Iowa basketball (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten) is gearing up for an important home match against No. 16 Illinois (12-3, 3-1 Big Ten) this Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes are coming off a narrow 70-67 loss to Minnesota and are eager to bounce back in this matchup.
However, Iowa may have to contend with the absence of starting forward Tavion Banks, who is currently listed as questionable for the game. Despite this uncertainty, Banks participated in pregame warmups, indicating his intention to play if possible. The 6-foot-7 wing has been a key contributor for Iowa, starting in all 15 games this season and averaging 9.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and impressive shooting percentages of 54.8% from the field and 46.2% from beyond the arc.
In addition to Banks’ situation, Iowa freshman guard Peyton McCollum has been ruled out for the game, a notable absence for the Hawks. On the opposing side, Illinois has also reported an injury, as Ty Rodgers will not be playing.
The highly anticipated game is set to tip off at 11 a.m. and will be broadcasted on Fox, promising an engaging contest between two competitive teams in the Big Ten Conference. Fans of both teams are hopeful that their squads will bring their best performances to the court.