No. 3 ISU 89, Iowa 80: Small-Ball Works... Until It Doesn't
Iowa was outscored 20-10 on second-chance points in a nine-point loss to Iowa State.
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- Thread starter Adam Jacobi
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That had more to do with running out of gas. Not size of our two guards.
We don’t play with that kind of intensity. It was refreshing to see.
We don’t play with that kind of intensity. It was refreshing to see.
Looked like it to me too, but the moment I brought up fatigue, Fran shot it down before I could finish my sentence. So I'll take him at his word.
It wasn't a nine-point loss. ISU built up the final margin because they made their FTs after Iowa kept intentionally fouling, its only chance to come back after finally falling behind for the first time all night.
No. 3 ISU 89, Iowa 80: Small-Ball Works... Until It Doesn't
Iowa was outscored 20-10 on second-chance points in a nine-point loss to Iowa State.iowa.rivals.com
Iowa's best chance to win was with the smaller lineup. After all, Iowa's front line is not filled with aggressive rebounders, no matter who Fran plays there. Thelwell, a small guard, led the team with 6 boards. I think Freeman had four. Owen is a talented player, but he's not exactly a beast on the boards, and he didn't handle the offensive side of things very well last night either.
If Iowa had played more bigs, they would have been blown out. Fran did the right thing by going small, and it came within 2.5 minutes of generating a huge upset of the #3 team in college basketball.
Those free throws by owen were tired legs. His minutes weren't high but he hasn't had to work that hard many times.
Fran knows he shortened his bench (rightfully so) and with the increased intensity, it took it's toll, so I wouldn't expect fran to use that as an excuse.
That was some of the best effort i've seen in a while from an iowa team. It's hard to play to that level of intensity when you aren't used to it, ISU was/is.
Okay then. Please explain exactly, how "it wasn't a nine point loss"? The score is what it is. You don't get to go back and say, "yea but". Free throws and rebounding win games as well, and this team is good at neither most of the time.
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