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Thursday night’s game between Iowa and Michigan showed a very thin margin between winning and losing in the Big Ten.
For most of the game, Iowa couldn’t get over the hump. However, in the closing stages, Peyton’s night of ferocious shooting at his Sandfort highlighted the difference in a tough 93-84 win. His two signature plays by sophomores drove Carver his Hawkeye and his arena crowd into a frenzy. With 20 seconds remaining he had a four-point play that tied the game at 79 and a near-trick shot plus a foul from Chris Murray Miss in overtime. Iowa is 6 points behind.
His 24 second half/overtime points led all competitors in the final 25 minutes. His 26 total points were second on the team behind Chris Murray, who again dominated the national stage with 27 points and 8 rebounds.
more:Leistikow: The unstoppable Iowa men’s basketball team countless games this season
“I was kind of mad at myself at halftime,” Sandfort said. I turned down that semi-open shot.I just wanted to get out and play aggressively.I’m really happy that we got the win.”
A few Hawkeyes contributed to the victory (more on that later), but it was a more coordinated defensive effort in the closing stages that propelled Iowa to the top on Thursday. Michigan entered Thursday’s game as a middle-of-the-road big-ten team with a field goal percentage (44%) and his 3-point shooting percentage (34%), and a 49% field goal percentage and a 14% shooting percentage. It far surpassed the season total. A bucket from long range (45%), with Jett Howard’s 34 points leading the way.
A lack of defensive connectivity led to frustration by coach Fran McCaffery and his staff early in the second half. Giving the lead, prompting a timeout and a click from McCaffery. Lineup changes: Sandfort and true freshman Josh By inserting his dicks, the Hawkeyes achieved his 9 forced turnovers and his 19 points off his turnovers. They also allowed only one field goal (1-7) in overtime.
“I think I should have been a little more aggressive,” McCaffery said. “It seemed like we were there in the first half, but they were still shooting and scoring. I thought they would put a little more pressure on them, whether tagging the ball screen or the pick-and-roll. ) or overcome a weak side. One day is not enough time to go through a walkthrough of everything they do.They do them well.
Iowa won the rebounding battle by a margin of 40-37, led by Phillip Lebraca’s 12 rebounds. The senior center also added 13 points, holding Michigan All-American Hunter Dickinson to just 12 points compared to his 19-point season average. Expect performances like this from Lebraca and Murray (who played all of his 45 minutes on Thursday), but Thursday’s game saw Iowa (his 11-6, 3-3 in the Big Ten) extend his winning streak to his third. It made for a good series of stories because it stretched into the match.
Peyton Sandfort’s slump is over, energizing Iowa
After starting 0-19 off the field in Big Ten play, Sandfort is averaging 20 points per game during Iowa’s winning streak. He had high hopes for the season, but his appearance at this point in the season had a domino effect on the entire team.
“No one is happier than Peyton,” Murray said. “He deserved it… He brings energy to the court. When he hits the big three, everyone smiles and congratulates him. He’s another type that our team feeds on.” It gives me the energy of
McCaffery recalled the moment he offered Sandfort a post-game scholarship after an impressive performance at a showcase the summer before his senior year of high school. From that point on, Sandfort’s continued to impress him. McCaffery is a coach known for supporting his players, and his message to Sandfort during his slump was consistent. It’s starting to pay off.
more:Peyton Sandfort’s slump seems to be over.It adds another dimension to Iowa basketball
It may have arrived later than expected, but Sandfort’s breakout campaign could be here.
“I’m getting back into my groove with practice,” Sandfort said. I’m proud of it, and I’m happy to be here.”
Watch Riley Mulvey’s stunning performance
While it hasn’t happened many times this season, it was inevitable that Iowa’s frontcourt would get into foul trouble at some point. The Hawkeyes were in trouble when they committed their third foul on . McCaffery his sophomore he looked to Riley Mulvey for relief, and the young center showed flash.
McCaffery noted Wednesday that Mulvey has made progress in practice, including overtime with the Iowa scout team. Did.
“He’s more physical, he’s more conscious,” McCaffery said. “He made some mistakes. Probably inexperienced mistakes..we told him to run the floor.So I’m really proud of him.”
Mulvey’s improved physical prowess showed up on the offense with several screens opening up shot opportunities. But references to McCaffery’s mistakes were on the defensive side when Mulvey was indecisive on a pick-and-roll that enabled Howard’s three-pointer.
All things considered, Malvey did enough to stabilize the situation until Rebraca checked in.
Josh Dix’s career night could be a sign of what’s to come
It was almost a year ago that freshman guard Josh Dix suffered a horrific leg injury that put his immediate basketball future in jeopardy. I admit I didn’t know. But that he tallied 10 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists in his career-high 31 minutes provided a snapshot of what he could offer off the bench.
The most notable thing about Dicks’ play Thursday was that he played point guard until the end. He revealed that it was actually a new wrinkle implemented to help free his freshman buddy Dasonte Bowen for off-ball opportunities.
More on-ball opportunities for Dicks and more playing time could improve some areas for the Iowa team. A more consistent point guard, more shooting options for him on the perimeter, and an aspiring defender. It will be interesting to see how much playing time Dicks carves out in the next few games, but he has shown his ability to be a potential bench spark.
“Coach McCaffery tells me to be confident in my abilities and be ready whenever my number is called. ‘That’s what I’m going to do.’
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