Three thoughts following Iowa basketball loss vs. No. 7 Purdue

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Following a week’s worth of rest since their Jan. 27 loss at Ohio State, Iowa basketball (13-9, 4-7 Big Ten) lost a highly competitive game vs. No. 7 Purdue (18-5, 10-2 Big Ten) by a score of 90-81 Tuesday night from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Despite entering the game without the services of leading-scorer Owen Freeman, the Hawkeyes shot 30-for-58 (51.7%) from the field, 11-for-30 (36.7%) from deep, and 10-for-16 (62.5%) from the charity stripe.

Defensively, Iowa forced 11 Boilermakers turnovers, including five steals and four blocks. The Hawkeyes were able to convert those turnovers into 17 points scored on the night.

As Iowa regroups for its next matchup, here are three thoughts gathered from Tuesday night’s performance.

3-point defense was problematic

Feb 4, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) reacts during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

As has been the case in numerous other games throughout the season, the Hawkeyes have been susceptible to allowing stellar 3-point shooting nights by opponents. Unfortunately, Tuesday night was one of those nights.

Purdue shot 12-for-25 (48.0%) from beyond the arc, with junior guard Braden Smith doing the most damage, finishing 5-for-7 (71.4%) from long range.

With the Big Ten chock-full of dangerous offenses, Iowa will certainly need to address this issue soon as they face Wisconsin on Saturday, who shot a scorching 21-for-31 (67.7%) from deep in the two team’s previous meeting this season.

Explosive early second-half start by Purdue put Iowa in a hole

Feb 4, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) is defended by Iowa Hawkeyes guard Drew Thelwell (3) during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Iowa was able to play Purdue tight through the first half with the game tied at 36 entering halftime, but the Boilermaker’s offensive explosion in the early stages of the…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/three-thoughts-following-iowa-basketball-200114775.html

Author : Hawkeyes Wire

Publish date : 2025-02-05 20:01:00

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