After a back and forth game for much of the first half, the #5 Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) used a press to speed up the North Carolina Central Eagles (0-1) and spark a 97-67 win to open the 2020-21 season.
The cast of characters returned to great effect with the normal guys doing normal guy things. Luka Garza got 26 points and 10 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play. Jordan Bohannon and CJ Fredrick hit some threes. Joe Wieskamp got to the line and hit some free throws. Connor McCaffery was a floor general on both sides of the floor, leading the team with four assists.