Hawkeyes Host Boise State Thursday Night

Dec. 21, 2011

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Iowa Game Notes

TIP-OFF
? Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for youths and UI students.
? Thursday is a women/men doubleheader. The Iowa women entertain Mississippi Valley State at 5 p.m. before the men host Boise State at 7:30 p.m. Men’s basketball ticket holders can attend the women’s game for free and vice versa.
? Families can take advantage of a “Family Four Pack” Thursday, buying four tickets (two adults, two youth), four hot dogs and four cokes for $40.
? Fans who bring a new toy or gift card, will be given a $5 off coupon that can be redeemed at any home game this season (based upon availability).
? Iowa has collected 10 steals or more in seven games. The Hawkeyes own the second-largest steal differential in the country (+63).
? Roy Devyn Marble has been on fire from the foul line the last three games, sinking a combined 23-of-26 (.885) against Iowa State, Drake and Central Arkansas.
? Melsahn Basabe has averaged 12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds the last five games.
? Iowa is 8-0 when scoring 80 points or more, under McCaffery, the last two seasons. Furthermore, the Hawkeyes are 11-0 when holding opponents to fewer than 60 points.
? Fran McCaffery coached against Boise State twice before when he was at Siena. McCaffery’s 2008 Siena team won at Boise State (93-70) and at home in Albany the following year (82-52).

HAWKEYES CRUISE TO 105-64 VICTORY OVER CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Iowa outscored Central Arkansas by 28 points in the second half en route to a 105-64 triumph Monday night in Iowa City. The 105 points mark the second time under Coach McCaffery that a Hawkeye team reached the 100-point plateau (111 versus SIU-Edwardsville on Nov. 26, 2010). For the second straight game, five Hawkeyes scored in double figures: Roy Devyn Marble (19), Aaron White (17), Melsahn Basabe (14), Matt Gatens (11) and Eric May (10). Marble also had six assists, three rebounds and one steal. Basabe led Iowa with nine rebounds, while May was credited with a game-best three steals. Iowa posted season bests in assists (32) and blocks (7). The Hawkeye defense forced 19 turnovers and converted those miscues into 35 points.

IOWA, CENTRAL ARKANSAS TIP-INS
? Thirteen players scored at least one point.
? Iowa scored 64 paint points, which matched Central Arkansas’ total point total.
? Gabriel Olaseni tied a season high with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field.
? Aaron White notched double figures for the third time this season, including the second straight contest.
? Matt Gatens had two assists, marking the seventh time this season Iowa’s steals leader has had two or more thefts.
? Roy Devyn Marble had six assists, marking the third consecutive game the sophomore posted five assists or more.
? Zach McCabe matched a personal best with eight rebounds. He also had eight points.

BIG TEN RANKINGS
Iowa ranks first in the Big Ten in steals (9.6), third in scoring (77.8), rebounding (37.1), and free throw percentage (.744), fourth in turnover margin (+5.0), and fifth in assist/turnover ratio (1.3) and assists (16.3). Individually, Roy Devyn Marble ranks second in assist/turnover ratio (3.9) and 11th in assists (3.6). Matt Gatens ranks first in free throw (.886), sixth in steals (1.7) and 13th in scoring (13.8). Melsahn Basabe ranks 10th in rebounding (5.6), while Bryce Cartwright ranks fifth in assists (4.3) and sixth in assist/turnover ratio (2.1).

