Iowa seeks to build intensity in matchup with Western Illinois

Iowa coach Ben McCollum wants the Hawkeyes to play with some edge.

After cruising to a 101-69 season-opening home win against Robert Morris on Tuesday, Iowa has another chance to show off its tenacity against Western Illinois in Iowa City on Friday.

"We've got some edgy, tough kids that fly around," McCollum said. "They get pretty physical and make the game fun."

Isaia Howard transferred from Drake, where McCollum was his coach last season. The physical presence and mental make-up of the 6-foot-5 sophomore guard is what McCollum wants from his players.

"He's half nuts," McCollum said of Howard, who scored 10 points in his Iowa debut. "I like people that are half nuts because I'm fully nuts. We had a team vote, who would you most want to be playing defense if we needed a stop. And he was No. 1. Guys trust him because he gives so much effort and plays with energy."

There are six Drake transfers on the Iowa roster and two of them had big scoring nights. Bennett Stirtz led Iowa with 19 points while Tavion Banks added 17 points.

Even with the blowout win, McCollum wanted more.

"You're never satisfied as a coach," McCollum said. "Because it's so process focused. Obviously, you're a little happier for an hour and then it's back to whatever, it's on to Western Illinois."

The Leathernecks (0-1) dropped their season opener 80-75 to host Radford on Monday. Lucas Lorenzen scored a game-high 25 points. The Dordt University transfer was an NAIA All-American First Team last season when he averaged 22.7 points per game and shot 40.4% from 3-point range.

Francis Okwuosah added 16 points and five rebounds in the loss.

"The early part of the season the schedule is not ideal for us," Western Illinois coach Chad Boudreau said. "With the buy games and the (non-Division I games). But I am curious to see where we can get to. I think we can get to a pretty high level."

--Field Level Media