Another early-round exit for a Fran McCaffery squad comes to fruition in Birmingham. After a horrendous offensive start stuck the Hawkeyes in a 17-point hole with an Auburn-friendly crowd roaring, Iowa did rally back within four — only for the Tigers to close things out late. A frustrating shooting night for Kris Murray punctuated the Hawkeyes’ struggles as Iowa’s season ended in uninspiring fashion. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Kennington Smith break down the end of this seesawing Iowa basketball campaign.

<p>Another early-round exit for a Fran McCaffery squad comes to fruition in Birmingham. After a horrendous offensive start stuck the Hawkeyes in a 17-point hole with an Auburn-friendly crowd roaring, Iowa did rally back within four — only for the Tigers to close things out late. A frustrating shooting night for Kris Murray punctuated the Hawkeyes’ struggles as Iowa’s season ended in uninspiring fashion. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Kennington Smith break down the end of this seesawing Iowa basketball campaign.</p>

“Hawk Central Hour” airs between 6-7 p.m. on 1460 KXnO-AM on Wednesdays and will feature Des Moines Register Hawkeyes columnist Chad Leistikow and beat writer Kennington Smith as regulars, paired with Ross Peterson, who co-hosts “Sports Fanatics.”

<p>&ldquo;Hawk Central Hour&rdquo; airs between 6-7 p.m. on 1460 KXnO-AM on Wednesdays and will feature Des Moines Register Hawkeyes columnist Chad Leistikow and beat writer Kennington Smith as regulars, paired with Ross Peterson, who co-hosts &ldquo;Sports Fanatics.&rdquo;</p>

Hawk Central Hour

“Hawk Central Hour” airs between 6-7 p.m. on 1460…

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