Des Moines Register Article -- Fairfield Stags Hoops Forum

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Date Posted: 07:44:03am 12/03/05 Sat,
Author: Stagman
Subject: Des Moines Register Article

The Stags had everything against them last night and it sure sounds like they hung in there until nearly the end (almost sounds like the UNC NCAA game).

Down 63-58 with about 3 minutes to go against the #15 team in the country, on their home court, opening round of their own tournament, with no Stag starters bigger than 6'4"?

Kudos to the team for hanging in there. It will be very interesting to see how they handle MAAC competition. No one expects them to beat Providence or Iowa, but maybe they will do okay in the MAAC despite their lack of size.

Here's this morning's article from the Des Moines Register:

Shots fall, Fairfield strategy falls apart
Ability to make jump shots gives Hawkeyes a 16-point triumph.

By ANDREW LOGUE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER

December 3, 2005

Iowa City, Ia. � Opponents change, but the strategy is starting to take on a familiar theme.

When coach Steve Alford and his Iowa men's basketball players took the floor against Fairfield Friday night, they were confronted with another zone defense.

Kentucky, Texas, North Carolina State and just about every other Hawkeye foe has used a similar scheme this season.

This time, the result was a hard-fought 75-59 win for No. 14 Iowa, which advanced to face Valparaiso at 8:10 tonight in the final of the Hawkeye Challenge.

"We should have handled it a little bit better," junior guard Adam Haluska said of Fairfield's scrappiness. "But it was just one of those games where we were really flat."

Greg Brunner worked his way out of a self-described funk and kept the Hawkeyes out of trouble, shooting 8-for-8 from the floor, 7-for-8 from the free-throw line and finishing with 23 points, 11 rebounds.

"It was better than what I have been (doing)," Brunner said. "Finally, it felt a little bit more comfortable. It was one of those things I needed."

Iowa (6-1) has not lost in its home tournament since 1985, but the Stags made a good showing.

Alford's team led most of the way, but struggled to secure a victory despite hitting 52.1 percent of its shots and holding Fairfield (0-4) to 26.9 percent.

When the Stags pulled within 51-45 with 11 minutes 26 seconds left in the second half, Tony Freeman responded for Iowa.

Freeman sank a three-pointer from the top of the key to push the margin back to 54-45, then followed with a pull-up jumper that made it 56-45.

"We're relatively young," Fairfield coach Tim O'Toole said, "and that showed tonight."

None of the Stags' starters was taller than 6 feet 4 inches and they entered Carver-Hawkeye Arena giving up 37.3 rebounds per game and shooting just 38.1 percent.

Those numbers prompted O'Toole to use a two-three zone, in hopes the Hawkeyes would misfire from the perimeter.

"We don't have any size," O'Toole said. "And we're going to play like agitated bees looking for honey."

Leading the Fairfield swarm was Michael Bell, a senior from Marshalltown who hit a trio of early three-pointers and ended with 11 points.

His second shot from long range gave the Stags a 13-7 lead.

"They basically had five guards in there," Brunner said. "We're not used to playing that way. I think it caused us a little bit of matchup problems and we didn't adjust to it."

The Hawkeyes, however, are getting used to having opponents play close to the basket.

"We should still come out with the demeanor just like we do against North Carolina State, Texas and Kentucky," said Haluska, who scored 11 points. "Credit Fairfield. They played great."

Iowa went ahead to stay, 14-13, on Jeff Horner's three-pointer with 13:09 left in the first half.

Erek Hansen's jumper pushed the margin to 28-19, but the Stags remained competitive.

Michael Van Schaick provided the biggest highlight for Fairfield when he swished a shot from beyond halfcourt as the buzzer sounded, trimming the Hawkeyes' advantage to 32-29 at the break.

A dunk from Brunner put the Hawkeyes ahead, 58-47, with 7:42 left in the second half.

Iowa closed out the game on a 12-1 run.

A pair of free throws from Brunner and a layup from Horner gave the Hawkeyes a 67-58 advantage with 2:39 to play.

Horner, who ended with 12 points, made four free throws in the last 45 seconds.

Hansen matched a career high with seven blocks, including five in the second half.

"Erek did a great job making some big-time blocks," Haluska said. "(Fairfield) is a team that really fights."

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Replies:

[> Re: Des Moines Register Article -- The Bee Keeper, 08:14:21am 12/03/05 Sat, [1]

"We don't have any size," O'Toole said. "And we're going to play like agitated bees looking for honey."

Someone please explain to TOT that bees make honey.

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[> [> Re: Des Moines Register Article -- Frank F, 09:38:40am 12/03/05 Sat, [1]

"We don't have any size," O'Toole said. "And we're going to play like agitated bees looking for honey"
Someone please explain to TOT that bees make honey.
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Someone please explain to O'Toole that he was suppose to recruit some size. Anybody could have seen this situation developing over a year ago.

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[> Re: Des Moines Register Article -- Running Man, 10:08:27am 12/03/05 Sat, [1]

What is astounding is that we were able to stay with the Hawkeyes when we shot only 27% and used such a small lineup. Perhaps quickness is somehow compensating for our deficiency in height. I was happy to see that Bell, on his return to Iowa, played well.

What can we expect from Tulane? What is the team's record? It certainly would be nice to leave this tourney with a W.

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