(AP) -- The apathy toward the Iowa Hawkeyes reached its breaking point last season.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena was half-empty on some nights and nearly deserted on others. That's part of the reason coach Todd Lickliter was fired after only three seasons.

The Hawkeyes have turned to former Siena coach Fran McCaffery, who is promising to implement an up-tempo style in hopes of re-energizing a once-proud program.

McCaffery says people want to see fast breaks and alley-oop dunks, adding that's the style he enjoys coaching.

Iowa, which finished 10-22 a year ago, opens practice Friday. It starts the season on Nov. 14 against South Dakota State.

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