The Iowa Hawkeyes (12-4, 2-3) showed every hallmark of a team that’s felt the winter illness bug flow through the roster in the first half. Sluggish defense, no legs on three points attempts, an “inside the huddle” cutaway where the only word Ben McCollum was “concentrate.” It wasn’t good. Illinois raced out to an 8-0 lead and stretched the lead to as much as 18 in the frame. Yuck.
But the Hawkeyes showed fight in the second half, spurred on by a halftime adjustment of inserting Tate Sage & Tavion Banks. Despite a 12-3 run in the middle of the stanza, Iowa could never get it closer to 4, falling to the Illinois Fighting Illini (13-3, 4-1), 75-69.
The Hawks had 4 double-digit scorers, led by Banks at 16 points. He filled up the stat sheet with 5 boards and 4 assists. Sage finished with 13, including a dunk which tightened the game to 5 with 6:34 remaining. He also nailed a pair of free throws after a hook-and-hold “appeal” in the closing minute which brought the game to a 4-point difference.
Unfortunately, the Hawks couldn’t capitalize on the extra possession, as it seemed like they were trying to get a clean look from 3 instead of any open basket.
Amidst Iowa’s furious comeback, the biggest missed opportunity felt like a fast break initiated by a Kael Combs steal. Banks was in the open floor, passing to Cooper Koch on a 2-on-1. Koch lobbed it back and Banks was unable to convert the alley-oop. Ugh.
Bennett Stirtz was stymied throughout the game, and had to exit with 4 fouls with 11:36 remaining in the game. Illinois made a three on the ensuing possession to push the lead to 17 points. The game felt over. Yet the 12-3 run followed that basket.
This week feels like one of missed opportunities: Iowa still remains without a road win and weren’t able to notch a ranked victory. The slide to 2-3 in conference play stinks, especially with the Indiana swing coming up.
That being said, there do seem to be some things to hang their hat on…the effort has been there in the second half, on both ends, for each game this week. How can McCollum get that for a full 40 minutes? Is it as easy as guys getting back to form or can he find the right buttons to push for Iowa to have a chance in Mackey Arena & Assembly Hall?
Next up: Wednesday, 11/14 at Purdue (5:30 Central on Big Ten Network)
