Spartans Dismantle High School Iowa Program 71-53

Carver Hawkeye Arena Iowa City, IA  This game is more about what it wasn’t than what it was. With thousands of empty seats, and a Big Ten squad about

Carver Hawkeye Arena

Iowa City, IA

 

Empty seats and silence along with a poor Iowa team greet the Spartans here in Iowa City. Photo courtesy of Greg Martin

This game is more about what it wasn’t than what it was. With thousands of empty seats, and a Big Ten squad about as talented as Grand Valley (Sorry Grand Valley) and a crowd that was quieter than any high school basketball game you have EVER been to, this was a joke.

 

Now let me say this. I am not a hater of Iowa. They have tremendous facilities, great people as fans and administration and good coaches. How it has fell this far is stunning. This, in my opinion, could be a top tier program and it would be insulting to low tier places to call what the Hawkeyes put on the court to call them low tier.

 

A member of their media group said it best. When G John Lickliter, son of the coach came into the game he said, “That is the biggest mismatch in college basketball ever. Lickliter against Lucas.”

 

How a program given all the tools by the administration and fans can sink this low is beyond belief. I remember sitting here a short time ago listening to fans and even members of he athletic staff bemoaning Steve Alford. You now hear it for Coach Lickliter.

 

The program had three of last year’s starters transfer out after last season. Imagine that. You started the year before and this year’s team looked and sadly looks bulimic and they left. Add to that a senior who graduated and another non-starter that left and you have this.

 

I spoke with multiple fans and people at the half who simply said things like, “I was given this ticket, I don’t care.” Several still blamed Alford (former Coach Steve Alford) and the program is in shambles.

 

Well the woes of the program not withstanding, the Spartans found the once feared arena comfortable and easy to play. Sitting several rows up (in the media section) and on the other end of the court from Izzo you could hear his instructions. How many times do you think he has wished his players could hear him at the other end of the court and today they could.

 

The Spartans dominated today, but can you call it domination? They dominated Grand Valley? For those looking for a game story how can I? It wasn’t a game. The Spartans will pack up and the only way they will know it wasn’t at home is a plan ride and their ears aren’t ringing from what is a Big Ten crowd.

 

After the game I asked Kalin Lucas if it was hard to get up for a game with such an empty and quiet crowd and he acknowledged that it can be. His coach Tom Izzo had bigger issues to deal with. He said, “We were sloppy in the first half, and he went on to say, “I don’t think were there.”

He is right. If this team gets the sloppy turnovers out of the way they are national championship contenders. Izzo said as much, “A veteran team shouldn’t turn it over like we do.” You can’t argue with him. He added a caveat however, “I do think this team can get there.” I agree with him again.