Iowa’s surprising start to the Big Ten season took another step Thursday night. The Hawkeyes led from start to finish in a 68-61 victory over eighth-ranked Illinois.It was a big night for freshman guard Jeff Horner who coach Steve Alford called the key to the game. Alford says in this particular game, Horner was the best player on the floor.Horner finished with 16-points, 11-rebounds to go along with five assists.Alford says the Hawkeyes continue to give maximum effort as a team, but he says Horner was the big key to this game. Alford says it’s fun to dive on the floor and get loose balls, and he says that’s the way they practice. Alford says it’s scary with a short bench to see his team diving all over, but he says that’s the way they have to play to win.
