What We Learned: Iowa Hawkeyes at Wisconsin Badgers

Iowa went into Madison in search of a statement win over #6 Wisconsin. It appeared going into the game that Iowa was set to make the leap into the upper echelon of Big Ten teams, but after just a few minutes they proved otherwise.

Wisconsin dominated Iowa throughout the game. They showed us that we may have put the Hawkeyes into the conversation of top Big Ten teams just a little too early. Big games from Sam Dekker and Nigel Haynes fueled the Badgers' win over the Hawkeyes.

What We Learned

Wisconsin's defense was too much to handle.

The Badgers did an excellent job of keeping Aaron White from playing his game. He was held to only 7 points on 2-5 shooting. They also did a great job of controlling the boards on both ends of the floor. Wisconsin ended the game with 38 rebounds including 15 of them on the offensive end. At the end of the day Wisconsin was the more physical team and dominated from start to finish.

Wisconsin can play an entire game with only committing 1 turnover.

The Badgers have an incredible defense. The way to get points on that defense is by being able to get points in the transition game. It's awfully hard to get points in transition when you can't force turnovers. The Badgers were able to establish an excellent rhythm to their offense. They we're sharing the ball and making the extra pass, without forcing anything. You have to love the ball movement you saw from the Badgers. They finished the game with 16 assists on 29 made baskets.

Iowa is not ready to be put in the same category as the elite Big Ten teams.

They have a good team, but Wisconsin exposed their flaws. Many, including myself, thought that after a convincing win over Ohio State on Saturday that the Hawkeyes were ready to take the next step. They proved us wrong. The Hawkeye's offense couldn't establish any consistency. Adam Woodbury and Aaron White we're almost non-existent inside today. Those 2 have to be on top of their game for the Hawkeyes too beat teams like Wisconsin. Iowa can't lose the battle in the paint and beat a good team like Wisconsin.

Overall

We learned that Iowa isn't on Wisconsin's level quite yet. It's tough for any team to go into the Kohl Center and pull out a win, but we were expecting the Hawkeyes to at least keep it close. Wisconsin showed us why they should be considered the best team in the conference. They dominated every facet of the game against a good Iowa team. Wisconsin still is the standard for basketball in the Big Ten. These two will faceoff again in Iowa City on January 31.