The Iowa Hawkeyes return to action Saturday night at home against Western Carolina. The Hawkeyes were off this week for final exams but managed to maintain a practice schedule. Iowa coach Steve Alford says it’s been pretty good as they haven’t had to vary their practice times. Alford hesitates to assign his team a grade to this point though he has been pleased. He says to be 8-1 through nine games is good and he says the loss wasn’t a failing grade considering who they played. Alford says they haven’t reached their finals yet. Western Carolina is 5-6 against a demanding schedule, as they’ve played Marquette, Penn State and Alabama. So he says they won’t come in and be intimidated, plus he says the pressure is on his team. He says if they don’t do the things they have to do, then Western Carlonia is potent enough to beat them. The Hawkeyes are 16th ranked nationally.
