Iowa brings a dominant 4-0 record into Thursday’s matchup against Chicago State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes look for their fifth consecutive win on Nov. 20. This is Iowa’s Dance Marathon Night game in support of youth cancer patients. The Cougars arrive winless at 0-5 on the season.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Iowa is the sixth coach in Iowa history to open with four straight wins.
- Bennett Stirtz is 19.8 points per game, ranking top 6 in the Big Ten in scoring.
- Iowa shot 61.2% from the field in their 99-70 victory over Southeast Missouri.
- Chicago State has lost all five games to quality opponents like Minnesota.
- Game tip-off: Thursday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. CT with broadcast on B1G+.
Iowa’s Undefeated Start Continues
Coach Ben McCollum’s Iowa Hawkeyes have started the season hot. They dismantled Southeast Missouri 99-70 just two days earlier.
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Iowa’s bench contributed a season-high 50 points in that victory. All 11 players who took the court scored. The team is leading the nation in field goal percentage at .579.
Stirtz has been the engine driving Iowa’s offense. The senior guard averages 19.8 points and 6.3 assists. He’s reached double figures in all four games. His shooting splits are stellar at .571/.471/.885.
“The Hawkeyes have shot better than 50 percent from the field in all eight halves this season, which includes five 60 percent halves.”
Chicago State’s Search for First Win
Chicago State enters this matchup searching for their first victory of the season. The Cougars have lost all five games against NCAA programs.
Their schedule includes losses to DePaul, Saint Louis, Butler, Minnesota and UIC. Tuesday’s loss to Minnesota was particularly telling. Chicago State led 47-45 with 7:51 to play. They couldn’t finish.
Offensively, the Cougars struggle significantly. Chicago State shoots 41.2% from the field and just 29.1% from three-point range.
Statistical Comparison: Numbers That Tell the Story
The performance gap between these teams is substantial. Iowa dominates nearly every measurable category entering Thursday’s game.
| Statistic | Iowa | Chicago State |
| Record | 4-0 | 0-5 |
| Field Goal % | 57.9% | 41.2% |
| 3-Point % | 40.5% | 29.1% |
| Points Per Game (Last Game) | 99 vs SEMO | 54 at Minnesota |
| Leading Scorer Average | 19.8 (Stirtz) | 16.8 (Tankersley) |
Iowa’s depth advantage is significant. The bench scored 50 points against SEMO compared to Chicago State’s struggles offensively.
Why This Game Matters for Iowa
This is Iowa’s last home game before traveling to California. The Hawkeyes face Ole Miss on Nov. 25 and either Utah or Grand Canyon on Nov. 26.
Maintaining momentum is crucial heading into that road stretch. Building confidence against an overmatched opponent helps. A win keeps their undefeated record intact heading west.
Coach McCollum has made one lineup change for this game. Kael Combs gets his first career start in place of Isaia Howard.
Will Iowa Break Series Records?
Iowa has completely dominated this matchup throughout history. The Hawkeyes are 5-0 all-time against Chicago State with an average winning margin of 40.5 points.
The two programs last met in 2017 when Iowa won 95-62. Expect another lopsided affair Thursday night. Iowa is 10-0 against all current members of the Northeast Athletic Conference.
Can Chicago State finally break through? Historically speaking, the odds are extremely steep. But Thursday’s Dance Marathon Night adds a special atmosphere to Carver-Hawkeye Arena regardless of the final score.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.