The ninth ranked Iowa Hawkeye women close the regular season home slate on Thursday night by hosting Illinois. Iowa coach Jan Jensen says the Illini will be a challenge for the Hawkeyes to defend.

At 9-7 in the Big Ten and 19-8 overall the Illini are looking to boost the NCAA hopes.

The Hawkeyes are 13-3 in the Big Ten and 22-5 overall. They enter the final week of the regular season with the inside track to the two seed in the Big Ten Tournament and hosting the first two round of the NCAA Tournament.