Fran McCaffery's sideline rages are well-documented, but this looked like a new tactic; seemingly communicating wordlessly to the officials that he wasn't mad at them, just disappointed.
Official Kelly Pfeifer was the target of McCaffery's attention, having made the call against Ahron Ulis that prompted McCaffery's ire (and subsequent tech). Ulis had just locked up Walker along the sideline, trying to force a jump ball; Ulis was whistled for a foul instead.
There was some contact from Ulis on Walker on the play. There's also some contact on nearly every jump ball. McCaffery's ire was justified, just like Izzo's anger would have been too if the same play had been ruled a jump ball instead.
Now, whether or not this (deeply uncomfortable) moment had any actual effect on how the game was officiated, or any effect on the players, is debatable at best. Most Iowa players barely paid attention in the moment. An even more damaging call against Iowa came after the staredown.
Nonetheless, The Staredown ended up being a near-perfect signpost for when Iowa flipped the switch into rally mode, converting the stress of the moment into pure jet fuel.
iowa.rivals.com
