3 takeaways from Michigan basketball win over Iowa

Coming off another close loss to Indiana on Tuesday, Michigan basketball claimed a statement victory over Iowa away from Crisler on Sunday evening.

Following a seesaw affair in the first half Michigan basketball sprinted out of the gates in the first five minutes of the second stanza. They went on a 15-1 run where Iowa made no shots from the field. Then Fran McCaffrey snapped and got called for two technical fouls and was ejected. The maize and blue were on their way to victory as they expanded the Iowa deficit to 20.

Here are three of the takeaways.

1. McCaffrey’s ejection was too much for Iowa to overcome

Michigan basketball was starting to pull away when two calls did not go Iowa’s way and Fran McCaffrey lost his cool. Two offensive fouls that would have resulted in points for Iowa were erased because of the inadvertent whistles. McCaffrey voiced his displeasure with them and paid the unwanted price. Michigan hit their free throws to take the sizable lead to the finish line.

Iowa’s players did not give up without their coach after that point. They got a spark from Ben Krikke who put in a game-high 24 points. Michigan basketball was spearheaded by Taris Reed Jr. who had a career day for his strong efforts. He was 70% from the floor. His play on both ends won’t get recognized in the highlights, but the coaches will praise him in the film room.

Iowa has now lost three in a row, while Michigan has some very winnable games on the horizon. These two will meet again in about a month in Ann Arbor. With this win, Michigan basketball climbs out of the basement, while Iowa is tied for last with the most overrated team in the country so far, Michigan State.