By JOHN BOHNENKAMP

Iowa’s slow starts in recent games have concerned coach Ben McCollum to the point where he is considering a change to the starting lineup.

The Hawkeyes (18-7 overall, 8-6 Big Ten), who lost back-to-back games last week, have been mostly consistent with the lineup to start games this season. Bennett Stirtz, Cam Manyawu and Cooper Koch have started every game, and Tavion Banks has started all but one game.

Iowa has trailed at halftime in three of its last four games. The Hawkeyes only led USC 28-27 at halftime of the 73-72 win over USC on January 28, and had just a 39-35 lead on Northwestern in the 76-70 win on February 8.

McCollum said on Monday that “there is some thought” to making a lineup change for Tuesday’s 8 p.m. game against No. 9 Nebraska (22-3, 11-3). McCollum added, though, he had similar thoughts during Iowa’s six-game winning streak that preceded the recent two-game skid.

“And then you’re just playing well, you might as well just stick with what you’ve got,” he said. “And so because we considered it then too.”

McCollum said he considers his starting lineup to be more defensive-oriented, which the Hawkeyes could us against the Huskers, who have averaged 79.4 points per game while ranking 21st nationally with a plus-13.4 scoring margin.

“We do get stops with that lineup, but we just don’t score,” McCollum said. “And so then you’re slow starting every time.

“I think once you get into Big Ten play, the level rises, and then there’s more need for shooting, more need for space on the floor, the more need for space to be able to finish. There’s just a lot of things that go into (a lineup).”

McCollum evaluated the start of Saturday’s 78-57 loss to Purdue, when Iowa fell down 25-12 in the opening 11 1/2 minutes. The Hawkeyes had one stretch in that start in which they missed seven consecutive shots.

“We actually played hard,” McCollum said. “We didn’t play very smart in some capacity. “

McCollum said early misses set a tone for the rest of the game.

“I believe, maybe the first possession of the game, or second possession of the game, we had a point-blank layup that we just missed, that we normally make,” McCollum said. “You just missed it. Might have had a second one or an open three — had a good couple, two, three possessions that you miss. Then maybe the fourth or fifth possession, you get something at the rim, but there’s a 6-10 guy there, and you don’t make the extra pass. And so our rim decisions then became difficult.

“But what happens when you miss those early, easy ones is your 50-50 ones, the ‘Maybe I should finish this. Maybe I should pass it,’ become shocking, It’s just so glaring. And so all those mistakes show up so big because you don’t hit those other ones. And then that creates the slow start.”

Nebraska’s offense will challenge the Hawkeyes because the Huskers have so many ways to score, McCollum said. Four Huskers average in double figures in scoring, led by guard Pryce Sandfort, who transferred to Nebraska after McCollum was hired. Sandfort averages 17.5 points and is among the nation’s leaders in 3-pointers with 88.

“He’s done a great job of moving without the basketball,” McCollum said. “And they have a great offensive system for that. He’s been excellent throughout the year. He’s one of the more difficult guys to defend, and their team obviously plays with a lot of energy.”

The remedy for the Hawkeyes at the beginning of the game, McCollum said, may actually be quite simple.

“Just start quicker,” he said. “Really it’s just ultimately what it is.”

Photo: Iowa’s players huddle during a replay review in Saturday’s game against Purdue. (Photo from Iowa Athletic Communications)