Those proved futile attempts by Fran McCaffery to slow the pace to protect his tissue-soft Hawkeyes defense, not helping recent losses to Illinois and Northwestern. Iowa also slowed the first half against Michigan State on Thursday before the dam broke and the Spartans scored 61 in the second half to almost knock the Hawkeyes out of qualifying for the Big Ten Tourney. But hang onto your hats in Lincoln, as even missing top scorer F Owen Freeeman (16.7 ppg) since late January, the Hawkeyes can still score with bombers Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix combining to make 133 triples this season. Trading points will be hot Huskers wing Brice Williams (20.4 ppg), who's hitting for nearly 28 ppg his last three. Play Iowa-Nebraska Over