Who | Western Illinois (0-1, 0-0) vs. Iowa (1-0, 0-0)
When | Friday, November 7, 6:00 P.M.
Where | Carver-Hawkeye Arena | Iowa City, IA 

Western Illinois Vs Iowa
The Leathernecks are headed to Iowa City to take on the Hawkeyes. It's a tough matchup against a Big Ten team, but the Leathernecks will look to compete and make the most of every possession.  For Western Illinois, this game is all about measuring themselves against top competition. Matchups like this are a chance to see the team's strengths and where there's room to grow.

Western Illinois at Radford Recap
The new-look Western Illinois men's basketball team opened the 2025–26 season with a hard-fought 80–75 loss at Radford on Monday night inside the Dedmon Center.

It was the first look at a completely rebuilt Leatherneck roster, as Western Illinois returned no players from last year's team. Even with an entirely new lineup, the Leathernecks battled from start to finish and showed plenty of potential in their season opener.

Junior guard Lucas Lorenzen made an instant impact in his debut, scoring 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including four three-pointers. Francis Okwuosah added 16 points and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the line, while Isaiah Griffin recorded 12 points and eight rebounds. Tyran Cook finished with 10 points.

First Game Impressions
Western Illinois showed early signs of what this team can be in their season opener. The Leathernecks proved they are a resilient group, coming back from a second-half deficit against Radford and staying competitive throughout. They also displayed a willingness to hustle, crashing the boards, chasing loose balls, and playing with energy on both ends. While there is still work to do, the first game offered a clear look at a team that competes hard and doesn't shy away from challenges.

Scouting Iowa
Iowa enters the season under new leadership with Ben McCollum, who comes from Drake and brings a fresh approach to the program. The Hawkeyes have added key transfers with 6 of them coming from McCollum's last stop at Drake, most notably Bennett Stirtz, the former MVC Player of the Year, who immediately became the team's primary scorer and playmaker. Stirtz can create his own shot, facilitate for teammates, and disrupt opposing offenses with his defensive instincts, making him the focal point for Iowa's attack. Iowa returns 2 players being Cooper Koch and Jacob Koch from last year's roster. In Iowa's season opener they defeated Robert Morris 101-69. Bennett Stirtz led the team in scoring with 19 with Tavion Banks following closely behind with 17.

Keys to the Game

1. Bennett Stirtz, MVC Player of the Year: Stirtz transferred from Drake, where he earned MVC Player of the Year honors, and immediately became Iowa's go-to scorer and playmaker. He can score from anywhere, create for teammates, and disrupt on defense. Limiting his touches will be key for Western Illinois.

2. Balanced Scoring and Depth: Iowa has multiple scoring threats inside and out. Floor spacing and ball movement make them tough to defend, so the Leathernecks must stay disciplined to prevent open shots for supporting players.

3. Athletic Frontcourt and Rebounding: Iowa's size and athleticism allow them to dominate boards and generate second-chance points. Western Illinois must control rebounds and finish possessions to stay competitive.

What's at Stake
With a completely new roster, this game provides a benchmark for the Leathernecks to see how they measure up against a Big Ten opponent. This game will provide valuable experience for a roster that has only played one game together. 

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