The Iowa Hawkeyes managed to secure their spot in the next round of the Big Ten Tournament, but not without some early-game drama. Despite a sluggish start that saw them trailing 21-10, the team found a way to rally back against Maryland.
Coach Ben McCollum was visibly frustrated on the sidelines, echoing the passionate energy fans remember from former coach Fran McCaffery. McCollum humorously suggested postgame that he might need to start "losing his mind" earlier to get the team going from the tip-off.
In his own words, McCollum reflected on the team's tendency for slow starts: "Typical start for the old Hawkeyes this year. I don't know what it is, but sometimes we just don't start the greatest and then I lose my mind for a few huddles and then for some reason we turn it around. So maybe I should just lose my mind to start the game."
His lighthearted remark highlights a genuine concern. The Hawkeyes can't afford these slow beginnings, especially against stronger teams that won't let them claw back into contention easily. McCollum's challenge will be finding a way to ignite his squad right from the opening whistle, ensuring they don't have to rely on dramatic comebacks to stay alive in the tournament.