IOWA CITY — It wasn’t long after Iowa’s 98-67 win over Alabama State on Friday that the focus turned to what is on the horizon.

The Hawkeyes took care of Alabama State, shaking off a first half that was largely uninspiring. Iowa even trailed 25-24 with less than nine minutes remaining in the first half. But a surge toward the end of the first half gave Iowa control and it didn’t look back. Patrick McCaffery led the way with 22 points. Payton Sandfort had a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds.

More: Iowa basketball beats Alabama State behind Patrick McCaffery, Payton Sandfort

Friday’s performance highlighted what has been an impressive first two games of the 2023-24 season. Iowa beat North Dakota, 110-68, to open the season on Tuesday. The Hawkeyes’ 110 points were the most in a season-opener during coach Fran McCaffery’s tenure at Iowa, an eye-opening figure for a program known as an offensive juggernaut. With Friday’s result, Iowa has won its first two games by a combined 73 points.

It is, for a roster that looks vastly different from a season ago, a small yet still meaningful indication of where the team is at. But the next stretch of games should provide an even clearer measurement of how quickly this Iowa team has come together.

That begins with a big-time matchup against Creighton on Tuesday.

“I think our whole team is just really excited to see where we stack up,” Iowa freshman Brock Harding said. “Obviously, they’re (Creighton) a highly-ranked team. We think we have a great chance of coming in there ready to go. And I think our guys are excited to get to play on a big stage early in the season.”

Leading up to the season, Iowa was adamant that it was being undervalued. The Hawkeyes were picked 9th preseason in the Big Ten. Being overlooked in the preseason is not uncharted waters for McCaffery-coached teams at Iowa. But to a certain extent, it was warranted this season. The Hawkeyes lost Kris Murray and Filip Rebraca, among others, brought in six new scholarship players and had questions to answer.

As much as it can against two non-power five conference opponents, Iowa provided a window into why it has exuded optimism.

It looks like it can be a deeper, more well-balanced team, with more variety of skill sets than last season.

Payton Sandfort, viewed as a potential breakout candidate this season, has given reason to believe that is within reach. Through two games, he is averaging 19 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting better than 41% from deep. Returners Tony Perkins and Patrick McCaffery, along with Valparaiso transfer Ben Krikke, are each averaging double-figure scoring.

Iowa might very well be able to go deeper into its bench, something that hampered the Hawkeyes last season. But now, Iowa has four freshmen in that second unit, each of whom provides a different ingredient, along with Josh Dix, who has been a steady presence. Owen Freeman had 14 points against North Dakota. Harding has recorded seven assists in each of the first two games.

Notably, for a program whose defensive shortcomings have been well-documented, Iowa didn’t allow more than 68 points in either of its first two games.

“We’re really fighting the drive,” Fran McCaffery said. “We’re way better defending ball screen action, getting our weak-side guys over. But the other thing is, we’re able to play fresh bodies with our depth. So that keeps pressure on the ball.”

Iowa coach Fran McCaffery talks win over Alabama State

Iowa coach Fran McCaffery discusses the Hawkeyes’ win over Alabama State on Friday.

Advertisement

All this being said, Iowa did this against North Dakota and Alabama State. It is a far different story to do it against Creighton.

It’s clear Iowa is capable of dismantling inferior opponents. But that doesn’t get even close to providing the whole story of where this team is at. 

Three of Iowa’s next four games, though, should do a better job of revealing just how legitimate Iowa is right now. That stretch is as follows: Creighton, Arkansas State, Oklahoma and either Seton Hall or USC.

Iowa goes on the road to face Creighton, currently ranked 8th in the nation. The Bluejays, coming off an Elite Eight appearance last season, are perceived as a legitimate Final Four contender this season. 

“We respect everybody but we fear no one,” Patrick McCaffery said. “We really read to kinda come in and push the envelope. It’s a great opportunity to compete. They’re a really good team.”

Patrick McCaffery with 22-point performance in win over Alabama State

Patrick McCaffery talks 22-point performance in Iowa’s win over Alabama State.

The thing is, even if Iowa struggles during this stretch, it doesn’t mean that the season is over. If Iowa gets destroyed by Creighton or is clearly below the level of a team like Oklahoma, it’s just a sign of how far Iowa still has to go.

If there’s a major gap, it shouldn’t reason to push the panic button, especially given it’s still November. This is still a new-look team. Five of the 10 players to play non-mop-up time on Friday weren’t on Iowa’s roster last season. Even if Iowa isn’t ready for a challenge like Creighton, the hope would be, that by the time Big Ten play rolls around, that learning experience would help the Hawkeyes be better equipped for a matchup like that.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” Patrick McCaffery said. “I like our team. We got a lot of weapons. We can go a lot of different ways. I think, especially tonight, those guys (Alabama State) were good.”

There was a lot to like from Iowa in these first two games. But the competition is about to get more difficult. And it should let us know what this Iowa team is really about.

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com