IOWA CITY, Iowa (Interstat) — The Iowa Hawkeyes, looking to rebound from their first in-state rivalry loss of the season, host the Western Michigan Broncos in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa (8-2) enters following a 66-62 road defeat at Iowa State on Thursday, which snapped a three-game winning streak. The Hawkeyes, who are 6-0 at home this season, have relied on balanced scoring and defense, holding opponents to an average of 64.2 points in their victories. Sophomore guard Tavion Banks has been a key contributor, coming off a 14-point performance against the Cyclones. He averaged 12.3 points over a recent three-game stretch prior to that contest. Western Michigan (4-5) arrives with momentum from an 83-73 road win at SIU Edwardsville on Dec. 6. The Broncos are led by dynamic guard Jalen Griffith, who recorded a double-double with 28 points and 10 assists in that victory. Griffith has scored 28 or more points in two of his last four games, establishing himself as the focal point of the Broncos’ offense. The Broncos have faced a challenging early schedule, including a 91-58 loss at Ohio State on Nov. 20. Their performance has been uneven, following the win over SIU Edwardsville with a 29-point loss at Valparaiso just three days prior. For Iowa, containing Griffith will be a primary defensive objective. The Hawkeyes’ size and depth, featuring players like Cam Manyawu and Isaia Howard who contributed in the loss at Iowa State, present a significant challenge for the visiting Broncos. This game marks the final tune-up for both teams before brief holiday breaks. Iowa will host Bucknell in Des Moines next Saturday, while Western Michigan returns home to face Buffalo on Dec. 20. Sunday’s contest tips off at 5 p.m. CST.