Final Notes on 2010-11 Season

April 8, 2011

Complete Release in PDF Format

HAWKEYES CONCLUDE FIRST SEASON UNDER COACH McCAFFERY
Iowa ended its 2010-11 season with an 11-20 record and a 4-14 mark in conference play.

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 laurels 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.

Iowa’s schedule, again, proved to be demanding, ranking 49th in the nation in schedule strength. Nineteen of Iowa’s 31 games were against teams that advanced to postseason play, including 14 contests against teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Overall, 12 of Iowa’s 20 opponents advanced to postseason play, eight in the NCAA Tournament and four in the NIT.

Iowa recorded Big Ten victories over sixth-ranked Purdue (67-65), Michigan State (72-52) and Indiana twice (91-77 and 64-63). The sweep of Indiana marked the first time the Hawkeyes swept the Hoosiers, in two games, in back-to-back seasons since 1944-45.

The Hawkeyes had a number of near-misses in 2011, losing five games by three points (two in overtime) and another two by five points.

Gatens led the team in scoring (12.6) and steals (1.3). Gatens has led the Hawkeyes in scoring the last two seasons. Basabe led the team in rebounding (6.8) and blocks (1.3), while Cartwright had the most assists (5.8).

Basabe and Cole were the only two Hawkeyes to start all 31 games.

DEFENSE STEPS UP IN VICTORIES
Defense was key in Iowa’s 11 victories, with 10 of the 11 teams scoring 65 points or less. Hawkeye opponents averaged only 54.2 points, shooting 35% from the field, including 23% from 3-point territory, in the 11 Iowa wins. Furthermore, Iowa averaged 8.4 steals, and boasted a +6.5 rebounding margin in victories.

BALANCED SCORING
Iowa featured a balanced scoring attack, with at least three players scoring in double figures in 21 games, including four players scoring 10 points or more in 13 contests.

Seven different players led Iowa in scoring and seven averaged more than 5.7 points per outing. Matt Gatens led Iowa in scoring (12.6), followed by Melsahn Basabe (11.0), Bryce Cartwright (10.9), Jarryd Cole (8.0), Eric May (7.8), Zach McCabe (5.8) and Roy Devyn Marble (5.7).

Iowa’s bench was a major contributor in 2011. The Hawkeye reserves averaged 16.7 points, which ranks second-best in the conference. Iowa’s bench put up 58 points vs. SIUE, 42 against Long Beach State and 32 vs. Iowa State.

Basabe shot a team-best 57% from the field, May shot a team-best 39% from 3-point range, while Gatens led the team in free throw shooting (87%).

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 on March 5 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.

CARTWRIGHT TIES SCHOOL RECORD
Junior point guard Bryce Cartwright dished out nine assists at Illinois (Feb. 26), marking the ninth game this season he 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 season. Woolridge accomplished the feat during the 1997 season.

Cartwright registered eight assists or more in seven of the last 12 games and five or more in 15 of the last 16 contests.

IOWA INVOLVED IN CLOSE GAMES
Iowa was 2-7 in games decided by five points or less, with five of the defeats coming by three points. Three of those losses came in the last five Big Ten games. 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 in those contests.

TWO HAWKEYES EARN ACADEMIC HONOR
It was announced after the season that senior T.J. Sayre and sophomore Eric May earned academic all-Big Ten accolades.

GATENS RANKS AMONG BIG TEN’S BEST FT SHOOTERS
Junior Matt Gatens has converted 86.7% (235-271) of his free throw attempts. He currently is tied with Purdue’s Jerry Sichting (.867, 273-315) for sixth 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) and Ohio State’s Jamar Butler (.868, 231-266).

BASABE RANKS HIGH ON HAWKEYE ROOKIE CHARTS
Melsahn Basabe had a stellar rookie campaign in 2011 and ranks among some of the best Iowa freshman of all-time in a number of statistical categories. Basabe scored 342 points (11.0 avg.), pulled down 210 rebounds (6.8 avg.) and blocked 41 shots (1.3 avg.). Also, he was 131-229 (.572) from the field and 80-112 (.714) from the foul line. Below is where Basabe ranks among Iowa freshman:

COLE FINISHED HIS COLLEGIATE CAREER STRONG
Senior Jarryd Cole put up the best numbers of his career the last seven games, ranking first in team scoring (12.6), rebounding (6.9) and steals (1.0). He shot at a blistering 63% clip from the field (32-51) and 73% (24-33) from the foul line during that span.

The Kansas City native finished his home career by 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 was the only senior scholarship athlete on the team. He played for two different head coaches and was recruited by a third at Iowa.

