Winners of three of their last four the Iowa Hawkeyes are at home tonight (Thursday night) against Purdue. Iowa is 4-4 in the Big Ten and must answer the physical challenge the Boilers offer in the paint.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who says the Hawkeyes want to push the tempo.

Iowa’s defense and rebounding has improved in recent weeks and McCaffery says that needs to continue.

Iowa leading scorer Keegan Murray missed the first meeting against Purdue with an ankle injury. It was a 77-70 Hawkeye loss in Mackey Arena back on December third.

Murray hopes the homecourt is an advantage for the Hawkeyes.

Murray says watching the first game from the bench helps him going into Thursday’s game.