Kirk Ferentz: Take note. This is how you beat Minnesota.
Matt Gatens followed up his Swiss Army Knife 6-point, 12-rebound performance in Madison Saturday night with maybe his best game as a Hawkeye, Zach McCabe contributed 10 points, and a parade of Iowa big men silenced the Gopher frontcourt as Iowa basketball defeated Minnesota last night, 64-62. The victory was Iowa's first at Williams Arena since 2007, and when coupled with Saturday's victory over Wisconsin, makes this Iowa's first two-game Big Ten winning streak since early February 2010 and two-game road winning streak since 2007 (it's also the first time Iowa's been over .500 in the Big Ten since 2007, even if it is just 2-1).
In the first half, Minnesota did what everyone expected Minnesota to do: Rely on its frontcourt size to attack Melsahn Basabe, get him in foul trouble, and feast on the Iowa bench. Basabe was able to stay out of foul trouble for most of the first half, but it could not have mattered less (Basabe finished scoreless). Eventually, he was benched in favor of "Dunk L'Orange" Aaron White, and the combination of White and Zach McCabe contributed 58 minutes, 22 points, 13 rebounds, 7 offensive boards, 4 assists and one serious bulwark against the flood of seven-footers the Gophers typically love to throw at Iowa. Their contributions, combined with Gatens (an absurd 19 points, 6 boards, and 3 assists) and a stellar defensive effort from the bigs (Devon Archie -- DEVON ARCHIE -- was phenomenal in nine minutes of covering Ralph Sampson 3: Electric Boogaloo), were enough to overcome some dreadful free throw shooting down the stretch.
Less than a month ago, Iowa was 5-5, losers of five in seven, and smarting from a drubbing in Ames. Since that game (and a week off for finals), the Hawkeyes have gone 5-1, with their only loss a three-point defeat to Purdue. In Big Ten play, they are last in three-point attempts and percentage of points from three-point field goals, and first in free throw attempts. After averaging 24 three-points attempts per game in November, Iowa is down to just under 10 per game in conference play. Rebounding has improved as a result, and Iowa has entered the top half of the conference in total rebounds. McCaffery's last team at Siena played like this: Transition buckets, slashing point guards, crashing the offensive glass, and cutting down on the opponent's effective percentage. They're about halfway there, but with Cartwright and Marble at the controls and Matt Gatens going from knee-jerk outside jump shooter to legitimate mid-range threat and all-purpose performer, this team is finally looking more like McCaffery's version of basketball, and a lot less like Todd Lickliter's.
Iowa plays #7 Ohio State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena Saturday afternoon; as good as Wisconsin and Minnesota have been this year, OSU presents a completely different challenge. But there's finally a little something to show for all the pain, Iowa fans. Iowa basketball might be coming back. We've missed it so much.
4 recs | 71 comments
OSU is currently kenpom's #1
Iowa moved to #87
this will be the second Kenpom #1 team Iowa will play in a week (Wisconsin was #1 last Saturday).
PSD - January 5, 2012
oh yeah
the Star Trib isn’t happy with Tubby
PSD - January 5, 2012
That's Patrick Reusse, not the Star Tribune.
Patrick’s as worthless as (INSERT CLICHE HERE). He could complain about a basket of puppies and babies.
That being said, there are a lot of people who were not happy with Tubby coming into this season. Last night did not help.
WhiteSpeedReceiver - January 5, 2012
Also, congratulations.
WhiteSpeedReceiver - January 5, 2012
ah, thanks for clearing that up
PSD - January 5, 2012
Personally, I think (INSERT CLICHE HERE) should be utilized more often
I’ll auto-rec it to support.
One_ill_KevinJ - January 5, 2012
YOU LEAVE PAT ALONE
HE KINDA SORTA REFERENCED US ON HIS RADIO SHOW ONCE. HE’S A FRIEND OF THE PAN…WELL, OF THAT IOWA WEBSITE THAT LIKES TO MAKE FUN OF BREWSTER.
