The eighth ranked Iowa Hawkeye women open a west coast swing on Thursday night with a visit to USC. The Trojans are 3-6 in the Big Ten and have lost six of their last seven games.

That’s Iowa coach Jan Jensen, who says the Trojans cause match-up concerns.

The Hawkeyes were not picked to finish in the top five of the Big Ten preseason poll but they are 9-0 at the midway point and tied at the top of the standings with third ranked UCLA.