By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Iowa plays just two games in the next 16 days before getting back into Big Ten play at Nebraska on December 29. But after Sunday’s 78-75 overtime loss to open the conference season, coach Fran McCaffery wasn’t … Continue reading Mid-December Break Will Help Hawkeyes Get Ready For What’s Coming
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MOLINE, Ill. — Western Illinois University’s basketball doubleheader at Vibrant Arena on Friday was created out of necessity. But playing at the arena close to the university’s Quad Cities campus was something athletic director Paul Bubb has … Continue reading Bubb Hopes WIU’s Moline Doubleheader Will Be An Annual Event
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Caitlin Clark said it, and then she and Iowa coach Lisa Bluder couldn’t resist laughing at how it sounded. Clark and the Hawkeyes had just finished Saturday’s 87-64 win over Minnesota at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Bluder’s record-setting 234th … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Hawkeyes’ History Is All In The Family
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Caitlin Clark said it, and everyone heard it. “It’s fun getting stops,” the Iowa All-American guard said. Lisa Bluder knew that was the soundbite for posterity. “We got that on recording,” the Hawkeyes’ coach said, smiling. “‘It’s … Continue reading Hawkeyes Beat Cyclones, And Create A New Blueprint
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP The NCAA released its first NET rankings of the season for men’s and women’s basketball on Monday. It is, of course, only December 5, but the rankings are a good early barometer on where teams are and … Continue reading Resumé Watch: The NET Is Here, But It’s Still Early
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Fran McCaffery only makes a starting lineup change when it’s necessary. It worked last season, when the Iowa coach shifted his lineup to add guard Tony Perkins. The Hawkeyes went 12 of their next 14 games after … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Lineup Changes Can Help, But Also Can Disrupt
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — JJ Kalakon had a big smile when he banked in a second-half 3-pointer. While Kalakon’s Western Illinois University teammates celebrated from the bench, Trenton Massner gave Kalakon a playful shove and started laughing. It … Continue reading WIU 90, UTRGV 72: Leathernecks Have Fun With Complete Victory
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Jesiah West saw it while reviewing the video of some of his recent games. “The last couple of games, I’ve been taking plays off,” the Western Illinois University forward said. “I’ve been seeing it … Continue reading WIU 86, SOUTHERN INDIANA 78: The Ordinary, And The Extraordinary, Help The Leathernecks Hold On
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — November ended for the Western Illinois University women’s basketball team with the Leathernecks still searching for answers. The 84-69 loss to Tarleton State on Wednesday at Western Hall dropped the Leathernecks to 1-5 on … Continue reading TARLETON STATE 84, WIU 69: Leathernecks Still Searching For Answers
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP November is always about overreaction in college basketball. It shouldn’t be. November is a foundation for what is built to get to March. The season is long, and what looks good or bad in the first month … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: The Overreactions Of November
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