Video: Takeaways after Iowa men defeat Nebraska 94-76 for second straight win
By Dallas Jones
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Hawkeyes secured their second straight conference win at home this Friday in front of a thin crowd thanks to mother nature.
While many school districts in the state of Iowa closed their doors today due to the snow, the Iowa Hawkeyes had business to take care of today. Here are a few takeaways from the game and postgame video from the team:
Owen Freeman is cementing himself as the focal point of the offense: It seems like we have said it many times (especially myself), but Owen Freeman has proved himself as the best freshman in the Big Ten this year.
Last game against Rutgers, he scored a career high 15 points in the win. Today, he took it to another level with a 22 point ten rebound game. Leading the Hawkeyes in both categories.
Tony Perkins looking like the guard Iowa needs: The guard position has been very fluid for the Hawkeyes early this season. Rotations have been very fluid and they have still struggled to find a main distributer.
Tony Perkins has been a bright spot at many times in the position group with multiple 20 point games early this season, but his performance tonight could be huge for the Hawkeyes going forward. He finished with a career high 15 (!!) assists.
There are not many guards in college basketball that have the ability to both score 20+ and dish out 10+ assists. Perkins might not reach this mark every night, but embracing that role could be a huge step for the Hawkeyes.
Crisis averted for the Hawkeyes: Fran McCaffery and the Iowa Hawkeyes started the year with three straight conferences losses. No matter who you are, that adds a little bit of heat in the kitchen.
Adversity was not too much for the Hawkeyes after taking down two strong conference opponents, they find themseleves well within the mix in the Big Ten.
Their next two opponents are both 3-2 currently in conference play as they travel to Minneapolis for a matchup against the 12-4 Minnesota Gophers Monday night, then hosting Zach Edey and the Purdue Boilermakers Saturday afternoon.