Iowa City Press Citizen
Hawkeyes hope to kick off tough schedule with win
So Iowa has to take every opportunity like the one it has today in its season-opener against Texas-San Antonio at 5:05 p.m.
"I think we've come a long way since we started in September," sophomore Anthony Tucker said. "We're all ready to have a real test."
Iowa defeated Texas-San Antonio 73-67 last November during its 15-17 season.
"They won 19 last year," Iowa coach Todd Lickliter said. "They are a veteran team coming in. They are excited to come in. They felt it was a close game last year they let get away."
Iowa went 10-3 in non-conference games last season.
It's a win total they'd like to duplicate this year because the Hawkeyes know how tough the sledding is going to be in the Big Ten this season.
"It's a terrific schedule," Lickliter said. "I've said that all along. You can't have a bad schedule in the Big Ten. It's impossible.
"My hope is that the competition will heighten our awareness, will drive us to concentrate and help us focus and to grow."
The Big Ten has the most ranked teams of any conference with six. Iowa also has a game against No. 4 Texas and other non-conference tilts with Virginia Tech and the three in-state schools.
So for a program trying to build momentum after the first back-to-back losing seasons in more than three decades, game like today become must-wins.
The Roadrunners were able to overcome a 12 point halftime deficit against Iowa last year thanks to an aggressive full court press.
"We expect them to press us a lot," Tucker said. "We really struggled with that last year."
Three starters are back for Texas-San Antonio, led by Devin Gibson (17.5 ppg) and Omar Johnson (12.6).
"They spread it out, they drive it, they kick it, they shot pretty well here," sophomore Matt Gatens said.
"We have to limit their open shots, and I think we'll be pretty successful against them."
Iowa finally has a team that will at least buy into the coach's system after the turmoil of the past. Goining to have to go against them. Game on ESPNU.
Texas SA +9.5 -110 x4
gl!
Hawkeyes hope to kick off tough schedule with win
So Iowa has to take every opportunity like the one it has today in its season-opener against Texas-San Antonio at 5:05 p.m.
"I think we've come a long way since we started in September," sophomore Anthony Tucker said. "We're all ready to have a real test."
Iowa defeated Texas-San Antonio 73-67 last November during its 15-17 season.
"They won 19 last year," Iowa coach Todd Lickliter said. "They are a veteran team coming in. They are excited to come in. They felt it was a close game last year they let get away."
Iowa went 10-3 in non-conference games last season.
It's a win total they'd like to duplicate this year because the Hawkeyes know how tough the sledding is going to be in the Big Ten this season.
"It's a terrific schedule," Lickliter said. "I've said that all along. You can't have a bad schedule in the Big Ten. It's impossible.
"My hope is that the competition will heighten our awareness, will drive us to concentrate and help us focus and to grow."
The Big Ten has the most ranked teams of any conference with six. Iowa also has a game against No. 4 Texas and other non-conference tilts with Virginia Tech and the three in-state schools.
So for a program trying to build momentum after the first back-to-back losing seasons in more than three decades, game like today become must-wins.
The Roadrunners were able to overcome a 12 point halftime deficit against Iowa last year thanks to an aggressive full court press.
"We expect them to press us a lot," Tucker said. "We really struggled with that last year."
Three starters are back for Texas-San Antonio, led by Devin Gibson (17.5 ppg) and Omar Johnson (12.6).
"They spread it out, they drive it, they kick it, they shot pretty well here," sophomore Matt Gatens said.
"We have to limit their open shots, and I think we'll be pretty successful against them."
Iowa finally has a team that will at least buy into the coach's system after the turmoil of the past. Goining to have to go against them. Game on ESPNU.
Texas SA +9.5 -110 x4
gl!
