***Official Iowa at Minnesota Game Thread***

[Franisdaman]

Game Information:
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Iowa (14-10, 6-5) at Minnesota (16-7, 4-6)
.....T-5th in B1G....................T-9th in B1G
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Date: Wednesday February 8, 2017
Tip Off: 8:00 PM CT
TV: BTN / BTN2GO
Radio Pregame show: ONE HOUR BEFORE TIP OFF
Radio Post game show: Immediately following the game
Favorite: Minnesota is a 7 point favorite
O.U: 150.5
Pregame Notes & Stories: http://hawkeyesports.com/archives.aspx?path=mbball

 

[Franisdaman]

The #Hawkeyes had a workout last night at Williams Arena in preparation for today's game against the Gophers.

Click on the pic to make it LARGER.

 

[Franisdaman]

MarkEmmert ‏@MarkEmmert 17h17 hours ago
McCaffery says he does not address things like league standings and RPI with his players. Just focuses on next game.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

This is a huge game. It is Minnesota, but if we can pull this one off, we are staying at the 5 spot for a while.

It could be our final road win of the season. The rest of the schedule does not get easy. There maybe some lopsided wins going eigher way. But It'll be a slugfest the from here on out.

That said, the Hawks learned to play as a team and spread the ball, find the hot shooter and score. The defense is up and improving. If Jok can find his shot again, which he definitely will (assuming, and very much hoping, the back is all good), then these guys will be capable of taking on anyone on any given night.

On Iowa!

 

[KuwaitHawk]

Predictions?

 

[Franisdaman]

This is a huge game. It is Minnesota, but if we can pull this one off, we are staying at the 5 spot for a while.

It could be our final road win of the season. The rest of the schedule does not get easy. There maybe some lopsided wins going eigher way. But It'll be a slugfest the from here on out.

That said, the Hawks learned to play as a team and spread the ball, find the hot shooter and score. The defense is up and improving. If Jok can find his shot again, which he definitely will (assuming, and very much hoping, the back is all good), then these guys will be capable of taking on anyone on any given night.

On Iowa!

It would be nice to beat Minny, a projected NCAA tourney team, and to keep them below us in the standings.

whats your gut say? we win tonight? i think Minny holds serve, unfortunately....a really tough road environment

 

[Franisdaman]

Predictions?

with Minny a 7 point fav, and the O/U at 150.5, Vegas is predicting this:

72 Iowa
79 Minny
___________________
151

I think Minny pulls off an 80-75 win, unfortunately; they are tough at home and its gonna be hostile, but a very good learning experience for the youngsters

 

[Franisdaman]

heres a good pregame article:

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/points-in-transition-iowa-vs-minnesota-preview-20170207

Nate Mason, the Gophers point guard, averages 14 points, 5.2 assists (to 1.7 turnovers) and 3.3 rebounds per game. Mason shoots 40.2 percent from 3-point range

Amir Coffey clocks in at 12.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 46.4 percent.

Dupree McBrayer, who McCaffery called “one of the best freshmen in the league last year,” averages 11 points and three rebounds per game.

Reggie Lynch, in his first year with Minnesota after transferring from Illinois State, averages 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game — the latter of which leads the Big Ten.

One key is stopping Nate Mason

Nate Mason, guard — How many times have we discussed quick, talented guards being an issue for the Hawkeyes? All of the Points in Transitions, right? OK, not all of them, but a lot of them. Nate Mason is in the vein of opposing guards like Tai Webster, Corey Sanders, Melo Trimble, Scottie Lindsey or Carsen Edwards. Not only does he lead the Gophers in scoring at 14.1 points per game, but his 5.2 assists show he involves his teammates with effectiveness. Drive and kick beware.

Another key is getting their bigs in foul trouble:

in the three-game winning streak, the Hawkeyes have done a good job attacking the paint in a way that will get opposing big men in foul trouble. Whether with frontcourt or backcourt players, Iowa has either fouled out or almost fouled out players from Ohio State, Rutgers and Nebraska.

