INDIANAPOLIS — A couple weeks back, it became clear that Iowa was a legitimate dark horse to win the Big Ten Tournament.

So we wrote about it.

Now that the Hawkeyes have proven that hunch correct, it’s time for an update. As we saw during its Big Ten Tournament run, this Iowa team has not peaked yet.

Iowa is poised for its first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999, and maybe even more. And it’s not just because there doesn’t appear to be a defense out there capable of slowing down the nation’s second-most efficient offense.

These Hawks have turned into a much more well-rounded basketball team than their early-season statistics suggest, with their 75-66 championship game win over Purdue providing a perfect example.

Iowa can pick your pocket

Sunday’s Big Ten championship game felt like it would be a race to 80 points. Purdue entered the game as the nation’s 2nd-most efficient offense, behind only the Hawkeyes. By the time it was over, the Boilers dropped to 3rd nationally in offensive efficiency.

The anticipated scoring-fest never hit full stride because the Boilermakers couldn’t get off enough shots. Iowa pressured normally poised Purdue into 17 turnovers. It’s the most the Boilers have turned the ball over all season.

“Today we turned the ball over, and it lost us the game,” said Purdue point guard Jaden Ivey.

While that scenario was unusual for the Boilers to experience, it’s something the Hawkeyes have shown themselves capable of doing. Sunday marked the 5th time this season Iowa turned its opponent over on more than 25% of its possessions, and the 3rd time it happened against a Big Ten team.

Iowa has endurance

Perhaps the biggest surprise in Sunday’s title game was Iowa’s endurance.

As the No. 5 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, Iowa played 1 more game than Purdue. To top it off, quarterfinal opponent Rutgers and semifinal opponent Indiana were among the most physical defenses in this event.

The Hawks should have been gassed.

Instead, it was Purdue who looked pooped down the stretch. The Boilermakers didn’t have the legs to do much from 3-point range, finishing 5-for-20 from behind the arc.

Iowa, somehow, was fresher. And heading into a Tournament that requires teams to win 2 times in 3 days on 3 different occasions, that bodes quite well for Iowa’s chances.

“We’re in better shape than most teams we play,” said Tournament Most Outstanding Player Keegan Murray, who logged all 40 minutes. “I’m not tired. It’s a championship game. I can rest tomorrow. All of our guys had the championship mindset. Soreness was out the window.”

One thing that makes Iowa so different than many of its opponents is how deep McCaffery is able to dig into his bench. A necessity, of course, given how frenetically the Hawks play.

“One reason our conditioning is so well because guys can come in and play their butts off for 4-8 minute stretches,” said super-senior guard Jordan Bohannon.

The ability to get 10 minutes from Josh Ogundele and 15 from Jordan Sandfort — both somewhat sparingly used pieces — made a huge difference in the championship game.

And it promises to make a difference well into the remainder of March.