March 8, 2011
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THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (11-19, 4-14) meet the Michigan State Spartans (17-13, 9-9) Thursday in the first round of the 2011 Big Ten Tournament. Game time will be at approximately 4 p.m. (CST) at Conseco Fieldhouse (18,435) in Indianapolis.
All-session and single-session tickets to the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament can be purchased through the Conseco Fieldhouse box office, Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
The Hawkeyes are seeded 10th after concluding league play with a 4-14 record. The Spartans are the seventh seed. Iowa and Michigan State are meeting for the third time, with both teams defending their home court during the regular season. The Hawkeyes knocked off the Spartans (72-52) in Iowa City on Feb. 2, while Michigan State beat Iowa (85-66) in East Lansing on March 2.
The winner of the Iowa-Michigan State game will meet second-seeded Purdue (25-6, 14-4), Friday at 5:30 p.m. (CST). That game can be viewed on the Big Ten Network (HD).
ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, along with color commentator Bob Hansen. The network includes more than 40 stations that blanket the state of Iowa and include portions of Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pregame show. Fans can also listen to the game on Sirius (Ch. TBA) and XM (Ch. 141) Satellite Radio.
TV: Thursday’s first round game between Iowa and Michigan State at the Big Ten Tournament will be televised nationally on ESPN2 (HD). Dave O’Brien and Dan Dakich will call the action from Conseco Fieldhouse.
Webcast: Fans can also watch the game online at espn3.com.
| Game 31 | Iowa vs. Michigan State | ||
| Date | Thursday, March 10 | 4 p.m. (CST) | |
| Location | Indianapolis, IN | Conseco Fieldhouse | |
| Television | ESPN2 (HD) | |
| Webcast | espn3.com | |
| Live Coverage | GameTracker | Twitter Updates | |
| All-Time Series | Michigan State leads, 63-53 | |
IOWA IN THE BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
Iowa has posted a 13-11 record in the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes earned tournament titles in 2001 and 2006 and lost in the title game in 2002. Only Illinois (23-11), Ohio State (14-8) and Wisconsin (14-11) have more wins and a higher winning percentage than the Hawkeyes. Illinois, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan State join Iowa with two tournament titles (Ohio State was forced to vacate its 2002 title).
Iowa has played nine different teams in the event, having met each team except Illinois at least once. Iowa is the only team to claim the tournament title by winning four games in four days, that taking place in 2001.
Iowa has been eliminated by the tournament champion in three of the 11 tournaments it did not win, including Michigan in the 1998 quarterfinals, Michigan State in the 2000 quarterfinals and Ohio State in the 2002 title game.
IOWA BY SEEDING
This marks the second time in tournament history that Iowa has been the 10th seed. Iowa has never been the top seed, third seed or 11th seed. Iowa was a No. 10 seed in 2009, losing 73-45 to seventh-seeded Michigan. The Hawkeyes are 4-4 in first round contests as an eight, nine or 10 seed.
MEETING FOR THE FOURTH TIME AT TOURNAMENT
Iowa will meet the Spartans for the fourth time at the Big Ten Tournament.
? In 2000, the second-seeded Spartans defeated seventh-seeded Iowa 75-65 at the United Center in the quarterfinals. Iowa’s Dean Oliver led all scorers with 30 points.
? In 2005 at Chicago, the seventh-seeded Hawkeyes upset No. 2 seed Michigan State, 71-69 in the quarterfinals. Iowa was led by Greg Brunner and Duez Henderson, each scoring 17 points.
? In 2006, Iowa, as the two seed, bounced sixth-seeded Michigan State 53-48 in the semifinals. Jeff Horner scored a team-high 14 points, while Greg Brunner contributed 12. The 48 points are the fewest an Iowa opponent has ever scored in a Big Ten Tournament game.
IOWA IN INDY
Iowa is 8-12 all-time in Indianapolis, while playing in four different arenas. Iowa is 7-5 at Conseco Fieldhouse, 0-2 at Market Square Arena, 1-4 at Butler’s Hinkel Fieldhouse and 0-1 at the RCA Dome.
Along with the 2002 (3-1), 2004 (0-1), 2006 (3-0), 2008 (0-1), 2009 (0-1) and 2010 (0-1) Big Ten Conference Tournaments at Conseco, Iowa defeated Louisville (Wooden Tradition) early in the 2003-04 season.
Iowa took part in the 1980 Final Four at Market Square Arena, losing to Louisville (80-72) in the semifinals and falling to Big Ten rival Purdue (75-58) in the consolation game.
Iowa lost four of five games at Hinkel Fieldhouse between 1937 and 1950 and lost in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament at the RCA Dome.
IOWA AT CONSECO FIELDHOUSE
Iowa is 7-5 in Conseco Fieldhouse, including a 6-5 record while taking part in the six Big Ten Tournaments held at the venue.
