Wow, what a game this was. Iowa, unranked coming into this game was 2-0 and Louisville was ranked #17 and were playing their first game. Greg Brunner was the key player in this game. The Iowa Sophmore posted a career game as he scored 26 points and went 10/14 from the floor. Iowa though, the big difference, was the rebounding. They controlled the board battle as they went on to outrebound Louisville 45-27. They allowed the game to stay close though as they couldn't make free throws at all throughout the entire game. The Hawkeyes were just 13/24 from the line. But, in the end, it was Louisville's 3 ball that really kept it close. Taquan Dean hit a 3 from the corner to send it into OT. In the OT, Brunner made quite possibly the biggest play of the game when he blocked a lay up attempt which than led to a transition lay up by Brody Boyd, 2 or his 22 points. Boyd helped out the Hawks in OT with a couple lay ups. For the game, he had 22 points and hit 4/8 from 3 point range. But, that fast break lay up put Iowa up 6 with about 2 left. Louisville went onto tie the game up with back to back 3s, they made 12 in the game. But, in the end, it was Iowa's Pierre Pierce making 1/2 from the line with 9.8 in the game. That free throw would end up being the final difference in the game as Louisville couldn't get off a good shot at the end. Boyd got the rebound and the game was over. Post your thoughts and opinions on it. I'll get the links to the recap and box score and put them in here as soon as I can.
Thanks for the recap. I missed the game, so that was pretty handy. I am very happy, not only because I love the Big Ten and hate Louisville, but also because I am a huge Pierre Pierce fan and he had another solid game today. I am going out on a limb and saying that he is the most underrated player in all of college basketball.
Yea, he's very underrated. I think that also, people really don't realize how good the backcourt of Pierce and Horner is. Though, they did not play well today, this backcourt has the potential to be one of the better ones in college bball. I think it's probably the most underrated back court. Plus, Jared Reiners really proved how good he is, not necessarily by his scoring, but, late in the game, Louisville really respected his abiltity and just did not allow Iowa to get the ball into him. They were hounding him defensively. This is what opened it up for Brunner though. Wow, I still am in shock about this. Brunner could end up stealing that starting job from Glen Worley once he comes back if he keeps playing like this.
Pierre Pierce isn't as underrated as Iowa is, and as overrated as Louisville is. I expected them to win and I'm glad they did.