Against the Buckeyes, center Trevor Thompson — 10.6 points per game in 22.8 minutes per game — fouled out with no points in just 13 minutes. Against the Scarlet Knights, C.J. Gettys — 7.8 points per game in 21.3 minutes per game — finished with four points and four fouls. Against the Huskers, Jordy Tshimanga fouled out, Michael Jacobson had four fouls and Isaiah Roby had four fouls, forcing Tim Miles to go deep into his bench for frontcourt guys.

Taking opposing big men out of the game — literally or figuratively — takes away rim protectors so guards can get to the rim and allows Cook, Cordell Pemsl, Ahmad Wagner, et. al to do their thing with freedom.

Gophers play good defense, which leads to transition points

Most of what the Gophers have hung their hat on this season has been defensively. The overall numbers back that up, with the 10th-best Adjusted Defense in the nation according to KenPom.com at 0.932 points per possession. Minnesota also is 10th in the nation in opponent effective field goal percentage at 44.4 percent, ranks 13th in opponent 3-point percentage at 30.3 percent and 11th in block percentage at 15.5 percent.

A player like Lynch to the last number. Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery talked about that being a real issue for opposing offenses to deal with — and makes the fact that Iowa has gotten opposing big men in foul trouble extremely relevant (and kind of super important).

Mason running the show and distributing the ball is effective, and he gets to lead a solid transition game because of what the defense has created for much of this season.

 

[TheRealHerky]

Road wins are tough, and this team would be taking a huge step forward winning one tonight.
Minnesota isn't Rutgers, and the environment at the Barn will be far more hostile than a half filled high school gym in New Jersey. Who hates Iowa?....

This Iowa team has already shown us it can surprise in ways both good and bad. If I had to put my own money up I'd have to say Minnesota should win this one. But I'm not counting the Hawks out.

 

[Franisdaman]

Brady Ellingson in 74 minutes has scored 34 points with 13 assists and no turnovers during a three-game Iowa winning streak.

 

[icwesthawk]

Play the kind of defense we have been playing, get better rebounding we will by 6, 79-73. Go Hawks!!

 

[luvmyhawks]

Brady Ellingson in 74 minutes has scored 34 points with 13 assists and no turnovers during a three-game Iowa winning streak.

Whoa...... I knew he has been playing well, but wow. Pretty outstanding for a young man a few people were saying should transfer.

 

[83Hawk]

I can see the Hawks winning, and I can also see a double-digit loss. It has always been tough for the Hawks to win at Minnesota. With our young, up-and-down team anything can happen. Hopefully the trend of the last 3 games continues and they pull out a victory. That would be a huge confidence builder going forward.

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

I get the feeling this entire week will show us a lot about where our program is at. The most realistic scenario is 0-2, given our youth and inexperience. If our freshman class can show that they are ready to compete in their first year (which they're well on their way to proving already), then it bodes extremely well given the additional pieces coming in over the next few years.

Think about this, our 2018 recruiting is already "done" barring multiple players leaving. We a focusing 2 years out, which should give us the ability to convince some higher rated guys. With the trajectory here (remember, people essentially thought this was the Gessel/Woody freshman year all over again), the team has already shown to have some really intriguing pieces and a top talent arriving in a few years.

 

[hknation]

Like the late great Al McGuire used to say at this point in the season, "they are not freshmen any more". I think we can safely say that about MN's Mason. Let's also hope we can say that about our freshmen, as they will have to play like veterans to win at MN. In my humble opinion....and Al's too, of course.

Like Yogism's, here's some Mcguire-isms: Link: http://www.sportsfeelgoodstories.com/al-mcguire-quotes/

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

It would be nice to beat Minny, a projected NCAA tourney team, and to keep them below us in the standings.

whats your gut say? we win tonight? i think Minny holds serve, unfortunately....a really tough road environment

It'll be last minute. Clutch 3 by Bohannon in the last minute to go up by one 71-70. Baer rebounds the missed shot by Minnie. Outlet pass to Jok. He's fouled and drains them both. Minnie misses a last second 3 to tie. Hawks win?