Iowa, in the 2002 Big Ten Tournament, defeated Purdue, Wisconsin and Indiana on consecutive days to advance to the title game for the second straight season before falling to Ohio State.
Iowa defeated Louisville 70-69 in overtime as part of the John Wooden Tradition early in the 2003-04 season and the Hawkeyes lost to Michigan 79-70 in the quarterfinals of the 2004 Big Ten Tournament.
Iowa won three straight games over Minnesota, Michigan State and Ohio State to claim the 2006 Big Ten Tournament title before falling to Purdue in the quarterfinals in 2007 and losing to Michigan the last three years in the first round.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Michigan State holds a 63-53 advantage over Iowa in the series that began with a 52-37 Michigan State win in 1938. Iowa snapped a five-game losing skid to Michigan State last month with a 72-52 win Feb. 2 in Iowa City. The Spartans avenged the Iowa road loss with an 85-66 win in East Lansing on March 2.
Michigan State holds a slim 7-5 edge in the last 12 meetings, but the Spartans have won 10 of the last 16 and 24 of the last 34.
The teams have met three times at neutral sites. Along with Iowa’s wins in the 2005 and 2006 Big Ten tournaments, the Spartans defeated Iowa at the 2000 Big Ten Tournament in Chicago, winning 75-65 on their way to the national title.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State started the season 12-5, but has since gone 5-8 in its last 13 games. Four of its last five defeats have come on the road, with the lone home loss coming to then-eighth-ranked Purdue (67-47) on Feb. 27. The Spartans finished in a four-way tie with Michigan, Illinois and Penn State for fourth place in the Big Ten standings.
In their regular season finale, Michigan State lost 70-63 at in-state rival Michigan. Senior Kalin Lucas poured in a game-high 25 points, bolstered by a perfect 8-8 shooting from the foul line. Senior Durrell Summers posted his second double-double of the season, scoring 13 points and snagging a career-high 13 rebounds. The Spartans shot 75% (15-20) from the free throw line and outrebounded the Wolverines by 16 (46-30) in defeat.
The Spartans, who have an RPI of 49, have been involved in 12 games decided by five points or less this season, winning eight, including three in overtime against Big Ten competition (Wisconsin, Northwestern and Indiana).
Lucas paces the Spartans averaging 17 points in all games, ranking seventh in the Big Ten, and 18.4 in league games. He also ranks second on the team in assists (3.3) and steals (1.1). Summers averages 11.8 points and 4.3 rebounds, while Green averages 12.2 points and team bests in rebounding (8.3) and assists (4.0). Green ranks fourth in the conference with eight double-doubles. Michigan State has four players who can knock down the three-ball: Summers (57), Lucas (43), Green (31) and freshman Keith Appling (31).
Michigan State ranks second in Big Ten blocked shots (4.7), rebounding (36.9), defensive rebounding (25.0) and offensive rebounding (11.9), third in rebounding margin (+4.2) and fifth in steals (6.5).
MICHIGAN STATE COACH TOM IZZO
Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo is in his 16th year as a college head coach, all at Michigan State. Izzo holds a record of 381-159 (.706). Izzo led the Spartans to the Final Four in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2010, winning the NCAA title in 2000. The Spartans were the runners-up in 2009, falling to North Carolina in the championship game. A year ago, Michigan State lost by two points (52-50) to Butler in the National Semifinals. Michigan State has won six Big Ten regular season titles, including the last two seasons, and two Big Ten Tournament championships under Izzo, who is in his 28th year as a member of the Spartan staff. He has been named national Coach of the Year on four occasions.
Izzo is 21-9 against the Hawkeyes.
MICHIGAN STATE WON THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Michigan State avenged its loss to Iowa earlier in the season with an 85-66 triumph over the Hawkeyes March 2 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich.
The Hawkeyes trailed by only four points at halftime (36-32), but the Spartans outscored Iowa by 15 in the second stanza to pull away and record the double-digit victory.
Four Hawkeye starters scored in double figures. Matt Gatens and Melsahn Basabe each netted 13 points. Bryce Cartwright contributed 11, while Jarryd Cole had 10. Cole was also credited with a career-high five steals.
Iowa struggled from the free throw line and 3-point distance. Iowa was 20-33 (60.6%) from the foul line and failed to make a 3-pointer in 12 attempts. It marked the first time in 240 games (vs. Purdue in 2004) that the Hawkeyes did not make at least one triple. Michigan State converted half of its 3-point attempts (7-14).
Spartan freshman Keith Appling came off the bench to lead all scorers with 18 points on 7-8 shooting from the field, including 4-5 from 3-point territory. Kalin Lucas dropped in 17 points and had six assists in his final home game.
