FOOTBALL: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. South Carolina - 2009 OUTBACK BOWL

VS.
GAME INFO: Thurs., January 1, 2009 - 10:00 AM CST - Raymond James Stadium; Tampa Bay, FL
IOWA: 8-4 (5-3) NR / SOUTH CAROLINA 7-5 (4-4) NR

TV COVERAGE: ESPN (HD)
LINE: Iowa is a 4 point favorite at the nuetral site.

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It's finally here. Football is back. The fans are excited, and Tampa Bay is crawling with Black and Gold. Less than an hour left until kickoff. The Gazette has an awesome site that they have been updating leading up to the game - HAWKEYEBOWLGAME.COM. The Gazette guys will be live blogging - join in HERE. Don't forget to take a look at Hawkeyesports.com's coverage of the Outback Bowl, as well.

Spurrier is running his mouth about injuries, yada yada. I'm just looking forward to see them strap on the chin straps and go at it. Should be a great game.

No in-depth analysis today. Just getting ready for the game.

Offensive Player of the Game: Shonn Greene (Look for him to run all over the Gamecocks)
Defensive Player of the Game: Pat Angerer (Looking a pick from him and a boatload of tackles)

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PREDICTION:
Iowa - 31
South Carolina - 21

FOOTBALL: Mitch King is All Iowa

http://www.kcrg.com/sports/36916344.html?video=YHI&t=a

IOWA - IOWA STATE 2008: It's STILL the HAWKEYE STATE (Video)

Recap of the Iowa-Iowa State Football, Basketball, and Wrestling Head to Head Matchups.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sykRkEC_fLE&fmt=18

And the ISU Blooper Reel, of course:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXhQuW6Ll94&fmt=18

If you want the high quality, original video, I have it on my mostlynothing.com site. This is the original piece, but due to YouTube restrictions on length (10 min), I had to edit it. Here is the original in all it's 13 minute glory.

ISU: Iowa State Hires New Football Coach - Rhoads

Not the frozen bread, not the island, not the scholar, but Paul.


http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/front-page-news/45594-updated-isu-hires-paul-rhoads-5-00-press-conference.html

MEN'S BB: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Drake Bulldogs Preview

VS

GAME INFO: Sat., Dec 20, 2008 - 3:05 PM CST - Knapp Center; Des Moines, IA
IOWA: 9-2 (0-0); POM: 42; RPI: 72 / DRAKE: 8-3 (0-0); POM: 128; RPI: 143

TV COVERAGE: ESPNU
LISTEN ONLINE - http://www.kscj.com/
OFFICIAL GAME NOTES - HERE
LINE - Iowa is a 2 point underdog on road.

Coach Lickliter had mentioned a few weeks ago that his team needed more practices and less games. With Finals Week finishing up, Coach got his wish. Iowa hasn't hit the hardwood for over a week (since its romping of rival, Iowa State). The winner of the Iowa-Drake will be declared the King of Iowa... I think that equates to something funny, but can't think of anything remotely worth adding.

Drake is a pretty smart team, but don't fool yourself, this isn't Keno or Dr. Tom's Bulldog squad. They are going to play efficient ball, however they are not close to the level they were at last year. Face it, Drake had a magical year in 07-08, but that enchanting season has come to an end and the Bulldogs are sliding back to where they have been in recent years. The point spread for this game has me dumbfounded.

Anthony Tucker has been allowed to return to practice with the team, and Lickliter stated he would be available for this game, but couldn't forecast if (or how much) he would play. My thoughts are that Tucker would be the 9th player off the bench in this one, if he gets that shot. Obviously, if some of the guards get into foul trouble, Tuck is going to be called on.

KEYS TO THE GAME FOR IOWA:
1.) Control the Tempo. Iowa wants to keep this game in the half-court set. If the Hawks can set up their offense each time down, they'll get a LOT of good looks against Drake.
2.) Handle the Press. You won't see Dr. Tom's press in this one, but I am still amazed that teams aren't coming at Iowa with full court pressure every time out. If Drake decides to throw one in there, Iowa had better be ready to handle it.
3.) Play Solid Defense. We'll likely see Man to Man D once again in this one.
4.) Get Cyrus Tate Involved. This key is going to be permanent on this list for each game for obvious reasons. Tate is really good down low. Iowa doesn't get him the ball enough. That's really the bulk of the point right there.

PREDICTION:
Iowa - 70
Drake - 62

OT: MOSTLYNOTHING.COM/BLOG.SHTML IS NO LONGER THE WORSE URL IN THE SPORTS WORLD

Storminspank's Hawkeye Ramblings is now found at: http://www.storminspank.com

Super.

MEN'S BB: Anthony Tucker is Back Practicing with the Team

http://hawkeyesports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/121808aac.html

MEN'S BB: Rejoice! Iowa Now Has Successful Inbound Plays: The Anatomy of a Perfectly Designed and Executed Inbounds Play

Iowa - Iowa State Game

Following a timeout... 8 seconds left on the shot clock, Iowa needs get a good look right out of inbounds play. They get just that, thanks to a terrifically designed play.


The Setup. Gatens will cut out to the left wing.


