24. Iowa (10-2)
Ben McCollum arrived back home in Iowa City hoping to turn the Hawkeyes into contenders just as he had done at both Northwest Missouri State and Drake. Early on this season it looked like he was ahead of schedule, though this team understandably lost true road tests at Michigan State and Iowa State in recent weeks. However, let’s not pretend like there’s any reason to be disappointed with these early results, especially with how close they played a still-unbeaten Cyclones squad.
Back in the win column in a major way, the success started back last Sunday with a 91-51 win over Western Michigan. Three different Hawkeyes led the charge with 13 points apiece, with star Bennett Stirtz among that success. Saturday’s effort was even more dominant as Iowa would win 94-39 against Bucknell with ease. Alvaro Folgueiras continued a great week with 17 points off the bench while Tavion Banks added 16 points and 9 rebounds.
The metrics are pretty good for a Hawkeyes team that despite an amazing win plays great balanced offense and very solidly on the defensive end. Stirtz has been a star under McCollum throughout his early career but let’s not act like he’s the only big playmaker for this team. One last nonconference fight awaits, though UMass Lowell doesn’t come to town until the following Monday night.