BASABE, CARTWRIGHT AND COLE HONORED BY BIG TEN
Freshman Melsahn Basabe, junior Bryce Cartwright and senior Jarryd Cole earned all-Big Ten recognition. Basabe was named to the coaches’ all-freshman team and earned honorable mention all-conference recognition from both the media and coaches. Cartwright was tabbed honorable mention all-Big Ten by the media voters, while Cole earned the team’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for the second consecutive season.
This year marks the third straight year that Iowa has had a student-athlete named to the coaches all-freshman squad. In 2009, Matt Gatens was honored, while Eric May was recognized a year ago.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Fran McCaffery has assembled one of the most experienced coaching staffs in the country. Assistant coaches Kirk Speraw, Sherman Dillard and Andrew Francis have over six decades of combined coaching experience. Furthermore, the entire coaching staff combines for 46 years of head coaching experience.
Director of Basketball Operations Jerry Strom is in his 30th season as a member of the Iowa basketball staff. Also, former Hawkeye standout and professional basketball player Ryan Bowen has joined the staff as video coordinator and administrative assistant. Bowen was on four NBA rosters (Denver, Houston, New Orleans and Oklahoma City).
DEFENSE STEPS UP IN VICTORIES
Defense has been key in Iowa’s 11 victories this season, with 10 of the 11 teams scoring 65 points or less. Hawkeye opponents average only 54.2 points, shooting 35% from the field, including 23% from 3-point territory, in the 11 Iowa wins. Furthermore, Iowa averages 8.4 steals, and boasts a +6.5 rebounding margin in victories.
HAWKEYES STUN SIXTH-RANKED PURDUE IN FINALE
Jarryd Cole made sure he concluded his Hawkeye home career with a victory as the senior posted his seventh career double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) in leading Iowa to a 67-65 win over sixth-ranked Purdue Saturday afternoon in Iowa City.
The win snapped a six-game losing streak, an eight-game losing streak against Purdue and a 25-game losing skid against ranked opponents.
Leading by just two points with six seconds remaining, Iowa’s Matt Gatens drained a pair of free throws to give the Hawkeyes a 67-63 cushion and put the game out of reach.
Bryce Cartwright and Gatens each scored 13 points, while Melsahn Basabe netted 11 and grabbed eight boards.
Purdue’s JaJuan Johnson registered a double-double (22 points, 12 rebounds) to lead the Boilermakers. The Hawkeyes held E’Twaun Moore below his average, limiting the senior to 11 points.
IOWA, PURDUE POSTGAME NOTES
? Roy Devyn Marble pulled down a personal best seven rebounds.
? Bryce Cartwright equaled a career high with six rebounds. As a team, the Hawkeyes grabbed a season-high 48 rebounds and outrebounded the Boilermakers by eight (48-40).
? Eric May matched a season high with three assists.
? Devon Archie was a key contributor off the bench. The redshirt junior grabbed three rebounds, scored two points, blocked a shot and collected a steal in 10 minutes of action.
? Both teams struggled from beyond the 3-point arc. Iowa shot 30% (3-10), while Purdue made 20% (5-25).
? Iowa has beaten Purdue the last two times the two teams have played in the regular season finale. The Hawkeyes also topped the Boilermakers 63-62 on March 6, 2004.
CARTWRIGHT TIES SCHOOL RECORD
Junior point guard Bryce Cartwright dished out nine assists at Illinois (Feb. 26), marking the ninth game this season he has collected eight assists or more.
Cartwright and Andre Woolridge are the only Hawkeye point guards to collect eight helpers or more nine times in a single-season. Woolridge accomplished the feat during the 1997 season.
CARTWRIGHT CREATING SHOTS FOR OTHERS
Bryce Cartwright has been an assist machine as of late. In games since Jan. 26, he ranks second in the country in assists, dishing out 7.7 per game. Only TCU’s Hank Thorns has a better average (9.1).
Cartwright has registered eight assists or more in seven of the last 11 games and five or more in 14 of the last 15 contests.
IOWA TOURNAMENT TIP-INS
? This marks the fourth straight year Iowa will play a school from the state of Michigan in the first round. The Hawkeyes played Michigan the last three years and will meet Michigan State this season.
? Fran McCaffery coached teams have won nine consecutive conference tournament entering Thursday. Each of McCaffery’s last three Siena teams won three straight league tournament games. ? Iowa has two victories over top-50 RPI teams: Purdue (8) and Michigan State (48).
? Iowa is 10-4 when it holds the opponent under 70 points, compared to a 1-15 mark when giving up 70 or more.
? Seven of Iowa’s 11 victories have come by margins of 10 points or more, while six of its defeats have come by six points or less, including five by three points (two of the three-point defeats came in overtime).
