After losing six of the final eight games to close out the regular season, the Hawkeyes finally woke up in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament.
Iowa was reeling after losing three straight games to Penn State, Michigan, and Nebraska, but found an answer in the second round of the tournament.
The offense was dormant, the defense was burning out, and the Hawkeyes went from a lock in the NCAA Tournament to potentially on the bubble.
It didn't start well, and after a probable tongue-lashing at halftime, the offense woke up in a big way to lead the Hawkeyes to a 75-64 victory.
Iowa finally put its offensive woes to rest
Iowa's offensive struggles have been well-documented this season, and even though we have seen flashes of good offense, the inconsistency on the offensive end has plagued the Hawkeyes.
Over the past five games, Iowa has shot the ball better, knocking down 47 percent from the field, but has struggled from three-point range, shooting 30 percent.
The percentages are misleading, as Iowa's offense has endured severe droughts and gets stuck when everyone stands around waiting for Bennett Stirtz to do something.
Against Maryland, the Hawkeyes had four starters in double figures, shooting 51 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range, as the offense finally came to life.
While Iowa's offense goes as Stirtz goes, when teams take him away, the offense has struggled. If the Hawkeyes want to continue advancing in the Big Ten Tournament and make a run in the NCAA Tournament, being competent on offense when Stirtz is taken away.
This was a good step forward for the Hawkeyes, and they need to repeat this offensive performance against Ohio State in the next round.