By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois didn’t have time to dwell on its worst loss of the season. Which was fine with the Leathernecks. Thursday’s 73-46 win over Monmouth College at Western Hall was a good bounce-back from … Continue reading Leathernecks Make Quick Turnaround, Get A Win
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Drew Thelwell laughed when he saw the four media members waiting to talk to him in the Vibrant Arena hallway. “This is a first,” he said. There is a lot that’s new for the fifth-year point guard … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Experience Has Made A Difference For Iowa’s Thelwell
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Sometimes there are games a team can’t afford to lose, even in November. Western Illinois’ men’s basketball team had one of those on Saturday. The Leathernecks didn’t lose. Western Illinois rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final six minutes to defeat Central Arkansas 63-61 at Western Hall. Ryan Myers’ two free throws in the closing 1.3 seconds provided the final margin, completing a victory the Leathernecks needed after Wednesday’s 87-73 home loss to Green Bay. “We had to stay together,” said center Tay Knox, whose blocked shot was the final big defensive play … Continue reading Leathernecks Bounce Back, Rally For Home Win
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MOLINE, Ill. — Fran McCaffery wasn’t sure what he would get out of Owen Freeman on Friday night. The Iowa sophomore forward missed Tuesday’s game against South Dakota with an illness, and while his coach thought he … Continue reading Hawkeyes Finish The Show In Moline
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — It was a comment that Western Illinois women’s basketball coach JD Gravina made slightly in jest. But it started the planning for something that is somewhat unusual in college basketball — a power conference … Continue reading Leathernecks Prepare For Home Game Against Missouri
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Sean Smith and Ryan Myers knew exactly what their coach was going to say. Long before Western Illinois coach Chad Boudreau took the blame for Wednesday’s 87-73 loss to Green Bay in the home opener at Western Hall, Smith and Myers came into the Hall of Fame Room and took the heat off their coach. “The coaches gave us the blueprint to win this game,” Myers said. “It’s on us. Coach is going to take accountability for everything. But it’s on us. He gave us the blueprint to win this game.” “It’s on us,” … Continue reading WIU ‘Punched In The Mouth’ In Loss To Green Bay
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY — Fran McCaffery knew he had plenty of options on his roster this season. Three games into the season, the Iowa men’s basketball coach has been missing at least one of those options. Maybe soon, … Continue reading Hawkeyes Are Learning To Play With All The Options
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Payton Sandfort is the owner of the lone triple-double in Iowa’s men’s basketball history. He’s come close to adding to that in the first two games of this season for the Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-7 forward leads Iowa … Continue reading Sandfort’s Passing Part Of Fast Start
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP A lot was made about Payton Sandfort returning to Iowa for his senior season. Instead, what the Hawkeyes have gotten so far this season is Sandfort times two. Oh, Payton is getting his points — he’s the … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Pryce Sandfort’s Production Is What He Expected
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY — The final act in the transition from then to now came with the unfurling of the banner to the sound of applause. The commemoration of Iowa’s second consecutive run to the NCAA women’s basketball … Continue reading Hawkeyes Complete The Transition From Then To Now
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