? Iowa had four starters score in double figures in both games against Michigan State this season. In those two games, Matt Gatens averaged 16 points, Bryce Cartwright averaged 11.5 points and eight assists, while Jarryd Cole averaged 11.5 points and 7.5 boards. Michigan State’s Kalin Lucas scored 17 points in both contests against Iowa this year, while Draymond Green averaged 11.5 points and Keith Appling averaged nine. Appling scored 18 points at East Lansing and was held scoreless in Iowa City.
? Iowa has struggled against Michigan State beyond the 3-point arc this season. The Hawkeyes shot a combined 3-21 (.143), with the three makes coming in the game at Iowa City. Iowa was 0-12 from distance at Michigan State, snapping a streak of 239 games of making at least one trey.
? Iowa and Michigan State have pulled down the same number of offensive rebounds (358, 11.93 avg.) to tie for second in the Big Ten.
? Iowa and Michigan State are two of the league’s leaders in steals. The Hawkeyes rank fourth (6.67), while the Spartans are fifth (6.53).
? Only two points separated Matt Gatens (236) and Melsahn Basabe (234) during conference play. Both shot the basketball exceptionally well from the foul line in Big Ten action: Gatens ranked fourth (.868, 46-53), followed by Basabe in 12th (.789, 56-71).
? Bryce Cartwright ranks first in Big Ten assists (6.83) and 18th in the country. He became the first Hawkeye since Dean Oliver (5.2 avg.) in 2001 to lead the Big Ten in assists, in conference play.
? Matt Gatens ranks fourth among Big Ten juniors in career scoring. Northwestern’s John Shurna ranks first, followed by Ohio State’s William Buford and Indiana’s Verdell Jones III.
? Eric May averaged nine points (14-22, .636 FG and 8-12, .667 FT) and 3.3 rebounds in Iowa’s four Big Ten wins. Conversely, May averaged 4.4 points (19-66, .288 FG and 9-16, .563 FT) and 1.5 boards in Iowa’s 14 conference defeats.
? According to collegerpi.com, Iowa’s strength of schedule ranks 49th in the country, based on games played through March 6; Michigan State ranks ninth.
? Iowa is 11-3 when having a better field goal percentage than the opposition and 8-2 when dishing out more assists.
? Iowa ranks 38th in the country in fewest fouls per game (16.5). Individually, Bryce Cartwright ranks 18th in the country in assists (5.9), while Matt Gatens ranks 31st in free throw percentage (.871). Michigan State ranks 43rd in the nation in blocked shots (4.7), 44th in assists (15.1) and 48th in rebounding margin (+4.2). Michigan State’s Draymond Green ranks 67th nationally in rebounding (8.3).
? Iowa has one Michigan native on its roster freshman Roy Devyn Marble (Southfield).
? Michigan State’s roster is comprised of 13 student-athletes. The roster consists of three seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and four freshmen. Nine players hail from Michigan, three from Ohio and one from Indiana.
? Michigan State (1999 and 2000) and Iowa (2001 & 2006) have won four of the 13 Big Ten Conference tournaments and they are two of six league teams (along with Illinois, Purdue, Ohio State and Wisconsin) to appear in the championship game on more than one occasion (Iowa lost in the 2002 title game as well). Michigan won the inaugural event in 1998, Ohio State won in 2002, 2007 and 2010, Illinois won in 2003 and 2005, Wisconsin earned the title in 2004 and 2008 and Purdue in 2009.
IOWA INVOLVED IN CLOSE GAMES
Iowa is 2-6 in games decided by five points or less, with five of the defeats coming by three points, including three of its last five Big Ten losses. Iowa stunned sixth-ranked Purdue (67-65) in the regular season finale in Iowa City on March 5 and clipped Indiana (64-63), in Bloomington, on Feb. 5 for its two narrow victories. The Hawkeyes also had possession with an opportunity to tie (Northwestern) or win (Wisconsin and Michigan), but ultimately fell short.
CARTWRIGHT STREAK SNAPPED
Bryce Cartwright was limited to four assists vs. No. 13 Wisconsin (Feb. 9). It snapped a streak of eight-straight games of five assists or more, which ranked as the fifth-longest streak by a Big Ten player during league play since 1996-97. He had seven helpers vs. No. 25 Minnesota (Feb. 13), and nine at Northwestern (Feb. 17) and at Illinois (Feb. 26).
GATENS RANKS AMONG BIG TEN’S BEST FT SHOOTERS
Junior Matt Gatens has converted 86.6% (233-269) of his free throw attempts. He currently ranks seventh in Big Ten career free throw percentage (minimum 200 made) behind Indiana’s Steve Alford (.898, 535-596), Penn State’s Joe Crispin (.885, 448-506), Wisconsin’s Rick Olson (.870, 260-299) Penn State’s Pete Lisicky (.868, 223-257), Ohio State’s Jamar Butler (.868, 231-266) and Purdue’s Jerry Sichting (.867, 273-315).
