Iowa 87, Augustana 65

The above pic has been sitting on my MacBook desktop since the Iowa men’s basketball media day last month. With today’s Augustana–Iowa exhibition game unofficially opening the season, I think it’s high time I finally use it.

So the Hawks prevailed, 87–65, against a Division III team that returned the majority of its players from last season and stymied the Hawks with a stingy zone defense. Everyone in the arena was aware that this was not your average preseason exhibition — especially given the new rule change that slowed the game to an agonizing crawl. Hand-checking now receives an automatic foul and it was given automatically the whole game. Holy cow! Between the second and third official time outs in the first half, I bet twenty fouls were called. A whistle was blown on each possession. Two Augustana players had four fouls before halftime. It was insane. The Hawks were better disciplined but still suffered their share of hand-checking calls. They did a great job of adjusting in the second half, though, and only drew eight or nine fouls. For Augustana, though, fouling was part of the game plan. The Vikings drew 33 fouls and the Hawks attempted fifty free throws.

A lot of hype surrounds the Iowa men this year and the Hawks did not live up to it today. Sure, they won, but looked lethargic and uninspired. Though the stats and result are not officially counted, I am sure this game will having a lasting effect on the Hawkeyes. It was a great, early test and I hope the Hawks will learn from it this week as they prepare to open the season against UNC Wilmington Friday night.

Despite all the fouls and sluggish play, though, it felt awesome being inside Carver again. The popcorn in the air, the squeak of sneakers on the court, and Hawkeye fans who are not drunk.