Iowa Basketball: What’s wrong with the Hawkeyes?
Iowa basketball was once a lock to win the Big Ten regular season crown, but now they need Indiana to lose twice this week to earn a share of the title.
Iowa completed a 77-65 road victory over Illinois in the beginning of February to push their overall record to 19-4 and 9-1 in conference play. They already swept Michigan State and Purdue, had a senior-laced lineup, had the Big Ten’s leading scorer in Jarrod Uthoff, and looked ahead to a remaining conference schedule against mostly mediocre teams. The wind appeared to be at their backs and Iowa was in great position to earn at least a share of their first Big Ten regular season crown since 1979.
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Fast forward to today and Iowa is two games behind Indiana with two to play to earn at least a share of the title. They have lost four out of their last five and look like a shell of what they were just a month ago.
So what factors have possibly contributed to this collapse?
Lack of Depth
Iowa has a great starting lineup. The Hawkeyes start four seniors and a junior. With this group, they have ball handling, experience, passing, shooting, size, rebounding and athleticism.
Uthoff, in particular, is one of the Big Ten’s best talents and is in the running for Player of the Year by averaging 18.5 ppg on 45% shooting, 6.4 rebounds and nearly three blocks.
The problem comes when Iowa has to dip into their bench for reserve play. Sophomore forward Dom Uhl is an interesting player because he shoots 47% from three, but has not scored in double figures in six weeks. Freshman forward Nicholas Baer (4.5 ppg) is the only other Hawkeye to average double-digit minutes and play the majority of the team’s games.
It’s lack of bench has killed the Hawkeyes as the season has worn on. In their four losses this month, the bench has the following point totals: 0 (at Indiana), 10 (at Penn State), four (vs. Wisconsin) and 10 (at Ohio State). That six-point average makes the starting lineup’s play so crucial to any success Iowa wants to have. The heavy minutes logged by the Hawkeye starters also have appeared to impact the second item on this list.
Shooting Efficiency
The Hawkeyes have shot a respectable 40% from the field in their last five games (1-4), but its stars have struggled. Uthoff scored 24 points against Indiana, but it took 20 shots. He was 1-of-7 from three-point range in the four-point win against Minnesota. In the upset loss against Wisconsin, Uthoff was just 3-of-12 from the field (2-of-9 from three) for 11 points. In this weekend’s loss at Ohio State, Uthoff was 5-of-14 from the field (2-of-7 from three) for 16 points.
Uthoff is Iowa’s best player and should be taking many of their shots, but they just do not seem to falling during this stretch. Could it be an accumulation of minutes logged this season?
Fellow Hawkeye shotmaker, junior Peter Jok (16.3 ppg. 41% from three) has a similar story. He is 9-of-26 from the field in his last two games in losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State.
Defense
The Hawkeyes are “pretty good” on defense (42nd according to KenPom). They are sixth in the Big Ten at 69 points per game, but have allowed 74 a game over its last five. The field goal percentage defense tells a grim story.
In their last four losses, Iowa has failed to hold an opponent under 45% from the field. They gave up 45% from the field against Ohio State, 46.4% against Penn State, 46% against Indiana and 48% against Wisconsin. Defense like this will earn a quick exit in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments.
Iowa slipped to a four seed according to a 77 bracket average on bracketmatrix.com. In the middle of February, a one seed seemed like a distinct possibility.
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Iowa faces a big test on Tuesday in Iowa City against the Big Ten Champs Indiana Hoosiers. A win there could right the ship. They have the experience to not get rattled in a slump, but can the play from earlier this season return?