Iowa men’s basketball team gets to 5-0 by scorching Chicago State, 93-54

IOWA CITY — It’s been five up, five down. Now it’s time to play five big-boy teams.

Iowa earned its fifth-straight men’s basketball win of 19 or more points with its 93-54 victory over Chicago State on Thursday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Each game was at home, and just one was against a team (Xavier) from a major conference.

Now, the Hawkeyes head into five consecutive games against tougher competition. It starts with a game against Mississippi next Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. (Iowa time) in Palm Springs, Calif., followed by either Utah or 2025 NCAA tournament team Grand Canyon there the next night.

Then it’s Michigan State on the road, Maryland at home, and Iowa State in Ames by Dec. 11.

“I enjoy it. I’m excited for it,” said Iowa Coach Ben McCollum.

“I would say I’m excited for it,” Hawkeye forward Tavion Banks said. “I’m really excited for it.

“Ready to see what the team’s got and see how the journey goes.”

Banks was ready Thursday. He had team-highs of 16 points and 10 rebounds, with 11 and 9 in the first half as Iowa opened a 40-24 lead.

Banks came McCollum’s way last year. As Drake’s new coach, McCollum was recruiting Banks and another player for a forward’s spot. He said he first knew of Banks in high school, before the player went to a prep school and then a Florida junior college.

Said McCollum: “I remember my assistant came back and said ‘You would love this guy.’ He literally got every rebound. ... I just loved the way he played, loved his energy, loved his enthusiasm for the game. He’s a super-appreciative kid, appreciative of everything that he receives. He’s obviously seeing the rewards of his work.

“Just the edge he plays with, the toughness edge. He just plays with a different chip on his shoulder.”

This game was tied at 13 with 14:31 left in the first half but Chicago State (0-6) couldn’t keep up. The Cougars went 6:06 without a point and nine minutes without a basket in falling behind 27-15. The Hawkeyes scored the last nine points of the first half.

Iowa remains the Gang That Can Shoot Straight. It entered the game leading the nation in field goal percentage at 57.9 percent, but made just 42.9 percent of its first half shots, including an icy 3-of-16 from 3-point distance.

However, the shooting straightened itself out once the second half began. The Hawkeyes made 11 of their first 13 shots in opening a 64-36 advantage. They made 9 of 15 threes in the half. Their 70 percent second-half shooting upped their game total to 56.9 percent.

Alvaro Folgueiras had 14 points for Iowa. The 6-foot-10 junior made three 3-pointers after halftime. Freshmen Tate Sage and Cooper Koch added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Bennett Stirtz had a season-low 9 points, but had a game-high 6 assists to give him 15 over the last two games.

Iowa had a 37-22 rebounding advantage. Chicago State senior guard Marcus Tankersley scored a game-high 19 points.

For the Hawkeyes, next up is an Ole Miss team that also is 5-0. The Rebels reached the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16 last season.

“Now it’s time to compete,” McCollum said, “and I’m excited. Just ready to get after it.”

Comments: (319) 398-8440; mike.hlas@thegazette.com