Five takeaways from a dramatic CyHawk game

Chris Wolff
December 11, 2015

The Cyclones somehow, someway, inexplicably left Hilton Coliseum against the Iowa Hawkeyes with their third straight win in the CyHawk series. The basic summary goes something like this:

Iowa’s Jarrod Uthoff displays his best Steph Curry impression, scoring a whopping 30 points in the first half, digging a huge hole for the Cyclones. Iowa State gets down by 20, before a monster comeback pulls the Cyclones back into the game. Still, the Cyclones are down six with just over a minute remaining.

Matt Thomas hits a corner 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 3 points, followed by the Cyclones forcing a 5-second call against Iowa, followed by two Georges Niang free throws, followed by a defensive stop and a Monte Morris game-winning floater.

Now that we have the basics down and had some time to digest the game, here are my five takeaways from the game.

Jarrod Uthoff is for real

I don’t know that anybody has ever played better in Hilton Coliseum than Jarrod Uthoff did in the first half of the game. Maybe when Melvin Ejim went nuts and scored 48 points two years ago? But, Uthoff scored 30 points in the first half alone. He shot 11-of-13 from the field and missed one free throw. That’s it.

He hit from just about everywhere. After hitting his third 3-pointer early in the game, Georges Niang turned toward Steve Prohm as if to say, “What am I suppose to do against this guy?”

Uthoff would cool off in the second half, proving he is, in fact, a human. He scored just two points in the second half as the Cyclones clamped down on him. Regardless of the second half, Uthoff dropped 30 points in a single half against the No. 4 team in the country.

That’s nothing to sneeze at. Uthoff is for real, and will likely be in the discussion for numerous awards and accolades at season’s end.

Hilton Magic is for real, too

It has too be a real thing at this point, right? It’s happened time and time again. A 21-point comeback against Oklahoma last season, an improbable comeback against the Iowa two seasons ago, the list of games that can only be explained by Hilton Magic goes on and on.

The Cyclones were down six points with a minute remaining. How does that turn into a win? Magic, of course.

“That’s the only magic I truly believe in,” Jameel McKay said after the game.

After so many appearances weird games, it’s getting harder and harder to deny the magic that must reside within the confines of Hilton Coliseum.

“Crazy things happen in this building,” said Matt Thomas, who scored 19 points off the bench.

Monté and his mom

Iowa State might want to make an effort to get Monté Morris’ mom his games more often. Morris, who said he plays better when is mom is at his games, scored 20 points, dished out nine assists to only one turnover, and hit the game-winning shot.

Morris also hit the game-winning shot against Texas last season at the Big 12 championships. You guessed it – Morris’ mom was at that game as well.

“I made two game-winners in front of her so far,” Morris said. “I’m undefeated in front of my mom.”

Like I said, Iowa State might want to find a way to get Ms. Morris to a few more games.

Big games off the bench for Matt Thomas

The same day that an article from CBSSports.com comes out, detailing the death of Thomas’ father and the trials and tribulations of his life to this point, Thomas had perhaps his biggest game of the season.

Thomas scored 19 points off the bench, including a clutch 3-pointer with just under a minute left that cut the Cyclone deficit to three points.

Thomas has been off-and-on throughout his career in Ames, but he showed what he is capable of doing for Iowa State on Thursday night. After reading through Thomas’ story and his struggles, plenty were rooting for Thomas to have a big game.

Let’s think about court storming

It’s probably long overdue that we have a legitimate conversation about court storming. First of all, Iowa State fans had no business rushing the court in the first place. The No. 4 team beat an unranked team at home.

Rivarly, dramatic fashion? Doesn’t matter. Come on.

Even more important, though, is the injury risk involved in crazy college kids rushing the court. I’m not fun-hater, but this is pretty serious. In fact, I’ve always been a big fan of a good court storming, but seeing a reporter go down with a serious injury puts things into perspective. 

I don’t know what the answer is. When asked about court storming post-game, Prohm said it’s part of the college game.

It’s a great moment, it’s fun for the fans and it’s cool to see it on ESPN the next day. But what about a guy breaking his leg in the mist of a court storm? Then what? Is storming the court worth someone someone’s health and well-being? 

The Des Moines Register’s Randy Peterson sustained a fractured tibia and fibia during the post-game court rush. According to The Register, he underwent surgery late Thursday evening after being taken to the hospital.

Both ISU coach Steve Prohm and ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard have spoken with Peterson about the incident and tried to help the veteran reporter, who has covered sports in Iowa for decades.

According to various Tweets from Des Moines Register employees and former Des Moines Register employee Rick Brown, Peterson was in good spirits and had a successful surgery. 

Peterson’s leg was significantly injured, but his comedic timing was as healthy as ever.