 

[DanL53]

I don't usually partake of game threads. I'd sooner smoke opium in a dingy Chinese den in some Old West mining town. And, have a bad trip at that.

But I just wanted to stop in to say that today I am feeling the exhilarating hatred for the Chip and Dales and what the hell is the difference between a chipmunk and a gopher anyway? So Hawkeyes let's feast on Alvin, Theodore and Simon! Let's save ourselves from another of their so called musical albums.

Death from above gophers, AKA chipmucks, AKA rats with fur tats of stripes and whatever. Well inked rats. Still rats.

 

[icwesthawk]

I don't usually partake of game threads. I'd sooner smoke opium in a dingy Chinese den in some Old West mining town. And, have a bad trip at that.

But I just wanted to stop in to say that today I am feeling the exhilarating hatred for the Chip and Dales and what the hell is the difference between a chipmunk and a gopher anyway? So Hawkeyes let's feast on Alvin, Theodore and Simon! Let's save ourselves from another of their so called musical albums.

Death from above gophers, AKA chipmucks, AKA rats with fur tats of stripes and whatever. Well inked rats. Still rats.

No pick? Chinese opium dens can be nice I hear, Old West mining towns suck though.

 

[And1Hawk]

Heart says Iowa wins, head says we lose by 10-15.

 

[MepoDawg#]

PJ scores 28, Iowa wins by 5.

 

[Hawkeyestate81]

My hope is Fran is not loyal/sticks with a non working line up or players, INCLUDING JOK. We cannot get buried right away, need to find the right combination of guys as fast as possible and call timeouts when needed!

 

[syracuse_hawk]

Whoa...... I knew he has been playing well, but wow. Pretty outstanding for a young man a few people were saying should transfer.

Why be an a$$hole? I was not one of those people, but it's not like you saw this coming. He was getting very few minutes and not really contributing, it wasn't crazy to talk about him transferring.

 

[83Hawk]

Minnie misses a last second 3 to tie.

That shot never doesn't go in.

 

[BigOHawk]

I saw some ridiculous stat awhile back re: Iowa basketball in situations over the past 10 years or so, where in the last minute they were either tied, led by single digits or trailed by single digits and their winning percentage was horrid. I think it was less than 5%, anyone recall this stat?

 

[Hawksfor3]

IMO if we keep their lead under 10 at half, we have a shot.

 

[Gopher Rube]

I don't usually partake of game threads. I'd sooner smoke opium in a dingy Chinese den in some Old West mining town. And, have a bad trip at that.

what the hell is the difference between a chipmunk and a gopher anyway?

What's the difference between a garbanzo bean and a chick pea?

DanL53 has never had a garbanzo bean on his face.

In his defense though, I believe that was more common in Chinese opium dens than other places.

 

[DanL53]

What's the difference between a garbanzo bean and a chick pea?

DanL53 has never had a garbanzo bean on his face.

In his defense though, I believe that was more common in Chinese opium dens than other places.

I knew you guys would fall apart in the Big Ten. 4-6. Way to go. Pitino is quickly earning his place in the John Groce Coaching Hall of Fame. How do you like having to play the game of your lives against Iowa almost 2/3rds of the way through the Big Ten? Nobody expected Iowa to be winning this year. Just think of your future against us, and hope, HOPE you can pull off a win tonight.

How's that travel budget by the way? Pitino ever learn to keep receipts?

And I'll bet you are proud of getting players though the Canary Islands Basketball Academy and Travel Agency.

http://www.pe.com/articles/link-796642-wednesday-basketball.html

You guys have always had one of the worst cheating of programs in the NCAA. Rats. That's all you've ever been! You're the reason the NCAA has to keep making new rules, to keep up with crooks like Minnesota inventing new ways to break them. Was there ever a doubt BEFORE you hired a Pitino?

Tonight, it's a Big Ten basketball team, student athletes, versus thugs and cheats. You've already lost. And IF the score says the same at the end of the game? Well, how's it feel you can't even cheat good enough anymore?

