After downing Northwestern on Jan. 31 in Evanston, the Iowa women’s hoops team is back to an even 5-5 in Big Ten play, tied for seventh place, 3.5 games out of the lead.

The team tied with Iowa for seventh? The Hawks’ next opponent, Indiana. There are several places the Hawkeyes can take advantage of the Hoosiers, and they’ll have to, with important conference positioning on the line.

Indiana turnovers per game — 15.1

It’s no secret that the Hawkeyes have struggled with turning the ball over in 2015-16. They’re averaging 16.1 turnovers per game. But over the last few games, they’ve become significantly more careful with the ball. Indiana has not.

The Hoosiers possess a turnover margin of minus-0.4, indicating that they’re very prone to mistakes on the offensive end. If the Hawkeyes plan on making a run in the Big Ten Tournament or even the Big Dance, they’ll need to take points any way they can get them.

Taking advantage of opponents’ turnovers is an absolute must. Active defensive hands and classic Big Ten physicality will need to make another appearance for head coach Lisa Bluder’s squad against the Hoosiers.

Iowa rebounding margin — +1.7

With forwards Chase Coley and Megan Gustafson coming on strong recently (Gustafson just captured her second-consecutive double-double against Northwestern), the rebounding battle against the Hoosiers has to be won by Iowa.

The positive rebounding margin owned by the Hawks is a reflection of their tough inside presence, and it’ll need to shine once again against Indiana.

The Hoosiers have a negative rebounding margin, sitting at minus-0.6. They’re allowing 37.5 rebounds per game, and there’s every reason to believe that the Hawks’ frontcourt can collect that number and more. Gustafson pulled down 13 by herself against Northwestern. With Coley’s help, the paint could be a pretty unpleasant place for the Hoosiers on Thursday evening.

Indiana free throws made per game — 16.0

That number might not sound impressive, but when you look at what its opponents are sinking, it is; Indiana’s opponents are only making 8.6 free throws per game. The Hoosiers have shot an incredible 186 more free throws than their opponents so far this season (458-272).

Indiana will try to force the issue in the paint on offense. The team will actively try to get to the line, and the stats say that it will shoot and make about twice as many free throws as its opponents.

Once again, the battle inside the paint will be the marquee matchups in this contest. Iowa’s Coley and Gustafson will be forced to not only play tough, physical defense but also clean defense. Otherwise, the Hoosiers will continue to rack up the free-throw advantage.

Indiana record at home this season — 9-0

This season, Assembly Hall in Bloomington has been perhaps the toughest place to play in the entire country. No team has come to the arena and left with a win, and the Hawks will attempt to be the first to do so.

It won’t be easy, but if Iowa can win the can take advantage of Indiana turnovers, win the rebounding battle as well as play physical, clean defense, the Hawkeyes have the opportunity to hand the Hoosiers their first home loss of the 2015-16 season.

Follow @RealJakeMosbach on Twitter for Iowa women’s basketball news, updates, and analysis.