IOWA CITY, Iowa -- It might be impossible to make Iowa look better than it did against IU on Sunday night.
A team scrapping for wins every week, the Hoosiers made the Hawkeyes look like the best team in the Big Ten -- and them some.
The 73-57 loss came for a bunch who seemed overwhelmed with a Hawkeye group that has never been confused with anything resembling the Big Ten's finest.
This game couldn't be chalked up to youth. IU had been outplayed by a 10-19 team of freshmen and sophomores for a second time.
What seemed to be the culprit was effort.
IU coach Tom Crean and his players said that wasn't so.
"For two teams that are near the bottom of the standings that was a very hard-fought game," Crean said.
The numbers suggest something more one-sided.
Iowa scored 23 points on IU turnovers, but still managed to the grab loose balls on hustle plays.
The Hawkeyes were fouled 31 times and came out with 26 made free throws.
