Iowa had ONE POINT 8:44 into the game. With just over 4 minutes to go in the first half, the score was 13-11. I had to ask my dog how he felt about the game.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Men's BB: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Northwestern Wildcats
VS. 
GAME INFO: Tues., Feb. 19th, 2008 - 8:05 CST - Carver Hawkeye Arena; Iowa City, IA
IOWA: 11-15 (4-9); RPI: 167 / Northwestern: 6-16 (0-12); RPI: 213
TV COVERAGE: Big Ten Network - DirecTV (Ch. 220) / DISH Network (Ch. 439) - Dave Revsine and Shon Morris (former Wildcat player and current Associate AD/Director of Athletic Development for Northwestern) will call the action.
OFFICIAL GAME NOTES - VIEW HERE
LINE - Iowa is a 8.5 point favorite at home; 114.5 is the over/under.
Here was my mindset the day after the last Iowa/Michigan game at Carver:
"Iowa just lost to a pathetic Michigan team at home. That it was the most frustrating game of the year thus far. Iowa took a HUGE step backwards last night (and even in the Minny game). They had so many great strides leading up to that. The team has shown they can play with almost anyone in the Big Ten. Then to go out an lay an egg in the 2nd half was just pathetic... and I wouldn't be so despondent if it wasn't for the fact that it was against Michigan... AT HOME... the same Michigan team that has lost 11 of 13 and the only wins coming against a Claxton-less PSU and a hapless NW team.After the UM game, I was pretty disheartened... but let's fast forward to today.
It was a sad state of affairs last night. Not the saddest I've ever seen, but the saddest thus far this year... esp. considering the progress this team had made up towards this point in the season.
It's a step back.
Take a look at what I am seeing here:
BEAT MSU at home
Had Plenty of Chances to BEAT Purdue at home
BEAT UM on the road
LOST to Indiana on the road
BEAT PSU at home
Should have BEAT Purdue on the road
BEAT Ohio State at home
LOST to Wisky at home, but had chances to win it
STEP BACK in a loss to Minny on the road
HUGE STEP BACK in a loss to Michigan
Iowa was building momentum and playing good, focused BB for a long stretch there. Then came the MN game, followed by the UM game. Both were steps back, the 2nd being more severe than the first.
I don't care what anyone was saying pre-season. We've seen what this team can do and it's not right to use pre-season expectations as an excuse for losing to an extremely poor Michigan team at home after dominating the first 15 minutes of the game.
It was a classic case of a program taking a step back, and now we need to see if this Iowa team has the resolve to take that same step forward starting Tuesday night against NW. I have faith they will."
The Kitty Cats made life miserable for Iowa under the direction of the Hawkeyes' previous coach. Winless Wildcat teams have not been one that Iowa likes to face. Northwestern hasn't won a Big Ten game yet (queue 2007).
Coach Lickliter has everything under control down in Iowa City. The Hawks overlooked the Wolverines. Things "were coming too easy" for them (Justin Johnson and Lick's words) and UM came out in the second half and dominated Iowa. Gorney was extremely ticked off after the game, and I do believe he is going to blow up against NW (esp. if Lick puts him at the FT line against the NW zone D). These guys took that loss last week personally and had the weekend to get ready to put . They've had time to think about it. I don't think for one second that Iowa is going to take the Wildcats for granted. Yes, the Wildcats are at the basement of the Big Ten, and Iowa "should" win this game. But I think you are going to see an Iowa team that imposes its will tonight.
Iowa, while not stacked in the talent area, has more horses that Northwestern. Couple that with the game being in Carver, and the fact that Iowa will not be overlooking the Wildcats, I see a victory for Iowa in this one.
KEYS TO THE GAME:
1.) Don't get lulled to sleep by the Princeton offense. Stay active and play solid support defense.
2.) Find holes in the zone, put Gorney at the free throw line and let him create (man, I can honestly say I never thought I would type that in my entire life, but Seth has really impressed me the second half of the season).
3.) Be smart with the basketball and don't force things.
4.) Dominate the boards.
5.) Get Tate involved often and early; Cy needs to be sure to use some chalk on his hands before the game, however.
