By JOHN BOHNENKAMP CORALVILLE, Iowa — Ben McCollum would prefer to do his preseason preparation in private. Iowa’s 88-64 exhibition win over the University of Illinois Springfield on Tuesday was the lone public look at the Hawkeyes before next Tuesday’s … Continue reading IOWA 88, UIS 64: Now It’s ‘For Real’ For Hawkeyes
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, … Continue reading McCollum Considers Lineup Change To Spark Hawkeyes
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP There were going to be nicks and gashes in Ben McCollum’s first season as Iowa’s men’s basketball coach — the losses you endure, the losses you lament. “Scars” are what McCollum called them after Saturday’s 78-57 loss … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: ‘Scars’ Are Just Part Of What Hawkeyes Are Trying To Build
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Francis Okwuosah’s 3-pointer snapped the net and released the frustration that had built for two months and had consumed Western Illinois’ men’s basketball team. Four minutes and 26 seconds remained in Tuesday’s game against … Continue reading WIU 79, EASTERN ILLINOIS 70: A Night When The Streak Ended, And The Ax Stayed
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY, Iowa — Tavion Banks has seen the Bennett Stirtz show before — first at Drake, now at Iowa — so when Stirtz was having one of those days on Sunday against Northwestern at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, … Continue reading IOWA 76, NORTHWESTERN 70: Stirtz Does His Thing, And The Hawkeyes’ Streak Hits Six
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Isaiah Griffin knows how quickly a season can flip. Griffin was on an Idaho State team two seasons ago that finished 14-20 and went 7-11 in Big Sky Conference play. But the Vandals got hot in the conference tournament, winning two games to reach the semifinals as the eighth seed in the 10-team event. It’s why Griffin, now playing at Western Illinois, is telling his teammates to keep working this season despite their current record. “I’m one of the older guys, I’ve played a lot,” Griffin said after the Leathernecks fell to Tennessee State … Continue reading TENNESSEE STATE 90, WIU 68: Leathernecks’ Skid Hits Five Games
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Ben McCollum is working to make Iowa’s men’s basketball nonconference schedule for next season, and beyond, a little heavier with power conference teams. The Hawkeyes close the nonconference schedule in McCollum’s first season as their head coach … Continue reading McCollum Working To Strengthen Iowa’s Schedule For Next Season
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY, Iowa — Western Illinois’ men’s basketball team stayed within striking distance of Iowa for 25 minutes of Friday’s game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes’ defense, though, proved to be too much for the Leathernecks in … Continue reading Leathernecks Worn Down By Iowa’s Defense In Loss
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 Western Illinois senior center Drew Cisse was one of the nation’s top frontcourt players this season, and it showed in the Ohio Valley Conference’s postseason honors on Tuesday. Cisse was named the OVC’s defensive player of the … Continue reading WIU’s Cisse Picks Up OVC Honors
