The real deal starts today.  Iowa returns a bunch of experienced and familiar names in Marble, Basabe, McCabe and more, plus they have added size in Woodbury.  We don't have to worry about Gatens for the first time in years, but they have a good-shooting freshman in Gesell who can also fill it up. 

We should match up well in the backcourt against Gesell and Clemmons, both of whom are in the 6'0"-6'1" range, so playing Yogi and Hulls together shouldn't be a problem.  In the end, we are much deeper team, and with the return of Hollowell and Perea, we should be stronger in the frontcourt as well.  

It's never easy on the road in the B1G, however, and we can expect Iowa to defend their turf ferociously.

MSU-Minnesota is taking forever. The IU game is being started on ESPN News. On Comcast in the Region, it's Channel 231.

IU up 7-4 at the under 16:00. Both teams opened up tight, but Watford connected on a 3-pointer and a pair of throws. We are clearly trying to work the offense through Zeller, but he has not been effective yet against Woodbury in the paint. Ragged start to the B1G season so far, looking for somebody to settle down and find rhythm.

Iowa up 16-15 at the under 8:00. Both teams looking sloppy, but due at least partially to aggressive defense being played.

Zeller has three boards and two points on 1-4 from the field, but so far has not looked like an MVP. Hulls is 0-4 from the field, as the Hoosiers are a miserable 6-21 from the floor. Waiting for this team to catch fire and go on a run.

Home Cooking is alive and well in Iowa City, but IU is up 33-25 at the half, despite only 2 free throw attempts versus 11 for the Hawkeyes. I thought we caught a break when TV Ted was doing the MSU-Minny game, but we still have Mike "Homer Simpson" Kitts. Fortunately, Iowa is unable to take advantage, shooting even worse than our 39% at 23.5% from the field.

Zeller, Hulls, and Perea all have 2 fouls. Hulls sat most of the first half and is scoreless, while Perea simply does not look B1G-ready. We put together a couple of nice spurts, but Iowa has brought the energy on defense and the game has been pretty ragged throughout. Victor has been the best player on the floor, and Yogi has shown flashes of brilliance. You also have to feel more comfortable when Sheehey is on the floor.

Looking for a big second half from Zeller and Hulls. Hopefully, our depth will carry us with fresh legs down the stretch.

A win's a win baby! We a bunch of things to work on, but when Hulls has such a HORRIBLE night and we still win, that means we're pretty damn good!!  GO IU!

We'll certainly take it, any win on the road in the B1G is earned.

Hulls was 0-10, but at least led us in assists with 6. Marble went 1-14 from the field, so that helped equalize things, but he also hit 12-13 from the stripe and kicked in 9 boards to lead the Hawkeyes in both of those categories.

Hopefully, that's the last time we see that kind of performance by Hulls. I felt sure all game that the next one was going to go in. Zeller had a big second half, and finished with a double-double. Dodged a freakin' bullet.

Here's a link to the stats, if anyone's interested.  ESPN's numbers are usually more accurate when they do the game--which reminds me, did anybody else get sick of listening to Dakich? 


http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=3236 62294