Iowa basketball coach Steve Alford says expectations are high for the upcoming season. The Hawkeyes have five seniors back from last year’s team that advanced to the second round of the N-C-A-A tournament. Alford last year’s shocking run to the Big Ten tournament title was a great step for the program. He says when you can go so far in year two, the kids taste the excitement and learn what it’s like to focus on the title.
Alford says a veteran ground combined with a highly regarded recruiting class should help the Hawkeyes be a better defensive team this season. He says they’ve added athleticism in the front court. He says they now must work on guarding people.
Alford says more depth should help the defensive play.
The Hawkeyes get an early start to the season by hosting Maryland-Eastern Shore in the opening round of the Guardians Classic on November 13th.