Blizzard could make Hawks' trek to Purdue tricky

IOWA CITY -- Winning at Mackey Arena is an unrealized accomplishment for the Iowa Hawkeyes under Lisa Bluder. But that's a story for another day.

Right now, as the 20th-rated Hawkeyes prepare for Purdue in a Big Ten women's basketball game, the primary focus is elsewhere:

On getting there.

With much of the Midwest enveloped by a blizzard, the Hawkeyes' flight plan for West Lafayette is tenuous. The team is supposed to be "wheels up" from the Eastern Iowa Airport at 4:45 Wednesday afternoon, land a little more then an hour later in Indiana, then prepare for Thursday's 5:30 tip with the Boilermakers.

Whatever happens, according to Kachine Alexander, "we're going to roll with the punches."

The Hawkeyes have had some interesting trips during Bluder's 11 years at Iowa. But they've never had a game postponed.

"A lot of crazy (flight) stories, but most of them are in (smaller) planes while recruiting," Bluder said. "Going to Penn State can be interesting in the mountains if it's windy. We've had people lose it in the plane on the way there."

Turbulence or not, Alexander said she "hates flying anyway." Kelly Krei said that Kamille Wahlin was a nervous flier when she was younger, but has adapted.

Iowa (17-5 overall, 5-4 Big Ten) has seven regular-season games remaining. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 2-1 week -- a loss to Ohio State, then wins over Michigan State and Illinois.

The Hawkeyes and the Boilermakers (15-7, 5-4) are tied for fifth place, two games behind co-leaders Penn State (18-5, 7-2) and Wisconsin (12-9, 7-2).

Penn State comes to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday.

"It's a big week for us, but we say that every week," Alexander said.