Tonight began the “easy” part of UW’s schedule, as the Iowa Hawkeyes came to Alaska Airlines arena boasting a record of 16-5. The Hawkeyes have a position that the Huskies currently covet. They remain firmly in the tournament picture, projected as an 8 seed by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. For the Huskies to get to the tournament, this was another rung on the proverbial ladder, and a huge game for the Huskies to win in order to sustain momentum.
The first half was a duel of two red hot offenses, as the Dawgs
shot 77% from the field (6-8 from 3), while Iowa was not far behind, shooting 61% from the field, but only 33 percent from 3. Bennett Stirtz did what he does, albeit at a lesser volume than usual (as he has poured in 19 points per game, scoring 9 points off 4-7 shooting in the first half). The Huskies wouldn’t keep him bottled up for long, however, as Stirtz finished with 22 points and 5 assists, and set the tone for the Hawkeyes second half barrage.
Though they were up 48-41 at half, and Zoom Diallo started off with 9 points and 10 assists, the injuries to both JJ Mandaquit (who was out for this game with a foot injury), and later Wesley Yates proved large, as they were unable to answer Stirtz and Co.’s hot shooting (as Stirtz finished with 22 on 8-13 shooting), despite the best efforts of Diallo (16 points, 6 rebounds, 12 assists) Steinbach (20 points, 12 rebounds) and Bryson Tucker (10 points, 3 rebounds). This is a team that is very talented, but continues to be beset by injuries and poor shooting (as UW shot 36 percent from the field and 12.5 percent from 3 in the second half), and that has been why Danny Sprinkle’s second year has felt so frustrating. This is a microcosm of where UW basketball has been and continues to be: sometimes flashy and fun, but also sometimes frustrating. The frustration is probably best explained in the turnover comparison, with the Huskies committing 12 turnovers and the Hawkeyes only giving the ball away once. This is but one of the frustrations with the Huskies this season, but with an easier part of the schedule coming up, we will see whether or not they will get it together, or if they will bottom out under the weight of their own injuries and sink to the bottom of the conference. I’m an optimist, so for the team’s sake and for the sake of the fans, I hope they get it together.
But if tonight is any indication, there’s a bit to go before that happens.
The Huskies have UCLA at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday, while the Hawkeyes have Northwestern on Sunday.
