Iowa stays in rankings despite loss

Despite a recent tailspin that has left them 2-4 in the Big Ten race the Iowa Hawkeyes remain 24th in the latest ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. The ranking came as a suprise to Iowa coach Steve Alford.Following a blowout loss at Northwestern on Saturday night, the Hawkeyes practiced twice on Sunday and will hold two more workouts today before playing Michigan State tomorrow night. Alford says his team has become spoiled since Christmas break. He cited an example of guys who didn’t like the pre-game meal before the Northwestern game, something he called picky. Alford says the team is going through some things that’re testing their toughness.