The Iowa men’s basketball team is preparing for a crucial road game against Penn State, looking to avoid a repeat of their disappointing loss to Maryland earlier this month. In that encounter, the Hawkeyes suffered a 77-70 defeat despite being on a six-game winning streak, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the Big Ten conference.
As Iowa travels to State College for this matchup, they find themselves in a similar situation. Penn State began the season strong, winning eight out of their first nine games but has since struggled, currently sitting at the bottom of the Big Ten with a 2-15 mark in conference play. The Nittany Lions have not played since a heavy 87-64 loss to Nebraska on February 21 and sport an overall record of 11-17.
Iowa head coach Ben McCollum highlighted the necessity for his team to start games stronger, reflecting on their previous game against Ohio State where they fell behind 14-2 before recovering to win 74-57. McCollum noted the team’s slow starts as an ongoing issue and suggested that changes might be needed in the starting lineup. He hinted at the potential for freshman forward Cooper Koch, who has struggled recently, to come off the bench as part of strategic adjustments.
Alvaro Folgueiras, who had an impressive performance against Ohio State, scoring 20 points, is also a contender for a starting role, but McCollum is cautious about making changes solely for the sake of punishment, seeking to foster a lineup that will mesh better together.
Despite the challenges ahead, McCollum recognizes the importance of bringing their own energy, especially given that Penn State has struggled to attract fans. The Hawkeyes remain unwavering in their focus on performance, stressing the need to capitalize on the opportunity to secure a win on the road, particularly with a tough matchup against conference leader Michigan looming on the horizon.
As they prepare for the game, Iowa holds a historical advantage in the series against Penn State, leading 35-21 all-time with recent victories in their last two encounters. This context adds an additional layer of urgency for the Hawkeyes to assert their dominance and claim a vital win while continuing their pursuit of a successful season.