Patrick Vint - January 5, 2012
WHY ARE THE PUPPIES WITH THE BABIES? WOULDN'T IT JUST BE EASIER TO SORT THEM INTO TWO DIFFERENT CONTAINERS?
SomeJerkPoster - January 5, 2012
Fat Pat
//Brewstered
YouCanPutYourEddsInIt - January 5, 2012
Well, duh.
Aren’t you worried about the puppies eating the babies? Or the babies smothering the puppies?
You Minnesota fans are all screwed up.
RossWB - January 5, 2012
What's wrong with keeping puppies and babies together?
It makes things easier for tax purposes.
Uhhhh…not that I claim the hound as a dependent. But I’ve heard of some other guy that does.
WhiteSpeedReceiver - January 5, 2012
Why would they be?
He’s lost 13 of the last 14 Big 10 games they’ve played, and 9 straight, going back to last year of course. Too much talent to be on a slide like that.
BryceC - January 5, 2012
Sweet sweet victory
tastes sweet and victoriousish.
DM_Purp - January 5, 2012
I can't remember the last time
I felt this good about Iowa Basketball coupled with the lousy feeling I have for Iowa Football.
The Bacon Explosion - January 5, 2012
98-00?
Or maybe around 2005. Iowa had the disappointing 7-5 football team that year, while the basketball team put together a great regular season and Big Ten Tournament. (We won’t talk about the NCAA Tournament.)
RossWB - January 5, 2012
I love that Aaron White's nickname is 'Whitey'
nattybumpo - January 5, 2012
Whitey
I killed them. I hacked them up with a hammer while they were asleep. Ma, Pa, Bro, Sis. She was awake, my sis.
I was just released from prison on my 21st birthday. I wasn’t ready to leave but they said I had to. Fucked up law, huh?
H I McDonnough - January 5, 2012
Nicely done.
WaterlooChazz - January 6, 2012
Rec'd for this
I need to find time to get to another game this year. I went to my first game in a few years this year (saw the Purdue game) and NEED to get back to see another one.
SaturdayMorningKegStanzis - January 5, 2012
Rec'd for exactly the same reason.
Swarley - January 5, 2012
I'm seriously thinking of driving up from St Louis to go to a game
that’s how excited I am about this time at the moment. It’s been a long time since I was ho-hum about football and excited for basketball (2000-2001 years probably). Wait, is there a game the weekend of February 5? I’ll be in town for a baby shower…Must. Check. Out.
Captain n Diet Coker - January 5, 2012
And there is!
vs Penn State at home on the 4th (Saturday) at 2.
Captain n Diet Coker - January 5, 2012
Good one to go to
BOOK IT
SaturdayMorningKegStanzis - January 5, 2012
I'm cosidering driving up to State College on Feb 16th.
Heading to Boston anyways that weekend, what’s a few hundred mile side trip to see a game? Should be able to find tickets for it… Should also be a good game to wear black and gold.
PackerHawk - January 5, 2012
I want to go to the @jNW game
Mismatched purple floor be damned.
HawkeyeGirleye - January 5, 2012
Pretty sure I'm going.
As is McCann’t, and maybe… others.
Bucketochicken - January 5, 2012
ORLY? Keep me posted.
Lukateake - January 6, 2012
YAY
Since I’ve never tried to get single game tx for bball, is there a procedure?
HawkeyeGirleye - January 6, 2012
I went to the Purdue game with my Dad and brother sporting Iowa attire.
My Dad was happy with the performance and will likely go to another game or two because of it. I’d like to go to the tOSU game but am working.
BoilerHawk - January 5, 2012
My brother is hitting the tOSU game
I wonder if that one has a chance to sell out.. how long has it been since we sold one out?
SaturdayMorningKegStanzis - January 5, 2012
I don't know offhand, but I have a feeling it wasn't that long ago
Either last year or the year before. Carver was rocking for the Purdue game, hopefully we can at least match that for Saturday.
