Iowa’s defense making strides

IOWA CITY - If Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery has taken any satisfaction in his squad's first-month development, the fifth-year coach doesn't show it.

When his Hawkeyes prepared for North Carolina earlier this week, McCaffery hinted there were plenty of areas of improvement, like in all of them.

'Obviously, we've got to be better offensively,” he said. 'Our execution hasn't been too bad, our shooting hasn't been great. We shot it well enough in pretty much all the games, with the exception of the second half against Texas. Our turnovers weren't great, but then they got better. We were taking better care of the ball. Our defense has been pretty good. It's going to need to be better. I think we're rebounding OK.”

After Wednesday's 60-55 upset win at North Carolina, many of the same statements apply. Iowa (6-2) shot just 32.7 percent from the field, including 24.2 percent in the second half. The Hawkeyes missed all 12 3-point attempts. Iowa had 12 turnovers, the seventh time in eight games with double digits.

But when you talk defense, the strides there are applicable, too. In Iowa's last three games, its opponent has shot less than 32 percent from the field. North Carolina made just 27.9 percent of its shots. The Tar Heels didn't even take a shot in the game's most important defensive play.

After Iowa took a 58-55 lead one possession earlier on a traditional three-point play from Mike Gesell, North Carolina point guard Marcus Paige - an All-American candidate - was defended at the top of the key by Iowa forward Aaron White. As expected, the left-handed Paige drove past White along the left side of the lane. In man defense, Iowa guard Anthony Clemmons shifted away from his man and took two steps to his left into Paige's path. Clemmons stood about a foot outside the circle, raised his hands, gained solid position and Paige drove into Clemmons' right arm. Clemmons took the charge, and Iowa regained possession.

'It was a legitimate call,” ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale said on the telecast after the call.

The Hawkeyes return to action on Saturday against Maryland-Baltimore County (0-7) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Retrievers have lost six games by double digits. They played at Minnesota on Nov. 22 and lost 69-51.

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com