The Hawks have started fairly well this Basketball season (6-2) and they’re just getting started. No one expected them to win on the road against 12th ranked North Carolina especially after their very poor shooting in the 2k classic tournament games against the number 10 Texas and number 23 Syracuse in Madison Square Garden. But this time the defense really stood out as the Hawkeyes forced UNC to only shot 28 percent as well as going 4 of 23 from 3 point range.

Iowa did not shoot well either going only 3 of 20 from 3 and were 33 percent from the field, but offensive rebounds and second chance points is what the difference was in the second half. One thing that’s different about this team from last year is that they are better on defense. After losing Devyn Marble to the NBA Draft many thought that the Hawkeyes would lose their offensive spark and a big defensive presence but they have responded to the criticism very well.

The main reason the defense has been better is due to the 2 Forwards in Aaron White and Jarrod Uthoff, who are both averaging 1.6 steals per game as well as Uthoff averaging 2.1 blocks a game. Another big presence is Gabriel Olaseni averaging 2.6 blocks a game and has done really well coming off the bench so far this season. Offensively the Hawks have been lackluster but things should change by the time conference play starts. Aaron White has been the Moses of the Iowa offense so far this season and is leading all Iowa players in points per game so far this season and should lead them throughout the season but after Wednesday nights win the emergence of Mike Gesell and Anthony Clemmons who had a combined 24 points could be huge late in the non-conference games and going into conference play. The Hawkeyes toughest remaining opponent in the non-conference is against number 20 Iowa State (5-1) whose only loss was to a very good Maryland team on a neutral floor. Iowa State is led by Georges Niang who averages 19.5 PPG along with strong help by Bryce Dejean-Jones who averages 7.5 rebounds per game as well as averaging 16.3 PPG and Naz Long as a strong all around offensive player.

One key factor for this game could be preparation time as Iowa State doesn’t play another game before the Cy-Hawk Series game, while the Hawkeyes play one more, but not against a good team. Momentum could be key as well especially because Iowa beat North Carolina in Chapel Hill, which is never easy and a three game win streak would be huge for the Hawks. And my final key to the game is home court advantage.  Carver Hawkeye Arena will be rocking when the Cyclones come to town and crowd noise is always a factor. I predict that the Hawks will get a big win to get over the tough loss last year in Ames. The Hawkeyes next game is against Alcorn State (1-5) at home on Tuesday at 8:00 PM.