Preview: Gophers vs. Hawkeyes

Wow. That is the first thought I had when I looked at the number of points Iowa gives up on a nightly basis. In 17 games, the Hawkeyes give up an average of 56.6 points per game. In six of those games Iowa’s opponents have scored 50 or fewer points. This is not a good sign for a Gopher team ranked 8th in the conference in scoring and a team struggling to find an offensive identity ““ or heck, any identity.

The Hawkeyes are led in a balanced scoring attack of Adam Haluska, Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner, who all average in double figures. Brunner adds a double-double as he grabs 10 boards a game to go along with his 13.3 point average.

For the Gophers, it doesn’t really matter who it plays right now. The team must find an identity, must develop confidence and must somehow get a win. It really doesn’t matter if its ugly, pretty, a blow out or a nail bitter ““ the Gophers need a win. Run a four-corners offense if you have to”¦just get a win.

The keys to the game:

1. Crash the boards. Iowa leads the Big Ten in rebounding with 40.3 rebounds per game. This is bad news for the Gophers who have been outrebounded by 24 the last two games. J’Son Stamper must stay out of foul trouble, Spencer Tollackson needs to flex his muscle and Jonathan Williams needs to get some minutes as well. But the Gophers are most effective on the boards when guys like Vincent Grier and Maurice Hargrow snag a few.

2. Senior leadership. Claw, scratch, scrap, dive, do anything, but just get a win. The seniors need to lead the way. Lately, sophomores Tollackson and Rico Tucker seem to bring the most energy. The seniors need to match this from the get go and need to set the example for the team. Getting off a fast start is extra important on the road ““ especially on the road of a rival. Fortunately, Carver Hawkeye Arena is not a hostile environment like other arenas in the Conference, so even if we get off to a slow start, at least we won’t have to battle a loud crowd.

3. Hit a shot. The bad news is the Gophers are 10th in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.446). The good news is the Hawkeyes are 11th in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.414). Good (and bad) shooting is contagious so hopefully the Gophers can get going early. If not, we’ll have to rely on defense, which has been a struggle so far this year.

Well, as the only winless team in the Big Ten, it doesn’t really matter how we do it, we just have to get a win. I still believe there is talent on this team and certainly we’re not short on experience so we are bound to hit our stride at some point (or so I hope). No better time than now! But until we do and until we show we can gut out a win, I just can’t justify picking the Gophers on the road against a rival.

My Prediction: Iowa 68 Minnesota 54

Did I mention we need a win?