Slow starts have been too common for the Iowa basketball team and coach Ben McCollum says the Hawkeyes can’t afford another one tomorrow when they visit Penn State. Under third year coach Mike Rhoades the Nittany Lions are just 2-15 in the Big Ten but there have been several near misses against some of the top teams, especially at home.

Penn State averages fewer than six thousand fans per home game so the crowd may not provide a lot of energy.

After struggling for a few weeks McCollum feels the Hawkeyes have gotten back to playing good defense.

The Hawkeyes are 10-7 in the Big Ten and 20-8 overall.