Iowa women's basketball rises to No. 8 in Coaches Poll

Iowa women's basketball (18-2, 9-0 Big Ten) moved to No. 8 in the Jan. 27 USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll after victories over Maryland and Ohio State.

Iowa women's basketball is rising in the USA TODAY Sports Women's Basketball Coaches Poll after a strong week of results. The Hawkeyes are 18-2 overall and 9-0 in Big Ten play. They defeated then-No. 13 Maryland in overtime and followed with a win over then-No. 11 Ohio State. Those outcomes pushed Iowa to a season-high No. 8 in the Jan. 27 Coaches Poll. Key details: - Current record and ranking: Iowa is 18-2 overall, 9-0 in the Big Ten, and climbed to No. 8 in the Jan. 27 Coaches Poll. - Recent games and scores: Iowa beat then-No. 13 Maryland 85-78 in overtime and then-No. 11 Ohio State 91-70. - Individual performances: Ava Heiden led Iowa with 20 points vs. Maryland and totaled 38 points across the two games; Hannah Stuelke posted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double vs. Maryland and an 18-point, 15-rebound double-double vs. Ohio State; Addie Deal scored a career-high 20 points vs. Ohio State on 8-of-17 shooting. - Weekly awards: Heiden was named Big Ten Player of the Week for her 38 combined points, Stuelke had won the honor the week before, and Deal received a second straight Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolade. - Poll context and schedule: The updated poll listed teams including UCLA at No. 2, Michigan No. 9, Ohio State No. 12, Michigan State No. 13, Maryland No. 16 and Washington No. 24, while Iowa State dropped out of the top 25. Iowa is scheduled to play at USC on Thursday and at No. 2 UCLA on Sunday. Summary: Iowa's consecutive wins over ranked opponents resulted in a season-high No. 8 placement in the Jan. 27 USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, reflecting strong recent team and individual performances. The Hawkeyes head west this week for road games at USC and against No. 2 UCLA in Westwood.