The Iowa Hawkeyes pulled off a stunning 57-52 upset over the Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers, a team that came into the game with a 22-4 record and a NET ranking of 11, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This win is a significant boost to Iowa's tournament resume, especially considering they were 19-7 coming into the game with a NET ranking of 27. The Hawkeyes' 33-point first half, where they shot 44% from the field, set the tone for the rest of the game. Nebraska, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, scoring only 28 points in the first half and shooting a dismal 32% from the field. This loss is a significant blow to Nebraska's chances of securing a high seed in the tournament, and it will be interesting to see how they respond to this setback. With 12 minutes left in the game, Iowa led by 10 points, 45-35, and it seemed like they were cruising to an easy win. However, Nebraska went on a 10-2 run over the next 4 minutes, cutting the deficit to 47-45.
The Hawkeyes' ability to hold off the Cornhuskers' late surge was a reflection of their defensive prowess, as they limited Nebraska to just 24 points in the second half. Over the last 5 games, Iowa has been averaging 74.2 points per game, while allowing 73 points per game, and this win marks their 4th in their last 6 games. Nebraska, on the other hand, has been struggling, going 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +3.2 points. With 5 minutes left in the game, Iowa's Bennett Stirtz hit a crucial three-pointer, his 5th of the game, to put the Hawkeyes up by 5 points, 52-47. This shot was a dagger to Nebraska's chances, and they were unable to recover. Stirtz finished the game with 25 points, including 5 three-pointers, and was the clear MVP of the game.
Bennett Stirtz's 25-Point Performance Leads Iowa to Upset Win
Bennett Stirtz's performance was not just about the numbers, he hit the big shots when it mattered most, including the aforementioned three-pointer with 5 minutes left. On the other hand, Nebraska's Pryce Sandfort, who finished with 13 points, vanished in the second half, scoring only 2 points. This was a crucial factor in Nebraska's loss, as they relied heavily on Sandfort's scoring. Iowa's Cooper Koch also had a solid game, scoring 10 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, doing the dirty work to help the Hawkeyes secure the win. With 2 minutes left in the game, Iowa led by 5 points, 55-50, and it seemed like they had the game in the bag. However, Nebraska's Jamarques Lawrence hit a layup with 1 minute left, cutting the deficit to 55-52.
The Hawkeyes' ability to hold off Nebraska's late surge was a result of their strong defense, which limited the Cornhuskers to just 38% shooting from the field. CHD Scout had predicted a Nebraska win by 5 points, but the actual result was a 5-point win for Iowa.
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The prediction model missed the fact that Iowa's defense would be able to contain Nebraska's offense, which has been averaging 73.2 points per game over their last 5 games. The model also underestimated the impact of Bennett Stirtz's shooting, which was a key factor in Iowa's win. With 30 seconds left in the game, Iowa's Alvaro Folgueiras hit two crucial free throws, putting the Hawkeyes up by 7 points, 57-50. This sealed the win for Iowa, and they were able to hold off Nebraska's late surge. Over the last 5 games, Nebraska has been outscoring their opponents by an average of 3.2 points, but they were unable to replicate this performance against Iowa.
The loss is a significant blow to Nebraska's chances of securing a high seed in the tournament, and it will be interesting to see how they respond to this setback. On the other hand, Iowa's win is a significant boost to their tournament resume, and they want to build on this momentum in their next game.
This win is a significant boost to Iowa's tournament chances, as they move to 20-7 on the season. The graphic shows that Iowa's NET ranking is now 27, and they have a quad 1 win over Nebraska. This win could potentially lock up a seed line for Iowa, depending on how the rest of the season plays out. Nebraska, on the other hand, drops to 22-5, and their NET ranking remains at 11. However, this loss could potentially drop them to a lower seed line, depending on how the rest of the season plays out. With this win, Iowa moves to 4-2 in their last 6 games, and they want to build on this momentum in their next game. Nebraska, on the other hand, drops to 2-3 in their last 5 games, and they want to bounce back from this loss.
The implications of this game are significant, as it could potentially impact the tournament seeding for both teams. Iowa's win is a significant boost to their tournament chances, and they want to build on this momentum in their next game. Nebraska, on the other hand, want to bounce back from this loss and regain their momentum. The game was a closely contested affair, with both teams fighting hard for the win. In the end, Iowa's strong defense and Bennett Stirtz's clutch shooting were the difference-makers, as they secured a 57-52 win over Nebraska. This win is a significant statement for Iowa, and it will be interesting to see how they build on this momentum in their next game. With 20 wins on the season, Iowa is now in a strong position to make a deep run in the tournament, and they want to continue their strong play in their next game.