone, have been very up-and-down emotionally. 15 minutes left, lot of work to do for both sides.