BASABE ETCHED HIS NAME IN HAWKEYE RECORD BOOKS
Melsahn Basabe is the only Hawkeye rookie to ever amass over 340 points, 200 rebounds and 40 blocks. The native of Glen Cove, NY, finished his rookie campaign with 342 points, 210 rebounds and 41 blocks.

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.

IOWA TIP-INS
? Iowa returns 87.1% of its offensive production next year, including its top three scorers. The Hawkeyes also return 81.4% of their rebounding and 91.5% of their assists.
? Iowa collected two victories over top-50 RPI teams: Purdue (8) and Michigan State (48).
? Iowa was 10-5 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 came by margins of 10 points or more, while six of its defeats came by six points or less, including five by three points (two of the three-point defeats came in overtime).
? Bryce Cartwright led Iowa in scoring (14), rebounding (7) and assists (6) in Iowa’s Big Ten Tournament loss to Michigan State. The junior became the first Hawkeye to ever lead the team in those three statistical categories in a Big Ten Tournament contest. Cartwright became the first Iowa player to accomplish that feat, in any game, since Matt Gatens paced the Hawkeyes in scoring (15), rebounding (8) and assists (4) in a loss at Northwestern in 2010.
? Iowa and its opponents nearly made and attempted the same number of field goals in 2011. The Hawkeyes were 766-1743 (.439) from the field, while their opponents were 768-1749 (.439).
? 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 (1,103) ranks fourth among Big Ten juniors in career scoring. Ohio State’s William Buford (1,415) ranks first followed by Northwestern’s John Shurna and Indiana’s Verdell Jones III (1,115).
? 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 regular season conference defeats.
? According to collegerpi.com, Iowa’s strength of schedule ranked 49th in the country, based on games played through March 7.
? Iowa was 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).

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).

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 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.

ATTACKING THE BASKET
Iowa took advantage of strong post play and attacked the basket more in 2011. The Hawkeyes averaged 29.8 points per game in the paint. Iowa scored 30 or more paint points 18 times, including 11 of the last 14 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 23.2 points in the paint.

BASABE BECOMING DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Melsahn Basabe had his fourth 20-point, 10-rebound game 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 league 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.

Cartwright, who averaged 10.9 points and 5.8 assists, is one of only two Iowa players to ever average better than 10.5 points and 5.8 assists in a single-season. Andre Woolridge is the other Hawkeye to accomplish the feat. Woolridge averaged 20.2 points and six assists in 1997; 13.1 points and six assists in 1996 and 14 points and 5.8 assists in 1995.

HAWKEYE FRESHMEN GRAB TOP SPOT
Iowa freshmen Melsahn Basabe, Zach McCabe and Roy Devyn Marble averaged 12.7 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 averaged 22.5 points per game, which is the fifth-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. Cully Payne, Brennan Cougill, Eric May, John Lickliter and Nick Neari averaged 22.7 points in 2010 to rank third, while Brian Garner, Wade Lookingbill, James Moses, Troy Skinner, Ray Thompson and Brig Tubbs are fourth with a 22.6 average in 1989.

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
Iowa had a Big Ten-best four players record double-doubles: Melsahn Basabe (6), Jarryd Cole (4), Bryce Cartwright and Devon Archie. Illinois was the only other team with four players to have posted double-doubles, while Wisconsin and Minnesota have had three in 2011.

Basabe and Cole were two of 17 Big Ten players with multiple double-doubles. Furthermore, Basabe was one of only seven players with six or more double-doubles in the league, while Cole was 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.

BASABE AMONG BIG TEN FRESHMEN ELITE
Melsahn Basabe is 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 ranked first among conference rookies in blocks (1.3), second in rebounding (6.8) and double-doubles (6), and third in scoring (11.0). Basabe was one of only three Big Ten freshmen to average 10 points or more.

The rookie from Glen Cove, NY, put up 20 points or more a team-best 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 reached double-digit rebounds in eight games, also the second most by a Big Ten freshman (Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger had 19). He snagged a team-best 210 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 he became 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 grabbed 210 rebounds in 2011.

Basabe, who is one of five Big Ten freshmen to start every game, was Iowa’s leading shot blocker (41) and rebounder (6.8). He led the team in rebounding a team-best 13 times, including eight of the last 18 outings.

Basabe rejected a team-best 41 shots, a total that is third best by a Hawkeye freshman.

Basabe shot 57.2% from the field, which led the team in 2011 and ranks third all-time by an Iowa freshman, is the best shooting percentage by a Hawkeye — regardless of class — since Ryan Bowen shot 60.3% in 1998.

