3 thoughts on a devastating loss for Nebraska basketball to Iowa

It’s hard to believe that Nebraska basketball won’t be headed to Indianapolis for the Big Ten tournament, but that’s the fate of the Huskers after a devastating loss to Iowa on Sunday.

The devastation was all over the faces of Nebraska basketball fans as they headed for the exits in the second half. It was also on the face of Juwan Gary as he left the floor at Pinnacle Bank Arena for what is likely the final time.

Nebraska could get invited to a postseason tournament even after their fifth consecutive loss, including the 83-68 setback against Iowa on Sunday. The Huskers are still 17-14. There is the Crown basketball tournament in Vegas, too.

Regardless of that, this is a bitter end to a season that started with promise and ended in disappointment. Here are three thoughts on Sunday’s loss to Iowa.

The defense was disappointing again

It’s hard to win when you allow 11 3-pointers. Iowa shot 39 percent from 3-point range. Iowa also made 57 percent of its 2-point attempts. The Hawkeyes ran circles around the Nebraska defense, especially in the second half.

Iowa had 18 assists compared to just four turnovers. They actually shot just 59 percent from the throw line, but it didn’t matter.

The defense was the Achilles’ heel for Nebraska all season. Just look at the Ohio State game, and it came back to bite the Huskers again.

Brice Williams ran out of gas

After 43 points earlier this week against Ohio State, Brice Williams just didn’t have anything left in the tank. He’s been forced to carry the offense for much of the season, especially down the stretch, and he just didn’t have it on Sunday.

Williams was limited to just seven points on 3-of-12 shooting. He missed all three of his 3-point attempts and only got to the free-throw line twice.

Give credit to Iowa. Sam Hoiberg took nine shots and seven 3-pointers — four more than Williams. That’s how you draw it up defensively. He got good looks, just didn’t knock them down, and outside of Juwan Gary, no one stepped up.

Hoiberg scored 12 points but wasn’t all that efficient. Nebraska basketball needed a big scoring game from Williams and it just didn’t happen.

Heartbroken for Juwan Gary

It was hard to watch Juwan Gary walk off the floor in tears. The loss was disappointing, yet Gary battled his ass off.

The senior scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds. He was 7-of-15 from the field. Like Williams, he’s had to carry too big of a burden this season.

I hope that Nebraska will accept a postseason invite. The NIT is probably a good possibility, but I’m not sure the 16th-place team in the Big Ten is guaranteed a berth.

I’m not ready for this season to be over, just like Gary, but the truth is, the Huskers might have played their final game.