Iowa Star Reflects on Tough Season, Getting Death Threats

This season hasn't turned out the way fans wanted it to for the Iowa men's basketball team. It has been a disappointing season that could see the Hawkeyes miss out on all postseason play, including the Big Ten Tournament. It has also been rough on the players, including one who returned for his senior season.

Iowa fans were relieved when Payton Sandfort announced he was returning for his senior year at Iowa. Sandfort tested the NBA waters last off-season and determined he had things to work on. Sandfort has been the Hawkeye's offensive leader this season. Hawk Central reports the senior is averaging 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. But Sandfort says he is most proud of the perseverance he has shown during a tough basketball season.

That perseverance has helped Sandfort deal with a lot, including something no athlete should ever deal with. Death threats. Hawk Central reports that in a recent interview, Sandfort shared, " I kept fighting when I had every out possible. I could have called it in January, I could have called it in November. I could have backed out, I could have backed down, but I never did."  Sandfort also confirmed in that interview that yes, he has gotten death threats over Iowa's poor play at times this season.

Sometimes we forget that these are college kids playing a game. While we wish this season had gone better for Iowa, you don't think the players care that much more? They are the ones who put in all the work and effort, only not to see it translate into wins.

The Iowa men will celebrate Sandfort and the other Iowa seniors tonight as they host Michigan State at Carver Hawkeye Arena.

Real Iowa fans will say 'thank you.'

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