SCOUTING BOISE STATE
? Thursday will be the first-ever meeting between Iowa and Boise State.
? Boise State is a member of the Mountain West Conference. Iowa is 9-8 all-time against current teams in the Mountain West.
? Boise State’s football team will be playing Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl at the same time as Thursday night’s basketball game.
? Boise State enters Thursday’s contest with a 9-3 record, winning all nine at home, while dropping all three on the road. The Broncos lost at Long Beach State (72-62), LSU (64-45) and Denver (79-62). Boise State has won 15-straight home contests, dating back to last year, which ties for the 13th-longest in the country.
? Boise State is coached by Leon Rice, who is in his second season as a collegiate head coach, both with the Broncos (31-16).
? Freshman Anthony Drmic, who hails from Australia, is the team’s leading scorer (14.0 ppg), but may not be available for Thursday’s game. Drmic sustained an ankle sprain late in Monday’s game and is questionable for Thursday’s contest against the Hawkeyes. Sophomore Ryan Watkins is the team’s rebounding leader (5.1), while redshirt senior Westly Perryman leads the Broncos in assists (3.1).
? The Broncos posted a 22-13 record a year ago, finished second in the Mountain West Conference and advanced to the CBI semifinals.
? Boise State won its last game, 70-63, Monday night at home over Fresno State. Ryan Watkins had a team-best 18 points and a career-best 11 rebounds, off the bench, for his first career double-double. Watkins scored eight of his 18 points at the free throw line (8-of-11). Thirty-seven of Boise State’s 60 points were scored by reserves.
? Boise State’s 16-player roster is comprised of student-athletes from 11 different states, plus Australia. The Broncos have players from Nevada, Washington, Idaho, Illinois, North Dakota, Texas, Oregon, Colorado, Nebraska, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.
? Boise State is without the services of freshman guard Igor Hadziomerovic, who broke his foot in the week of practice prior to its game against Denver (Dec. 17). He is expected to miss the rest of the season. Hadziomerovic averaged 7.0 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10 games.

IOWA, BOISE STATE TIP-INS
? Iowa and Boise State have played two common opponents: Northern Illinois and Drake. The Broncos beat Northern Illinois (71-57) and Drake (108-64) in Boise. The Hawkeyes topped Northern Illinois (88-55) and Drake (82-68) in Iowa City.
? Entering this week, Iowa ranks 11th in the nation in turnover margin (5.0), 21st in steals (9.6), 35th in free throw percentage (.744) and 36th in assist/turnover ratio (1.3). Individually, Roy Devyn Marble ranks eighth in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (3.9), while Matt Gatens ranks 36th in free throw percentage (.886).
? Boise State ranks 14th in the country in 3-pointers per game (8.9), 24th in scoring margin (15.7), 26th in scoring (78.4) and 3-point percentage (.402), 28th in rebounding margin (8.2) and 33rd in turnover margin (3.3).

STAT SHEET STUFFER
Roy Devyn Marble’s level of play has been stellar the last eight games. The sophomore has averaged 13.3 points, 3.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals the last eight outings. Marble played a career high 37 minutes, starting at point guard, at Northern Iowa. Marble led Iowa in scoring three of the last four games. He had 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field at Northern Iowa, posted a career-high 21 points, bolstered by 10-of-11 shooting from the foul line, at Iowa State, and he registered 19 points in Iowa’s win over Central Arkansas on Monday. He has amassed 43 assists to only 11 turnovers, ranking second in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (3.7) and eighth in the country. Marble has been credited with four assists or more eight times this season, including five or more in each of the last three contests.

IMPROVED DECEMBER STATS FOR BASABE
After a sluggish start to the season, sophomore Melsahn Basabe’s numbers in December have been good. Basabe has averaged 12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds the last five games. He shot 26-of-48 (.542) from the field in those contests. The previous seven contests, the native of Glen Cove, N.Y. averaged 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds. Basabe posted a season-high 18 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds at Iowa State (Dec. 9). He had eight points and six rebounds at Northern Iowa (Dec. 6) and totaled 14 points and a season-high 10 rebounds for his eighth career double-double versus Brown (Dec. 3). Against Drake, Basabe netted 10 points, snagged five boards and rejected a game-high two shots. The 6-foot-7 forward nearly had another double-double in Iowa’s last game against Central Arkansas, snagging a team-best nine rebounds and scoring 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 from the foul line.

BALANCED SCORING
Iowa has seven players averaging 7.5 points or more. Matt Gatens is first on the team (13.8), followed by Roy Devyn Marble (10.3), Melsahn Basabe (9.1), Aaron White (8.4), Eric May (8.0), Zach McCabe (7.8) and Josh Oglesby (7.5).

HAWKEYES PUSHING THE TEMPO
An even more increased tempo by the Iowa Hawkeyes has led to 10.6 more points per game compared to last season, an increase that ranks second best in the Big Ten.

NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 10
Iowa has won four of its last five games when Melsahn Basabe pulls down 10+ rebounds, including a 2-0 mark in 2011-12. Basabe is one of four active Big Ten players with at least 10 games of 10+ rebounds since the beginning of last season.

