Normally a non-conference game in the midst of a league schedules viewed as a distraction but when you are struggling as much as the Iowa Hawkeyes are any chance to get a victory is big. Iowa is just 5-11 overall and 0-4 in the Big Ten and will host a Tennessee State team on Tuesday night that is just 4-13 on the season.
Back in November the Tigers lost at Iowa State 84-53. Lickliter says the team has fought hard and it has been grueling, but he says their hope is that they will continue to grow. Iowa does not play another Big Ten game until this weekend and Lickliter says the game fit well into their schedule.
He says a week off with a young team allows them to focus on Tennessee State. Lickliter says there is no chance the Hawks will be looking past this game. He says they have to focus, as their record is such that they can’t look beyond anyone.