Iowa's Carver-Hawkeye Arena was electric on Tuesday night as the Hawkeyes hosted Southern California in a non-conference showdown. The game lived up to its billing, with Iowa emerging victorious by a single point, 73-72. While the final score was close, the Hawkeyes' win was not an upset, as they were predicted to win by 10.8 points according to CHD Scout's pre-game forecast. In reality, the margin was much slimmer, but Iowa still won.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets throughout. USC's Kam Woods was unstoppable, pouring in 33 points to lead all scorers. However, Iowa's Tavion Banks was up to the task, scoring 20 points and grabbing 7 rebounds to pace the Hawkeyes. Banks was joined by Bennett Stirtz, who also scored 20 points, and Alvaro Folgueiras, who chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds.
At halftime, USC held a slim 28-27 lead, but Iowa came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Trojans 46-44. The Hawkeyes' balanced attack was too much for USC, as they were able to hold off a late surge by the Trojans. Woods' impressive performance kept USC in the game, but ultimately, it was not enough to overcome the Hawkeyes' depth and home-court advantage.
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Final
The win was a significant one for Iowa, as it marked a Quadrant 2 victory for the Hawkeyes. According to the NCAA's quadrant system, Q2 wins are considered high-quality victories, and this one will undoubtedly boost Iowa's tournament resume. For USC, the loss was a Quadrant 1 defeat, which is still a valuable result, but not as beneficial as a win would have been. The Trojans' current net ranking of 51 will likely remain relatively stable, but they must continue to perform well in their remaining games to solidify their tournament chances.
Iowa's victory also reinforced the accuracy of CHD Scout's pre-game prediction, which correctly picked the Hawkeyes to win. While the predicted margin of 10.8 points was not realized, the forecast correctly identified Iowa as the superior team. The Hawkeyes' win improves their record to 15-5, while USC falls to 15-6.
As the season enters its final stretch, Iowa's win over USC will be an important factor in their tournament chances. With a strong net ranking of 22, the Hawkeyes are well-positioned to make a deep run in the postseason. This win will only add to their momentum, and they want to build on this success in their upcoming games. For USC, the loss is a setback, but not a devastating one. The Trojans must regroup and refocus, but they still have a solid chance to make the tournament with a strong finish to the season.