New game, same result for the Hawkeyes against the UCLA Bruins.
Iowa was completely overmatched in a February 1 loss to the Bruins in Los Angeles, and it somehow went even worse this time.
In the first matchup, the Hawkeyes had just lost Taylor McCabe to a season-ending injury and were still figuring out how to play without her.
According to sophomore star Ava Heiden, the Hawkeyes had been preparing for the matchup since losing in February, but they were still completely overmatched in a 96-45 loss in the Big Ten Championship game.
UCLA is simply a juggernaut
Iowa did not do itself any favors in this game with how poorly it played on both ends of the court, but even if it had played a near-perfect game, it would have been hard to upset the Bruins.
The Hawkeyes were clearly overmatched by the Bruins inside and out on defense, and were confused offense, leading to an easy victory.
No one saw a 51-point blowout coming, but that is all the proof anyone needs as to how good UCLA is.
The Hawkeyes are UCLA-light, relying on solid post play and an inside-out philosophy on offense, and they were taken to school.
Hopefully, Iowa does not run into UCLA during the postseason
Iowa needs to get away from UCLA at all costs when the NCAA Tournament gets underway, because it is a matchup nightmare for the Hawkeyes.
The Hawkeyes need an opponent they can push around on the inside and overwhelm with their physicality.
There is no shame in losing to one of the best teams in the nation, but losing by 51 in unacceptable.
UCLA has matchup nightmares all over the court, and Kylie Feuerbach can't be everywhere, which leaves openings across the floor.
Hannah Stuelke cannot disappear on the biggest stage
Hannah Stuelke has had one of her better seasons in an Iowa uniform and is a senior leader for a young squad.
In two games against the Bruins, she has scored a total of 13 points, including a gooseegg in the championship game.
The matchups certainly did not favor the Hawkeyes, but Stuelke cannot score 0 points when the offense needs her to.
Zero points and three rebounds in 25 minutes is unacceptable, and hopefully, Stuelke learns from it and comes out stronger in Iowa's first-round game.
Turnovers continue to be a problem for the Iowa offense
UCLA is too good of a team to give extra chances too, and giving the ball away 19 times is not going to get it done.
Iowa has now thrown the ball away a whopping 38 times in two games against the Bruins, averaging 19 per game.
Iowa has been sloppy at times this season, averaging 15.0 turnovers per game (ranked No. 103 overall).
This is symptom of having a very young team, but everyone gets bit by the turnover bug in the biggest games this season.
Forcing this ball inside or getting too cute with passes can work against lesser opponents, but it certainly won't against the teams they will see in the NCAA Tournament.
All is not lost as the Hawkeyes can still have success in March
Let's not sugarcoat it: Iowa's blowout loss to UCLA wasn't good at all.
Luckily for the Hawkeyes, they do not have to play UCLA every game, and finishing as runners-up in the Big Ten Tournament with a 26-6 (15-3 Big Ten) record is still a very good season.
Before the season started, everyone picked UCLA to repeat as Big Ten Champions, and the Hawkeyes were not expected to finish in the top 5.
While losing by such a wide margin stings, Iowa was not expected to be there and showed what they can do.
It's time to pick themselves up and get ready for a deep march run, where they will most likely host the first round.