Iowa Basketball: 2019-20 keys to success against Cincinnati Bearcats

Iowa basketball will face Cincinnati at the United Center as part of the State Farm Legends Classic. The Hawkeyes must be sharp to keep its win streak alive.

Consistency is the “key word “when it comes to the Iowa Basketball program. Fans are sure to remember a 20-5 record last season come to a screeching halt as Iowa lost six of eight against Big Ten foes down the stretch. Still, Fran McCaffery’s team come inches away from a sweet sixteen appearance in an overtime defeat vs. Tennessee.

This season the Hawkeyes have had a similar topsy-turvy journey. On the positive side, Iowa beat a tough Texas Tech team on a neutral court, displayed its best overall defensive effort of the season in a home victory over Minnesota, and most recently won at Iowa State to earn some bragging rights. In addition, Luka Garza has emerged as a legitimate national player of the year candidate as the junior has been almost unstoppable for defenses to stop.

Though none of Iowa’s three losses to DePaul, San Diego State, and Michigan should be considered terrible by any means, allowing these opponents to score 93 points per game on 56% shooting are certainly signs the defense must be improved. And speaking of improvement, Iowa will face a Cincinnati team fresh off a nice bounce-back win.

The Bearcats had dropped two in a row before beating Tennessee 78-66. With Mick Cronin gone, Coach John Brannen has Cincinnati playing a quicker, more offensively minded style of play. That shouldn’t be a problem with Iowa, who are quite content themselves taking an early first look should it present itself.

The last matchup of these teams happened in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64 last year. Iowa put together a second-half comeback to win 79-72. In order to grab another win over the Bearcats, Iowa must do a few things well.