LawVHawk
Well-Known Member
Begins Wednesday night in Carver Hawkeye against Purdue.
The last-minute loss to Nebraska after totally outplaying the Huskers in the first half before frittering away a 16-point lead was a total punch to the gut. It meant no more hopes of making the NCAA tournament. No more realistic hopes of closing out the rest of the regular season with no more than one loss. No more belief that indeed "We are back!"
What transpired in Lincoln was not a close loss that went down to the wire against a team of equal quality and was decided on a last-second shot. It was solid opportunity that the team stood around and watched circle the drain. Some described it as the worst Iowa loss since getting bounced from the tourney under Alford on a miracle last-second shot. Saturday saw re-emergence of the whole notion that this team is not capable of winning the close ones, of being able to put teams away, of holding on to seemingly safe leads or secured wins. Yes, let's say it out loud: this team can be fairly said to have once again choked.
This is not the typical Matt Painter-coached team coming to Iowa City Wednesday night. The Boilers are 13-14 overall and tied with Iowa in the league at 6-8. It is a very winnable game. But will Iowa? Or will the recent demons re-emerge?
Wednesday night is not only about the immediate game against Purdue. It is about whether the players -- heck, add in the fans -- still have faith in themselves and the belief that they can still finish the season strong, even if it means just a trip to the NIT. Or are they disheartened, giving up, simply playing out the string, looking ahead to next year, wherever or whatever that might be?
The last-minute loss to Nebraska after totally outplaying the Huskers in the first half before frittering away a 16-point lead was a total punch to the gut. It meant no more hopes of making the NCAA tournament. No more realistic hopes of closing out the rest of the regular season with no more than one loss. No more belief that indeed "We are back!"
What transpired in Lincoln was not a close loss that went down to the wire against a team of equal quality and was decided on a last-second shot. It was solid opportunity that the team stood around and watched circle the drain. Some described it as the worst Iowa loss since getting bounced from the tourney under Alford on a miracle last-second shot. Saturday saw re-emergence of the whole notion that this team is not capable of winning the close ones, of being able to put teams away, of holding on to seemingly safe leads or secured wins. Yes, let's say it out loud: this team can be fairly said to have once again choked.
This is not the typical Matt Painter-coached team coming to Iowa City Wednesday night. The Boilers are 13-14 overall and tied with Iowa in the league at 6-8. It is a very winnable game. But will Iowa? Or will the recent demons re-emerge?
Wednesday night is not only about the immediate game against Purdue. It is about whether the players -- heck, add in the fans -- still have faith in themselves and the belief that they can still finish the season strong, even if it means just a trip to the NIT. Or are they disheartened, giving up, simply playing out the string, looking ahead to next year, wherever or whatever that might be?
Last edited:
