By John Bohnenkamp Fran McCaffery talked before the season started about how deep his Iowa team was this season, and how he could use anyone in a given situation. He’s done that, and the bench has provided some key moments … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: McCaffery’s Confidence In Depth Has Paid Off
By John Bohnenkamp Iowa’s 95-86 win at Nebraska on Sunday felt like the beginning of the season, when the Hawkeyes won their first four games before a series of disruptions threw off their rhythm. Coach Lisa Bluder hopes that feeling … Continue reading Bluder Knows Hawkeyes Need Consistency After Nebraska Win
By John Bohnenkamp There was a different feeling sitting courtside at Western Hall on Saturday for Western Illinois’ game against Oral Roberts. It was the end of the first full week of January, which meant the end of the first … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: The First Week Of The Rest Of The Season
By John Bohnenkamp MACOMB, Ill. — It would have been the perfect way for Western Illinois to get out of its current funk. Beat a program that went to the NCAA tournament regional semifinals last season, one that is a Summit League title contender this season? Do that, and what has happened over the last couple of weeks would feel like a long time ago. Instead, the Leathernecks had another loss to stew on in Saturday’s 87-86 defeat to Oral Roberts at Western Hall. It was the fourth consecutive loss for the Leathernecks (10-6 overall, 1-3 Summit League), one that … Continue reading ORAL ROBERTS 87, WIU 86: Leathernecks Miss Chance To Break Streak
By John Bohnenkamp Iowa’s Payton Sandfort has had a typical freshman season — some good games, some not-so-good. But Sandfort has become a valuable part of the Hawkeyes’ reserve group this season. The 6-foot-7 forward from Waukee is coming off … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Sandfort Playing Valuable Role Off Iowa’s Bench
By John Bohnenkamp Iowa has played five women’s basketball games since November 17. At least the Hawkeyes will get a game this weekend, but it took a few phone calls. Iowa, which was supposed to play Illinois at Carver-Hawkeye Arena … Continue reading Hawkeyes Need Games, And They’re Able To Find One
By John Bohnenkamp Western Illinois opened the men’s basketball season with a win at Nebraska that was all about the defense. To get back to the way the Leathernecks played to start the season, coach Rob Jeter thinks they need … Continue reading IOWA 92, WIU 71: Leathernecks’ Defense Has No Answer For Fast-Break Hawkeyes
By John Bohnenkamp Iowa was the first opponent for new coach Rob Jeter and Western Illinois last season. The Leathernecks at that time were still getting to know each other — because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no summer … Continue reading ‘Night and Day’: Hawkeyes Face Leathernecks To Close Nonconference Schedule
By John Bohnenkamp Kris Murray mostly watched and learned last season. It’s paid off this season for the Iowa sophomore forward. Murray, caught in the Hawkeyes’ frontcourt numbers game last season, has become a key piece off the bench. He … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Confidence Is Key For Iowa’s Kris Murray
By John Bohnenkamp It was a funny story, JD Gravina said. Gravina, Western Illinois’ women’s basketball coach, had a substitution plan late in the third quarter of Wednesday’s home game against Omaha. Danni Nichols was going back into the game … Continue reading WIU 77, OMAHA 70: Leathernecks Get ‘Fire’ In Fourth Quarter For Win
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