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Iowa Basketball: 3 takeaways from dominating win over No. 4 Ohio State

By Benjamin Zacher

Feb 28, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) goes to the basket as Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. (4) defends during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) goes to the basket as Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. (4) defends during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ohio State Buckeyes CJ Walker Iowa Hawkeyes Jordan Bohannon Osu Mens Bbk 2 28 Bjp 38
Ohio State Buckeyes CJ Walker Iowa Hawkeyes Jordan Bohannon Osu Mens Bbk 2 28 Bjp 38 /

1. Their greatest concern entering the season, the Hawkeyes have finally developed a defensive identity

It is no mystery just how concerning Iowa’s defense was entering the 2020-21 season.  Despite averaging 77.7 points per game last season – the 30th-highest mark in Div. I – the Hawkeyes also surrendered 72.3 per game.  That mark was even worse in Big Ten play, where Iowa allowed teams to score 75.0 points per game – which ranked second from last in the conference.

For the most part, those worries were legitimate in the opening months of this season, as well.  The Hawkeyes were wildly efficient in their first six games, averaging 100.5 points per game – but subsequently surrendered 99 to Gonzaga and 102 to Minnesota.  Those defensive concerns have not presented themselves nearly as much as of late, but Iowa still surrendered 89 points in their last meeting with Ohio State.

But since that February 4th game with the Buckeyes, Iowa has buckled down defensively, holding their last seven opponents – in a stretch where they have gone 5-2 – to just 65.3 points per game.  In those five wins, that mark is down to 62.2.

All of this culminates into what Iowa’s defense did against Ohio State, by way of holding them to just 57 points in the win.  To put into context just how stellar of a defensive performance this was: those 57 points are the lowest Iowa has held a team this season, surpassing the 58 they held Western Illinois and Michigan State to.

Additionally, it is the first sub-60 point performance from the Buckeyes this season – and it is the lowest they have scored since putting up 57 in a loss to Wisconsin last February.  The Buckeyes maintain the third-most efficient offense in the nation – and rank in the top three in the Big Ten in both 3P% and 2P%.

The Buckeyes did shoot 52.9% inside the perimeter – but the Hawkeyes ultimately held them to just 0.86 points per possession, the lowest since Ohio State averaged just 0.90 in a January 19th loss to Purdue.  Ohio State – a squad that shoots 36.7% from long-range – was held to just 29.4% from the perimeter against Iowa, all the while committing 13 turnovers.

To state the obvious: this is terrifying for any team that faces Iowa in the future.  It is no secret just how good and deadly Iowa’s offense is – it ranks second in the nation and first in the Big Ten in efficiency, as well as fourth in Div. I in points per game at 85.2.  But if Iowa’s defense is now this good, at this point in the season, and on a consistent basis – then it is easy to say that there are not as many terrifying teams in the country as the Iowa Hawkeyes.

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