I laugh at you. I hiss at you. I flick a booger at you and try to land it in your mouth.

You are meaningless and shouldn't even be allowed to have a team.

Cheaters.

 

[mplshawkeye21]

They're bigs are going to have to win them this game. And we are definitely outmatched in that category. The only way we win this is if we're super hot from 3's. They have 3 or 4 guys that are as tall and athletic as Cook. If they keep going inside, it could be a long night.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

The "Minnesota is tough at home" belief is based on fake news. The reality is that the Gophers have lost four of five at home. With Penn State beating Maryland, Michigan smashing Sparty, ISU winning at Kansas, and all the other crazy results, anyone who predicts college basketball is in for lots of disappointments. Anything can happen tonight. But whatever transpires, I'm just hoping Iowa has at least one more point than Minny does when the lights go out at The Barn.

 

[lovedwatchingLester]

It's as good a time as any to serve notice to the conference we aren't a bunch of just out of high school kids anymore. Their bigs are good but I think ours are too. Let's find out. I'm ready for a battle tonight and if we can play inside out like we have then poof, ring up another 3

 

[Mohawkeye]

I see this as a very winnable game. Not convinced by Minny yet and I think we are meshing. This is the time of year where the freshmen either burn out or buy into playing tough team defense. I think they are buying in and that gives us a near 50% chance.

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

I just want to see which version of Charmin we are tonight.

 

[Gopher Rube]

I knew you guys would fall apart in the Big Ten. 4-6. Way to go. Pitino is quickly earning his place in the John Groce Coaching Hall of Fame. How do you like having to play the game of your lives against Iowa almost 2/3rds of the way through the Big Ten? Nobody expected Iowa to be winning this year. Just think of your future against us, and hope, HOPE you can pull off a win tonight.

How's that travel budget by the way? Pitino ever learn to keep receipts?

And I'll bet you are proud of getting players though the Canary Islands Basketball Academy and Travel Agency.

http://www.pe.com/articles/link-796642-wednesday-basketball.html

You guys have always had one of the worst cheating of programs in the NCAA. Rats. That's all you've ever been! You're the reason the NCAA has to keep making new rules, to keep up with crooks like Minnesota inventing new ways to break them. Was there ever a doubt BEFORE you hired a Pitino?

Tonight, it's a Big Ten basketball team, student athletes, versus thugs and cheats. You've already lost. And IF the score says the same at the end of the game? Well, how's it feel you can't even cheat good enough anymore?

I laugh at you. I hiss at you. I flick a booger at you and try to land it in your mouth.

You are meaningless and shouldn't even be allowed to have a team.

Cheaters.

 

[DanL53]

Cheaters.

 

[MepoDawg#]

Haters Gone Hate? WTF! English please. Anyways what are haters going to hate? Your B1G record. More like haters going to laugh.

 

[DanL53]

Cheaters:

 

[IllQChawk]

Cheaters.

Love the DanL53/Gopher Rube banter that has taken over this thread....sorta like Trump bad mouthing anyone that stands in his way. Fortunately the game will still go on and someone will come out on top, whether it's the Gopher's or Hawk's it should be as entertaining as most BIG games have been this year....as a Hawk fan I'm looking forward to the Hawk freshman continuing to learn how to win in the BIG.

 

[DanL53]

Love the DanL53/Gopher Rube banter that has taken over this thread....sorta like Trump bad mouthing anyone that stands in his way. Fortunately the game will still go on and someone will come out on top, whether it's the Gopher's or Hawk's it should be as entertaining as most BIG games have been this year....as a Hawk fan I'm looking forward to the Hawk freshman continuing to learn how to win in the BIG.

We can't trash talk with the other fans now? Gosh I hate to ruin a game thread, it's all yours.

 

[CanadaHawk]

Another game with potential growth for the young Iowa team. Got to make stops of course. But will say, Iowa could win this game and lose the rebounding battle; Minnesota can't do that. On the other hand, Iowa's got to shoot well; but we've got 3+ go to long range shooters.

 

[farfaraway]

Someone hijack Dan's account?