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Iowa Basketball: Game Info, X-Factors, Predictions Against Indiana Hoosiers

By Dylan Burn

Mar 3, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Robert Johnson (4) gets fouled as he drives to the basket against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Josh Oblesby(2) and forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Robert Johnson (4) gets fouled as he drives to the basket against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Josh Oblesby(2) and forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Riding a three game losing streak, the Hawkeyes have the perfect opportunity to get back to their winning ways on Tuesday night against the Big Ten leaders, the Indiana Hoosiers.

Start Time: 8:00 p.m. CST

TV/Stream: ESPN, WatchESPN

Line: Iowa -4

The Iowa Basketball team went to Bloomington, IN on February 12th ranked as the fourth best team in the country.  If you include that game, Iowa has lost four of five games, including three straight games.  Iowa has the perfect opportunity to erase the last five games from memory and get a big win on senior night against the Hoosiers.  Not only would it keep them in contention for a split of the Big Ten regular season title, but it most importantly gives them their confidence back.

The Hawkeyes lost by seven points back on the 12th in a game that they could’ve easily let get out of hand fast.  Indiana went on a big run in the middle of the first half, but Iowa clawed their way back into it and only trailed by seven at the halftime break.  IU got a total team effort in the first meeting between these two teams.  They had five players score in double figures and got 28 points from their bench.  As most of you already know, Iowa got zero points from theirs in this game.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Iowa needs this game to be down in the 60’s or 70’s.  With how terrible they’ve been on offense as of late, they can’t let Indiana get out and rolling early, otherwise it could be a long night for Iowa.  Even though I know it isn’t their style, I’d like to see Iowa run more of their sets and get good looks at the rim later on in the shot clock.  The Hoosiers shoot 50% from the field and average about 83 points per contest, which is tops in the Big Ten.  I don’t think Iowa can afford to get into a shootout tonight.

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They’ll also need to keep IU off the glass.  There was a lot of talk about how Iowa would handle Thomas Bryant down low going into the previous meeting.  But Bryant was in foul trouble for a majority of the game, so he was almost a non-factor.  That could change this time around.  Adam Woodbury is going to need to stay out of foul trouble, because he’s the only guy on the team that can guard Bryant down low.

Lastly, they need to be aggressive.  Over the last five games, it seems like they’ve become very passive, especially Jarrod Uthoff.  I would like to see Uthoff attack the rim and get to the foul line early.  If he can get by defenders early in the game, it opens up his jump shot and will also help perimeter shooters like Peter Jok get in a rhythm.

Next: Weekly Big Ten Power Rankings

X-FACTORS

For Indiana, it’s Max Bielfeldt.  Max scored 10 points in the win against Iowa in Bloomington and was really bothersome all night long.  It seemed like when Indiana needed a big bucket, Bielfeldt gave it to them.  The Michigan transfer will need to give Tom Crean solid minutes off the bench again in this one. And if he does, Indiana takes a step closer to an outright Big Ten title.

For Iowa, it’s Mike Gesell.  It starts with the point guard for Iowa tonight.  Mike scored 16 points in the loss to Ohio State, but just couldn’t seem to get any help outside of Jarrod Uthoff.  Peter Jok spent most of the night in foul trouble and after that, Iowa is pretty much out of solid scoring options.  Gesell is going to need one of those games where he scores about 10-12 points and hands out 8-10 assists.  If Gesell is sharp, Iowa will win this game.

PREDICTIONS

Finally, we get to the predictions.

Iowa has been so bad lately that I just can’t pick them.  Indiana has been one of the best offensive teams in the country over the course of the year and Iowa’s offense is sputtering.  The Hoosiers, unfortunately, ruin Iowa’s senior night and spoil any shot the Hawkeyes have at a share of the Big Ten title.

Indiana 74, Iowa 68

These two teams will tip off tomorrow night at 8 p.m. CST.  It is senior night in Iowa City, so make sure you are either in attendance or tuned in to see these seniors play their final game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

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