Iowa's Ben Mccollum Staying Positive Despite Third-straight Loss

After going 3 games successful a statement without earning a win, the Iowa Hawkeyes abruptly find themselves astatine 12-5 wide and, overmuch worse, 2-4 successful nan B1G. That second tally is nan benignant of statistic that defines a squad successful nan worst measurement down nan agelong and, fixed Iowa's glaring lack of a Quad 1 win, to boot.

In their latest duel pinch nan No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers distant from home, contempt having led for a promising information of nan competition, nan Hawkeyes erstwhile again fell short successful a 79-72 loss. If nan squad didn't already person their backs against nan wall, losing yet different opportunity to notch a signature triumph arsenic nan NCAA Tournament timepiece starts to tick.

Although Iowa's contiguous schedule looks to soften up, astatine slightest successful comparison to their latest run, nan Hawkeyes still person plentifulness of crushed to dress up and perpetually whittling chances to make it happen.

Suddenly Short of Positivity

In nan aftermath of yet different defeat, Coach McCollum said connected nan process of improving done controversy. Given what nan Hawkeyes person faced lately, immoderate affirmative words of affirmation could spell a agelong measurement for a programme abruptly short of positivity.

"Part of trying to beryllium bully is sometimes there's a level of nonaccomplishment that comes pinch it," said McCollum, starring nan measurement arsenic Iowa navigates their longest agelong of losing each year. "I deliberation arsenic you effort to advancement to beryllium good, sometimes you do get hit for illustration what has occurred lately."

While 2 of nan Hawkeyes' 3 losses person travel against classed opponents - 2 besides came connected nan roadworthy successful what is apt nan champion convention successful nan state this play - nan losing streak still speaks to problems pinch nan squad that had antecedently been hidden by beardown non-conference play.

Yet, McCollum is wished to support he and his team's heads held high. "But you can't fto that effect your expertise to proceed to conflict and proceed to effort to beryllium arsenic bully arsenic what you deliberation you tin be."

As Good arsenic You Think

How bully Iowa thinks they tin beryllium is, for nan time, irrelevant to their decomposing position arsenic a March Madness qualifier, fto unsocial nan benignant of acheronian equine imaginable that they'd antecedently been dubbed with.

With nan Indiana Hoosiers connected platform next, Iowa has different contiguous opening to snag their first roadworthy triumph successful what, astatine this point, feels for illustration a basal circumstance.

Don't hide to bookmark Iowa Hawkeyes connected SI for nan latest news. exclusive interviews, recruiting sum and more!