Covering the Hawkeyes: Iowa Rolls Past Western Michigan, 91–51

This one was special.

I was able to gain media access for the Iowa men’s basketball game against Western Michigan, giving me the opportunity to capture photos and sit in on the postgame press conferences. As a lifelong Iowa fan, this was a dream scenario. Growing up watching the Hawkeyes, being able to cover them from a media perspective felt like a full-circle moment.

First Half: Iowa Takes Control Early

The opening five minutes of the game were played at a slower pace, but that worked in Iowa’s favor. The Hawkeyes let Western Michigan make early mistakes, capitalizing on rebounds and fouls to jump out to a 12–5 lead.

By the 10-minute mark of the first half, Iowa had more than doubled its scoring output while allowing the Broncos just five additional points, pushing the lead to 27–10. Western Michigan wouldn’t score again until 7:49 remaining in the half, but Iowa continued to pile it on, stretching the advantage to 34–12.

With five minutes left before halftime, the game was already well out of reach. The Hawkeyes couldn’t miss, while the Broncos struggled to find any rhythm, as the scoreboard read 41–14. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, Iowa had opened up a commanding 52–16 lead, and we began to see more of the bench getting meaningful minutes.

Second Half: Offense Stays Hot

The second half brought more of the same offensively for Iowa. The Hawkeyes added 39 more points, continuing to move the ball well and create open looks. Defensively, however, the intensity dipped a bit. Western Michigan was able to find more success in the second half, scoring 34 points, but the outcome was never in doubt.

When the final buzzer sounded, Iowa walked away with a 91–51 victory, securing their ninth win of the season and remaining undefeated at home.

Postgame Thoughts

In the postgame press conference, head coach Ben McCollum acknowledged that the team got off to a strong start but expressed some frustration with the defensive effort in the second half. He emphasized that while the result was positive, there are still areas that need to be cleaned up.

Coach McCollum also noted that it was a good bounce-back win following the tough loss to Iowa State. The players echoed that sentiment, mentioning how frustrating it was to hear praise for how well they played in that game despite coming away with a loss. This performance felt like a reset—and a reminder of what this team is capable of.

A Night to Remember

From a personal standpoint, being able to cover the Hawkeyes from the media side was something I won’t forget. The access, the atmosphere, and the opportunity to tell the story of a dominant Iowa win made for an unforgettable night.

If this game was any indication, Iowa is building momentum—and I’m grateful I got to be there to capture it.