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The #21/23 Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2, 0-2) made easy work of the Savannah State Tigers (3-11), 110-64, in their final game before Christmas.
Iowa forced the issue inside, despite Luka Garza out with an ankle injury sustained in practice earlier this week. Two quick baskets by Tyler Cook and a drive by Joe Wieskamp had the Tigers more conscientious of the middle which opened up the perimeter for Iowa to make hay. They made 9 of 21 threes in the half, en route to a 58-28 lead at half. Four Hawkeyes had double digits in the frame, with Tyler Cook leading the way at 14.
If there is one minuscule concern to take from a half where Iowa played clean basketball with only four turnovers and 15 assists on 20 made baskets (54%, 43% from deep) was a weird fall from Tyler Cook. He came out with 10:27 remaining in the period and Iowa’s offense stagnated against Savannah State’s zone, scoring only 14 points during that timeframe.
It was more of the same in the second half, as Iowa made an effort to attack the Tigers’ zone from the middle, especially when reserves were on the court. Wieskamp finished with a career-high 24 points and many other Hawkeyes - all of them really - flashed when given the opportunity.
Jordan Bohannon was a beneficiary of the Tigers’ attention inside, with 6/14 shooting from deep for 18 points. Wieskamp was 5/7 from deep and Austin Ash - who played almost 20 minutes with Connor McCaffery out - added three deep threes. Isaiah Moss did a lot of little things on the way to 15 points and six assists. Tyler Cook was wheeling and dealing with four assists of his own. Nico Hobbs and Michael Baer scored to put every Hawkeye on the board. Baer’s three set the record for team threes in a game with 19!
Ultimately, Iowa did what they were supposed to. They were even able to build depth as Riley Till (10 points!) continued to look good as we near conference play. With the tightened rotation, it’s important every Hawkeye contributes when they’re on the floor. It was exciting to see it come to fruition today.