Social media reacts as Iowa basketball picks up crucial nail-biter over Ohio State
The Iowa Hawkeyes needed this game. After a pair of recent close losses versus Maryland and at Indiana, Iowa had another chance to close out a tight Big Ten contest.
This time, Iowa took care of the basketball and its business late versus Ohio State. The Hawkeyes forced a key Ohio State turnover with :23 remaining and Iowa in front 74-73. Redshirt senior forward Patrick McCaffery prepared to make a pair of free throws on the other end to put the Hawkeyes on top by three with :21 left to play.
From there, save for one miss by junior forward Payton Sandfort, Iowa was clutch at the foul line down the stretch as it played the foul-up-three game.
Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton was fouled and made a pair of free throws for the Buckeyes. McCaffery responded by calmly sinking another pair of free throws to put Iowa back in front by three with :11 remaining.
After Ohio State’s Dale Bonner split his two free throws with :08 left to play in regulation, Sandfort had a chance to essentially ice the contest. But, he missed his first attempt before draining the second.
Iowa’s Sandfort fouled Bonner again with :04 left to play. He made the first and then intentionally missed the second. That set off a mad scramble for the loose basketball on the floor.
Though it led to some spiking heart rates across Iowa for those brief seconds, the final horn sounded without an Ohio State shot attempt at either the tie or the win. Iowa topped Ohio State in a thriller, 79-77.
With the win, Iowa improved to 13-9 (5-6 Big Ten). Senior guard Tony Perkins led the way with 20 points. He was joined by Sandfort and sophomore guard Josh Dix’s 15 points. McCaffery was Iowa’s other double-figure scorer with 10.
Social media let out a nice sigh of relief as the Hawkeyes picked up a vital win for their NCAA Tournament at-large bid hopes.
Tony Perkins starts fast
Tony Perkins is still feelin' good. 3-of-3 for 6 points, 1 rebound and an assist in the first four minutes.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) February 3, 2024
Tony got the mid range game working
— Sean Bock (@SBock247) February 3, 2024
Perkins is lighting it up…again.
— Irrational Hawkeye (@IrrationalHawk2) February 3, 2024
Looks like the NBA All-Star Game!
NBA All-Star game defensive effort on both sides.
— Irrational Hawkeye (@IrrationalHawk2) February 3, 2024
Iowa leads 17-15 with 13:30 left in the first half. Tony Perkins is 3-for-3 from the field. Fun game to watch so far, up and down.
— Pat Harty (@PatHarty) February 3, 2024
Fran Ball, baby!
"80% shooting, lead by 2" is the most Fran McCaffery thing ever. https://t.co/qYMaq0BJSA
— Ivan Bologna (@PV_GIA) February 3, 2024
Ladji says, 'GET IT OUT'
This block. 👀
That's all thats the tweet. @ladji_kalilou x @IowaHoops
📺: FS1/@CBBonFOX pic.twitter.com/BaVxctqt9f
— Iowa On BTN (@IowaOnBTN) February 3, 2024
Man, if Ladji Dembele can put it together on offense, he can become quite the player. Just has such a unique blend of size and athleticism. Very willing defender.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) February 3, 2024
Rebounding, or lack thereof, has folks frustrated
This has to be the worst rebounding team I've ever seen.
— Ivan Bologna (@PV_GIA) February 3, 2024
Like boxing out is just struggle bus w/ these guys.
— Bennie Mac – Be Nice… (@BenMcC1908) February 3, 2024
Fast breaks have been kind, though
Jeeze. Iowa is outscoring Ohio State 15-0 on fast-break points.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) February 3, 2024
Saucy T dime
Sheshhhhhhhh 🫢@Saucy___T 🤝 @ladji_kalilou
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 3, 2024
Ref Ball
These officials are certainly officiating.
That's all I'll say.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) February 3, 2024
Dear Lord, @bigten officials are really bad.
— 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓭™ (@hawkeyeinmd) February 3, 2024
Just take over, Tony
Take us home, TP.
— Quadrant 1 Felts (PAIN) (@Zhawk44) February 3, 2024
Really impressed with Tony Perkins tonight and these last few games. Taking control as the primary scorer and putting so much pressure on the opposing defense by driving downhill. Need TP to stay aggressive.
— Nicholas Baer (@Nicholas_Baer) February 3, 2024
SAUCY
— Irrational Hawkeye (@IrrationalHawk2) February 3, 2024
I hope Tony Perkins knows how much he’s appreciated
— Ali (@alisonh2006) February 3, 2024
BOOM. POSTER.
LET 'EM KNOW FREEMAN 🗣️ @_OwenFreeman x @IowaHoops pic.twitter.com/RJqvQpIQXh
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 3, 2024
FREEMAN ON HIS HEAD!!!!!! #Hawkeyes
— Cody Hills (@ByCodyHills) February 3, 2024
Like clockwork?
Sigh.
— Quadrant 1 Felts (PAIN) (@Zhawk44) February 3, 2024
Here comes the crushing defeat
— Sam (@sammmidd) February 3, 2024
We take it all back, refs!
If you're Ohio State, that was a very inopportune time to double-dribble. Brutal.
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) February 3, 2024
Best officials ever
— tina (@Luebke_Tina) February 3, 2024
I’ve always said Brooks Wells is a stand-out official
— Sam (@sammmidd) February 3, 2024
Rothstein has spoken
Three rules to live by:
1. Never acknowledge The Godfather: Part III.
2. Never waste calories on pizza outside of the Eastern Time Zone.
3. ALWAYS foul up three late.— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 3, 2024
It has been early though hasn't it?
This feels like the earliest implementation of the 'foul em so they can't make a three' strategy I have ever seen
— JMinKC (@jontificate) February 3, 2024
Why are we fouling Soo early
— Quadrant 1 Felts (PAIN) (@Zhawk44) February 3, 2024
I love that foul at 3.7 seconds.
I flipping DESPISE that foul at 13.7 seconds
— Ivan Bologna (@PV_GIA) February 3, 2024
Patrick McCaffery is clutch!
Patrick!
— Quadrant 1 Felts (PAIN) (@Zhawk44) February 3, 2024
Patrick McCaffery is 8/8 from the line tonight. Iowa up 78-75.
— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) February 3, 2024
Whew!
Heart attack city
— Quadrant 1 Felts (PAIN) (@Zhawk44) February 3, 2024
We'll take it!
That's a nice bounce back win for Iowa.
— Brendan Stiles (@thebstiles) February 3, 2024
Hawks get the win. Wasn’t pretty but take care at home and live to see another day
— I Love Iowa Basketball (@ILoveIowaBball) February 3, 2024
Season-saving
NEEDED THAT! GO HAWKS
— Ali (@alisonh2006) February 3, 2024
A potentially season-saving win.
Guts! #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/NfO8wKX3Qv
— Cody Hills (@ByCodyHills) February 3, 2024
NO BEER
Crazy finish!
NO BEER! HAWKS WIN!— 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓭™ (@hawkeyeinmd) February 3, 2024
No beer!!! Hawks win!!!! 💛🖤💛🖤💛
— Matt, Dr. Bunny Keeper 🐰 (Taylor's Version) (@05HAWKI) February 3, 2024
Game. 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐬. pic.twitter.com/rQDraY1xE2
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 3, 2024