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Rutgers, Iowa Running Out of Time to Salvage Seasons
Time is running out for Rutgers and Iowa to turn things around as the Big Ten season winds down. The two struggling programs meet Wednesday night in Piscataway, N.J., with both needing a spark to stay in postseason contention.
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Iowa Struggling Without Freeman
The Hawkeyes (13-10, 4-8 Big Ten) squandered a late lead in Saturday’s 74-63 home loss to then-No. 21 Wisconsin, going scoreless for the final 4:29 as the Badgers closed the game on a 16-4 run.
“We have to play a little better towards the end,” Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said. “It was a two-possession, three-possession game with four to five minutes to go. We were rushing and we were fouling; you can’t do that.”
Iowa continues to adjust without leading scorer Owen Freeman, who is out for the season following finger surgery. That puts more pressure on Payton Sandfort (15.9 points, 5.8 rebounds per game) and Josh Dix (13.9 ppg), but Sandfort struggled against Wisconsin, shooting just 2-of-11 from the field.
Rutgers Battling Inconsistency and Illness
Rutgers (12-12, 5-8) entered the season with high expectations after signing five-star recruits Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, but the Scarlet Knights have yet to find consistency under ninth-year coach Steve Pikiell. Injuries and illnesses haven’t helped.
Bailey, who leads the team with 19.4 points per game, played just 24 minutes and scored only four points in Sunday’s 90-81 loss at then-No. 18 Maryland due to illness.
“The same thing all these guys have had,” Pikiell said. “He’s been sick and couldn’t go. Really tried; love him for the effort.”
Harper tried to carry the load, scoring 20 points, and is averaging 19.1 per game. But the Scarlet Knights couldn’t keep up defensively, allowing Maryland to shoot 50 percent from the field.
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Can Either Team Get Back on Track?
This is the only scheduled meeting between Iowa and Rutgers this season. Historically, the Hawkeyes have dominated the series, holding a 13-3 all-time edge.
Both teams need this win to keep their faint NCAA Tournament hopes alive. Will Rutgers finally find its stride at home, or can Iowa overcome its late-game struggles?
