Iowa City - A Tough Road Ahead for the Hawkeyes
Iowa men’s basketball is riding high after a thrilling victory over No. 9 Nebraska, edging them out 57-52.
But the celebration is short-lived as the Hawkeyes prepare to face yet another ranked opponent, No. 24 Wisconsin.
This marks the first time since the 2019-20 season that Iowa confronts three consecutive top 25 teams. Back then, they managed a 2-1 record against Ohio State, Michigan State, and Penn State. This season, after splitting their first two games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the Hawkeyes are set to hit the road for a Sunday showdown at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Iowa head coach Ben McCollum emphasizes the importance of staying grounded. “At this point in the season, if you get too high and low, we probably haven't done a great job of teaching you,” McCollum stated. He stresses the need for a balanced mindset, focusing on the process rather than getting caught up in the highs of victory.
Wisconsin presents a formidable challenge, having lost just two home games this season. They've secured impressive wins against teams like Michigan and Illinois and have triumphed in nine of their last 12 games. Despite a recent loss to Ohio State, the Badgers remain a tough competitor.
Key to Wisconsin’s success are their big men, Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, who together average 39.1 points per game and shoot a remarkable 82.7 percent from the floor. Their offensive prowess, combined with the contributions of Nolan Winter, who averages 13.6 points per game and leads the team in blocks, makes Wisconsin a multidimensional threat.
“They get so downhill, they just live in the paint. And those bigs really shoot it,” McCollum noted, acknowledging the offensive versatility that makes the Badgers a challenge.
Iowa’s defense has been a cornerstone this season, holding every opponent except Maryland below their scoring average. The victory over Nebraska has shone a spotlight on the team, and another ranked win would further solidify McCollum’s efforts to reshape the program.
In his first year, McCollum is already making waves, tying for the second-best debut season in Hawkeye history alongside Bucky O’Connor from 1951-52. Transitioning from a mid-major program to the Big Ten has been an adjustment, but McCollum is quickly finding his footing. “I've said before, I think it's just the level of players is just a little bit different from one through eight,” he remarked, highlighting the depth and talent present at this level.
As the Hawkeyes gear up for Sunday’s game, McCollum’s message is clear: a statement win must be followed by consistent performance. “We talk about it constantly, making sure that we're pretty process focused,” he said. While the win over Nebraska was significant, McCollum views it as just another step in the journey, emphasizing that every game holds equal importance.