BASABE RISING ON HAWKEYE ROOKIE CHARTS
Melsahn Basabe is etching his name in several Iowa freshman historical statistical categories. Basabe has scored 336 points (11.2 avg.), pulled down 208 rebounds (6.9 avg.) and blocked 41 shots (1.4 avg.). Also, he is 128-224 (.571) from the field and 80-112 (.714) from the foul line.
COLE FINISHING HIS COLLEGIATE CAREER STRONG
Senior Jarryd Cole is in the final stretch of his collegiate career. Cole has been putting up the best numbers of his career the last six games, ranking first in team scoring (13.3), rebounding (7.0) and steals (1.0). He is shooting at a blistering 66.7% clip from the field (30-45) and 77% (20-26) from the foul line during that span.
The Kansas City native finished his home career with a bang, leading the Hawkeyes to a 67-65 upset win over sixth-ranked Purdue in Iowa City on March 5. Cole notched his seventh career double-double, collecting 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Cole is the only senior scholarship athlete on the team. He has played for two different head coaches and was recruited by a third at Iowa.
BASABE ETCHING HIS NAME IN HAWKEYE RECORD BOOKS
Melsahn Basabe is the only Hawkeye rookie to ever amass over 325 points, 200 rebounds and 40 blocks. The native of Glen Cove, NY, has 336 points, 208 rebounds and 41 blocks after 30 games.
In fact, he is the first Iowa player — regardless of class — to accomplish the feat since Ryan Bowen totaled 447 points, 271 rebounds and 41 blocks his senior season in 1997-98.
CARTWRIGHT TIES SCHOOL RECORD
Bryce Cartwright is one of only two Hawkeyes to ever dish out eight assists or more in four straight games. The junior collected eight or more at Penn State (8), at Michigan (9), vs. Michigan State (10) and at Indiana (8). The only other Hawkeye to record eight assists or more in four-straight contests was Andre Woolridge during the 1994-95 season. Woolridge was credited with eight helpers vs. Hawaii, nine vs. Arkansas, nine vs. Indiana and nine against Michigan State.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa played eight contests against ranked opponents in 2010-11. The Hawkeyes have played eight ranked foes in each of the last two seasons.
Iowa snapped a 25-game losing streak to nationally-ranked opponents with a 67-65 victory over sixth-ranked Purdue in the regular season finale on March 5 in Iowa City.
The Hawkeyes lost at home to No. 23 Illinois (87-77) Dec. 29 and to second-ranked Ohio State (73-68) Jan. 4, while falling on the road to No. 10 Purdue (75-52) Jan. 9, 25th-ranked Minnesota (69-59) Jan. 16, top-ranked Ohio State (70-48) Jan. 19, 13th-ranked Wisconsin in overtime (62-59) Feb. 9 and No. 25 Minnesota (62-45) on Feb. 13.
BASABE BECOMING DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Melsahn Basabe had his fourth 20-point, 10-rebound game of the season at Indiana (Feb. 2). The native of Glen Cove, NY, is one of only four freshmen in the country to collect 20-points and 10-rebounds in four or more games.
Basabe had a career night vs. No. 2 Ohio State (Jan. 4), collecting 22 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks. He became the first freshman this season to post 20-10-5 in a single-game. Furthermore, he is the first Big Ten player — regardless of class — to accomplish the feat in 15 years.
Basabe has six double-doubles this year (five during Big Ten play), the second most by a Big Ten freshman behind Freshman of the Year Jared Sullinger of Ohio State (14).
CARTWRIGHT JOINS SELECT GROUP
Point guard Bryce Cartwright dished out 123 assists, during Big Ten play, becoming only the sixth Hawkeye since 1975 to lead the Big Ten in assists. Cartwright finished with 10 more assists than second place Darius Morris of Michigan (113).
Cartwright’s 6.83 assists average is the highest by an Iowa player since Cal Wulfsberg’s 7.7 average in 1975.
HAWKEYE FRESHMEN GRAB TOP SPOT
Iowa freshmen Melsahn Basabe, Zach McCabe and Roy Devyn Marble average 12.97 rebounds per game, which is the best rebounding average by a Hawkeye freshman class. Jared Reiner, Glen Worley, Sean Sonderleiter, Cortney Scott and Brody Boyd averaged 11.7 boards in 2001. Michael Payne, Greg Stokes and Todd Berkenpas averaged 11.6 in 1982.
Additionally, the Hawkeye rookie trio average 22.7 points per game, which is the third-highest average of a Hawkeye freshman class since 1972-73. Ricky Davis and Dean Oliver rank first, averaging 23.8 points in 1997-98; Jess Settles and Chris Kingsbury are second, averaging 23.5 points during the 1993-94 campaign.
DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
Iowa has had a Big Ten-best four players record double-doubles: Melsahn Basabe (6), Jarryd Cole (4), Bryce Cartwright and Devon Archie. Illinois is the only other team with four players to have posted double-doubles, while Wisconsin and Minnesota have had three.
Basabe and Cole are two of 17 Big Ten players with multiple double-doubles. Furthermore, Basabe is one of only seven players with six or more double-doubles in the league, while Cole is one of 10 student-athletes with at least four double-doubles.
Cartwright notched his first career double-double, posting 12 points and a career-high 10 assists in a win over Michigan State (Feb. 2). Archie was credited with 10 points and 11 rebounds vs. Xavier (Nov. 19) for his first career double-double. Basabe collected 12 points and 14 rebounds against Iowa State (Dec. 10), 22 points and 13 rebounds vs. No. 2 Ohio State (Jan. 4), game highs in points (20) and rebounds (13) at No. 25 Minnesota (Jan. 16), was credited with team highs in points (20) and rebounds (10) in Iowa’s home win vs. Indiana (Jan. 23), posted 20 points and 13 rebounds in Iowa’s victory at Indiana (Feb. 5) and registered 13 points and 11 rebounds vs. No. 13 Wisconsin (Feb. 9). Cole notched his double-doubles vs. Northern Iowa (Dec. 7) with 10 points and 15 boards, against Louisiana Tech (Dec. 21) with 10 points and 12 rebounds, 13th-ranked Wisconsin (Feb. 9) with 10 points and 12 boards, and against sixth-ranked Purdue (March 5) with a team-high 16 points and 10 rebounds.
ATTACKING THE BASKET
Iowa has taken advantage of strong post play and attacking the basket more this season. The Hawkeyes are averaging 30 points per game in the paint. Iowa has scored 30 or more paint points 18 times this season, including 11 of the last 13 outings — at top-ranked Ohio State (36), Indiana (34), Michigan (30), Michigan State (30), Illinois (30) and Northwestern (40), and home vs. Michigan (40), Indiana (46), No. 13 Wisconsin (32), Michigan State (34) and Purdue (34). A year ago, the Hawkeyes averaged 23.1 points in the paint through 30 games.
BASABE AMONG BIG TEN FRESHMEN ELITE
Melsahn Basabe has been tabbed one of the Big Ten’s top freshmen being named to the coaches all-Big Ten Freshman team and earning honorable mention all-conference accolades by the media and coaches. He ranks first among conference rookies in blocks (1.37), second in rebounding (6.9) and double-doubles (6), and third in scoring (11.2).
The rookie from Glen Cove, NY, is averaging 12.4 points (118-203, .581), 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks the last 25 contests. Basabe has put up 20 points or more in five of the last 15 contests. He averages a team-best 15 points (.632 FG%, .706 FT%) and 6.8 rebounds the last four contests.
Basabe has scored 20 points or more five times, all against Big Ten squads (Ohio State – 22, Minnesota – 20, Indiana – 20, Michigan – 25 and Indiana – 20). The last time a Hawkeye freshman scored 20 or more in at least five games was Tyler Smith in 2006-07, only two of which came against Big Ten opponents. Furthermore, the last time a Hawkeye — regardless of class — posted five or more 20-point scoring outbursts against Big Ten competition was Adam Haluska, as a sophomore, in 2004-05 (Michigan State – 24; Northwestern – 20; Illinois – 20; Penn State – 22; Ohio State – 22).
The 6-7, 225-pound power forward has reached double-digit rebounds in seven games, also the second most by a Big Ten freshman (Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger has 15). He has snagged a team-best 208 boards. Basabe corralled eight rebounds in the regular season finale to surpass Jess Settles as Iowa’s all-time leading freshman rebounder.
Not only is he Iowa’s all-time leading freshman rebounder, but will likely become only the fourth freshman to lead the Hawkeyes in rebounding (Tyler Smith led Iowa in rebounding in 2007, Jess Settles in 1994 and Michael Payne in 1982). Basabe has grabbed 208 rebounds, while Jarryd Cole ranks second with 189.
Basabe, who is one of five Big Ten freshmen to start every game, is Iowa’s leading shot blocker (41) and rebounder (6.9). He has led the team in rebounding a team-best 13 times, including eight of the last 17 outings.
Basabe has a team-best 41 blocks, a total that is third best by a Hawkeye freshman.
CARTWRIGHT ON POINT
Bryce Cartwright has had a great first season at Iowa, starting the last 25 games at point guard and is emerging as one of the league’s top floor generals. His performance was rewarded in being named an honorable mention all-Big Ten by the media voters. He currently ranks 18th in the country in assists.
The 6-1 guard ranks third in team scoring (10.8), first in assists (176) and third in steals (28). As a starter, he is averaging 11.2 points, 6.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds.
