Three thoughts following Iowa basketball’s embarrassing 81-61 loss vs. Illinois

[ad_1]

After a much-needed 85-79 victory over Washington on Saturday from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa basketball (15-13, 6-11 Big Ten) was blown out of the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill., in an ugly 81-61 loss vs. Illinois (18-11, 10-8) on Tuesday night.

Offensively, the Hawkeyes shot 24-for-57 (42.1%) from the floor, including 6-for-18 (33.3%) from beyond the arc and 7-of-9 (77.8%) from the charity stripe. Defensively, Iowa forced just five Illinois turnovers, including one steal and two blocks blocks. Unfortunately for Iowa, they gave up the ball 16 total times, which Illinois was able to convert into 17 points off those turnovers.

While both teams had their own scoring runs in the first half, with the halftime score at 37-30 in favor of the Illini, the Hawkeye offense went ice cold in the second half and was swept off the floor at the end of regulation.

With the loss a potential blow to the Hawkeyes’ Big Ten Tournament qualifying hopes, here are three thoughts gathered from Tuesday’s loss.

Iowa Could Not Stop Illinois Center Tomislav Ivisic

Feb 25, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) looks to pass as Iowa Hawkeyes guard Carter Kingsbury (14) defends during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Hawkeyes didn’t have any defensive answers for Illini center Tomislav Ivisic on Tuesday, a the 7-foot-1 center finished with a game-high 22 points on 9-of-13 (69.2%) shooting, including 2-of-5 (40%) from beyond the arc and 2-for-3 (66.7%) from the charity stripe.

Although the Hawkeyes have been treading water without Owen Freeman, Isivic’s offensive impact against Iowa clearly exposed the talent gap disparity caused by Freeman’s absence.

Brock Harding Carried the Hawkeyes, Payton Sandfort Was Cold

Feb 25, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Brock Harding (2) drives the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) during the second half at State Farm Center….

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/three-thoughts-following-iowa-basketballs-005629359.html

Author : Hawkeyes Wire

Publish date : 2025-02-27 00:56:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.