Hawks get a break after tough OT loss

IOWA CITY - After a grinding season and a current four-game losing streak, Iowa earns a week-long schedule reprieve to heal physically and prepare for the team's final three regular-season games.

Iowa's next game is Saturday at Illinois, which is six days between games. The Hawkeyes had only one other longer break this season, a seven-day break that spanned over Christmas.

Iowa's players and coaches are divided, however, about if the break will help the team.

“I think we need a couple of days right now to step back,” Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said. “We've got a couple of guys nicked up, get them in the training room, get them with some ice and get ready for the next one.”

Iowa junior guard Bryce Cartwright injured his left ankle against Northwestern and he lacked the necessary burst at times against Michigan.

“We need some time to heal,” Cartwright said. “Everybody. We're going to use it wisely and get ready to get on the road for Illinois.”

Iowa freshman Devyn Marble said he'd rather put Saturday's 75-72 loss to Michigan quickly behind him and play another game.

“Sometimes you want to get back at it like we did against Northwestern and come back here,” Marble said. “I like games like that; you get right back at it. I don't want to sit around at home for a whole week.”

Sideline outburst

McCaffery exploded at his players midway through the second half against Michigan. He pulled Jarryd Cole and Matt Gatens and screamed at them to stay on their feet.

He called a timeout with 8:36 left in the game went into a tirade and got in players' faces multiple times.

“You know, it's interesting because what they do is when I get into them, they respond,” McCaffery said. “And sometimes you have teams that you get into and it makes it worse. So you got to know you team and this team I felt needed me to get into them, and they played better. Give them credit.”

Michigan was in the midst of a 17-5 run when McCaffery blew his top. It jolted the players, Cartwright said.

“Our intensity failed dramatically, and we needed to pick it back up,” Cartwright said.