Can the Hawkeyes Bounce Back After Falling to the Badgers at Kohl Center?
The Iowa Hawkeyes faced a challenging contest against the Wisconsin Badgers, ending with a scoreboard reading 83-72 in favor of the home team. The Hawkeyes now stand with an unranked status, while their opponents hold the 21st rank nationally. Despite a strong effort, particularly in the second half where they scored 40 points compared to their first-half tally of 32, it wasn't enough to overcome Wisconsin's surge after halftime.
The game at Madison's Kohl Center saw an attendance of 15,725 fans who witnessed several lead changes and ties throughout the match. The Hawkeyes put up a respectable offensive performance with a field goal percentage of 44 and were particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting seven out of seventeen three-point attempts for a three-point shooting percentage of 41. Inside scoring was also significant for Iowa as they amassed 36 points in paint.
Defensively, both teams managed three blocks each; however, Iowa fell short in steals with five against Wisconsin's nine. This discrepancy played into one aspect where Wisconsin excelled: capitalizing on turnovers by scoring 24 points off turnovers compared to Iowa's less impactful total of fourteen.
Iowa did show some hustle on fast breaks contributing thirteen fast break points but were outdone by Wisconsin who had fifteen. In terms of ball distribution and teamwork, Iowa recorded thirteen assists which is slightly lower than Wisconsin’s fifteen assists during this conference game.
Rebounding was another area where Iowa struggled; they pulled down only thirty-two rebounds - twenty-three defensive and six offensive - while allowing thirty-eight total rebounds to their opponents including eight on the offensive glass which contributed to fifteen second-chance points for Wisconsin.
Free throw shooting was decent for Iowa as they made eleven free throws out of sixteen attempts resulting in a free throw percentage rounded up to sixty-nine percent. However, personal fouls became an issue as they accumulated twenty-two over the course of play without any player being fouled out or ejected.
Looking ahead after this tough loss on January third at Kohl Center against ranked oppositions like Badgers from University Of Wisconson-Madison ,the next challenge awaits them back home at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against Rutgers Scarlet Knights scheduled for January sixth at noon local time (12:00 PM). Fans can catch all action live nationally on BTN channel six hundred ten ensuring not miss any part upcoming clash between these two teams.