Hawkeye’s hot hand burns shoe-holding Husker

IOWA CITY — Basketball is an international game, but holding one of your shoes while playing defense isn't a method of success in any nation.

Nebraska's Jack McVeigh, an Australian, learned that the hard way Sunday during his team's 81-70 loss to Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

McVeigh's right shoe came off his foot as he caught a pass at the Cornhuskers' offensive end of the court during the second half. He recovered the shoe and ran down the court to play defense, holding the shoe the entire time.

The 6-foot-8 sophomore checked Iowa's Ahmad Wagner, than switched to Hawkeye guard Brady Ellingson in the paint. McVeigh slipped and fell at one point, but quickly got up. Ellingson swung out behind the 3-point line, and Wagner fed him the ball.

Holding the shoe in his right hand, McVeigh lunged at Ellingson with his left arm. But Ellingson's 3-point shot eluded the Husker and went through the basket to give Iowa a 61-57 lead with 8:09 left.

The shot ended a 5-0 Nebraska run and set Iowa on a winning good path.

'I didn't really know what to do,' McVeigh said. 'I couldn't foul. I tried to make a play, but he hit the shot.'

Ellingson made two other 3-pointers and had 11 points, all in the second half. He was in the game down the stretch, and matched his career-high in minutes with 25.

Asked what he thought when he saw McVeigh guarding him while holding footwear, Ellingson said 'I just knew if I got the ball I would shoot. ... He was sliding all over.

'It was a crazy play. A couple plays later he said 'Man, that was crazy. I couldn't believe they didn't stop play.''

Asked if he had the urge to use the shoe to block the shot, McVeigh said 'Very tempted. I was scared of getting a technical, though.

'I was just trying to make a play.'