While Iowa may be smarting from consecutive narrow defeats to conference and in-state rivals, the Hawkeyes have learned to smile at the same time. As they pause from facing fellow high-majors with Sunday's visit from New Orleans, the Hawkeyes feel encouraged about their progress five weeks into the season. Iowa (7-3) led third-ranked Iowa State by 12 in the first half and nine down the stretch before running out of steam in Thursday's 89-80 home loss. Five days earlier, the team played a tight game at No. 23 Michigan but came up short in the closing seconds. "We're right there with the No.
Iowa upbeat heading into matchup with New Orleans
