Iowa recovered from shaky beginnings to run past visiting Texas A&M Commerce in Monday's season opener. While the Hawkeyes aspire to be sharp throughout when Southern visits Iowa City on Thursday, they now know there's precedent for overcoming early struggles.
Payton Sandfort and the Hawkeyes are primed to make a statement in their second game of the season, and it all starts with a collective effort from the team. Despite their early woes against Texas A&M Commerce, Iowa managed to pull away and secure a win, and that resilience will be crucial as they face Southern.
The Jaguars, who are looking to bounce back from their season-opening loss, will no doubt pose a challenge for the Hawkeyes. But with Sandfort leading the charge, Iowa is confident that they can overcome any obstacle and emerge victorious.
As the Hawkeyes prepare to face Southern, they'll be focusing on sharpening their game and avoiding the same early mistakes that nearly cost them their season opener. With a strong team dynamic and a never-say-die attitude, Iowa is well on its way to a successful season, and a win against Southern would be a significant step in the right direction.
"We know that we can't afford to start slow again," said Sandfort in a post-game interview. "We need to come out strong and be ready to play from the tip-off. We've been working on our game plan and making adjustments, and I think we're ready to take on Southern."
Southern, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on Iowa's early struggles and catch them off guard. The Jaguars have a talented roster and will be hungry for a win after their season-opening loss. But with the Hawkeyes on high alert and ready to pounce, it'll be a tough task for Southern to come away with a victory.
The stage is set for an exciting matchup between Iowa and Southern, and fans can expect a high-energy game with plenty of intensity. Will the Hawkeyes be able to overcome their early struggles and secure a 2-0 start, or will the Jaguars spoil their party? Tune in on Thursday to find out.