The Hawkeyes finished their season 0-for-March, losing their final three games in deflating fashion.
− Curiosity about whether Iowa’s NCAA Tournament opener would be played in front of a significantly pro-Auburn crowd at Legacy Arena was answered before the opening tip-off.
A thunderous ovation greeted the Tigers as they took the floor, and the orange-and-blue clad patrons made sure the Hawkeyes’ first-round challenge would be that much steeper.
As Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde tweeted early in the game, Auburn was « riding the biggest homecourt advantage in No. 9 seed history. »
And with each second-half 3-pointer that the suddenly hot Tigers canned, that proved true. The momentum delivered a 17-point second-half advantage, and Auburn held on to oust the eighth-seeded Hawkeyes, 83-75, in a Midwest Region opener.
Iowa ended its season with three straight deflating losses and a 19-14 record. Its last win of the season was Feb. 28 in Bloomington, Indiana. In other words, the Hawkeyes went 0-for-March.
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And with that, Iowa’s Sweet 16 drought is extended to 24 seasons, 13 of those under Fran McCaffery.
