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The Iowa Hawkeyes saw the same song and dance once again in yet another close loss to a Big Ten foe. Iowa let itself get behind, tried to resurrect things with a furious comeback, only to fall just short in the closing moments. Today, it saw them get bounced from the Big Ten Tournament at the hands of the Ohio State Buckeyes, 72-69.
Iowa had chances late and even had a shot to tie the game with just a few seconds left, but it wasn't meant to be. The Hawkeyes will now turn their attention to Selection Sunday, where they don't have to worry if they will make the field, but to find out what seed they will get and who their opponent will be.
Once again, Iowa saw the game teetering upon the point of no return before storming back to cut things down to a one-possession game. The comeback deserves credit for the fight and effort that they showed down the stretch, but doing this over and over again puts them in a tremendously difficult spot to try to win games late.
Iowa has to exert so much energy just to close the gap and get within striking distance that the gas tank seems to be nearing empty by the time they arrive at that point. This team can't afford another big deficit early in the NCAA Tournament, or it could be a quick exit.
Not a single other Hawkeye was able to put up double-digits on the offensive end. Bennett Stirtz is carrying this team, and when opponents throw two or three guys at him as Ohio State did, he is not getting the help he needs at the right times.
Alvaro Folgueiras came alive down the stretch to end with eight points and six rebounds, while Cam Manyawu and Tavion Banks each poured in nine points, but the recipe is simple for whoever draws Iowa. Throw the kitchen sink at Bennett Stirtz and make someone else beat you.
Iowa feels like it may be destined for the No. 8 versus No. 9 matchup in the NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes have floated in this range for most of the last month, with the ups and downs they have shown, but a slide in the seeding could be more favorable if it were to happen.
If Iowa is in the dreaded No. 8 versus No. 9 game, they have a good chance of drawing another Power Four team from the middle of the pack in their conference, which, as Iowa has proven, can be as dangerous as anyone on any given day. It also means the Hawkeyes would likely be staring down a date with a No. 1 seed, which is a group of teams on a completely different level than the rest of college basketball.
A slide to the No. 10 seed line seems unlikely given just how poor the bubble is this year, paired with bubble teams seemingly falling apart in conference tournaments, but it could be Iowa's most favorable spot to slide to. If Iowa snuck past a No. 7 seed, which is likely to be a toss-up, they could have a path to the Sweet 16 through a No. 2 seed, which wouldn't be easy by any means, but is better than the No. 1 seeds.
It's never fun to lose in the Big Ten Tournament and get bounced from bracket play, but losing today gives Iowa at least an entire week off to rest up. The first round of the NCAA Tournament begins on Thursday, March 19, and continues to Friday, March 20.
The Hawkeyes have plenty of time to get back to Iowa City, rest up, get healthy, and let Ben McCollum get into the lab to scheme up some new plays, looks, and how they want to attack their opponent, which they will find out on Sunday.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : Takeaways as Ohio State bounces Iowa Hawkeyes from Big Ten Tournament
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Iowa had chances late and even had a shot to tie the game with just a few seconds left, but it wasn't meant to be. The Hawkeyes will now turn their attention to Selection Sunday, where they don't have to worry if they will make the field, but to find out what seed they will get and who their opponent will be.
Too little too late
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Once again, Iowa saw the game teetering upon the point of no return before storming back to cut things down to a one-possession game. The comeback deserves credit for the fight and effort that they showed down the stretch, but doing this over and over again puts them in a tremendously difficult spot to try to win games late.
Iowa has to exert so much energy just to close the gap and get within striking distance that the gas tank seems to be nearing empty by the time they arrive at that point. This team can't afford another big deficit early in the NCAA Tournament, or it could be a quick exit.
Bennett Stirtz continues to need help
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Not a single other Hawkeye was able to put up double-digits on the offensive end. Bennett Stirtz is carrying this team, and when opponents throw two or three guys at him as Ohio State did, he is not getting the help he needs at the right times.
Alvaro Folgueiras came alive down the stretch to end with eight points and six rebounds, while Cam Manyawu and Tavion Banks each poured in nine points, but the recipe is simple for whoever draws Iowa. Throw the kitchen sink at Bennett Stirtz and make someone else beat you.
No. 8? No. 9? Is No. 10 the best?
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Iowa feels like it may be destined for the No. 8 versus No. 9 matchup in the NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes have floated in this range for most of the last month, with the ups and downs they have shown, but a slide in the seeding could be more favorable if it were to happen.
If Iowa is in the dreaded No. 8 versus No. 9 game, they have a good chance of drawing another Power Four team from the middle of the pack in their conference, which, as Iowa has proven, can be as dangerous as anyone on any given day. It also means the Hawkeyes would likely be staring down a date with a No. 1 seed, which is a group of teams on a completely different level than the rest of college basketball.
A slide to the No. 10 seed line seems unlikely given just how poor the bubble is this year, paired with bubble teams seemingly falling apart in conference tournaments, but it could be Iowa's most favorable spot to slide to. If Iowa snuck past a No. 7 seed, which is likely to be a toss-up, they could have a path to the Sweet 16 through a No. 2 seed, which wouldn't be easy by any means, but is better than the No. 1 seeds.
One silver lining
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It's never fun to lose in the Big Ten Tournament and get bounced from bracket play, but losing today gives Iowa at least an entire week off to rest up. The first round of the NCAA Tournament begins on Thursday, March 19, and continues to Friday, March 20.
The Hawkeyes have plenty of time to get back to Iowa City, rest up, get healthy, and let Ben McCollum get into the lab to scheme up some new plays, looks, and how they want to attack their opponent, which they will find out on Sunday.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : Takeaways as Ohio State bounces Iowa Hawkeyes from Big Ten Tournament
Continue reading...
