Iowa 82, South Carolina State 69

I was all by my lonesome at the game tonight. There were other people there, of course, but I was flying solo. It was the first time I’ve been to an Iowa basketball game by myself. It was no big deal, but I had to make sure I didn’t make myself look crazy with my cheering and commenting. I get a little vocal, so I had to watch myself. Nothing says “weirdo” like a guy sitting by himself at a basketball game who is making loud comments to no one in particular.

No Tucker, no problem…at least against South Carolina State. I was impressed by the way the Hawks worked the ball inside, which is something they haven’t done much. They moved the ball around the perimeter as they always do, but they tried, and successfully, to drive the ball in the paint and crash the boards (relatively speaking, of course). Shots were falling for the Hawks (57 percent), and they stayed out of foul trouble. Eric May showed he could step up and become an impact player, and the scoring was spread around; four Hawks notched double-digit totals.

Two game winning streak, baby! Enjoy it while it lasts, because the Big Ten season will be brutal. My prediction: they’ll try their best to play spoiler, and be lucky to get four wins in conference.

Go Hawks!