Luke Recker No-Look Pass - January 5, 2012
I wouldn't be shocked if,
the last time WE (not Illinois fans) sold out Carver was either an ISU game, or was before Lickliter.
WaterlooChazz - January 6, 2012
They sold out the Illinois game last year
Or at least the Orange Crush did.
Cattlefeeder - January 5, 2012
I have to say, I'm excited to get some Hawks basketball tickets this year.
I was really hoping for a “Tall @rod_leviathan” reference in this post, though.
mattbednar - January 5, 2012
It was in the rough draft. A bit obscure, though, since Leviathan hasn't posted a comment here since the days of Hobbes.
Patrick Vint - January 5, 2012
God I miss that comic strip.
Bucketochicken - January 5, 2012
Someone was going to make that joke.
Glad it was u, bb.
Patrick Vint - January 5, 2012
I'm here to help!
Bucketochicken - January 5, 2012
If they somehow both show up in Carver at the same time, I think the Mayans may win.
mattbednar - January 5, 2012
Confidence for this team...
is about a 50 point swing from bad to good. Love seeing the kids just playing ball.
rosko - January 5, 2012
For the first time in a long time I enjoyed an Iowa BB game.
Why? Because they were actually playing some good ball and were in the game, but for the last couple minutes when they tried to piss it away by not making free throws. I thought for sure Dolph jinxed them with all his talk of winning two in a row on the road since I don’t know when. Way to go Hawks, let’s hope it continues.
Stay thirsty, my friends. - January 5, 2012
Anyone else excited about McCabe
being that guy that fans from all the other B1G teams hate on.
StewMonkey13 - January 5, 2012
for that and because he played really well...
in the last two games. He’s a good enough ball handler and shooter to force opposing bigs to play him on the perimeter. He’ll end up having a nice career at Iowa.
rosko - January 5, 2012
I like his fiesty attitude. And he plays physical.
FiveSecondRuleChef - January 5, 2012
He was a football player in high school too
He’s a tough dude. And to answer the question – yes, I’m excited for him to be the guy other teams hate.
Who was the big man UNI had coming off the bench a couple years ago? O’Rear? He reminds me a bit of him.
Nickhawk08 - January 5, 2012
When was the last time Iowa had a guy like that?
Brunner? Settles?
StewMonkey13 - January 5, 2012
Probably Brunner
Before that, DEFINITELY Jacob Jaacks. We’re just missing Bobby Knight having an IU player spike the ball of Jaacks’s face on an in-bound play, and we’d be set.
Nickhawk08 - January 5, 2012
New Mexico is currently 13-2
Thought I would bring down the level of joy for a second.
I’m an ass.
Jdub1126 - January 5, 2012
Alford in the desert...
is still a conceited jerk who couldn’t help but purposely tarnish Iowa basketball on his way out.
rosko - January 5, 2012
yeah, but its still just New Mexico
justsomehawkeyefan - January 5, 2012
Some coaches were destined for mid-major success.
Kluginator - January 5, 2012
Rec for major-conference backhanded compliment.
SomeJerkPoster - January 5, 2012
I was going to rag on their schedule,
but they’ve beaten USC, Ok St, BC, Wash St, Ariz St, Missouri St, and St Louis U.
On the other hand, they lost in OT to U of Sakerlina Upstate, and have split two games with New Mex State (NM and NM St each won the away game, for some reason?)
He’s doing okay out there, but probably not great. It’s probably about what he’d do at Iowa, except that the B10 is tougher.
WaterlooChazz - January 6, 2012
Carver CAN be a great home court . . .
While it doesn’t have the historic cache of other venues and can be quite somnolent when Iowa is bad or even just average, WHEN Iowa has a good team that is playing well, it can be loud and intimidating.
Yes, I stand by that statement. I was a student in the early 90s (Earl, Kingsbury, Barnes, Street etc. era) and opposing Big 10 teams HATED coming to Carver.
