My Day At Carver

Best Day At Carver Ever

Playing with a purpose. That's what the Iowa Men's Basketball team did playing against #6 Purdue yesterday. Iowa won't play in this year's NCAA Tournament, Purdue will. Iowa will play on the first day of the Big Ten Tournament, hoping to make it to the 2nd round, Purdue has a bye. Iowa was knocked out of the Big Ten title race in January, Purdue was knocked out yesterday.

Iowa beat the #6 Boilermakers 67-65 in Carver Hawkeye Arena. I was in attendance yesterday and it was the best Iowa basketball game I have ever been to. Being able to witness the Teletubbies and Gumby in the student section as well as a large Jarryd Cole head right in front of me, it was alot of fun. I am only 25 but I have been to quite a few games, none of them touched this. This was different, the players and coaches wanted it. But the fans needed it. Probably more than anyone, the fans needed it to help us say, "We're gonna be good again." I said it yesterday and I think a lot of people did.

The game overall was a back and forth battle. Iowa definitely started slow but it didn't allow Purdue to pull away. Purdue held leads of 7 points at 17-10, 19-12 and 24-17 but those were the largest it would have.

Iowa chipped away and a 3-pointer by Bryce Cartwright with 7:15 left in the first half made the score 24-23.

Cartwright would be injured at the start of the 2nd half and would sit out but would return to the game and be a factor. 3-pointers by Cartwright, Gatens and McCabe brought the halftime score to 36-36. Right before halftime Iowa was called for a shot clock violation which had the 12,132 in attendance on there feet.

The shot during the possession went straight down after hitting the rim but referee Ed Hightower called the shot clock violation after Iowa had regained the rebound right under the basket. Not good.

Iowa would take the lead early in the 2nd half at 38-36 and again at 40-38. It was definitely back and forth and Iowa just couldnt fully pull away. Iowa's biggest 2nd half lead was 6 points at 48-42 and 50-44.

The 2nd half included 2 ferocious dunks by Melsahn Basabe that had Carver rockin.

Senior Jarryd Cole definitely went out with a bang as he scored 4 of his 16 points in the final 4 minutes to help Iowa remain ahead. Cole would also have 10 rebounds to end his Carver Hawkeye career with a double-double.

Bryce Cartwright returned to hit the dagger for the Hawkeyes. With 31 seconds left Cartwright hit a jumper that clanked off the back iron, went straight up and then back down through the basket to give Iowa the 65-61 lead.

Free throws and lay-ups would end the game and Iowa would inbound the ball with 1.3 seconds left for the 67-65 victory. Iowa fans rushed the court and joined the players in celebration.

Coach Fran McCaffery was walking around with his son, giving high fives to fans all around. Fran and Jarryd were interviewed with ESPN and Fran was also hugging and kissing his wife. It was very very cool to see a coach so involved with the celebration.

Iowa basketball recruit Cezar Guerrero from California was in attendance for the game. Chants of "We Want Cezar" were heard throughout the day.

Also football recruits, LB Marcus Collins and TE Henry Krieger-Coble were courtside with coach Darell Wilson. I was able to speak with Marcus after the game. He said, "This is crazy in here." I told him to just wait for football.

Was also able to speak with coach Darell Wilson, amazing to speak with him if just for 1 minute. Definitely see why he is one of the best recruiters in the county. Absolute gentleman.

It was an amazing day and definitely one that I will remember for a long time. Go Hawks!

Joseph Larsen

Community Contributor