The Iowa game, take 2.

Iowa Hawkeyes

Current Record: 9-10

Big Ten record: 2-4

Current RPI: 173

Current Sagarin: 165

2006-07 record: 17-14 (9-7 in Big Ten, no postseason)

2006-07 RPI: 97

2006-07 Sagarin: 78

Series: IU leads 92-68

Last meeting: IU 79, Iowa 76 (at Iowa City, 1/2/08)

Last Iowa win: 81-75 (2/3/07 in Iowa City)

Last IU win in Bloomington: 1/16/07 (71-64)

Last Iowa win in Bloomington: 2/11/06 (70-67)

Blog: Black Heart Gold Pants

Pomeroy profile

In the first meeting, as in most of IU's Big Ten games so far, the Hoosiers allowed Iowa to stick around for most of the first half. IU seemed to have the game in hand, leading 70-57 with just over two minutes remaining, when Justin Johnson went crazy, scoring 19 points in the last two minutes on 6-6 three pointers plus a free throw. If Justin Johnson were an autistic kid from New York State, he would win an ESPY. Has Johnson continued his hot streak? Not even close. Johnson is shooting about 41 percent from three for the season, but seems to have used up all of his luck in the IU game: after shooting 3-5 against Wisconsin, he has gone 3-13 against OSU, 0-7 against MSU, 1-4 against Purdue, and 1-5 against Michigan. That makes 23.5 percent since the IU game and 2-16 in his last three games.

The Hawkeyes' tempo-free numbers don't look much different than they looked on January 2. The Hawkeyes like to play slow (61.2 possession, #323 nationally), play very good straight-up defense (they don't force turnovers, but their efficiency, field goal percentage, and rebounding numbers are in or near the top 50), and don't do anything well offensively except dish out assists on their (all too rare) made field goals. IU should win comfortably, but should not take the Hawkeyes lightly. Iowa's 43-36 win over Michigan State is way more impressive than any win on IU's resume. The Hawkeyes dictated the pace of that 56 possession game, in contrast to the 72 possession game that IU won in Iowa City. The Hoosiers need to play their game and stick a hand in Johnson's face, and they should be fine.

A final note: IU has not lost at Assembly Hall since losing to Iowa on February 11, 2006. That game is best remembered by IU fans for what it did not include: Mike Davis. Davis was too sick to coach that day, but not too sick to whine on the phone to Andy Katz about the pervasive rumors of his supposedly impending resignation. In any event, IU won a school record 50 consecutive home games from 1991-1995. The Hoosiers' last home loss before beginning that streak was a loss to Iowa on February 21, 1991. IU now has won 28 in a row at Assembly Hall.