Opinion
3 min read

Will Iowa Hawkeyes Overcome Colorado Buffaloes' Defense in Albany Clash?

As the Iowa Hawkeyes prepare to face the Colorado Buffaloes at MVP Arena, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be an electrifying encounter. The Hawkeyes, coming off a string of impressive performances, are poised to continue their winning ways. However, they will be up against a formidable opponent in the Buffaloes who have shown resilience and tactical prowess in their recent games.


Mar 24, 2023; Seattle, WA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots the ball against Colorado Buffaloes guard Kindyll Wetta (15) in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The previous game on March 26 saw the Hawkeyes triumph over the Mountaineers with a ten-point margin, finishing at 64-54. This victory was fueled by a robust defense that registered five blocks and four steals while committing only 11 personal fouls. Offensively, they were clinical from the free-throw line with an outstanding 83 percent accuracy which contributed significantly to their scoreline.


In contrast, during their last game against Holy Cross on March 23, IOWA showcased an offensive masterclass by putting up an impressive 91 points. Their shooting was efficient from both inside and outside the arc with field goal percentages of 46 and three-point percentages of 31 respectively. The team also dominated rebounds with a total of 50 and capitalized on turnovers scoring equal points as Holy Cross did off turnovers (12).


Mar 24, 2023; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes center Quay Miller (11) shoots the ball against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) and forward Addison O'Grady (44) in the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The upcoming match poses unique challenges for IOWA; COLO's defense has been particularly aggressive as evidenced by their eight steals in their last game against West Virginia Mountaineers. However, IOWA's offense seems more than capable of handling this pressure if they maintain their performance level from previous games.


One area where IOWA may need to tighten up is ball handling; they had higher turnover numbers compared to COLO in recent games which could prove costly if not addressed. Nevertheless, given IOWA's ability to assist effectively (21 assists against Holy Cross) and convert second-chance points (16 second-chance points), there is reason for optimism among fans.


Mar 24, 2023; Seattle, WA, USA; A general overall view of the March Madness Sweet 16 and Elite 8 logo at center court at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Looking ahead at strategies for success against COLO's defense, it will be crucial for IOWA players to maintain composure under pressure and exploit any weaknesses found within COLO’s defensive setup – particularly focusing on high-percentage shots and maintaining efficiency at the free-throw line.


As we approach game day on March 30th at MVP Arena in Albany set for tip-off at 2:30 PM EDT broadcasted live on ABC network – all eyes will be fixed upon whether or not Iowa can outmaneuver Colorado’s stalwart defense while continuing its offensive prowess seen throughout this season’s campaign.

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