Ball inbounded by Kelly from the baseline to Gatens on the left wing, Bawinkel starts down the lane.


As soon as Gatens passes the ball out to the top to Davis, Bawinkel (who was at the left elbow) comes down to the low block and sets a screen on the player defending the inbounds pass (Kelly's man).


Jake looks like the first option to all onlookers as he flashes across the lane - by doing this Bawinkel's man hedges and the player who was initially guarding Kelly follows in tow.


With Kelly taking two defenders with him, Bawinkel curls and is able to step behind the three point arc on the left wing.


Gatens then sets a pick on his own man to deny help coverage.


Bawinkel's man doesn't have enough time to get back to the shooter. The shot is off.


Nothing but net.

It's been a while since Iowa fans have seen this sort of play calling in Carver, and I can't tell you how nice it is to see it return. Nothing fancy, but a terrific play call, nonetheless.

Here's the video of the play:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIEz8CjSyJQ

MEN'S BB: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones

VS.

GAME INFO: Fri., Dec 12, 2008 - 7:05 CST - Carver-Hawkeye Arena; Iowa City, IA
IOWA: 8-2 (0-0); POM: 47; RPI: 83 / IOWA STATE: 6-2 (0-0); POM: 137; RPI: 205

TV COVERAGE: BTN: Steve Schlanger and Shon Morris will call the action.
LISTEN ONLINE - http://www.kscj.com/
OFFICIAL GAME NOTES - HERE
LINE - Iowa is a 8 point favorite at home.

Iowa looks for the sweep (in the sports that matter - football, wrestling, basketball) against ISU for 2008. Lickliter didn't give a definitive answer as to if Tucker would be back for this game, but all signs point that Anthony will remain in street clothes. Jermain Davis should pick up minutes, as will Bawinkle. The more PT Davis is getting, the more comfortable he is looking on the court. If Iowa's bigs cannot stay out of foul trouble (ahem, Brommer), the Hawks will have a great deal of difficulty stopping ISU's inside game. The good thing for Iowa is that even if ISU is constantly pounding it down low, the Hawks can always stay in the game with their outside shooting prowess.

Lucca Staiger went Monkey Banana Ape Crap against Drake last time out (8-11 from behind the arc), but the Clones couldn't take down the Bulldogs despite having a large lead. ISU's guard play (or lack thereof) is really going to hurt the Clones in this game, as they are severely over-matched in this area. On the other hand, they have the overwhelming advantage on the blocks (who doesn't vs Iowa this year?). Game planning will be crucial to the success of ISU, Mac will have to be up for the challenge. And don't forget, #5 is back.

LIKELY STARTING LINEUPS:
IOWA
Peterson
Davis
Gatens
Fuller
Tate

IOWA STATE
Garrett
Petersen
Staiger
Thompson
Brackins

KEYS TO THE GAME FOR IOWA:
1.) Contain Brackins. You aren't likely going to stop him, but get a body on him and play hard-nose D all night against him. Let Brommer use his five fouls in 2 minutes on him if you have to.
2.) Handle the Press. If Mac has done any scouting against Iowa, he would know that Iowa's turnovers increase dramatically when a press is installed. And without Tucker to help bring the ball up, Iowa State can take advantage by pressing.
3.) Convert on the Blocks. Iowa has missed far too many bunnies this season, and it will eventually bit them in the butt at some point.
4.) Get Cyrus Tate Involved. He doesn't get near enough touches as it is. I realize ISU has some trees down low, but Cy needs to get more touches in the flow of the offense.

PREDICTION:
Iowa - 71
Iowa State - 64

MEN'S BB: Word on the Street is Alex Thompson Still Plays for Iowa State

I kid you not, Alex Thompson is still playing college basketball. Thompson has absolutely EXPLODED since he left the University of Iowa for greener pastures (yes, those pastures on the ISU campus to be exact). The timeless wonder is averaging a whopping 3.4 points per game while averaging 23 minutes per contest... wait, what? His average playing time is over a half of a ball game and he is averaging 3.4 points per game? Nice... 27 points on the year in 188 minutes. Um, Bryan Peterson averages more points than Alex Thompson, former All-Stater. He is being out-rebounded by two guards on his own team so far this year... but I hear he TEARS it up in practice (he schools Brunner on a constant basis, you know).


Hey, at least he got rid of the all-black tennies. (Photo - ESPN.com)

So the last time anyone really heard from #5 was back in 2006 (yes, like 2 and a half years ago)... and by "anyone", I mean anyone. Watchable footage of Alex Thompson in game was harder to track down than legit Bigfoot tape. However, this 30 second highlight has been uncovered - bask in it, as it all that exists.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvX5Fu25Ok0

And truth be told, the only reason I uploaded that clip is because Kendra Haluska is in it.


This is the only other photo of Alex Thompson that exists on the Intraweb.

Ok, wait, this one, too:

For some reason, this looks like a different Alex Thompson, though.

#5 is gone, we welcome #14 back to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday (the last time he was in Carver he was redshirting from his transfer to ISU from Iowa). Best of luck to Mr. Thompson in his return to Iowa City, may the waning days of his basketball career continue to treat him well.