Hawkeye Heroics: Twitter reacts to Iowa’s miraculous rally over Michigan State
How about that for a game folks?!
If you tuned out for the ending of this one, you certainly weren’t the only one. This game felt like such a guaranteed loss that you had fans filing their way out of Carver with basketball still left to be played.
Another team played outstanding against Iowa, a recurring theme all season of opponents just putting it all together whenever against Fran McCaffery’s boys. The Spartans shot out of their mind in this one, over 70% from beyond the arc. That is pure insanity, and only happens against Iowa of course. Tyson Walker had a career game for Michigan State. Again, everyone has their career game against the Hawkeyes.
The one really felt like the final blow on Iowa’s season. Three straight losses in a row where they simply had no answer for their opponents. Iowa couldn’t stop anything on defense, proving to be the complete inverse from the Ferentz-led football squad. Kiss the NCAA Tournnament goodbye folks.
Then everything changed, and it all started with a stare-down. You can question coach Fran McCaffery’s behavior on the court all you want, and many did when they saw him in a deadlock stare with the official. Just another Fran McCaffery melt-down as the team crumbles around him.
They did not crumble though. Iowa just started hitting everything, and they completed a comeback for the ages, winning 112-106 in overtime over Michigan State. The Hawkeyes were down 93-81 with 1:23 left to play, and still down 96-86 with less than a minute remaining. With some extremely hard work on the boards and a little bit of magic, Iowa stormed back and really saved their season.
You saw a dramatic shift from fans on social media during the dying embers of this contest. From pure destitution at the seemingly lost season to pure elation at what quickly became a “where were you when this happened” moment. Here are the best social media reactions through that journey.
I guess that's it then...
Fans now rushing to the exits with MSU leading 86-76 with 2:10 remaining. Tyson Walker up to 28 points on 11 of 14 shooting from the field. One of the best performances I've seen in this arena in quite some time.
— Pat Harty (@PatHarty) February 25, 2023
Not Anymore
There were fans there? https://t.co/4vyAB1UTrF
— Ivan Bologna (@PV_GIA) February 25, 2023
The Stare That Changed Everything
Credit to Fran, he’s fixed his temper issues, no more yelling, just a good old fashioned stare down pic.twitter.com/2YZMsmjcmp
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 25, 2023
I WANT ANOTHER DRINK! I WANT TO PLAY DARTS!
Me to the bartender after he says I’m cutoff pic.twitter.com/25VctKcC1o
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) February 25, 2023
Impossible
Turn off the tv and try to enjoy your weekend.
— Hawkeye Nation (@hawkeyenation) February 25, 2023
What a Waste
Normally I try to be positive. I’m positive that was a waste of my time today. Go Hawks but that was not enjoyable.
— Black Heart Gold pain (@BHGP) February 25, 2023
Hope?
Uh, somehow it's a 4-point game…
96-92 MSU with 30.7 to go after an MSU turnover and a Kris Murray 3
— Go Iowa Awesome (@IowaAwesome) February 25, 2023
INSANITY
This is insanity
— Kennington Lloyd Smith III (@SkinnyKenny_) February 25, 2023
Connor 3 cuts it to 100-98. :10.8 left.
— Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) February 25, 2023
MOMMAS WRONG AGAIN!
When I tweeted "This one's over" I was wrong.
OVERTIME at 101-101.
— Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) February 25, 2023
HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING!
FRAN LEADS THE IMPROBABLE COMEBACK.
This is the moment that made it happen. https://t.co/JXJy9uPWym
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) February 25, 2023
OVERTIME?!
WE'RE GOING TO OVERTIME‼️ pic.twitter.com/BCgmO3oR9d
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 25, 2023
Clutch Gene From Sandfort
Clutch gene 🧬@payton_20_ x #Hawkeyes
pic.twitter.com/C6Ux06jGzs— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 25, 2023
Absolute insanity pic.twitter.com/MoBRUIEUAw
— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) February 25, 2023
T-Mac Would Be Proud
Iowa was down 91-78 to go and they scored 23 pts in 90 seconds
— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) February 25, 2023
What Even Are Numbers
I’m flabbergasted. Michigan State was at a 92% chance to win with 20 seconds left.
— Owen Siebring (@owensiebring) February 25, 2023
.@BarstoolMSU lol pic.twitter.com/SfYydNT7zN
— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) February 25, 2023
This One's For the Quitters!
To the quitters out there. You deserved this.
— Hawkeye Images (@webcentrick) February 25, 2023
Interesting...
I can't be the only one who finds the difference in philosophy between Iowa's football program and its basketball program hilarious, can I?
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) February 25, 2023
Big Time Player Taking Over
Down 13 with 1:34 to go, Iowa hit 5 straight 3s to force OT.
Kris Murray gives them the lead in OT.
Madness 🤯pic.twitter.com/aALbauFeiI
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) February 25, 2023
Out-Coached Em
Iowa has outscored MSU 27-12 since Fran stared down Kelly Pfeifer. 👀👀👀
— Go Iowa Awesome (@IowaAwesome) February 25, 2023
Big Tone!
B1G bucket ‼️@Saucy___T x #Hawkeyes
pic.twitter.com/6KEr4SjMoP— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 25, 2023
HELP THEM THEY'RE CHOKING!
pic.twitter.com/06HyNQVWk9 https://t.co/Qdgfbbll99
— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) February 25, 2023
NEVER IN DOUBT!
Never Gave In. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/FWcieM6VWT
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 25, 2023
Biggest Win of the Season
Season saver. Really happy for the guys. Never quit!
— Jordan Bohannon (@JordanBo_3) February 25, 2023
Always a Fun Time in Carver
Iowa is always the most fun
— Ken Pomeroy (@kenpomeroy) February 25, 2023
