After a strong offensive performance in a loss to USC on Tuesday, Iowa Basketball (12-6, 3-4 Big Ten) leaves Los Angeles groaning after a 94-70 blowout loss to UCLA (12 -6, 3-4 Big Ten) from Pauley Pavillion Friday night.
The Bruins outscored the Hawkeyes from the first end as UCLA shot a staggering 23 of 35 (65.7%) from the floor, 6 of 13 (46.2%) from deep and 5 of 9 (55. 6%) from the boards in the first half en route to a 57-24 advantage.
While the Hawkeyes certainly showed a lot more fight in the second half shooting 13 of 26 (50%) from the floor, 6 of 15 (40%) from deep and 14 of 19 (73.7%) from the ground. At the free throw line, the deficit was far too great for Iowa to mount a legitimate comeback effort against the Bruins.
Throughout the game, Iowa finished shooting 44.7% from the floor, 9 of 24 from deep and 19 of 25 from the free throw line. On the defensive end, Iowa forced 14 UCLA turnovers, including three steals and two blocks.
As the Hawkeyes return to Iowa City, here are three thoughts gathered from Friday’s performance against UCLA.
Dead on arrival
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Iowa looked terrible to start the game Friday as they couldn’t find easy baskets, were ruined by sloppy play, and allowed UCLA to score easily.
Although an injury to Payton Sandfort certainly hurt the offensive firepower, the Hawkeyes played flat and undisciplined, allowing the game to quickly spiral out of control.
Even though the team played significantly better in the second half, the game was almost mathematically over in the first second half.
Potential injury concern for Payton Sandfort
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Sandfort left the game following a collision with a UCLA player during the first half, where he went to the bench in pain.
Sandfort did not return to the game after receiving attention from Iowa’s medical staff and was later seen wearing a sling on his left arm on the Hawkeyes bench. Earlier in the night, Sandfort also took a knee in the middle and was rocked.
The Waukee product would finish the night with just two points and two rebounds in eight minutes played.
Iowa men’s basketball head coach Fran McCaffery said afterward that the team decided to shut him down after halftime because of his two injuries. McCaffery said Sandfort was “quite sore” and would be re-evaluated in the coming days.
The Hawkeyes are hoping the senior leader can heal before the team’s next game Tuesday against Minnesota.
Nightmare Defense Returns
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
For the second game in a row, Iowa’s defense was downright awful. UCLA finished the night shooting 36 of 58 (62.1%) from the floor and 8 of 23 (34.8%) from deep, with most of the damage coming in the first half.
Although the Hawkeyes are one of the highest-scoring offenses in the Big Ten, this team won’t be able to win many more games if they allow their opponents to comfortably shoot north of 50% from the floor.
Iowa’s next game sees them return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Tuesday night for a matchup against Minnesota (9-9, 1-6 Big Ten). Tip-off for this game will be at 8:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
The story was originally published on Hawkeyes Wire
