2008 Woodie Awards
Hawks turn lifeless, blow 11-point lead
Charlie Kautz - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: Sports
There have been stretches of Iowa basketball this season so filled by Iowa mistakes, you'd swear Todd Lickliter was trying out for a one-man Big Ten Broadway show.
After what was arguably the team's finest first-half performance of the year on Thursday night, one in which the Hawkeyes controlled the glass, the tempo, and their turnover total to take an 11-point halftime lead, it appeared that routine would never come.
But then came the second half, and like an a good actor in a tragic screenplay, the Hawkeyes experienced an epic collapse in front of a crowd of 9,662 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, falling 60-52 to the struggling Wolverines.
"They obviously wanted it more than we did, and it's really sad," guard Tony Freeman said. "It's sad to be here talking right now after a loss. We were at home, you know.
"It's called pride, and I don't know. It hurts right now to talk. It's sad to say that, and I know these guys hurt, too."
Around four minutes into the second half, Lickliter stood from his chair and roamed the sideline as the Hawkeyes' lead slipped to just two points, 31-29. Storming onto the hardwood at a time-out with 15:28 showing on the clock, Lickliter abruptly entered the team huddle before tossing his clipboard to the ground.
"If I'm the other team, I'm thinking, 'This half's going to be fun,' " he said.
The earful from the first-year coach worked briefly in Iowa's favor, and the Hawks put on an ensuing 9-2 run, but the newfound energy ran out with Iowa leading 38-29.
Michigan answered with a 16-2 run behind three Iowa turnovers for a 47-40 advantage, taking the suddenly sloppy Hawkeyes by storm and silencing the home crowd still trying to catch their breath.
Getting to the charity stripe on consecutive Iowa possessions, Cyrus Tate made 3-of-4 free throws to cut the Wolverines lead down to 49-44 with 4:45 left in the contest.
After what was arguably the team's finest first-half performance of the year on Thursday night, one in which the Hawkeyes controlled the glass, the tempo, and their turnover total to take an 11-point halftime lead, it appeared that routine would never come.
But then came the second half, and like an a good actor in a tragic screenplay, the Hawkeyes experienced an epic collapse in front of a crowd of 9,662 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, falling 60-52 to the struggling Wolverines.
"They obviously wanted it more than we did, and it's really sad," guard Tony Freeman said. "It's sad to be here talking right now after a loss. We were at home, you know.
"It's called pride, and I don't know. It hurts right now to talk. It's sad to say that, and I know these guys hurt, too."
Around four minutes into the second half, Lickliter stood from his chair and roamed the sideline as the Hawkeyes' lead slipped to just two points, 31-29. Storming onto the hardwood at a time-out with 15:28 showing on the clock, Lickliter abruptly entered the team huddle before tossing his clipboard to the ground.
"If I'm the other team, I'm thinking, 'This half's going to be fun,' " he said.
The earful from the first-year coach worked briefly in Iowa's favor, and the Hawks put on an ensuing 9-2 run, but the newfound energy ran out with Iowa leading 38-29.
Michigan answered with a 16-2 run behind three Iowa turnovers for a 47-40 advantage, taking the suddenly sloppy Hawkeyes by storm and silencing the home crowd still trying to catch their breath.
Getting to the charity stripe on consecutive Iowa possessions, Cyrus Tate made 3-of-4 free throws to cut the Wolverines lead down to 49-44 with 4:45 left in the contest.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
MJD
posted 2/15/08 @ 7:54 AM CST
I have been a hawkeye fan for a long time. I know things are going to get better, but I can't even watch this current team. It's just brutal, even when they win. (Continued…)
PDS
posted 2/15/08 @ 10:43 AM CST
ALA Steve (Crybaby) Alford. Granted being so shorthanded doesn't help anything either. We know that coach is able to do just that and given a few years (unfortunately), he will have his players in there and the system will be set and old habit to Freeman and this years freshmen. (Continued…)
Derek
posted 2/15/08 @ 10:49 AM CST
As an alumni, I could not have felt sicker watching this team play the game the way they did yesterday.
Sitting in a sports bar in Atlanta and PROUD that MY Hawkeyes were on half of the televisions there - I had a big smile on my face for most of the 1st half, but not so much so towards the end as I noticed the momentum change occuring even then. (Continued…)
eichard faber
posted 2/15/08 @ 2:00 PM CST
they do not have the killer instinct.you do not relax during the game.you keep going.you can relax after the game.
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