In a familiar game style, the Hawks went down Saturday. They led at half time but just couldn’t keep it up in the second half. Once again, the opponent (Wisconsin) did poorly in the first half and came on like gangbusters in the second half - particularly in the final eight minutes. Looking at the article in the Daily Iowan, there are quotes like “we weren’t concentrating” and “it seemed like everyone just died”. Again, I say it is because they are asked too much by Steve Alford.
- Commiting 11 turnovers in the second half (compared to Wisconsin’s 8 for the entire game) did them in. Turnovers are a result of not being mentally alert - of being tired.
- In the second half, Wisconsin shot about 54% - tired legs make for poor defense. Poor defense allows easier and higher percentage baskets. Most D1 basketball players can make shots if they are left open.
- Iowa was 40% in the second half - not awful but not good. Again, a tired team doesn’t shoot a good percentage.
The loss drops Iowa to 13-10 (Wisconsin is no slouch at 19-6) and their next three games are on the road (Ohio State [13-11], Indiana [16-9] and Michigan State [14-11]) and ending the regular season hosting Northwestern [10-14]. With Iowa struggling and playing on the road it sounds like a finish of 1-3 to make them 14-13 overall. I don’t smell NCAA and the NIT is outside right now.