Iowa 56, Simpson 30. Rush the court!

by Adam Jacobi on Nov 2, 2007 12:06 AM CDT in Iowa Hawkeyes News

The exhibition basketball season got underway tonight for Iowa as they hosted Simpson College, who I think was named after Mr. Orenthal James himself. Him or Ashlee. The game was being held as a benefit for the Children's Miracle Network, which we suppose is a worthy cause.

So worthy, in fact, that Simpson apparently saw fit to donate their basketball acumen to charity before tipoff. The Storm missed all but one of their 18 attempts from behind the arc, and they shot just 10-54 from the field. Hell, they didn't even hit 40% their free throws. The second half was even more brutal, as Simpson went almost 10 minutes without scoring a single point. Iowa used the cold spell to go on a 16-0 run that put the game out of reach. Let's reiterate: Iowa needed D-III Simpson to not score for 10 minutes in order to pull away in the second half.

As Iowa goes, obviously, the boys still have plenty of work ahead. They committed 20 turnovers and let Simpson gather 17 offensive rebounds. A defensive rebound percentage of 68% is about middle-of-the-pack for the Big Ten... but it's Simpson! What's going to happen when the opponent's fielding scholarship athletes and not a spot starter from Newton?

My prognosis for this season: Long. There are going to be some tough stretches this year. Iowa should be favored in exactly none of the first seven games, and there's probably at least four non-conference losses looming. Oh, but the good news is that the Big Ten Network will be televising the lion's share of Iowa's games this season, so the odds of you actually subjecting yourself to a cold winter of losses are pretty fucking slim.

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Wow

Simpson isn't even a GOOD D-III team. They finished right in the middle of the mighty Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference last year. I'd say that this season is going to suck, but the fact that Steve Alford is no longer the coach makes it pretty much an automatic success.

Also, fuck the Big Ten Network.

by Adam @ Black Heart Gold Pants on Nov 2, 2007 11:22 AM CDT reply actions

Okay...

In what world - this or any theoretical one - does anyone expect this team to be anything resembling decent?

I understand the blog posture. And it's a fledging fan forum ('don't practice your alliteration on me'), but geesh, to expect anything is like bringing home a new dog from the pound and think he isn't going to poop, pee and gnaw the shit out of everything the first year.

New coach. Completely new system/philosophy. Fair to middlin' former coach's players (that's generous) who haven't ever been taught defense. This isn't a shock. The day Tyler Smith decided to transfer, everyone knew it was going to be a rough ride. So Any level of shock is a bit misplaced.

I've always thought (well, only realized fairly recently) that I'm not going to let a bunch of 20 year-olds playing with a round or oblong ball dictate my happiness. With Iowa, this mantra has always seemed apt.

So sit back, relax, strap it down and let's see if this team improves. It will be sloooooowwwwww, but there seems to be things to like here.

On another note, I lived in Iowa City for twelve years until 2003. From 1995-2003, I lived in eight different apartments and had Directv in every one of them. It can be done. You just have to get creative.

by Snacky Boy on Nov 2, 2007 11:48 AM CDT reply actions

As Adam said...

The departure of Alford, by itself, makes this season an unqualified success. I could tolerate a 2-16 season in the Big Ten as long as I could see that the players were learning and improving.

Look, it was obvious right when Smith left that Iowa wouldn't have the horses to compete for much this season. That's fine and I'm okay with that. And I suppose that if there were ever an evening for Iowa to coast, it would be during an exhibition against a middling D-III team. It's just that even these guys should have had their way with Simpson.

If I came off as shocked or angry, it was unintentional; nothing about last night's game was particularly surprising. There is an inescapable feeling of dread, however, when it comes to sizing up a season with a new coach (one I most certainly endorse), a new system, and about zero players that I'd consider contenders for at least 2nd team All-Big Ten.

Next year and the year after should be much more fun, though.

by Adam Jacobi on Nov 2, 2007 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Does this mean...

...I get to start using names like "Lil' Sonderliter," "Stick Man," and "The Walking Embodiment of a Turnover that is Tony Freeman" again?

Iowa basketball! Catch the fever!

by Patrick Vint on Nov 2, 2007 12:59 PM CDT reply actions

It's like Cracker Jack...

with Alford all you got was the prize...now it's time for us to feast on the 'Jack.'

In other words, it was no fun being any good with SA around; you almost felt guilty rooting for him.

Lickliter looks like a great guy, and he's going to make rooting for the Hawks fun and guilt-free once again. Every victory will be savored; every close defeat agonized over.

And I bet the boys improve game by game faster than you can imagine. I don't care if they go 5-21 or whatever, because I think Hawkeye b-ball has just gotten fun again.

And I don't even like the word fun--still, felt compelled to use it three times.

If it's not too much trouble, search your soul--and then ask yourself if maybe I might have a point.

by The Director on Nov 2, 2007 3:40 PM CDT reply actions