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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Iowa center Luka Garza catches a rebound and then drops it during the Big Ten men's basketball tournament semifinals against Illinois on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hawkeyes were defeated by the Fighting Illini, 82-71. No. 2 Illinois and No. 5 Ohio State will compete in the championship game tomorrow afternoon.

‘I came back to play in this tournament’: Luka Garza returns to NCAA stage for his final games in Hawkeye uniform

Robert Read, Pregame Editor March 18, 2021

When Luka Garza announced over Zoom last August that he was returning to Iowa for his senior season, his decision was driven by championship goals. “I’m very happy to be back with my teammates...

Carver-Hawkeye Arena is seen empty after a men’s basketball game on Dec. 22, 2020.

Opinion | Daily Iowan staffers reflect on 2020 sports cancellations, postponements

Daily Iowan Staff March 16, 2021

When sports shut down in March of 2020, The Daily Iowan staffers witnessed it first-hand. Then-Sports Editor Robert Read and Pregame Editor Pete Ruden were in Indianapolis to cover the Big Ten Men’s...

Iowa forward Luka Garza looks to pass during a men's basketball game between Iowa and Wisconsin at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, March 7, 2021. The Hawkeyes, celebrating senior day, defeated the Badgers, 77-73. (Shivansh Ahuja/The Daily Iowan)

Luka Garza becomes Iowa men’s basketball program’s first two-time AP All-American

Robert Read, Pregame Editor March 16, 2021

Luka Garza was named a unanimous All-American by the Associated Press on Tuesday, becoming the first Iowa men's basketball player in program history to earn first team All-America honors from the AP...

Iowa's Head Coach Fran McCaffery yells at his team during an Iowa men’s basketball game against Nebraska on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Carver-Hawkeye arena. The Hawks beat the Cornhuskers, 102-64.

Iowa men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery signs four-year contract extension

Robert Read, Pregame Editor March 15, 2021

Iowa men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery has signed a four-year contract extension that will keep him with the Hawkeyes through the 2027-28 season, athletics director Gary Barta announced on Monday. McCaffery's...

Iowa center Luka Garza catches a rebound and then drops it during the Big Ten men's basketball tournament semifinals against Illinois on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hawkeyes were defeated by the Fighting Illini, 82-71. No. 2 Illinois and No. 5 Ohio State will compete in the championship game tomorrow afternoon.

Iowa men’s basketball team earns two seed in NCAA Tournament, will face Grand Canyon in opening round

Robert Read, Pregame Editor March 14, 2021

The Iowa men’s basketball team earned a two seed in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday and will play No. 15 seed Grand Canyon in the first round of the tournament on Saturday. Iowa’s...

Iowa guard Jordan Bohannon looks at the scoreboard and dribbles the ball during the Big Ten men's basketball tournament semifinals against Illinois on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hawkeyes were defeated by the Fighting Illini, 82-71. No. 2 Illinois and No. 5 Ohio State will compete in the championship game tomorrow afternoon.

Social media reactions: Iowa men’s basketball team outdone by Illinois in conference tournament semifinals

Robert Read, Pregame Editor March 13, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS — The Iowa men's basketball team's run in the Big Ten Tournament is over. Illinois defeated Iowa 82-71 in the conference semifinals to advance to the Big Ten title game against Ohio...

Iowa guard Connor McCaffery looks to pass the ball during the Big Ten men's basketball tournament semifinals against Illinois on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hawkeyes were defeated by the Fighting Illini, 82-71. No. 2 Illinois and No. 5 Ohio State will compete in the championship game tomorrow afternoon.

Hawkeyes miss opportunities, fall to Illini in Big Ten Tournament semifinals

Austin Hanson, Sports Editor March 13, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS — For the second time this season, Iowa men's basketball lost a close game to Illinois with the contest's result in doubt with under five minutes to play. Trailing by as many as 14...

Iowa center Luka Garza catches a rebound and then drops it during the Big Ten men's basketball tournament semifinals against Illinois on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hawkeyes were defeated by the Fighting Illini, 82-71. No. 2 Illinois and No. 5 Ohio State will compete in the championship game tomorrow afternoon.

Selection Sunday awaits after Iowa’s semifinals loss to Illinois in Big Ten Tournament

Robert Read, Pregame Editor March 13, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS — The Iowa men’s basketball team isn’t going to let its 82-71 loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Saturday linger very long. That’s because it can’t afford...

Iowa center Luka Garza looks to make a pass during the first half of the Big Ten men's basketball tournament semifinals against Illinois on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hawkeyes are behind the Fighting Illini, 37-45 at halftime. (Hannah Kinson/The Daily Iowan)

Rapid Recap: Iowa men’s basketball team falls to Illinois in Big Ten Tournament semifinals

Robert Read, Pregame Editor March 13, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS — The Iowa men's basketball team made its first trip to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals in 15 years this weekend. Snapping the program's 15-year drought of appearing in the conference...

Iowa guard Joe Wieskamp reaches for a rebound during the first half of the Big Ten men's basketball tournament semifinals against Illinois on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hawkeyes are behind the Fighting Illini, 37-45 at halftime. (Hannah Kinson/The Daily Iowan)

Halftime reactions: No. 3 seed Iowa vs. No. 2 seed Illinois

Austin Hanson, Sports Editor March 13, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS — After an up-and-down first half, third-seeded Iowa men's basketball trails second-seeded Illinois, 45-37. Center Luka Garza struggled throughout the first half, hitting just four...

Friday, Jan. 29, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa’s Joe Wieskamp (10) dribbles past Illinois Guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) during the Iowa v. Illinois basketball game at State Farm Center Friday night. Illinois beat the Hawks, 80-75.

Follow along: Iowa, Illinois men’s basketball teams compete in Big Ten Tournament semifinals

Robert Read, Pregame Editor March 13, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS — The rematch the Hawkeyes were hoping for has finally arrived. After the Iowa men's basketball team lost 80-75 to Illinois in Champaign in the only regular-season meeting between...

Iowa forward Patrick McCaffery shoots a basket during the Big Ten men's basketball tournament quarterfinals against Wisconsin on Friday, March 12, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hawkeyes defeated the Badgers, 62-57. No. 3 Iowa will go on to play No. 2 Illinois tomorrow afternoon in the semifinals.

By the Numbers | Statistics that stand out ahead of Iowa’s rematch with Illinois

Robert Read, Pregame Editor March 13, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS — The Iowa men’s basketball team is back in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals for the first time in 15 years after defeating Wisconsin 62-57 in the quarterfinals Friday night. The...