Meet the Big Ten: Iowa

Iowa began last season as a favorite to win the Big Ten, and was ranked in the top five nationally. But the Hawkeyes fell flat on their face during the conference season, finishing 10th with an underachieving 5-11 record. They were not invited to the NCAA Tournament, and were beaten in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament by Louisiana State.\nThis may prove to be another tough year in Iowa City. \nThe Hawkeyes off-season has included junior center Sean Sonderleiter being charged with possession of marijuana, junior guard Brody Boyd being charged with underage alcohol possession, and sophomore point guard Pierre Pierce awaiting trial for sexual assault. \nPierce has pleaded not guilty but, if convicted, his career at Iowa will be in serious jeopardy.\nAnd that's not all.\nFour players transferred in the off-season, leaving a depleted nine-player roster for coach Steve Alford to work with.\nShooting guard Luke Recker and forward Reggie Evans both graduated and, with their departures, a total of 32.5 points and 14.5 rebounds was lost. Junior forward Glen Worley is now the team leader in both categories, with averages of 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.\nDespite a dismal outlook, Alford said his team's attitude must remain positive.\n"We still know what our expectation is in that locker room and that's to go out and compete every night, try to get the job done and try to become a better basketball team, weekly," he said. "So regardless of what's being said or written or viewed, I know what's in our locker room and I know what they're thinking about and they better be having high expectations within themselves"