IT SEEMED AS IF IOWA COULDN'T MISS. But, sadly, neither could Oregon. The Hawkeyes got off to a fast start but Oregon chipped away at Iowa's first half lead to end the half down four. Oregon put 61 points on the board in the second half to beat Iowa 108-97 in the highest scoring D-I basketball game of the year.
Iowa's terrific start was helped by hot shooting beyond the three point line by Devyn Marble. Roy Dev had a career high 31 points including seven three pointers. Freshman Aaron White added 22 points and eight rebounds. Melsahn Basabe put in 17 points and also had eight rebounds.
It was truly the end for seniors Andrew Brommer, Bryce Cartwright, Devon Archie and Matt Gatens. Head coach Fran McCaffery called Gatens, "one of the greatest Hawks of all-time." Per Dochterman's piece, Gatens said this after the game,
"It's tough. You look forward to that next practice, that next game and you realize it's over. I kind of went through that once before (in the Big Ten Tournament); we had another chance. We played again. Now it's really over. I'm just thankful to play with these guys and these coaches, and it's been an incredible experience."
Gatens ended the regular season flaming hot from beyond three point land. His hot shooting didn't carry over to the post season but he was picked up by his teammates. One teammate, Bryce Cartwright, played his best basketball of the season in the NIT. Cartwright had 21 assists to only four turnovers in Iowa's two games.
Iowa's losing one of the all-time greats but there is a lot to look forward to. Fran McCaffery said, following Iowa's game at Oregon,
"We've come a long way. We have a lot of freshmen and sophomores who have played really well all season, and also today. So we're very optimistic about where we're headed."
THE HAWKEYE WOMEN WERE ONE AND DONE IN THE WOMEN'S NCAA TOURNAMENT. Iowa faced a tough first round battle with California on Sunday. Cal is one of the nation's best rebounding teams and they beat Iowa soundly on the boards. Iowa got 15 points from Kamille Wahlin as the Hawkeyes made a late push by draining threes. The push wasn't enough as Cal held on to win 84-74.
SO, THAT'S IT FOR HAWKEYE HOOPS. Upcoming news items include Anthony Clemmons still playing in his state playoffs. Incoming recruits Mike Gesell and Adam Woodbury will play April 1st in the All-American Championship game. Matt Gatens will get some tryouts and maybe even a chance at professional basketball. And there's the PTL.
There's also the chance that recruiting for 2012 isn't finished. McCaffery said he may look to fill his one scholarship he has left. The staff will be out evaluating prospects next month so names should pop-up for potential prospects. Summer is also the time camps and AAU hoops heat up so names for the 2013 recruiting class will emerge too.
MOVING ON TO FOOTBALL. Today is Iowa's Pro Day in Iowa City. Spring ball will also kickoff this week. Last week, Marc Morehouse began his Four Downs series with a look at Iowa's quarterbacks. Today, we look at the running back position.
The Hawkeyes have a huge hole to fill in 2012 after the departure of leading rusher Marcus Coker. Iowa lost Coker to transfer after the sophomore running back left following the Fall semester. Coker spoke to Stony Brook media about his new gig as the Seawolves running back. He said of his new location,
I feel like the guys have treated me like family. When we're lifting, we've talked about some personal stuff, but nothing more or less than any other new guy in a program.
Jordan Canzeri may be the first name listed on the Hawkeye depth chart. There's also Jason White and Damon Bullock. Canzeri saw the bulk of the carries against Oklahoma in the Insight.com Bowl. Based simply on that he's the leader in the clubhouse for carries this Fall. Iowa still has De'Andre Johnson on the roster and then there's incoming freshmen Greg Garmon and Barkley Hill. At this point it's way to early to predict carries. Iowa has enough in the stable to go running back by committee.
Other links:
- 2011-12 Big Ten men's basketball TV schedule: NCAA/NIT (March 19-23)
- Iowa ‘couldn't play any better' on offense, ‘couldn't play any worse' on defense
- Hawkeyes wrestlers were good, but needed to be great
- VIDEO: Iowa falls 84-74 to California
- Cal is ‘textbook' on the boards, ousts Iowa 84-74
- Big Ten basketball brothers showing Iowa it has no choice but to raise its game
- Not enough upsets for Hawkeye wrestlers
- Hawkeye men's tennis drops three, now 1-11 on year
- Hawkeye baseball goes 3-4 in weeklong tournament
- Iowa Wrestler NCAA Champion