The Iowa Hawkeyes were dominated in virtually every phase Monday night as they were pounded by Villanova 89-60 in the third place game at the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. Iowa coach Steve Alford says the tough early schedule has exposed their weaknesses,as he says they’re not deep enough and three games in four days wore them down. Alford says Villanova is an elite eight team and they exposed his team’s weakness as ball handlers.
Alford says the Hawks need to become more consistent on defense. He says that’s the lesson they’re trying to teach, that you can have a bad night offensively, but you have to play good defense all of the time. Adam Haluska led the Hawkeyes with 18 points but the Hawkeyes had 21 turnovers in the game and made just 18 baskets.
Haluska says they came out and didn’t show any toughness and played soft. Haluska says they have to come out and raise their defensive effort. Haluska says the Hawks could not handle the Villanova press. Haluska says at times they didn’t get into their offense until there was little time left on the shot clock. Haluska says it’s a long season and this is a learning game and they need to keep their heads up and work to get better. Iowa falls to 2-2.