By Hawk Fanatic
Video Courtesy of hawkeyesports.com

IOWA CITY, Iowa – There is no place like home might be just what members of the Iowa women’s basketball team are thinking following a two-game road trip to Los Angeles that resulted in two losses by a combined 35 points.

The Hawkeyes face Minnesota on Thursday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, looking to get back in the win column following losses to USC and UCLA by scores of 81-69 and 88-65.

It marked the only time this season that Iowa has lost back-to-back games.

In addition to playing at home, Iowa will also face an opponent it has defeated 11 times in a row in Minnesota. Iowa has won nine straight games against the Gophers by eight points or more, and has won 14 straight against Minnesota in Iowa City.

But that’s also in the past, and right now the current Minnesota squad is trending in the right direction, having won four four straight games. The Gophers are on pace to make the NCAA Tournament under third-year head coach  Dawn Plitzuweit, with records of 16-7 overall and 7-4 in the Big Ten.

Iowa is two games ahead of Minnesota in the Big Ten standings at 9-2, and 18-4 overall.

Iowa will be playing its third full game without senior guard Taylor McCabe, who suffered a career-ending knee injury in the opening seconds of the 91-70 win over Ohio State on Jan. 25 in Iowa City.

McCabe is arguably Iowa’s best 3-point shooter and a respected leader.

Iowa head coach Jan Jensen met with the media on Wednesday to discuss Thursday’s matchup against the Gophers, and to look back at the trip to Los Angeles.

Minnesota (16-7, 7-4) vs. Iowa (18-4, 9-2)

When: Thursday, 6 p.m.

Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network

Series history:  Iowa leads the all-time series, 61-27. The Hawkeyes have beaten the Gophers in 11 consecutive meetings. Iowa has won nine straight by eight points or more in the series.

Iowa has 14 straight against Minnesota in Iowa City.