I remember that 2002 Iowa football team. What a great team and great year. To a man, they all say that the loss to Iowa State really galvanized the team.
The loss to Gonzaga may have shown them their need to play better defense, but IMHO, that loss to MN hurt them more. Made them truly realize just what was at stake and I think their defense has been much better since then.
Sometimes, suffering a defeat like that MN loss can actually make you a better team. We all know the Hawks can score with anyone, ESPECIALLY now that Jbo’s shot is falling. Ratcheting up the defense is what will get them a B1G championship. Maybe at the end of the year we will look back and point to the MM game as the loss that really propelled the team toward bigger things.