Hawks Hustle, Clones Fall, A-Rod Eats

• Iowa fans care about basketball again. Maybe not all fans, but many more than a week ago. The Hawks are improving fast under Fran McCaffery. The energy is back at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, not to mention the effort on the floor. February used to be the month the Hawkeyes started mailing it in, but this year they're kickin' in.
• Iowa pushed #13 Wisconsin to the brink before falling in OT. Bryce Cartwright got a good look a the end of regulation, but the ball rimmed out. Down 3 at the end of OT, I would like to have seen McCaffery call a timeout to set up a play, but you can argue the D sets up too.
• I like that McCaffery was mad after the loss. No moral victories. Iowa let a win get away, and he knew it.
• The ISU women are #22, but Wednesday's overtime loss at Kansas is one that could hurt. We'll likely the Clones at tourney time anyway, but road wins always help.
• Harrison Barnes finally played in front of the Cameron Crazies---as a Tar Heel. He walked away with a loss. NC blew a double-digit lead.
• Danica Patrick will drive 12 Nationwide races in 2011, but none at the Iowa Speedway (there are two this year). Patrick is a draw, despite never winning. She should make it to Newton for IndyCar.
• A-Rod is reportedly furious he was caught on camera being fed popcorn by girlfriend Cameron Diaz. Here's an idea Alex, don't sit in an open luxury box, in front of 50 cameras, with one of the nation's most recognizable movie stars and go all PDA if you don't want to be seen. Stay on your couch at home.