Iowa coach Steve Alford says the Hawkeyes cannot be satisfied with their performance in the opening half of the Big Ten race. The Hawks are 6-2 at the turn and open the second half at home Saturday against a Michigan team that is tied at the top of the standings with the Hawks and Illinois. He says they have to be a team that keeps getting better and doesn’t become stagnant.

Alford says great leadership has helped put the Hawkeyes in contention. He says they’ve been a special group that has worked their tails off on and off the basketball floor. Alford says winning at home has gotten them to this point and it will be a key in the second half.

Alford says it’s not easy and he says now there’s more pressure and tougher battles in the second eight league games. Iowa is 17-5 overall.