On Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 (12/11/24), the No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones take on the No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes at the iconic Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. This highly anticipated showdown is set to captivate basketball fans across the nation. Fans have multiple options to catch the game, with DirecTV Stream offering a $30 off on Entertainment with Sports Pack including NFL RedZone and the BIG Ten Network. FuboTV plans start at $79.99 per month, while Sling TV provides plans starting as low as $20 for the first month. You can watch the game for free via a trial on either DirecTV Stream or fuboTV.

Women's College Basketball: A Sport with Rich History and Exciting Moments

This women's college basketball season is filled with thrilling matchups and rising teams. Tennessee, after a 22-poll drought, has returned to the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 19. The Lady Vols' pressing style, with fresh players constantly coming in, has led them to an undefeated start. First-year coach Kim Caldwell emphasizes that their ranking is earned, not just because of the Tennessee name. UCLA, UConn, and South Carolina remain the top three teams, with UCLA receiving 24 first-place votes. The Bruins beat Washington by 11 in their lone game last week, while the Huskies routed Louisville 85-52 in the Women's Champions Classic.In other rankings news, LSU and USC each moved up a spot after then-No. 4 Texas lost to Notre Dame in overtime. The Longhorns fell to sixth, and the Irish rose two spots to eighth. Maryland is seventh, and Duke and Oklahoma round out the first 10, with the Sooners moving up a spot.Michigan State moved up seven spots to No. 17, with the Spartans (9-0) having the best start in school history. They routed DePaul in their lone game last week and are set to face No. 21 Iowa on Sunday. This is the team's best ranking since 2019, surpassing previous 8-0 starts in 2012-13 and 2020-21.Georgia Tech (9-0) made its first appearance in the poll since Feb. 28, 2022, coming in at No. 25. The Yellow Jackets are off to their best start since 1977-78 and will host Louisiana-Monroe before visiting No. 14 North Carolina on Sunday. N.C. State also returned to the poll at No. 22, while Illinois, Alabama, and Louisville fell out. The Cardinals have four losses this season, all to ranked teams.The Big Ten has eight teams in the poll this week, down one from the previous poll. The Southeastern Conference has seven, with the ACC and Big 12 having five and four respectively. The Big East has one.

Game of the Week: UConn vs. Notre Dame

No. 2 UConn takes on No. 8 Notre Dame on Thursday in one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. These two former Big East rivals bring their All-American stars, UConn's Paige Bueckers and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo. The Huskies are at full strength, while the Irish are still working through some injuries. This game is sure to be a battle between two powerhouse teams and a must-watch for basketball enthusiasts.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena: A Basketball Mecca

The Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City is a basketball mecca. It has witnessed countless memorable moments in college basketball history. The atmosphere on Wednesday when the Iowa State Cyclones and Iowa Hawkeyes face off will be electric. Fans from both teams will fill the arena, creating a buzzing energy that adds to the excitement of the game. The arena's history and significance make it a special place for college basketball.

Fan Experience and Broadcasting

For fans, watching the game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena or through the live streams offers a unique experience. The energy from the crowd and the on-court action combine to create an unforgettable moment. The broadcasting of the game on FS1, along with the free trials on DirecTV Stream and fuboTV, allows fans from all over to tune in and enjoy the action. It's a great opportunity for basketball fans to support their teams and witness a great game.