Iowa City has witnessed remarkable growth in women's basketball recently. Now, the Hawkeyes find themselves at the center of an inaugural non-conference event, set to shine in a prime window. This article delves into three key aspects to watch as Iowa makes its New York visit.

Unprecedented Growth and Prime Showdown in Women's Basketball

After Missing Two Games: Lucy Olsen's Rebound in Familiar Territory

After a two-game absence due to a gashed knee, Lucy Olsen's return to practice this week offered hope. Her hometown of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, is just about 100 miles from Barclays Center, and her large and loud contingent is expected to be in attendance. Olsen joked about potentially sitting if she couldn't play, but she's excited to see her family and friends. Against Tennessee's high-octane press and pace, Iowa needs its veteran point guard to operate at her best.In the early days of the week, there was a sense that Olsen's injury would only cost her two games. But facing Tennessee will be a true test. She'll need to be at her best to help Iowa navigate through the Lady Vols' aggressive style.

Tennessee's First Big Test: Can the Hawkeyes Shine in the Spotlight?

Kim Caldwell started her Tennessee tenure with five blowout home wins and a lot of points. But the Lady Vols' first real test came against Florida State on Wednesday night. They pulled out a narrow 79-77 win after blowing a 20-point lead.Iowa will be facing a team playing away from home for the first time this season for the third time in four weeks. With Iowa already having played five neutral-site games and six overall outside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, they have more experience in spotlight showdowns. This experience could give Iowa an edge over Tennessee, as they adjust to new leaders.

In a Style Contrast: Which Team Sets the Preferable Pace?

Iowa has been holding its opponents to under 60 points in five of its first eight games, but Tennessee presents a tough defensive test. Nationally, the Lady Vols rank first in points per game, first in 3-pointers per game, third in turnovers forced, and 27th in assists per game. Five double-digit scorers make them a formidable opponent.Shutting down Tennessee would add more legitimacy to Iowa's defensive success. With the Cy-Hawk game and their Big Ten opener against No. 25 Michigan State looming, Iowa can gain more confidence in their versatility by facing this tough defense.Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter who covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. You can reach him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.