The Iowa Hawkeyes have a shot to earn back their pride when they face a team that just beat them by 32 points just over a week ago, but this time they may be without their star player who is battling a painful inury. Senior forward Aaron White has not practiced this week after suffering a “shoulder stinger” in a loss at Purdue, and he leads Iowa in three statistical categories.
White, who has been a starter since his freshman year, is averaging a team-high 15.1 points and 6.6 rebounds a game. He’s compensated for a shaky jump shot by shooting nearly 62 percent from inside 3-point range and 81.9 percent from the line.
McCaffery says Aaron White is still sore, has been seen by UI doctors, gotten treatment. #Hawkeyes
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) January 26, 2015
"We want him in the lineup. He wants to be in the lineup," coach Fran McCaffery said of White. "I think there’s a good chance he’s probably going to try to do something. We’re going to see what happens when he gets out there."
Now would be a good time or Iowa to prove it can overcome adversity, a trait required come March Madness.
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Wisconsin needs to be careful against a wounded Hawkeyes team and not look past them because they are shorthanded. After playing Iowa, UW will close the season with two games each week over the second half of the Big Ten schedule. It’s a grind that will include 10 games in 34 days for the Badgers, who are one of three conference teams – Iowa and Northwestern are the others – to have both of their byes in the first half.
“It works like this: We can’t change it, so you just make the best of it,” Ryan said of whether this break comes at a good time for his team.
A Closer Look At My Wisconsin at Iowa College Hoops Free Pick & TV/Live Streaming Info
Matchup: No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers at Iowa Hawkeyes
Date: Jan. 31, 2015
Start Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Stadium: Carver-Hawkeye Arena
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Wisconsin Vs Iowa
Click here for Live College Hoops Odds
The Wisconsin Badgers Will Beat the Iowa Hawkeyes If
- Nigel Hayes and Sam Dekker play as well as they did the first time against Iowa – Dekker put up 17 and Hayes scored 16. Both Dekker and Hayes can be terrific on any given night. Wisconsin will be well-advised to let the two create their own shot or run off of screens against Iowa.
- Frank Kaminsky dominates the glass – Big Frank is averaging 8.2 boards per game, but he got 11 against Iowa in the first game, an 82 to 50 Badgers’ victory, with 3 being offensive rebounds. If Kaminsky dominates the glass again, Iowa will lose as badly.
- The Badgers get quality minutes from Duje Dukan and Zak Showalter – Both Dukan and Showalter played 18 minutes in the first game against Iowa. It’s important for the Badgers to continue to play the two off of the bench in order to rest their starters before the final 5 minute push.
Bronson Koenig's success has not only fueled the #Badgers, but may have a bigger calling:
http://t.co/c5iqPI8L6r pic.twitter.com/Ermc49T7VS
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) January 27, 2015
The Iowa Hawkeyes Will Beat the Wisconsin Badgers If
- Iowa keeps Wisconsin’s possessions down – The Badgers took 59 shots in the first game against the Hawkeyes. That’s way too many shots to give to Wisconsin. The Badgers were good on 49% of those shots. Keep the possessions down.
- Someone steps up for Aaron White – White, Iowa’s leading scorer at 15 points per game, is questionable after suffering a shoulder injury in Iowa’s last game. There is a likelihood that he won’t play. He didn’t in the first game and Wisconsin rolled. If he doesn’t this time, somebody had better fill the void.
- The Hawkeyes take their time and get quality shots – Iowa only averages 69.4 points per game. Wisconsin is a good defensive team, but they aren’t as dominant on the defensive end as past Badgers’ teams have been. You can get open looks against the Badgers’ defense. You just have to take your time and wait for an opening.
Iowa is tied for 3rd in the country in games against top 25 opponents with 6. Oklahoma is first with 9. #Hawkeyes
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) January 28, 2015
Bet On the Wisconsin Badgers to Beat the Iowa Hawkeyes
This game figures to be much closer than the last matchup between these two. This is particularly true if Iowa star Aaron White plays. But even if White plays and Iowa keeps it close, Wisconsin is too good of a team to lose to the Hawkeyes.
Wisconsin will win the rematch.