Game Awards: Iowa Basketball 84, North Dakota Fighting Hawks 73

Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Please Be Better: Dom Uhl

Dom Uhl got the starting nod with Cordell Pemsl late to shoot around today. It could have given him a confidence boost and led to him earning more minutes, but it might have had the opposite effect.

Uhl had some good moments. His lone basket came in the paint after a nice post move. He also had three assists, including a couple that set up easy layups or dunks. Plus, Uhl grabbed four rebounds, including a possession where he grabbed two offensive boards.

Still, all of that became overshadowed by his two turnovers and two fouls in just 15 minutes.

Must Read: Iowa Hawkeyes: Top 5 Moments of 2016

During a 10-0 run in the first half and 8-2 run by North Dakota in the second half, Uhl missed three shots, turned it over once and committed a foul. By no means is it all Uhl’s fault, but he was on the floor during Iowa’s two worst stretches of the game and didn’t look great.

Besides, he only shot 1-of-4 from the field and missed his only three-point attempt, despite North Dakota daring him to shoot. Many times North Dakota would play off of Uhl and give him a wide open three. Instead of shooting it, he would always look to pass or try to get into the lane.

The worst time was when he was wide open in the second half and started to shoot, but, as he was in the air, he quickly passed it to Peter Jok, who had a man on him. The Hawkeyes eventually settled for a contested Jok three before getting the offensive rebound and having Bohannon knock down an open three, but it shows the lack of confidence Uhl is playing with.

Sure, he’s now shooting just 20.8 percent from behind the arc, but he can’t pass up open threes to make a bad pass at the last second. It allows his defender to act as a free safety on defense since teams know he won’t shoot it.

Next: Hawkeyes Thriving With Nicholas Baer Off Bench

Dom Uhl’s role on the team is still trying to be found, but two points, four rebounds and three assists doesn’t instill a ton of confidence in the struggling forward.