Pregame: Hawkeyes play host to #22 Golden Gophers

As I promised three days ago, the following is a little run down of what to look for on Thursday evening, when the Hawkeyes take on #22 Minnesota inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  Iowa enters the game at 11–4 overall, 1–1 in the Big Ten Conference.

Lawrence Westbrook leads Minnesota in scoring

The Golden Gophers are very balanced on offense; eight Minnesota players average at least five points per game, while three more average at least three points per game.  Lawrence Westbrook and Damian Johnson are the only two Golden Gophers averaging double-digit points per game, with thirteen and ten points per game, respectively.  As a team, Minnesota is third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging a little more than seventy-three points per game.  I plan on keeping a close watch on Westbrook and Al Nolen, who comprise one of the better guard pairs in the conference.  Nolen leads the Golden Gophers in assists, with slightly more than six dishes per game.

Hawkeyes defeat Hoosiers, referees

Sorry this is a couple days late; I’ve been busy.

Much to the chagrin of referees Dan Chrisman, Eddie Hightower and Zelton Steed, the Hawkeyes pulled out a win against hapless Indiana on Saturday, 65–60. Obviously, I’m kidding about the referees, because neither team received many favorable calls.  But regardless, Iowa won the game, so I should probably write about how well the Hawkeyes played against what is likely the worst team in an improving Big Ten Conference.

Cyrus Tate gets hacked on his way up

Cyrus Tate led Iowa throughout the game, evidenced by his twenty-two points and eleven rebounds.  Tate missed only one shot in the entire game; he was six-of-six from the field and ten-of-eleven from the free throw line.  All in all, it was much-needed performance from Tate, to whom I believe will take on a larger role as the Hawkeyes get deeper into the Big Ten schedule.  At this point in time, Tate is Iowa’s only established big man.  His role will expand by default as the level of competition rises.

Welcome to All Up

Hello, there!

I’m Dan, and I will be writing the content you see within this blog.  A few of you may know me from a website called Big Ten Fever, where I post on a regular basis about topics generally relating to sports within the Big Ten Conference.

In this blog, I plan on primarily writing about the Iowa Hawkeyes football and men’s basketball teams.  Wrestling, women’s basketball and other sports teams will receive coverage from time to time, provided they do something particularly noteworthy.  As I ease into blogging on a regular basis, I expect to write a post or two in a three to four day period (which is roughly the length between men’s basketball games).

For any questions or comments, please send an e-mail to danielman12[at]aol[dot]com or post a comment below a relevant post or page on the blog.  Depending on how busy I may be, replies will usually occur within a day or two of your message being sent to me.

That being said, I would like to conclude this inaugural post by once again extending my welcome to you, the readers.  I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I will.  On Iowa and go Hawkeyes!