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#$%&
That one hurts.
A lot.
It felt like Iowa had this one in the bag, but then it didn’t.
I’m just going to leave this here.
A cleaner look at that horrible call - plainly called timeout multiple times and Minn defender out of bounds when refs called it jump ball pic.twitter.com/LGsJk7xwll
— Heavens! (@HeavensHawkeye) February 9, 2017
If someone does the job they’re paid to do properly we’re likely basking in the glow of a win over the Gilded Rodents, but alas here we are, blogging another loss for this young squad. And that’s that.
Oh but it did happen again, though.
@BHGP This is Gophers' last possession in 1st OT. No whistle. How is that not carrying? pic.twitter.com/gobMfKH8O8
— Geno Richard (@Bacontrain) February 9, 2017
Let’s just focus on the good things and wrap this up because nothing is worse than losing to Minnesota.
-The Gophers closed the first half much stronger than Iowa, where the team up north closed on a 7-0 run to make it 40-29 at the end of the first frame. Minnesota went on an 11-0 run earlier on, but Iowa made it to within 4 before the Gophers went on another tear. The Hawkeyes could have turtled in the second half and got run over, but they scored 11 points in just over 90 seconds to give Iowa a 61-59 lead with 8 minutes left to play.
-Peter Jok was an absolute liability in the first half where he had 2 points, 2 fouls and 3 turnovers in 14 minutes while going 1-3 from the floor. Iowa was much more fluid on both sides of the ball with him on the bench. BUT THEN. The second half happened. Jok was a completely different player in the second frame, where he scored 24 and knocked down 3 tre’s. He also went 9-9 from the line, and each point was needed.
-Isaiah Moss was Iowa’s other MVP, ending the game with 19 while going 7-12 from shooting. He was a revelation and still played only 24 minutes. I would have liked to see him get a little more play.
-Jordan Bohannon was a warrior in overtime, making things happen when others couldn’t. Iowa could go shot for shot in the first overtime, but like the Nebraska game, these young guys were just too tired out and had nothing left in the tank.
-The Hawkeyes didn’t have an answer for Akeem Springs and Nate Mason, who combined for 42 points. Springs was left open on the perimeter a mind-boggling amount of times, especially in the first half and ended the game going 5-8 from three. That really hurt.
-Minnesota had 14 blocks. 14. Blocks.
-And that’s that. Next up we’re at Michigan State. That should be fun. More on this game later. Or maybe not.