Iowa

‘Hilton Magic’ once again pivotal for Iowa State basketball in navigating the Big 12

Published

12 months ago

January 9, 2024

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‘Hilton Magic’ once again pivotal for Iowa State basketball in navigating the Big 12

AMES – The Big 12 promises pain.

The best men’s basketball conference in the country guarantees a rough-and-tumble, grinding and punishing 18-game slate every single winter. From that, there is no hiding.

There can be refuge, though. Or at least the closest thing to it amid a storm of Hall of Fame coaches, NBA prospects and elite athletes.

For Iowa State, that has long been Hilton Coliseum, and, once again, it appears that imposing building will be the Cyclones’ best chance to maximize their season and make a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

“Absolutely,” Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “Totally true. One-hundred percent.”

More: Iowa State basketball loses Big 12 opener to No. 11 Oklahoma

The Cyclones (11-3, 0-1 Big 12), Hilton Coliseum and the fans who visit the facility will face an immediate and daunting task Tuesday (6 p.m.; ESPN2) when the nation’s lone undefeated team, second-ranked Houston, visits for the Big 12 home opener.

“We’re fortunate to have an unbelievable fan base, an unbelievable home-court advantage,” Otzelberger said. “We need to take advantage of that.”

Iowa State’s home-court advantage – Hilton Magic – has always been among the Big 12’s and nation’s best, and it has often been key to the Cyclones’ success with sold-out and raucous crowds making it an intolerable arena for opponents.

That may be truer now than at any time in the last decade with the Big 12 swelling to 14 teams and abandoning the round-robin schedule it had adopted as a 10-team league. With an unbalanced schedule, protecting home floor can give a team an edge regardless of opponent.

“What we do control is that we have nine league games at Hilton,” Otzelberger said, “and one at a time we need to come with great focus, great intent, competitive spirit and get the job done.”

Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger talks about 3-point defense

T.J. Otzelberger discusses his team’s 3-point defense following a loss at Oklahoma

Hilton Magic may have been born during Johnny Orr’s tenure beginning in the 1980s, but it perhaps reached the height of its powers during the program’s golden age of the previous decade, ushered in by Orr’s former player, Fred Hoiberg.

In Hoiberg’s final four years at Iowa State – all NCAA Tournament teams – the Cyclones went 32-4 in Big 12 home games, never losing multiple games in a single season.

When Hoiberg’s successor, Steve Prohm, had his greatest success, it continued that tradition. Prohm’s first two teams both went 7-2 in league games at home, but as they later struggled to continue that dominance, his success waned.

Prohm went 14-22 at home vs. the Big 12 in his final four seasons at Iowa State in which he made just one NCAA Tournament. Even removing the 0-9 mark of the 2020-21 season, in which Iowa State went winless all season against the Big 12 and was 2-22 overall, the “check engine light” was blinking as Iowa State was 14-13 at home the previous three seasons.

Otzelberger went 4-5 at home in his first season of 2021-22 and improved to 6-3 a year ago. Iowa State is undefeated at home this season against non-conference opponents.

“Any time we get a chance to play in Hilton in front of 14,500 (fans), it always brings another level of excitement,” Iowa State senior Tre King said. “It’s something we’ve always taken pride in, in defending our home court and playing well.

“People dread playing us because they know what the atmosphere is going to be like, how the fans are.”

More: Iowa State freshman Milan Momcilovic emerges as steady offensive force for Cyclones

If Iowa State can win seven or more of its remaining nine home games, it significantly lessens the burden on what the team will need to accomplish on the road to get into the NCAA Tournament. Fail to reach seven, and it means the Cyclones need to win frequently on the road against good teams − one of the hardest things to do in college basketball.

“Our focus and our intent has been there,” Otzelberger said. “Obviously it’s going to take even a higher level in both of those areas.

“When you do that, you build that confidence, then you feel almost a level of invincibility at home.”

More: Peterson: Iowa State basketball playing in Big 12 dog park full of pit bulls

Houston (14-0, 1-0), however, has made every one of its opponents look mortal this season, especially with coach Kelvin Sampson’s dominating defense.

“They have older guys, physical bodies,” Otzelberger said. “It’s almost like a hot potato – you’ve got to move it, you’ve got to move it, you’ve got to move it − because if you keep the ball in one guy’s hands, their coverage doesn’t bust.”

It will be a tough challenge for Iowa State, but the Cyclones hope their own gritty style of play will counteract the Cougars’.

Plus, they’ve got something Houston won’t have.

