IOWA CITY — The scoreboard did not necessarily reflect it, but Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum was prouder of his team in the win over Western Illinois than in the season opener against Robert Morris.

The Hawkeyes jumped Robert Morris from the start, building a 17-2 lead and basically putting the Colonials away before they even had the chance to blink. It resulted in a 101-69 victory for Iowa, making for a successful beginning to the McCollum era

Iowa’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois a few days later was more methodical. The Hawkeyes led by just eight at halftime and weren’t able to run up the margin in a way they did against Robert Morris.

And yet, McCollum was more pleased with his team against Western Illinois than he was against Robert Morris.

Here is McCollum’s rationale.

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