Illinois
Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and takeaways from Iowa basketball’s win vs Western Illinois
Video: Isaia Howard contributes on both ends of floor in Iowa’s win
Isaia Howard meets with media after Iowa basketball’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois.
IOWA CITY — The scoreboard did not necessarily reflect it, but Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum was prouder of his team in the win over Western Illinois than in the season opener against Robert Morris.
The Hawkeyes jumped Robert Morris from the start, building a 17-2 lead and basically putting the Colonials away before they even had the chance to blink. It resulted in a 101-69 victory for Iowa, making for a successful beginning to the McCollum era
Iowa’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois a few days later was more methodical. The Hawkeyes led by just eight at halftime and weren’t able to run up the margin in a way they did against Robert Morris.
And yet, McCollum was more pleased with his team against Western Illinois than he was against Robert Morris.
Here is McCollum’s rationale.
- “I think it’s more difficult for a team when you’re not totally T’d up,” he said. “I thought we were pretty T’d up but it wasn’t like it was the other day.”
- “And then on top of it, their style of play,” he continued. “They didn’t really pass a whole lot. It was kind of just run the shot clock down, (isolation), get a shot. It kind of sucks the life out of the game because you can’t get a run going. And that was a great game plan by them. And then defensively, they just kind of like guard you, but they sit four or five feet off you, so you’re kind of in between what you’re supposed to do. And that, again, is a great game plan. I thought they had a great game plan. I didn’t think I was the best coach in the world today.”
- “But I was really proud of the fact that we weren’t at our best and we still won the game and we still win it by (19).”
Here are more takeaways as Iowa improves to 2-0 on the season.
Alvaro Folgueiras makes impact in variety of ways
Folgueiras had his fingerprints all over the game, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds, five assists, one block and three steals.
Folgueiras, who scored 11 of his 13 points before halftime, was playing so well that it prompted a lineup change out of the break. Folgueiras was on the bench to begin each of Iowa’s first two games, but replaced Cam Manyawu in the lineup to open the second half against Western Illinois.
McCollum said of the decision: “He was playing really well.”
Video: Alvaro Folgueiras scores 13 points in Iowa’s win over Western Illinois
Alvaro Folgueiras meets with media after Iowa basketball’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois.
It was a bit of a surprise on opening night to see that Folgueiras was not in Iowa’s starting lineup. The Robert Morris transfer was last season’s Horizon League Player of the Year and one of Iowa’s more marquee roster additions.
Folgueiras showed a glimpse of why against Western Illinois.
Folgueiras still needs to prove it against better competition, but his performance against the Leathernecks was undoubtedly a step in the right direction. The game provided a framework for how Folgueiras can be featured as a complementary piece to Bennett Stirtz, who was phenomenal, notching 24 points and seven assists.
“We have high expectations for him,” McCollum said of Folgueiras. “I think his talent says that he could be starting. The cool part about him is that it’s like, I want to earn this and I want to get in there and do that. When you challenge him, just like that, he came out and performed and was excellent. He’s seeing the work that he’s put in, in the weight room, conditioning, on the floor, attitude, all those things. He’s got a good attitude but just getting it redirected. He’s seeing the results of that now. And so, hopefully he continues to grow and get better.”
Tate Sage has been pleasant surprise
The freshman has clearly shown enough behind the scenes to earn a spot in the rotation early in his Iowa career. Though he shot just 1-of-6 from deep against Western Illinois, he still made contributions off the bench, finishing with eight points.
Through two games, Sage is playing an average of 20 minutes.
Sage did not come to Iowa surrounded by a bunch of hype. He was ranked just 364th nationally in the 2025 high school recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Sage was signed to play for McCollum at Drake before following the head coach to the Hawkeyes.
But he looks like someone who can help the Hawkeyes as a true freshman.
“We knew he was good,” McCollum said. “But we thought it would take him a year. But he’s got a little edge to him. He’s a 6-7 two-guard. And so, he’s got good length. He only going to get better… He’s got great energy. He’s a good competitor. I think if we’re going to be at our best, he’s going to need to be pretty good.”
