THIS is the Iowa squad we have been hoping for after hiring Ben McCollum in March.
While it is only game one, the Hawkeye Men's Basketball squad gave us hope that they will be solid on both ends of the floor this season.
Multiple times in the past under Fran McCaffery, Iowa had a potent offensive attack, but lacked effort on the glass and on defense.
The Hawkeyes shut down Robert Morris in a dominating 101-69 win, forcing 23 turnovers in a dominating defensive performance.
In a crowd full of yellow ties, Iowa gave McCollum his first of hopefully many wins this season and in the future.
After a dominating performance against Robert Morris, here are three key takeaways from the Iowa victory after game one of the season.
Iowa has the potential to be a stout defensive team
Although it was only one game, Iowa displayed a defensive intensity that we have not seen in many years.
The Hawkeyes pressured Robert Morris all night, racking up 11 steals and forcing 23 turnovers overall as they stiffled the Colonials' offense.
Iowa was quick to every loose ball, got multiple deflections, and forced Robert Morris into bad passes all night long. The Hawkeyes used that pressure to turn those 23 turnovers into 33 points.
In game one, the Hawkeyes did not use a traditional center as McCollum started three guards and two forwards, which limited their block totals, but allowed them to rack up steals.
In the Big Ten, expect to see a heavy dose of Alvaro Folgueiras and Trevin Jirak due to the multiple solid post players in the conference.
Bennett Stirtz is better than advertised
It was only one game, but Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes in points (19), assists (6), and steals (4) during the opening night victory over Robert Morris.
Every time Stirtz moves up in competition, he rises to the occasion, and has the chance to have a special season for the Hawkeyes.
Stirtz was projected as a First Team All-Big Ten selection this season, and lived up to the billing on night one.
The best play of the night was when Stirtz caught an alley oop from fellow Drake Bulldogs transfer Cael Combs and flushed it for a ferocious dunk.
Watch out Braden Smith, Stirtz is coming for all the awards.
McCollum has injected energy into the program
Throughout the summer and early fall, McCollum was all around Iowa City and neighboring communities kicking the tires for Iowa Men's Basketball.
McCollum has had a straightforward message since day one: the program cannot succeed without the support of the fans and community.
During game one, Carver-Hawkeye Arena was filled with fans wearing yellow ties in honor of McCollum, and the arena was on its feet for most of the game after the players put on a high-flying dunk contest.
McCollum was also showing his intensity on the sidelines, and even when the game was well in hand, he was getting after his players to be better.
THIS is the Iowa Men's Basketball program we have been waiting for as McCollum and the team started off with a win on opening night.