PREDICTION:
IOWA - 66
NORTHWESTERN - 49
HD-DVD is Officially Dead
It's official. HD-DVD is dead. BluRay has won the format war.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iTHHXJdHiSuq8n1753HbYdPYHbKwD8UTA6R00
Now... someone get Paramount on the phone so we can get Transformers on BD.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Wal-Mart and Netflix Join the BluRay Camp
Wal-Mart dumps HD DVDs to back Blu-ray
Nation’s largest retailer deals what could be crippling blow
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23186582/-------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Men's BB: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines - Part Two
VS. 
GAME INFO: Thu., Feb. 14th, 2008 - 8:05 CST - Carver Hawkeye Arena; Iowa City, IA
IOWA: 11-14 (4-8); RPI: 151 / Michigan: 6-17 (2-9); RPI: 170
TV COVERAGE: Big Ten Network - ESPN (Ch. 206) / DISH Network (Ch. 140) - Bob Wischusen
and credit card extraordinaire, Doug Gottlieb, will call the action.
OFFICIAL GAME NOTES - VIEW HERE
LINE - Iowa is a 7 point favorite at home; 117.5 is the over/under.
REMATCH!
Iowa gets Michigan at Carver tonight. The Wolverines have lost 11 out of 13 and those 2 wins have been against Penn State and Northwestern. Iowa has no business losing this game, no business at all. Harris (Manny, not Dion) and Sims (DeShawn not Courtney) are really all the UM has going for them. I really see Iowa's D putting the clamps down in Carver. Iowa has now lost 3 out its last 4, including one up in the Twin Cities that was just embarrassing. I look for Iowa to rebound tonight against Michigan.
I want to see Justin Johnson hit 10 three pointers tonight... I really do...
KEYS TO THE GAME:
1.) Get offensive rebounds.
2.) Extend the defense.
3.) Keep Freeman on a tight leash in regards to driving the lane. Have Tony stay around the arc where he is much more effective. Instead, use Jeff Peterson to drive and dish.
4.) Two Words: Seth Gorney.
5.) Control the tempo.
PREDICTION:
Iowa - 71
Michigan - 54
Monday, February 11, 2008
Men's BB: Jeff Peterson and Jake Kelly Take Their Place in the Iowa Freshman Record Books
Well, technically, NOT YET. But here's where they sit as of today.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Men's BB: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
VS. 
GAME INFO: Sat., Feb 9, 2008 - 1:05 CST - The Barn; Minneapolis, MN
IOWA: 11-13 (4-7); RPI: 140 / Minnesota: 14-7 (4-5); RPI: 86
TV COVERAGE: ESPN
The Battle for 6th Place in the Big Ten.
Both programs are in the middle of the first season with their new coaching staffs and both are overachieving in regards to preseason expectations by most people.
Each team has 4 wins in conference play, but the wins are sort of polar opposites:
MINNESOTA'S BIG TEN WINS: Northwestern (2), Penn State, and Michigan
IOWA'S BIG TEN WINS: Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan
The past 9 games, Iowa has lost a game followed by a win (or you could look at the last 8 games and say Iowa has won a game, then lost the next). Either way you look at it, Iowa has been getting better each game out in the Big Ten season. Minnesota, conversely, has been inconsistent. Whenever a team with any sort of talent steps on the court against the Gophers, they have trouble with them. Minnesota hasn't really been blown out this year, but still have trouble beating any team with talent. Put it this way, Minnesota's "best win" or "signature win" this season is... Iowa State (#110 RPI). The Gophers' resume is anything but impressive. Obviously, Iowa's resume isn't glowing either, but at least they have beat some quality teams this year and continue to impress with their defense.
Keys to the Game for Iowa
1.) Control the tempo, do not let the Gophers get out running.
2.) Take care of the ball. The Gophers have some of the most active hands in the nation. Tubby's team is going to play some tough M2M D in this contest.
3.) Rebound. Don't give Minnesota second chance points.
4.) Get Iowa's bigs involved early.
5.) Play within the offense.
PREDICTION:
I can't stand the Gophers, so it doesn't really matter if I look at this game objectively.
