After a solid offensive performance in a loss to USC on Tuesday, Iowa basketball (12-6, 3-4 Big Ten) leaves the city of Los Angeles with a whimper following a blowout 94-70 defeat vs. UCLA (12-6, 3-4 Big Ten) from Pauley Pavillion on Friday night.
The Bruins outmatched the Hawkeyes from the opening tip as UCLA shot a staggering 23-of-35 (65.7%) from the floor, 6-of-13 (46.2%) from deep, and 5-of-9 (55.6%) from the stripe in the first half en route to a 57-24 advantage.
While the Hawkeyes certainly showed much more fight in the second half by shooting 13-for-26 (50%) from the floor, 6-of-15 (40%) from deep, and 14-of-19 (73.7%) from the free throw line, the deficit was way too much for Iowa to make a legitimate comeback effort against the Bruins.
Throughout the entire game, Iowa finished by shooting 44.7% from the floor, 9-of-24 from deep, and 19-of-25 from the free throw line. On the defensive end, Iowa forced 14 UCLA turnovers, including three steals and two blocks.
As the Hawkeyes travel back to Iowa City, here are three thoughts gathered from Friday’s performance against UCLA.
Dead Upon Arrival
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Iowa looked terrible to start the game on Friday as they could not find easy baskets, were marred by sloppy play, and allowed UCLA to score easily.
While an injury to Payton Sandfort certainly hurt the offensive firepower, the Hawkeyes played flat and undisciplined, allowing the game to get out of hand quickly.
Even as the team played significantly better in the second half, the game was all but mathematically over from the first second-half inbound.
Potential Payton Sandfort Injury Concern
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Sandfort left the game following a tangle-up with a UCLA player during the first half, where he went to the bench in pain.
Sandfort would not return to the game after receiving attention from Iowa’s medical staff and was later seen wearing a sling on his left arm on the Hawkeyes’ bench. Earlier in the night, Sandfort also took a knee to the mid-section and was shaken up.
The Waukee product would finish the night with just two points and two rebounds in eight minutes played.
Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery said afterwards that the team decided to shut him down after halftime as a result of his two injuries. McCaffery said Sandfort was “pretty sore” and that he would be reevaluated in the days to come.
The Hawkeyes hope the senior leader can heal before the team’s next game on Tuesday vs. Minnesota.
Nightmare Defense Returns
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
For the second consecutive game, the Iowa defense has been flat-out horrid. UCLA finished the night by shooting 36-for-58 (62.1%) from the floor and 8-for-23 (34.8%) from deep, with most of the damage coming in the first half.
While the Hawkeyes are one of the Big Ten’s highest-scoring offenses, this team will not be able to win many more games if they allow opponents to comfortably shoot north of 50% from the floor.
Iowa’s next matchup will see them return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Tuesday night for a clash vs. Minnesota (9-9, 1-6 Big Ten). Tipoff for that game will be at 8 p.m. CT and will air on the Big Ten Network.
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