“They play hard, their coach does a great job, their team has been effective that way,” Otzelberger said. “Yet at the same time, they’re coming on our court. We’re up for that challenge.”

Travis Hines covers Iowa State University sports for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune. Contact him at thines@amestrib.com or (515) 284-8000. Follow him on X at @TravisHines21.

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Iowa

First human case of avian influenza in Iowa confirmed

Published

6 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

First human case of avian influenza in Iowa confirmed

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The first human case of avian influenza in Iowa has been confirmed, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Friday.

Iowa HHS said the person was exposed to infected poultry while working with a commercial flock in northwest Iowa.

The person is receiving treatment and is recovering from mild symptoms.

Testing at the State Hygienic Laboratory identified the case, and it was also confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So far, the CDC has confirmed 64 cases of H5 HPAI in humans across nine states.

However, there has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H5) in the U.S.

Officials say the majority of the exposures are linked to infected poultry or dairy cows.

“Iowa has monitored the spread of avian influenza closely since it was first detected in poultry in the state in 2022, and our state is prepared with the established knowledge, strong partnerships, and effective tools to mitigate its impact on our community,” said Iowa HHS State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse.

Iowa HHS said there is no concern about the safety of eggs and poultry products or pasteurized milk and dairy products.

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Iowa

Will the Amazon strike impact Iowa deliveries? Here’s what to know

Published

14 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

Will the Amazon strike impact Iowa deliveries? Here’s what to know

A union vying to represent Amazon employees ignited the largest strike in the company’s history leading up to the holidays.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ strike started Thursday morning in four states, including neighboring Illinois.

“If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed,” Teamsters President Sean O’Brien said in a statement. “These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible. Instead, they’ve pushed workers to the limit and now they’re paying the price.”

Will the strike impact Amazon deliveries in Iowa this holiday season?

Will the Amazon strike delay deliveries to Iowa?

The strike isn’t expected to have any impact on Amazon’s operations, according to an email from an Amazon spokesperson to the Des Moines Register.

Nationwide, any delays would be minor and similar to winter weather delays, Satish Jindel, president of ShipMatrix, a software provider that tracks on-time delivery data for package shippers, told CNN.

Amazon has a lot of warehouses and very few are included in the strike, he said noting that the retailer could route packages through other facilities.

Why is Amazon on strike?

The strike of nearly 10,000 Amazon workers is aimed at fighting for higher wages, better benefits and safer conditions at work, according to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The union aims to put pressure on the online shopping retailer by threatening to delay deliveries during one of the busiest times of the year.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in an email to the Register that the union doesn’t reflect its workers, who have not held an election to seek union representation.

“The truth is that they were unable to get enough support from our employees and partners and have brought in outsiders to harass and intimidate our team, which is inappropriate and dangerous,” Nantel said. “We appreciate all our team’s great work to serve their customers and communities, and thanks to them, we’re not seeing any impact to customers’ orders.”

Are there any Amazon strike locations in Iowa?

Strikes are expected to take place at Amazon sites in New York City, Atlanta, San Francisco, Skokie, Illinois and Southern California. No strikes are planned at any of the facilities in Iowa.

Where are some of the Amazon warehouse locations in Iowa?

Ankeny is home to a new 150,000-square-foot same-day delivery Amazon warehouse. There are at least four Amazon warehouses around the Des Moines metro with locations in Grimes, Bondurant and Altoona.

Iowa City and Davenport are also home to Amazon warehouses.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

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Iowa

Northwest Iowa Community College Employees Earn State Awards – KIWA Radio

Published

22 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

Northwest Iowa Community College Employees Earn State Awards – KIWA Radio

Sheldon, Iowa — Two Northwest Iowa Community College employees have received statewide awards.

NCC tells us that Chuck Ball and Katherine Knobloch have been recognized as the recipients of the 2024
Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards by Community Colleges for Iowa.

NCC officials say these prestigious awards celebrate Ball’s and Knobloch’s significant contributions to education and their exceptional leadership within Iowa’s 15 community colleges. The awards were presented during the second annual Community Colleges Convention and Tradeshow, held December 3–5, 2024, at the Downtown Marriott in Des Moines. This event honors individuals who exemplify outstanding service and dedication to the academic community. Emily Shields, Executive Director of Community Colleges for Iowa, remarked, “The remarkable achievements of Iowa’s community colleges are a direct result of the commitment and dedication of professionals like Chuck Ball and Katherine Knobloch. Their efforts not only benefit their students and colleagues but also inspire excellence across our statewide network.”

Click here for more information.

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