Written by Iowa strolled into Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., with the nation’s No. 3 adjusted offensive efficiency per Kenpom. Auburn boasted the country’s No. 5 3-point percentage defense.
It looked more like the latter than the former through one half of play. Hawkeye big Filip Rebraca kept Iowa afloat with 10 first-half points, but Iowa struggled its way to 0-for-9 3-point shooting in the first 20 minutes.
Auburn had just a 31-26 halftime lead, but the Tigers opened things up in a big way in the first nine minutes and change of the second half. The Tigers’ lead ballooned to 58-41 behind seven made 3-pointers in the second half’s first nine minutes.
Those seven made 3-pointers are more than Auburn came in averaging per contest this season. The Tigers ranked 312th nationally in 3-point shooting percentage. Unfortunately, one of the Hawkeyes’ kryptonites burnt them. The Hawkeyes entered just 320th nationally in 3-point defense, surrendering on average 36.6% 3-point shooting.
Give Iowa credit. They came storming back after falling behind by as many as 17. A 19-4 run brought Iowa back within four points as Kris Murray stuffed a dunk with 5:07 remaining.
The Hawkeyes ran out of steam from there, though. Iowa’s season ends with the Hawkeyes as a 19-14 team overall. The streak of 20-win seasons comes to a close.
Naturally, there were a wide range of reactions to the Hawkeyes’ season closing. Here’s a sampling of how Iowa Twitter took in the season-ending setback.
I will not let this game impact my entire weekend I will not let this game impact my entire weekend I will not let this game impact my entire weekend I will not let this game impact my entire weekend I will not let this game impact my entire weekend I will not let this game impac
— Sam (@sammmidd) March 16, 2023
Not an ideal start for the boys. Need to get into a better rhythm coming out of this time out.
— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) March 16, 2023
Missed every single jump shot.
— Felts (PAIN) (@Zhawk44) March 16, 2023
Iowa football could score more at this point
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) March 16, 2023
Petition to play all NCAA games at Carver
— Hawkeye Nation (@hawkeyenation) March 16, 2023
This game is a mess 😂
— Matt, Dr. Bunny Keeper 🐰 (@05HAWKI) March 16, 2023
The Iowa and Auburn are in the walls, we’re gonna have to rip it down to the studs to make sure it’s all gone. https://t.co/JBf8RfPISY
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) March 16, 2023
I’ll be honest I don’t particularly enjoy watching Iowa basketball
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) March 17, 2023
That Kris fastbreak is this season summarized in one play
— Black Heart Gold pain (@BHGP) March 17, 2023
……..
— Irrational Hawkeye (@IrrationalHawk2) March 17, 2023
Auburn has more 3’s in the first 9 mins of this half than they average per game
— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) March 17, 2023
Hello. Is your team struggling? Play the Iowa Hawkeyes, you’ll play the game of your life!
— Black Heart Gold pain (@BHGP) March 17, 2023
This program is forever cursed. Won’t convince me differently
— Felts (PAIN) (@Zhawk44) March 17, 2023
Literal home game for auburn but it’s fine
— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) March 17, 2023
Heart breaks for @connor_m30 . Had an excellent career and lives and breathes basketball. Had a terrific career and happy to call him a friend. Iowa was lucky to have him play in their program.
Hold your head high. Terrific career. pic.twitter.com/59nIJZX0RQ
— Rico Bo$co (@Return_Of_RB) March 17, 2023
Connor McCaffery is the epitome of what it means to be a Hawkeye.
— Nebraska Hawks Nest (@nehawksnest) March 17, 2023
Gave everything you had in an Iowa jersey every second you were on the court. Hell of a career my brother @connor_m30 ❤️💯
— Luka Garza ✞ (@LukaG_55) March 17, 2023
Welp, that went about as well as we all thought. Another egg was laid during the tournament by the #Hawkeyes. Meh.
I wonder when Iowa will ever see the Sweet 16.
— Jared McNeill (@McNeillJared) March 17, 2023
Really tough way to go out for this team. Fought like hell in the second half. Lots to analyze from this season going forward, but this is March.
— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) March 17, 2023
Kris Murray will not play significant minutes in the NBA and should definitely come back
— Sam (@sammmidd) March 17, 2023
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Source:Twitter reacts as Auburn ends Iowa basketball season
Discovered on: 2023-03-17 01:40:46