The Hawkeyes were tied at halftime with the #7 team in the country, and when Purdue looked like they might break it wide open in the second half, Iowa responded and, with about 2 minutes to go, Dix missed a corner three that would have tied it again. It was over after that, but as disappointed as I am with the men's basketball program, fairness requires that I commend everyone who played last night for a great effort.
The defense was very good in the first half, and I loved the consecutive over-and-back violations Mulvey helped create. And how about that sequence when Brauns blocked the Purdue shot and then dunked on a fast break pass from Payton Sandfort . . . That was winning basketball, especially without last year's freshman of the year.
Traore probably should have played more in the second half in place of Pryce to improve defense and rebounding. Purdue got a lot of wide open threes in that second half and, despite not being very good at threes this year, they hit 'em last night.
Obviously it's time for a new coach and a new direction for Iowa men's basketball, but I can never fault players who play hard, and Iowa did that last night against the #7 team in the country, and despite everything, had Iowa made its FTs, a lingering issue, the Hawkeyes could have won. That's how close they were to a huge upset.
I said before Freeman got hurt that I don't see another win on the schedule. I stand by that, but if the Hawkeyes can keep playing hard like last night and if Fran can go with more of a defensive lineup, then who knows.
At any rate, give Mulvey and Brauns a lot of credit for making the most of their time on the floor last night.
The defense was very good in the first half, and I loved the consecutive over-and-back violations Mulvey helped create. And how about that sequence when Brauns blocked the Purdue shot and then dunked on a fast break pass from Payton Sandfort . . . That was winning basketball, especially without last year's freshman of the year.
Traore probably should have played more in the second half in place of Pryce to improve defense and rebounding. Purdue got a lot of wide open threes in that second half and, despite not being very good at threes this year, they hit 'em last night.
Obviously it's time for a new coach and a new direction for Iowa men's basketball, but I can never fault players who play hard, and Iowa did that last night against the #7 team in the country, and despite everything, had Iowa made its FTs, a lingering issue, the Hawkeyes could have won. That's how close they were to a huge upset.
I said before Freeman got hurt that I don't see another win on the schedule. I stand by that, but if the Hawkeyes can keep playing hard like last night and if Fran can go with more of a defensive lineup, then who knows.
At any rate, give Mulvey and Brauns a lot of credit for making the most of their time on the floor last night.
