![\"NCAA](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/27507482.jpg\")
Nov 4, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Isaia Howard (23) completes a slam dunk against the Robert Morris Colonials during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nIowa coach Ben McCollum wants the Hawkeyes to play with some edge.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n After cruising to a 101-69 season-opening home win against Robert Morris on Tuesday, Iowa has another chance to show off its tenacity against Western Illinois in Iowa City on Friday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “We’ve got some edgy, tough kids that fly around,” McCollum said. “They get pretty physical and make the game fun.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Isaia Howard transferred from Drake, where McCollum was his coach last season. The physical presence and mental make-up of the 6-foot-5 sophomore guard is what McCollum wants from his players.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “He’s half nuts,” McCollum said of Howard, who scored 10 points in his Iowa debut. “I like people that are half nuts because I’m fully nuts. We had a team vote, who would you most want to be playing defense if we needed a stop. And he was No. 1. Guys trust him because he gives so much effort and plays with energy.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n There are six Drake transfers on the Iowa roster and two of them had big scoring nights. Bennett Stirtz led Iowa with 19 points while Tavion Banks added 17 points.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Even with the blowout win, McCollum wanted more.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “You’re never satisfied as a coach,” McCollum said. “Because it’s so process focused. Obviously, you’re a little happier for an hour and then it’s back to whatever, it’s on to Western Illinois.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Leathernecks (0-1) dropped their season opener 80-75 to host Radford on Monday. Lucas Lorenzen scored a game-high 25 points. The Dordt University transfer was an NAIA All-American First Team last season when he averaged 22.7 points per game and shot 40.4% from 3-point range.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Francis Okwuosah added 16 points and five rebounds in the loss.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “The early part of the season the schedule is not ideal for us,” Western Illinois coach Chad Boudreau said. “With the buy games and the (non-Division I games). But I am curious to see where we can get to. I think we can get to a pretty high level.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n