Birmingham Blues: Twitter reacts as Auburn ends Iowa’s season
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.
Say it and it will be so
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
Okay, so not ideal
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
Seriously, has Iowa hit one?
Missed every single jump shot.
— Felts (PAIN) (@Zhawk44) March 16, 2023
Same
I love the Outback Bowl. pic.twitter.com/Co2FgUsrkQ
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) March 16, 2023
Could they really, though?
Iowa football could score more at this point
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) March 16, 2023
Enough of these road/neutral site games
Petition to play all NCAA games at Carver
— Hawkeye Nation (@hawkeyenation) March 16, 2023
Yes
This game is a mess 😂
— Matt, Dr. Bunny Keeper 🐰 (@05HAWKI) March 16, 2023
Yikes
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
Don't enjoy it
I’ll be honest I don’t particularly enjoy watching Iowa basketball
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) March 17, 2023
A season in a moment
That Kris fastbreak is this season summarized in one play
— Black Heart Gold pain (@BHGP) March 17, 2023
……..
— Irrational Hawkeye (@IrrationalHawk2) March 17, 2023
Really, Auburn?
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
Paging, Auburn
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
It's a curse
This program is forever cursed. Won't convince me differently
— Felts (PAIN) (@Zhawk44) March 17, 2023
Literal home game
Literal home game for auburn but it’s fine
— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) March 17, 2023
Thank you, Connor
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
The epitome
Connor McCaffery is the epitome of what it means to be a Hawkeye.
— Nebraska Hawks Nest (@nehawksnest) March 17, 2023
Luka shows love
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
And to Filip!
Thanks for everything @connor_m30 and @FRebraca !
— Felts (PAIN) (@Zhawk44) March 17, 2023
Not now...not now
This hurts right now but it doesn’t make it any less funny….
Building a Championship Defense
By Fran McCafferyThe DVD is only $39.99
Via @AaronNuzum pic.twitter.com/RbE47VjuSu
— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) March 17, 2023
When will the Sweet 16 actually be ours?
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
Fought like crazy
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
Translation: Can you please come back, Kris?
Kris Murray will not play significant minutes in the NBA and should definitely come back
— Sam (@sammmidd) March 17, 2023
In the worst spot?
Iowa basketball is in the worst spot right now.
Fran is who he is. Not great, but not bad. Not going to probably make deep tournament runs, but rarely have just absolutely miserable seasons.
— Trevor Maeder (@TrevMaeder96) March 17, 2023
Death, taxes...
Death.
Taxes.
Iowa football 8 win season.
Iowa basketball NCAA first weekend exit— Cody Scharf (@CodyScharf) March 17, 2023
Future is bright if...
Future is bright for this program as soon as they play a modicum of defense.
— Ivan Bologna (@PV_GIA) March 17, 2023
About what I thought
It’s about what I thought. Not good enough to be great. Not mediocre enough to be bad.
— Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse) March 17, 2023
What's next?
Fran McCaffery is going to take a step back, evaluate everything and focus on filling out the roster for next year. Says it’ll be tough to replace Connor McCaffery and Filip Rebraca. Adds that Kris Murray is “likely” gone.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) March 17, 2023
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