INDIANAPOLIS'Fresh off the court after an 87-72 win over Purdue in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament Thursday, Iowa Head Coach Steve Alford felt confident heading into today's match-up against No. 1 Wisconsin.
After all, the winners of last year's conference tournament, who suffered a five-game drought in mid-February, dominated offensively against the Boilermakers, shooting 57 percent from inside the three-point line and collecting 18 points from senior forward Reggie Evans.
However, Alford feels secure about playing UW for another reason. He believes Iowa's participation in the first round of the Tournament gives them an advantage over the Badgers, who will take the Conseco Fieldhouse floor for the first time when they face the Hawkeyes today.
Familiarity of the court is crucial, according to Alford, and is an aspect of the game every team in the Big Ten has taken advantage of throughout the season.
\[Friday] is different,"" Alford said. ""Wisconsin arrives today. We've been indoctrined now to the Big Ten Tournament. We've played on this floor ?? so hopefully we can use that spin. I think day two does favor you.""
But Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan said at a press conference March 4 that the extra day can be advantageous for the Badgers instead of being an Achilles' heel. Throughout the last few weeks, Ryan has attempted to simulate pressure situations in practice such as the one UW will face at Conseco.
""If that's the way it's happened, we'll take it as an advantage,"" Ryan said. ""We still try to create enough at practice to simulate what their bodies would go through and mentally what decisions they'd make if they didn't have the down time.""
Although the Hawkeyes feel confident about today's battle with the Badgers and believe they have the familiarity edge, they are not overlooking the top-ranked team in the tournament.
""Wisconsin, with the No. 1 seed, is playing very well and we've got a tough game in front of us,"" Hawkeyes senior guard Luke Recker said.
Two things Iowa is focusing on as they prepare for today's game are unforced errors and turnovers. The Hawkeyes have the second-highest turnover average in the Big Ten with 15.2 per game. In order to play well, Iowa will need to control the ball and give themselves shooting opportunities.
""If we're strong with the ball, we take care of it, we're a good shooting team, but we've got to give ourselves chances to score,"" Alford said.
Iowa will likely rely on its senior power, concentrated in Evans and Recker. Recker has 16.6 points per game while Evans averages 16.1.
Regardless of second-day advantages or high shooting averages, Iowa is preparing for a tough match against the Badgers.
""We're going to go back and prepare for Wisconsin just like they're preparing for us right now,"" Recker said. ""We've got a battle in our hands [today].""
Alford said that while the pressure is heating up for the Hawkeyes, they cannot let Ryan and the Badgers get to them.
""I think if you constantly are worried about what your opponent does, you lose sight of what you do best,"" Alford said.
As far as Iowa is concerned, that's shooting.