Iowa - 120
Minnesota - 7
(Iowa 68, Goophers 61)
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Men's BB: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers
On the road this week... short but sweet.
Rematch. Iowa played Wisky well last time despite a ton of fouls called on Iowa. I think if Iowa can control the tempo and Wisconsin's bigs, they can win.
OFFICIAL PREDICTION:
Iowa 58
Wisconsin 60
Rematch. Iowa played Wisky well last time despite a ton of fouls called on Iowa. I think if Iowa can control the tempo and Wisconsin's bigs, they can win.
OFFICIAL PREDICTION:
Iowa 58
Wisconsin 60
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Justin Johnson Goes on a Shooting Spree Again
Iowa knocked off Ohio State on Saturday. Justin Johnson was a big reason for that. JJ hit eight three pointers for the second time this year, just one off the Iowa single game record held by Chris Kingsbury.
Below is a video highlight I made:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hf0RGj2cPL0
Below is a video highlight I made:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hf0RGj2cPL0
Friday, February 01, 2008
Men's BB: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (Take Two)
VS. 
GAME INFO: Sat., Feb 2, 2008 - 5:05 CST - Carver Hawkeye Arena; Iowa City, IA
IOWA: 10-12 (3-6); RPI: 147 / Ohio State: 15-6 (6-2); RPI: 20
TV COVERAGE: Big Ten Network - DIRECTV (Ch. 220) / DISH Network (Ch. 439) - Roger Twibell and YMCA rec. league all-star, Tim Doyle will call the action.
OFFICIAL GAME NOTES - VIEW HERE
LINE - Ohio State is a 5 point favorite on the road
REMATCH!
Well, this is the start of a stretch in the season where Iowa gets 4 out of 5 games at home. Personally, I would think Iowa can get at least 2 wins out of the bunch, but I don't see 4 wins completely out of the picture either (Ohio St, Wisc, @MN, Mich, NW).
This is the 9th consecutive game that Iowa's RPI has increased (albeit from playing a stronger SOS, for sure).
Last time out vs. tOSU, Iowa was destroyed in EVERY facet of the game. It was ugly... real ugly. It was so ugly, Iowa could have ended up losing that ballgame by 50 if Matta didn't call of the dogs. Good thing he and Lickliter are buddies.
There's no denying that Ohio State is a SOLID ball club. They have a terrific senior PG in Jamar Butler, who is going to have the ball in his hands almost every possession and can do what the situation calls for (be it make a sweet dish, hit the floater, or can the trey). Staying on the offensive side of the ball, Kosta Koufos, a frosh, is the other go-to-guy on the team. He is 2nd on the team in PPG (about 14), but he does take about 1/3 of Ohio State's shots. After these two, there are several players that, on any night, can put up a lot of points. That's why this Buckeye offense can be so dangerous at times.
Ohio State's defense is one of the best in the Big Ten. Teams don't get to the line against Ohio State. In fact, the Buckeyes hold the #1 ranking in the nation when it comes opponent's FT Rate. And when opponents GET to the line, they only shoot 63%. Additionally, opponents don't shoot well vs. the Bucks either (29% from 3 pt land and 43% from 2 pt range, both in the Top 20 in the nation). That said, they allow their opponents to get off a lot of 3 balls (42% of shots taken vs. Ohio State are from behind the arc). So if Iowa can hit the threes they are allowed to get off, the game could swing Iowa's way.
Keys to the Game for Iowa
1.) Limit Turnovers - A repeat of the Purdue game (22 TOs) and Iowa loses by at least 25.
2.) Jeff Peterson is going to need to slash and dish. Iowa needs to cut through the Ohio St D to open up the floor.
3.) Rebound. Seth is in the Top 5 in the Big Ten in boards. Iowa will need to get as many of them as possible, esp. on the defensive side to limit the 2nd chance points.
4.) Tate needs to get back into the groove of things. He was invisible against Purdue.
5.) Control the tempo and hit the open shots when they are available.
PREDICTION:
The game is winnable, as Ohio State has looked very beatable in the last few games. Iowa plays better than last time they faced the Buckeyes, but...
Iowa - 57
Ohio State - 64
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