JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
http://bigten.xofan.com/Iowa/40-forever-hawks-top-badgers/
Fran McCaffery showed his players some Chris Street videos this week, so they would understand the type of player he was. It was the 20th anniversary of Street's death, a great Iowan cut down before his life had even begun. Street was also a great basketball player and McCaffery had a message for his players before the game, writing it on his white board in the locker room: "Play like Chris Street."
Iowa did just that in the first half, jumping out to a 30-10 lead and then holding on to win 70-66 in front of a sold out and misty-eyed crowd.
Street's #40 jersey was draped over an empty chair at the head of Iowa's bench, just by the scorers table. Iowa's players wore CMS40 patches and the players wore CMS40 t-shirts on the bench. It was an unbelievable night and the Hawkeyes did their part, knocking off the Big Ten's last undefeated team. Per @mbenson6, someone I follow, it was Iowa's third straight win against Wisconsin, the first time that has happened since January 29, 1992 to March 10, 1993. If that is the case, then Chris Street was a part of one of those games.
It felt like he was a part of Saturday night's game, too.
Iowa finished the game 22-52 from the floor to Wisconsin's 25-58. Chris Street was a great free throw shooter, still holding the Iowa record of 34 in a row. Iowa likely won the game at the line on Saturday, going 24 of 29 to Wisconsin's 8-12. Street was also an excellent rebounder, averaging more than nine per game during his shortened junior season. Iowa won the battle of the boards 37-35 and it was 12/12 on the offensive glass.
Street was also a very active defensive player, arguably the best point on Tom Davis's press that he ever had. The Hawkeyes held Wisconsin to 18 first half points, a season low for the Badgers. McCaffery said after the game that Iowa cannot play much better than the way they did in the first half. None of Wisconsin's starters scored in double-figures in this game.
Iowa became the first Badger opponent in the past 12 games to top 60 points. That includes the Hoosiers in Bloomington last week. The Badgers were the hottest team in the league, having beaten Indiana and smoking Illinois at home last week.
Iowa lost two close games at home against Indiana and Michigan State (without Devyn Marble), then the blowout loss at Michigan. The Hawks bounced Northwestern by 20 last weekend and this win backs up that performance. They really, really needed this win. If Iowa makes the NCAA tournament this year, this win is going to be a part of that. There aren't too many realistic wins against big time teams left on the schedule; this was one Iowa had to have.
I think the Badgers are going to make the dance this year and the Big Ten will get seven teams. As of now, the league might have eight but I think it will be seven and Iowa and Illinois will battle for that seventh bid.
Aaron White led Iowa with 17 points (a Street-like 13-15 from the line) and seven boards. Mike Gesell had 11 points and no turnovers. Roy Marble had 13 points and Anthony Clemmons had 10.
Iowa forced 12 Badger turnovers, a high number for them, and committed just seven, which is a very low number against Wisconsin, one of the stingiest defensive teams in the league. It also tied Iowa's season low for turnovers.
Iowa moves to 13-5 overall and 2-3 in the league, which keeps them on par with my pre-season predictions (I had them beating MSU and Wisconsin and losing to Indiana, Michigan and Northwestern). Iowa's next opponent is Ohio State, who lost by three at Michigan State on Saturday and then Iowa travels to Purdue. Iowa needs to split these two, but Purdue is getting a lot better and Ohio State is making everyone grind it out and they beat Michigan by three at home last week.
That's life in the Big Ten; nothing is going to be easy. But at least for this night, Iowa fans go to bed very happy...pleased with the performance of their favorite team and remembering a great person and Hawkeye Chris Street, whose spirit was certainly in the house on Saturday.
Special thanks to Justin VanLaere (storminspank) for this video of the Chris Street tribute at halftime:
Chris Street Tribute during Halftime of the Iowa-Wisc MBB Game - YouTube
Fran McCaffery showed his players some Chris Street videos this week, so they would understand the type of player he was. It was the 20th anniversary of Street's death, a great Iowan cut down before his life had even begun. Street was also a great basketball player and McCaffery had a message for his players before the game, writing it on his white board in the locker room: "Play like Chris Street."
Iowa did just that in the first half, jumping out to a 30-10 lead and then holding on to win 70-66 in front of a sold out and misty-eyed crowd.
Street's #40 jersey was draped over an empty chair at the head of Iowa's bench, just by the scorers table. Iowa's players wore CMS40 patches and the players wore CMS40 t-shirts on the bench. It was an unbelievable night and the Hawkeyes did their part, knocking off the Big Ten's last undefeated team. Per @mbenson6, someone I follow, it was Iowa's third straight win against Wisconsin, the first time that has happened since January 29, 1992 to March 10, 1993. If that is the case, then Chris Street was a part of one of those games.
It felt like he was a part of Saturday night's game, too.
Iowa finished the game 22-52 from the floor to Wisconsin's 25-58. Chris Street was a great free throw shooter, still holding the Iowa record of 34 in a row. Iowa likely won the game at the line on Saturday, going 24 of 29 to Wisconsin's 8-12. Street was also an excellent rebounder, averaging more than nine per game during his shortened junior season. Iowa won the battle of the boards 37-35 and it was 12/12 on the offensive glass.
Street was also a very active defensive player, arguably the best point on Tom Davis's press that he ever had. The Hawkeyes held Wisconsin to 18 first half points, a season low for the Badgers. McCaffery said after the game that Iowa cannot play much better than the way they did in the first half. None of Wisconsin's starters scored in double-figures in this game.
Iowa became the first Badger opponent in the past 12 games to top 60 points. That includes the Hoosiers in Bloomington last week. The Badgers were the hottest team in the league, having beaten Indiana and smoking Illinois at home last week.
Iowa lost two close games at home against Indiana and Michigan State (without Devyn Marble), then the blowout loss at Michigan. The Hawks bounced Northwestern by 20 last weekend and this win backs up that performance. They really, really needed this win. If Iowa makes the NCAA tournament this year, this win is going to be a part of that. There aren't too many realistic wins against big time teams left on the schedule; this was one Iowa had to have.
I think the Badgers are going to make the dance this year and the Big Ten will get seven teams. As of now, the league might have eight but I think it will be seven and Iowa and Illinois will battle for that seventh bid.
Aaron White led Iowa with 17 points (a Street-like 13-15 from the line) and seven boards. Mike Gesell had 11 points and no turnovers. Roy Marble had 13 points and Anthony Clemmons had 10.
Iowa forced 12 Badger turnovers, a high number for them, and committed just seven, which is a very low number against Wisconsin, one of the stingiest defensive teams in the league. It also tied Iowa's season low for turnovers.
Iowa moves to 13-5 overall and 2-3 in the league, which keeps them on par with my pre-season predictions (I had them beating MSU and Wisconsin and losing to Indiana, Michigan and Northwestern). Iowa's next opponent is Ohio State, who lost by three at Michigan State on Saturday and then Iowa travels to Purdue. Iowa needs to split these two, but Purdue is getting a lot better and Ohio State is making everyone grind it out and they beat Michigan by three at home last week.
That's life in the Big Ten; nothing is going to be easy. But at least for this night, Iowa fans go to bed very happy...pleased with the performance of their favorite team and remembering a great person and Hawkeye Chris Street, whose spirit was certainly in the house on Saturday.
Special thanks to Justin VanLaere (storminspank) for this video of the Chris Street tribute at halftime:
Chris Street Tribute during Halftime of the Iowa-Wisc MBB Game - YouTube
