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Todd Lickliter has banked his first Big Ten win as the Hawkeye men’s basketball coach, but if his press conference today is any indication, he’s holding no illusions about the tough road ahead for his team.

“Let’s be honest about it,” Lickliter said, “Michigan State was not at the top of their game.”

The Hawkeyes upset the Spartans on Saturday with a 43-36 win at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, one of the lowest-scoring games in the modern history of Iowa basketball.

“It’s a very nice win and a team effort, but you very quickly have to move on,” Lickliter said. Iowa on Wednesday faces a Purdue team that is 11-5 (2-1 in the Big Ten) and is fresh off a big win over Ohio State.

Hawks still looking to improve