Cartwright has been credited with seven assists or more in nine of the last 11 games and five assists or more in 21 of Iowa’s last 24 contests. He has dished out eight assists or more nine times this year to tie a school record, including six of the last 10 games. Cartwright has been on fire the last 11 games, boasting a 2.36 assist/turnover ratio. He has amassed 85 assists (7.7) the last 11 contests, including dishing out a career-high 10 in Iowa’s win over Michigan State (Feb. 2). He has been credited with nine assists in three conference road games: Michigan (Jan. 30), Northwestern (Feb. 17) and Illinois (Feb. 26). Cartwright had no turnovers to go along with the nine dimes in the Michigan road contest.
Cartwright has cracked Iowa’s single-season top 10 assists chart, ranking sixth with 176 assists. He is only four assists from equaling Jeff Horner for fifth. Horner collected 180 in 2005.
Cartwright ranks third in Big Ten assists (5.87), but ranks first averaging 6.83 during conference play. He will become the third different Hawkeye to average at least five assists per game in a single-season since 1996-97 (1996-97 Andre Woolridge — 6.0 apg; 2004-05 Jeff Horner — 5.5 apg; 2005-06 Jeff Horner — 5.6 apg).
Cartwright’s talents began to emerge in Iowa’s last game of the Paradise Jam (Nov. 22) against Long Beach State. The junior transfer tallied 12 of his team-high 17 points in the second half against the 49ers. Cartwright shot 8-16 (.500) from the field and collected three rebounds, two assists and a game-high four steals.
Cartwright had one of his best games in a Hawkeye uniform vs. Northwestern (Jan. 12). He led all scorers with a career-high 25 points and also collected five assists and two steals.
Cartwright started his first career game as a Hawkeye vs. SIUE (Nov. 26).
THREE STATE CHAMPS
Iowa’s roster of 15 players includes three who won four state titles. Matt Gatens won a state title for Iowa City HS in 2008. Eric May won a state title for Dubuque Wahlert in 2008, while Zach McCabe’s Bishop Heelan captured the state title in 2009 and 2010.
GATENS RETURNS TO FORM
Junior Matt Gatens tore a tendon in his left, non-shooting hand, Oct. 26 during practice. The shooting guard had surgery Oct. 28. Gatens, who ranks sixth in Iowa’s career 3-pointers with 163, had a hard cast removed on Nov. 10. He missed Iowa’s first two games (South Dakota State and UL Monroe), but returned to the lineup on Nov. 19 and played without any type of cast or brace on his left hand for the first time since the injury against Illinois (Dec. 29).
In league play, he averaged a team-best 13.1 points, compared to an 11.7 average in non-conference games.
Gatens scored a game-high 19 points in Iowa’s victory over Michigan State (Feb. 2). In the process, he tallied his 1,000th career point to become only the 40th Hawkeye to accomplish the feat. Gatens currently ranks 32nd on the all-time scoring chart with 1,090 points. He is only one point tying from Fred Brown (1970-71) and four points from Charles Darling (1950-52).
Gatens posted back-to-back 20-plus points for the first time in his career when he poured in 22 points vs. Louisiana Tech and 21 vs. No. 23 Illinois. After scoring 14 and 13 against Ohio State and Purdue, respectively, he returned to the 20-point club vs. Northwestern. Gatens tallied 20 points, bolstered by 5-8 shooting from distance, against the Wildcats. The Iowa City native poured in 19 points, bolstered by 11-12 (.917) shooting at the free throw line, in Iowa’s victory over Indiana (Feb. 2). He has eclipsed the 20-point plateau nine times in his career.
Gatens matched a personal high with five treys vs. Louisiana Tech, No. 23 Illinois and Northwestern, while draining four against second-ranked Ohio State.
Gatens ranks first in team scoring (12.6) and free throw percentage (.871, 74-85) and steals (37), and second in assists (52). Also, he ranks 31st in the nation in free throw shooting.
BUZZER BEATER
Junior point guard Bryce Cartwright has given his team some excitement and momentum heading into the locker room in five games this season. Cartwright drained first-half buzzer-beater shots against Iowa State, Drake, Illinois (twice) and Ohio State. He most recently sank a 3-pointer at the top of the key at Illinois.
Cartwright drained a 55-footer as the first half expired vs. Michigan (Feb. 19), but after review by the officials it was determined the basketball was still in his fingertips and the basket was disallowed.
Zach McCabe drained a 3-pointer as the first half expired vs. Michigan State (Feb. 2), giving the Hawkeyes a 41-20 advantage going into halftime.
HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa saw an increase in its attendance numbers compared to last year. Compared to 2009-10, the Hawkeyes averaged 2,085 more fans than a year ago. Iowa averaged 9,550 fans last season, compared to 11,635 this year.
? Matt Gatens has made 162 career 3-pointers, which ranks sixth at Iowa. He is 31 triples from tying Brody Boyd (2001-04) for fifth place.