CARTWRIGHT ON POINT
Bryce Cartwright had a great first season at Iowa, starting the last 26 games at point guard. He emerged 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 ranked 19th nationally in assists.

The 6-1 guard ranked third in team scoring (10.9), first in assists (182) and third in steals (28). As a starter, he averaged 11.3 points, 6.5 assists and three rebounds.

Cartwright was credited with seven assists or more in nine of the last 12 games and five assists or more in 22 of Iowa’s last 25 contests. He dished out eight assists or more nine times in 2011 to tie a school record, including six of the last 11 games. Cartwright was on fire the last 12 games, boasting a 2.33 assist/turnover ratio. He amassed 91 assists (7.6) the last 12 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 cracked Iowa’s single-season top 10 assists chart, finishing the season ranked fifth with 182 assists.

Cartwright ranked third in Big Ten assists (5.87), but ranked first averaging 6.83 during conference play. He became 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).

STARTING LINEUPS
Iowa used four different starting lineups in its 31 games. Bryce Cartwright (PG), Matt Gatens (SG), Eric May (SF), Melsahn Basabe (PF) and Jarryd Cole (C) started 20 games; going 8-12 in those contests. Iowa’s starting lineup the last five games featured two freshmen (Basabe and Roy Devyn Marble), two juniors (Cartwright and Gatens) and one senior (Cole).

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 164, 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 30th on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart with 1,103 points. He is only nine points from tying from Kenny Arnold (1979-82) and cracking the top 30.

Gatens posted back-to-back 20-plus points for the first time in his career when he poured in 22 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 ranked first in team scoring (12.6) and free throw percentage (.874, 76-87) and steals (38), and second in assists (53). Also, he ranked 26th nationally in free throw shooting.

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 on March 2, 2011.

BUZZER BEATER
Junior point guard Bryce Cartwright gave his team some excitement and momentum heading into the locker room in five games. 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 on Feb. 26.

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 in 2010-11. Compared to 2009-10, the Hawkeyes averaged 2,085 more fans than a year ago, an increase of 20%. Iowa averaged 9,550 fans last season, compared to 11,635 this year.
? Matt Gatens has made 163 career 3-pointers, which ranks sixth at Iowa. He is 30 triples from tying Brody Boyd (2001-04) for fifth place.
? Iowa’s five freshmen averaged a combined 22.9 points per game, an average that ranked third in the Big Ten behind Ohio State (34.0) and Michigan (31.7). Two of Michigan’s freshmen are redshirts.
? Roy Devyn Marble started six games, including the final five. As a starter, he is averaging five points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 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 collected 41 shot deflections to lead the team in 2011.
? 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 gave the Iowa Hawkeyes a boost off the bench down the stretch. He averaged 16 minutes, 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds the last eight 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). McCabe scored five points, including sinking a key triple late in the contest, and grabbed four boards vs. Michigan State at the Big Ten Tournament (March 10).

IMPROVED STATISTICS
Comparing this season’s statistics to last year, Iowa put up improved numbers. The Hawkeyes averaged 6.7 more points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 0.9 blocks.

PAYNE DECIDES TO TRANSFER
After the season, Cully Payne asked for and has been granted a release from his scholarship.

“We appreciate Cully’s hard work and contributions to the Iowa basketball program the last two years,” said McCaffery. “We are thankful for Cully that he has been able to make a full recovery from his injury and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

Payne started the first 37 games of his career, before suffering a season-ending sports hernia injury after playing the first five games this past season. The native of Schaumburg, Ill., averaged eight points and 3.8 assists while wearing a Hawkeye uniform.

A YOUNG SQUAD
Iowa’s roster of 15 players included six freshmen, two sophomores, five juniors and two seniors. The freshmen were 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 were Eric May and Cully Payne.

In addition, juniors Bryce Cartwright (6-1, 180) and Jordan Stoermer (6-2,185) were 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).

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,593 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,487-1,106 (.573). That includes a 942-346 (.731) record in home games, a 545-709 (.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.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 72 of its 102 games (.706) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) over the last seven seasons, including win streaks of 21 straight overall and 12 straight Big Ten Conference wins. Iowa has won 10 of its last 20 home games against ranked opponents. Iowa was a perfect 17-0 at home in 2006, 14-2 in 2007, 10-8 in 2008, 13-4 in 2009, 9-9 in 2010 and 8-8 this season.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 348-111 (.758) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 162-89 (.645) in Big Ten games and 186-22 (.894) in non-Big Ten contests.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena is currently undergoing a $47 million renovation that is scheduled to be completed in August.

HAWKEYE HOOPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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