Taking stock in Iowa’s offense
The Hawkeyes did not get close to reaching triple digits against Western Illinois like they did against Robert Morris, but it was still an efficient game offensively. Iowa shot 52% from the field and 40% from deep against the Leathernecks while only turning it over seven times.
“I think we were disrupted tonight,” McCollum said. “I didn’t feel good about our flow. I thought our efficiency was really good, though. I thought we scored. I thought the first game we had great rhythm, great flow, we didn’t play with disruption. Tonight, we were fairly unorganized and that’s on me. Didn’t get into our stuff quick enough. Again, on me, and their defense.”
Before Iowa’s season-opening game, McCollum stated that he thought his team was “a ways away offensively.” But through two games, it hasn’t looked that way.
Video: Ben McCollum reacts to Iowa’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois
Ben McCollum meets with media after Iowa basketball’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois.
It’s a very small sample size, but Iowa is shooting 57% from the field and 43% from 3-point range to open the season. The Hawkeyes have assisted on 42 of their 55 made field goals, which speaks to the way the ball is being shared.
The scoring output against Western Illinois was not as prolific as Robert Morris, but the Hawkeyes still delivered 77 points despite Brendan Hausen and Tate Sage going a combined 1-of-10 from deep.
It felt like there was a stigma about Iowa’s offense because of what McCollum’s team looked like at Drake last season. Granted, it’s against lesser competition, but early returns have pushed back on that perception. The Hawkeyes might not have the most explosive offense, but it looks like one with potential, at the very least.
“They go 5-for-10 on wide open and, those guys, 6-for-10 on wide open, now you’re talking a little bit different score,” McCollum said, referring to Hausen and Sage’s 3-point shooting vs. Western Illinois. “So even there, we’d have more efficiency. And that’s what our offense should be eventually. That’s what we had at Northwest (Missouri State). Like everybody compares our Drake offense, and it’s like, our Drake offense wasn’t exactly what we’re trying to get to.”
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
SYCAMORE, Ill. – A Sycamore mother said she is still waiting for justice more than two years after her teenage son was stabbed to death.
The case is back in court this week, where a judge will consider a key request that could change how the case moves forward.
What we know:
A mother said her son’s life was cut short during a confrontation that turned deadly.
Heather Gerken said her 17-year-old son, Kaleb McCall, was stabbed during an incident in September 2023. She said Kaleb agreed to meet another teen for what he believed would be a fist fight while sticking up for a friend.
According to Gerken, the other teen, who was 15 at the time, pulled a knife and stabbed Kaleb in the chest. Kaleb later died from his injuries.
Gerken said a jury later found that teen guilty of second-degree murder after the defense argued he acted in self-defense.
Dig deeper:
The case is not over.
Gerken says the defendant’s attorneys are now trying to move the case out of adult court and into juvenile court. That decision could impact how the teen is ultimately sentenced.
What they’re saying:
Gerken said the legal process has been long and frustrating.
She said the case has stretched on for more than two and a half years and that ongoing court proceedings have made it difficult for her to grieve her son.
“He was everybody’s big brother,” Gerken said. “He had the biggest smile and the sweetest personality. He enjoyed fishing and being outside, and he was the best gift giver. He always got me flowers for every little holiday. Just a very thoughtful boy.”
Gerken also said the possibility of the case moving to juvenile court is especially upsetting, as she continues to push for what she believes is justice for her son.
“I don’t want anybody else’s child to die the way that my son died,” Gerken said. “Caleb is my whole world. I gave birth to him at 17 and he changed my life completely. He made me a better person. He taught me what real love truly is…And I just miss him so much more every day. And just knowing that he died the way he did. It makes me sick.”
What’s next:
The case returns to court Thursday morning.
A judge is expected to determine whether the case remains in adult court or is moved to juvenile court, a decision that could shape what happens next in the case.
The Source: The information in this article was reported by FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi.
Millions of asylum seekers have been impacted as caseloads have grown
A general crackdown on immigration courts the administration sees as liberal has led to the firing of dozens of immigration judges.