We can get there again. I know it. And Fran is the Man to do it.
Torbee - January 5, 2012
I cheered the '91-'92 season
& had tx from ‘92-’93 to ‘94-’95. I ONLY knew Carver as loud & intimidating. Seeing the mausoleum it has become in the last 5 years is disconcerting (& embarrassing) but understandable. Those boys & Fran have earned a real home court advantage on Sat & I really REALLY hope they get it. Really wish I lived closer!
Hmmm… will check myself but does anyone know off the top of their head if we play at home 2/14 thru 2/16 or 2/17? Kids & I will be in the QC & taking the 9 y/o to a game would be totally doable.
HawkeyeGirleye - January 5, 2012
Looks like my only chancing is hanging out till 2/19
For the Indiana game. It could happen!
HawkeyeGirleye - January 5, 2012
I think the Bobby Knight IU teams usually had trouble at Carver.
And did the Hawks beat the Fab Five at least once (or maybe twice?) in Carver?
And I wonder if Woolridge/Settles/Kingsbury/Millard? beat any good teams at Carver during that year that we were second in the B10 to the Gopher-cheating-bastards.
WaterlooChazz - January 6, 2012
Iowa's biggest streingth? you cant gameplan blocking 2 or 3 guys
there are 5 guys on Iowa’s team who can be the best scorer on any given night. You focus on Basabe, Gatens suddenly scores 19, you focus on Gatens then White comes off the bench and dunks in your face, you focus on White and suddenly Marble is making clutch shots in your face, you focus on Marble and Cartwright is running right up your middle, and you focus on Cartwright and Basabe is suddenly scoring in the paint. and thats not even counting other guys who score like McCable, May and Oglesby.
it must be hell to gameplan against Iowa on defense.
justsomehawkeyefan - January 5, 2012
Glanced through the Minnesota boards this am......
and a consistent comment was that the Iowa players were going 100% all the time. i haven’t seen this style and tempo since Dr. Tom’s days and it is fun to watch. The Hawks may be the best transition team in the conference.
Kluginator - January 5, 2012
The Hawks may be the only transition team in the conference
Although maybe Indiana gets up and down the floor, haven’t seen them yet.
PackerHawk - January 5, 2012
"The Hawks may be the best transition team in the conference."
Gary Williams said the same thing after the game.
Wait… OMG KLUGINATOR IS GARY WILLIAMS.
RossWB - January 5, 2012
The perversion level of Kluginator makes so much more sense now.
Marylanders are weird.
therealCatnuts - January 5, 2012
Crab cakes and butt stuff; that’s what Maryland does.
SomeJerkPoster - January 5, 2012
Truth
There is nothing more fun to watch than our guys getting after it on both ends of the floor over & over again. Great way to get fans into it, too.
HawkeyeGirleye - January 5, 2012
2 road wins
in a row blows my mind. Their confidence has got to be sky high right now. This is a team that’s suddenly very dangerous.
chitownhawkeye - January 5, 2012
Just BOUGHT tickets for the game Saturday
I stopped by Carver and checked out the new renovations as well. I went to maybe two games the last three years when they let students in for free, but this is the first time I’ve bought tickets to a men’s basketball game in years. I talked with the guy at the ticket booth and he said they have about 2400 tickets left, but even though it could sell out, probably won’t look quite full since the students are still out of town.
iowaengineer - January 5, 2012
Good to hear tickets are going quick
But it probably won’t look full. Too bad the students don’t get back until the 17th. Hopefully some of them show up.
Nickhawk08 - January 5, 2012
can't they throw up a few hundred placards that look like students?
rosko - January 5, 2012
Card Trick
A La jNW this year. The attending fans will hold up cards that extend to the student section, and the cards will be pics of the student section at Kinnick.
hawkinsandmelrose - January 5, 2012
Just move the ones you've been putting in the other seats this year.
Patrick Vint - January 5, 2012
FUCK
minnesota
hawkinsandmelrose - January 5, 2012
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