? Iowa’s six freshmen average a combined 23.3 points per game, an average that ranks third best in the Big Ten behind Ohio State (34.2) and Michigan (31.9). Two of Michigan’s freshmen are redshirts.
? Roy Devyn Marble has started five games, including the last four. As a starter, he is averaging 4.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
? Jarryd Cole grabbed 15 rebounds vs. Northern Iowa (Dec. 7). The 15 boards are the most by a Hawkeye since Greg Brunner snagged 23 vs. Minnesota on Jan. 18, 2006.
? Iowa’s 111 points and 19 steals against SIU-Edwardsville (SIUE) are the most by a Big Ten team this season. Additionally, Iowa’s free throws made (27) against SIUE rank second most in a single-game by a Big Ten team this season.
? Iowa’s 61-point margin of victory (111-50) over SIUE equals the sixth-largest win in school history. It was Iowa’s largest margin of victory since the Hawkeyes beat Pepperdine in 1966 by the very same score. Additionally, the 61-point win marks the ninth time in school history Iowa won by 60 points or more.
? Iowa’s 111 points vs. SIUE are the most it has scored since posting 112 vs. North Texas (112-64) on Nov. 16, 1998.
? Iowa collected 19 steals against SIUE, a total that ties for fifth most in a single-game in school history.
? Eric May had seven steals vs. SIUE, which ties four other Hawkeyes for the fourth most in a single-game.
? Melsahn Basabe rejected seven shots vs. Iowa State, a total that equals the third most in a game by a Hawkeye. Basabe blocked six shots against No. 2 Ohio State (Jan. 4). He has a team-best 40 shot deflections through 29 games.
? All 11 Big Ten teams finished with a non-conference record of .500 or better for the first time since the 2005-06 season.
McCABE PROVIDES SPARK OFF BENCH
Zach McCabe has given the Iowa Hawkeyes a boost off the bench recently. He is averaging 17 minutes, 4.1 points and 3.0 rebounds the last seven games.
The 6-7, 225-pound forward tallied 11 points, all in the first half, at Northwestern (Feb. 17). The double-digit performance is the most the freshman has scored since registering 13 vs. Iowa State (Dec. 10).
McCabe grabbed five rebounds in Iowa’s overtime loss to No. 13 Wisconsin (Feb. 9). The five boards are the most he’s snagged since a season-high eight at Wake Forest (Nov. 30). He had three assists and a team-best two steals vs. Michigan (Feb. 19), five points and five rebounds at Illinois (Feb. 26) and six points, six rebounds and two thefts at Michigan State (March 2).
IMPROVED STATISTICS
Comparing statistics through 30 games last year to this season, Iowa is putting up improved numbers. The Hawkeyes are averaging 6.3 more points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.0 blocks.
PAYNE SIDELINED DUE TO INJURY
Cully Payne, who started his first 37 games as a Hawkeye at point guard, is out indefinitely due to a sports hernia. Payne had successful surgery Nov. 30. Payne averaged 3.8 points, 3.4 assists and 1.4 rebounds his first five games of 2010-11.
Last year, Payne was named to Big Ten all-Freshman team by Sporting News and earned a spot on the CBE Classic All-Tournament squad. Payne was the only Big Ten freshman starter at point guard last season. He became only the fourth Hawkeye freshman to lead the team in assists since 1974-75. His 122 assists rank third-best for an Iowa rookie in a single-season. The Schaumburg, Ill., native also averaged 8.7 points and three rebounds.
Bryce Cartwright has taken over the starting spot at point guard. Expect Roy Devyn Marble to also see minutes at point guard.
A YOUNG SQUAD
Iowa’s roster of 15 players includes six freshmen, two sophomores, five juniors and two seniors. The freshmen are Melsahn Basabe (6-7, 225), Cody Cox (6-4, 190), Roy Devyn Marble (6-5,190), Zach McCabe (6-7, 225), Darius Stokes (6-7,190) and Branden Stubbs (6-2, 170). The sophomores are Eric May and Cully Payne.
In addition, juniors Bryce Cartwright (6-1, 180) and Jordan Stoermer (6-2,185) are in their first year at Iowa. Cartwright played as a rookie at Fresno State and Paris JC (Texas) his sophomore campaign. Stoermer played his first two seasons at Kirkwood CC (Iowa).
NO 3-POINTERS
Since the 3-point shot became part of the college game, Iowa has played 15 games in which it has failed to make a 3-point attempt. Iowa had made at least one 3-point basket in 239-straight games before missing all 12 attempts in an 85-66 road loss at Michigan State two games ago on March 2, 2011.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,592 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,487-1,105 (.574). That includes a 942-346 (.731) record in home games, a 545-708 (.435) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 703-717 (.495) mark in Big Ten games and a 348-111 (.758) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HAWKEYE HOOPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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