Recent polls show President Donald Trump’s approval ratings continue to dip as the war in Iran endures and national gas prices float above $4.
One such poll conducted by CNN/SSRS illustrates widespread upset among Americans with regards to Trump’s handling of the economy and inflation. Here’s how Trump’s approval ratings look nationally and within Illinois, as of April 20.
Donald Trump approval rating: CNN
Only 31% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the economy, compared to 39% in January 2026, according to the poll.
The decline in approval on the issue is even higher among Republicans, especially Republicans under 45 years old, according to CNN.
In the poll, President Donald Trump received his worst approval rating yet in either of his two terms on the economy.
CNN findings show about two-thirds of Americans say Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions, and 27% say they approve of Trump’s handling of inflation.
CNN also reported 63% of Americans say the prices at the pump have caused financial hardship in their household, including 15% calling it “severe.”
The poll, conducted March 26-30 among 1,201 U.S. adults, found 35% approve of Trump’s job performance overall. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
One poll respondent told CNN and the pollster about the most important issue facing the country: “Prices! Everything is so expensive. Makes it very difficult to do anything other than work and go home. Trips to the grocery store are ridiculous! Between gas and grocery prices, we are poor!”
Trump addressed the concerns about gas prices in his address to the nation on April 1, saying the Strait of Hormuz would reopen when the conflict was over and the prices would fall again.
Trump reaffirmed his promise about the strait on April 18, saying his administration had “very good conversations going on” with Iran after the country said the strait would not be reopened.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: Civiqs
Trump’s job approval rating in Illinois, as of April 18, according to data from online survey platform Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 32%.
- Disapprove — 65%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump national approval rating: Civiqs
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 13, according to data from Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 39%.
- Disapprove — 57%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: The Economist
Trump has a -36% net approval rating in Illinois as of April 20, according to data from The Economist.
Donald Trump national approval rating: The Economist
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 20, according to data from The Economist, is as follows:
- Approve — 38%.
- Disapprove — 56%.
- Don’t know — 7%.
Trump, Iran War approval rating: Pew Research Center
A Pew Research study conducted in mid-March found that about six-in-ten Americans (61%) approve of Trump’s handling of the conflict in Iran, with 39% approving.
A report released in early April found that the largest concern for most Americans as a result of the conflict is higher gas prices, with 69% saying they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the issue.
Other Trump approval rating polls as of April 20
Here is a look at some other polling aggregators to understand how CNN/SSRS’s poll compares to the average Trump approval numbers as of April 20:
RealClearPolitics Poll Average: 41.2% approve, 56.6% disapprove.
The New York Times: 40% approve, 56% disapprove.
Silver Bulletin: 39.7% approve, 56.4% disapprove.
Which president has the lowest approval rating ever?
Although Trump has dropped to a historic low in approval rating polls this term so far, he hit a 34% low in the first term and other recent presidents such as Joe Biden hit a 36% low, Barack Obama hit a 40% low, George W. Bush hit a 25% low and Bill Clinton hit a 37% low, according to the Gallup polls, whose recorded lowest rating was Harry Truman with 22%.
As for the highest presidential approval ratings, George W. Bush holds the highest approval rating ever recorded at 90%, while his father, George H. Bush holds the second highest at 89%.
Trump is the only president that has not reached a 50% or higher approval to date in the Gallup polls’ history.
CENTRALIA, Ill. – An investigation is underway after multiple people were shot Sunday in Centralia, Illinois, according to a report from WFCN News in southern Illinois.
FOX 2 has confirmed the Illinois State Police is investigating a shooting and taking over the investigation, but ISP could not confirm many further details as of 9 p.m. Sunday.
“The investigation is in its infancy and to protect the integrity of the investigation, no additional details will be released at this time,” ISP said in a statement to FOX 2.
According to WFCN News, the shooting happened around 5 p.m. near the 900 block of East Kell Street in Centralia. Multiple law enforcement agencies have since responded to scene and multiple victims are hospitalized, according to the report.
It’s unclear how many people may have been injured and what led up to the shooting.
Centralia, Illinois is about 70 miles, or just over an hour, east of St. Louis.
This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.
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