Hawk Talk Monthly — February 2018 | Fight For Iowa | Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Box Score (PDF) | Boxscore
By JAMES ALLAN
hawkeyesports.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Iowa men’s basketball team shot nearly 50 percent, but departed Crisler Arena with a 74-59 defeat on Wednesday night.
The Hawkeyes finished with a 48.1 field goal percentage, six points higher than Michigan (41.8), but the Wolverines made 12 3-pointers and capitalized on 16 Iowa turnovers.
Freshman Luka Garza led a trio of Hawkeyes in double figures with 22 points, making 10-of-16 field goals, while sophomores Isaiah Moss and Tyler Cook had 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Iowa got off to a strong start, jumping out to a 7-0 lead and the Hawkeyes led 14-12 on a Moss 3-pointer with 13:48 left in the first half, but from there it was all Michigan.
The Wolverines went on a 20-8 run to build a double-digit lead and they led 37-24 at the break. Iowa shot 42.3 percent in the first half and limited Michigan to 36.8 shooting, but the Wolverines made seven 3-pointers and their defense forced 12 first-half Iowa turnovers.
“What surprised me was the nine turnovers early,” said Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery. “After that it was three and then four in second half, you can live with that.
“You can’t go on the road and play Michigan and turn it over nine time in the first nine minutes because they take those live ball turnovers and turn them into points. We’re up 7-0 then the next thing you know we’re down 13.”
Iowa closed the gap to eight points (46-38) seven minutes into the second half before the Wolverines caught fire. Michigan made four 3-pointers, including three from Duncan Robinson in a span of 73 seconds to push the lead to 16.
“When he hits the first one you have to start chasing him off the line,” said McCaffery. “You have to make him pull up, make him drive. He’s good at that, but you can’t let him hit three.”
The Hawkeyes didn’t get closer than 13 points the rest of the way.
Michigan had four players reach double figures with Robinson and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman leading the way with 18 points apiece. Robinson made six of the Wolverines’ 12 3-pointers.
LUKA SHINES
Garza’s 22-point night was his highest production in a Big Ten game this season. It was Garza’s third 20-point game this season.
“Luka was tremendous, he’s an incredible worker,” said McCaffery. “I had to make a decision when he got his third early in the second half. I said, ‘Stay , I am sticking with you.’ He gives you a chance because he can score, he’s a big presence defensively, and he can rebound in traffic. I was proud of him tonight.”
OF NOTE…
- Michigan scored 20 points off Iowa’s 16 turnovers, while turning the ball over just six times.
- The Wolverines scored 13 second-chance points off 11 offensive rebounds.
UP NEXT
Iowa returns to action on Saturday, hosting Indiana at 1 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are available online at hawkeyesports.com/tickets.
