Iowa coach Steve Alford has turned up the intensity in practice hoping to toughen up the Hawkeyes. Iowa is 5-6 and was hammered on the boards in a 75-59 loss at Drake. Alford says they’ve tried different approaches and now have decided they need more pressure put on them in practice.
With three game remaining before the start of Big Ten play Alford says the Hawks must become tougher. Alford says the things they’ve put the team through in the last few days has been extremely difficult. Alford says it has challenged the players mentally and physically, and they have handled it very, very well.
Alford says despite the program’s worst start in 32 years the players remain upbeat. He says they’re upset as anybody about the record. Alford says losing to Northern Iowa and Drake doesn’t upset him any more than the loss at Arizona State, as he says both are just as good as Arizona State.
The Hawkeyes host Georgia State and Alford says the Hawks will face many of the same challenges they faced at Drake. He says they’re athletic and like to get offensive rebounds and dribble drive.