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Game Preview Western Illinois @ Iowa
The Western Illinois Leathernecks visit the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where Iowa looks to extend its strong start under first-year head coach Ben McCollum. The Hawkeyes rolled to a 101–69 win over Robert Morris in their opener, displaying balance, depth, and relentless energy — trademarks of McCollum’s coaching style.
The Hawkeyes are stocked with familiar faces from McCollum’s previous program, as six Drake transfers now wear black and gold. That chemistry was evident immediately, with Bennett Stirtz scoring 19 points and Tavion Banks adding 17. Guard Isaia Howard — another Drake transfer — brought intensity and defense, traits that embody McCollum’s “half nuts” mentality.
“I like people that are half nuts because I’m fully nuts,” McCollum said postgame. “They make the game fun.”
Western Illinois, meanwhile, is coming off a narrow 80–75 loss at Radford to open its season. Lucas Lorenzen, an NAIA All-American transfer from Dordt, impressed with 25 points on 64 percent shooting. Francis Okwuosah contributed 16 points and five rebounds as the Leathernecks showed fight despite their defensive lapses.
Friday’s matchup gives Iowa a chance to keep building chemistry and tempo before Big Ten play, while Western Illinois aims to prove it can hang with high-major competition.
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Odds and Key Information
The Hawkeyes enter as massive home favorites at -29.5, with the total set around 146.5. Iowa’s offensive explosion in its debut has bettors leaning toward another high-scoring affair.
| Key Betting Line | Value |
|---|---|
| Spread | Iowa -29.5 (-111) |
| Moneyline | Iowa -30000 / Western Illinois +3400 |
| Total | 146.5 O/U |
| Venue | Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, IA |
| Time | 7:00 PM ET (B1G+) |
For a refresher on line evaluation, check what does the spread mean in betting and handicap in betting.
Iowa Outlook
Ben McCollum’s Iowa debut showcased the identity he’s building — pace, pressure, and toughness. The Hawkeyes scored 101 points while shooting 61.7 percent from the field and 68.1 percent effective field goal percentage, ranking among the top 15 nationally after opening night.
Bennett Stirtz led a balanced attack with 19 points, Tavion Banks added 17, and the team’s ball movement produced 27 assists on 37 made shots. Iowa also dominated the paint and the glass, pulling down 45 rebounds while limiting turnovers to just seven.
Isaia Howard’s defense stood out, earning praise from teammates who voted him “most trusted for a stop.” That intensity reflects McCollum’s transition from Drake, where he built one of the nation’s most efficient offenses.
Playing at Carver-Hawkeye gives the Hawkeyes a decisive edge. They’re 5–1 ATS in their last six home openers and thrive as heavy favorites, especially early in the season.
Western Illinois Outlook
The Leathernecks showed offensive promise in their opener at Radford but must tighten up defensively to compete in Iowa City. Lucas Lorenzen’s 25-point performance confirmed his ability to score at any level, while Francis Okwuosah’s physical presence adds stability inside.
Coach Chad Boudreau admitted the early schedule isn’t ideal, with “buy games” testing his roster’s depth and conditioning. Western Illinois allowed 80 points to Radford and struggled on the boards, giving up 14 second-chance opportunities. Against Iowa’s size and pace, that margin must shrink.
Still, the Leathernecks’ offensive rhythm is encouraging. Their 47.5 percent shooting and 75 points per game average can help them stay within range of the spread if they can limit transition breakdowns.
For totals bettors, understanding pace-driven value is key — see alternate total points.
Key Matchup Table
| Statistical Category | Edge |
|---|---|
| Field Goal % | Iowa (61.7%) |
| Rebounding Margin | Iowa (+14) |
| Three-Point Shooting | Western Illinois (41%) |
| Turnovers | Iowa (7 per game) |
| Pace (Possessions/Game) | Iowa (73.5) |
The Hawkeyes’ combination of pace and efficiency poses a major challenge for Western Illinois’ defense, especially in transition
Betting Trends
Iowa is 6–2 ATS in its last eight home nonconference games and 4–1 ATS in its last five when scoring 90+ points. The over has hit in four of their last six games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Western Illinois has covered in three of its last four road games and tends to perform better as large underdogs early in the season, going 2–1 ATS in their last three against Power Six opponents.
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Prediction
Iowa’s offense is firing on all cylinders, and McCollum’s aggressive system is designed to keep opponents uncomfortable. Western Illinois will rely heavily on Lorenzen’s perimeter shooting to stay competitive, but the Hawkeyes’ rebounding and tempo advantage should prove overwhelming.
Projected Score: Iowa 96, Western Illinois 70
Spread Pick: Western Illinois +29.5
Total Lean: Under 146.5
Western Illinois’ offense may do enough to avoid a total blowout, but Iowa’s dominance on both ends — and control of the tempo — should make this one-sided from the opening tip.
Why You Need Expert Picks
Games with extreme spreads often hide value in first-half or team-total lines. The Handicappers Leaderboard showcases verified college basketball experts analyzing tempo and shot quality metrics for matchups like this one.
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