The CURSE that is Iowa basketball

[Knight78]

Well, losing the game by a last second shot entails losing by 3 points or less, usually. Sometimes those wins or losses aren't losing or winning on a game winning shot.

Last year we had one game that was decided by 3 points or less: Syracuse. We lost that, but we were never in the lead or tied. Every other game last year we won or lost by 4 points or more.

In the 2013-2014 season, we played three games that were decided by 3 points or less. We lost to Iowa St, Michigan St and Illinois. All three of them, we can point to poor free throw shooting as the reason we lost.

In the 2012-2013 season, we played five games that were decided by 3 points or less. We lost to Michigan St (twice), Purdue, Minnesota and won one against Penn St. With the exception of the physical beating we took at Michigan St, it was all about free throws again in the losses. In the win we shot pretty well from the line.

You can talk about the last second losses vs wins all you want. Sometimes you win them, sometimes you lose them. There is almost always a reason you are even in that position and it's usually either poor free throw shooting or bad rebounding. If you look at Iowa's "many" last minute losses, you'll find that it's either of these.

 

[PCHawk]

Well, losing the game by a last second shot entails losing by 3 points or less, usually. Sometimes those wins or losses aren't losing or winning on a game winning shot.

Last year we had one game that was decided by 3 points or less: Syracuse. We lost that, but we were never in the lead or tied. Every other game last year we won or lost by 4 points or more.

In the 2013-2014 season, we played three games that were decided by 3 points or less. We lost to Iowa St, Michigan St and Illinois. All three of them, we can point to poor free throw shooting as the reason we lost.

In the 2012-2013 season, we played five games that were decided by 3 points or less. We lost to Michigan St (twice), Purdue, Minnesota and won one against Penn St. With the exception of the physical beating we took at Michigan St, it was all about free throws again in the losses. In the win we shot pretty well from the line.

You can talk about the last second losses vs wins all you want. Sometimes you win them, sometimes you lose them. There is almost always a reason you are even in that position and it's usually either poor free throw shooting or bad rebounding. If you look at Iowa's "many" last minute losses, you'll find that it's either of these.

This is a discussion on last second shots though. Not what could have played out differently to prevent them. Lots of things could have changed the outcome of the ISU game. It's still annoying that last shot of theirs went in and the last shot of ours didn't.

 

[Tierney]

This is a discussion on last second shots though. Not what could have played out differently to prevent them. Lots of things could have changed the outcome of the ISU game. It's still annoying that last shot of theirs went in and the last shot of ours didn't.

One think I find disappointing is the players usually say when they have a lead and end up losing is that they knew the other team was going to make a run. I imagine Fran might put that into their heads at half time. Gesell said it after the Iowa State Game. It sounds like something that might play on the players minds.

 

[Seth53]

It's again rearing its ugly head.

I think this team is spent.

Scouting reports are accurate, being fulfilled and Iowa is being handled.

Man.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Could see it coming.. Can't seal the deal @IU, barely scraped by winless Minny, and now this.

Ugh.

I'm starting to believe in curses.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

Could see it coming.. Can't seal the deal @IU, barely scraped by winless Minny, and now this.

Ugh.

I'm starting to believe in curses.

Don't say that in front of bcl; he'll call you batsh!t crazy for entertaining such "nonsense".

 

[Dadman]

There should be a lot of good times coming this year. The future looks bright.

Maybe if they get a commit from that 7'3" 8th grader that was subject of another thread!

 

[WestCoastHawk]

I know we have a lot of seniors with experience, but as a program we just don't know how to handle pressure and don't have the expectations to do so that come with a high program prestige.

 

[GrandpaHawk]

Teams are figuring out how to defend us and until others step up and make shots their going to smother Jok and Uthoff.How many times did they give Gesell the open jump shot and he couldn't make it.Good teams have different guys step up and play great,we don't have that.

 

[Seth53]

This truly perpetuates the 'curse'

I saw it first hand as a student in 81-82.

A game lead with three left and we lose three in a row.

(3OT, 1OT, one point loss (thanks Jim Bain))

Sometimes it really hurts to be a Hawk fan.

 

[McNutt7gets6]

I remember James Moses hitting a last second shot to beat Indiana at Bloomington (or maybe that was a dream).

 

[droidhawk]

Andy Kaufman's shot was not from half court. It was a 3 quarter court pass to kaufman who turned and fired from about 25 feet. Probably about a 1% shot and of course drilled it. It was in 1990. Chris Street died in 1993.

And the shot Woolridge hit was against Michigan St and yes that was following 4 straight 1 point losses.