STEALING THE ROCK
Iowa is averaging 9.6 steals this season, collecting 10 steals or more in seven times, including being credited with 12 thefts in each of the last two contests. Last season, the Hawkeyes averaged 6.7 thefts. The 9.6 steals rank first in the Big Ten and 21st in the country. The Hawkeyes have recorded 63 more steals than their opponents this season, which ranks as the second-largest differential in the nation.

Matt Gatens AMONG SELECT GROUP
Matt Gatens is one of six active Division I players with 1200+ points, 350+ rebounds and 180+ made 3-pointers in a career so far.

SINKING THE FREEBEES
Starters Matt Gatens (39-of-44), Melsahn Basabe (31-of-41) and Roy Devyn Marble (35-of-45) are a combined 105-of-130 (.808) from the free throw line. Gatens ranks third in Big Ten career free throw percentage (.870). Marble has been on fire from the foul line the last three games, sinking a combined 23-of-26 (.885) against Iowa State, Drake and Central Arkansas. Iowa has made 61-of-75 (.813) from the charity stripe the last three games; shooting 88 percent at Iowa State (22-of-25), 79 percent versus Drake (23-of-29) and 76 percent against Central Arkansas (16-of-21). The Hawkeyes have missed only six free throws (41-of-48, .854) in the final five minutes of games. Additionally, the Hawkeyes have missed only one free throw (12-of-13, .923) in the final minute of their 11 games.

IMPROVEMENT UNDER McCAFFERY IN SECOND YEAR OF PROGRAM
Fran McCaffery-coached teams have posted improved win totals and scoring output from their first year to second with McCaffery as a head coach. At Lehigh, his team improved by two wins (13 in 1986 to 15 in 1987). His UNC Greensboro team had four more victories from 2000 (15) and 2001 (19). At Siena his team improved by five victories, registering 15 in 2006 to 20 in 2007. His Lehigh team averaged 2.8 more points its second year compared to year one. His UNC Greensboro team had a +1.9 scoring increase and +1.8 at Siena. Currently, Iowa is averaging 10.6 more points this year compared to last season.

HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? The Big Ten is the No. 1 ranked conference in the RPI and Sagarin ratings entering this week.
? Iowa has not had a game decided by fewer than 10 points this season. The average margin of victory in the Hawkeyes’ seven victories is 25.4 points, while the margin of defeat is 17 points.
? Iowa averages 89.0 points in its wins, compared to 62.2 points in its defeats, a differential of 26.8 points. The Hawkeyes own a +15.6 point differential in their scoring defense, and +13.2 rebounding and +11.7 assists margins in wins compared to losses.
? Roy Devyn Marble has 43 assists to only 11 turnovers this season. His 3.9 assist/turnover ratio ranks second in the Big Ten and eighth nationally.
? Sophomore Zach McCabe is shooting at a 60 percent clip (21-of-35) from the field over the last seven games.
? Iowa is 23-4 in games played on Dec. 28.
? Freshman Josh Oglesby became the first Hawkeye reserve to lead the team in scoring, in back-to-back games (Northern Illinois and Creighton), since Ricky Davis paced Iowa with 25 and 18 on the road at Wisconsin (Feb. 3) and Michigan State (Feb. 7), respectively, in 1998. Like Oglesby, Davis accomplished the feat as a freshman.
? Coach McCaffery has played at least 10 players in 10 of Iowa’s 12 contests; nine played at Iowa State (Dec. 9) and versus Drake (Dec. 17). Iowa’s bench averages 31.4 points.
? Iowa’s 61.9 percent (13-of-21) 3-point percentage and 56 rebounds against Brown are the most of any Big Ten team this year.
? Iowa has had five players score in double figures three times this season (North Carolina A&T, Drake and Central Arkansas). The Hawkeyes had five players score 12 points or more in its win over North Carolina A&T (Nov. 14). It marked only the fourth time the Hawkeyes had five players tally 12 points or more in a game (UW-Green Bay in 2003, Michigan in 2004, SIU-Edwardsville in 2010 and North Carolina A&T in 2011).
? Matt Gatens’ 20 points versus Drake propelled him past Jeff Moe (1985-88) into 16th place on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart. The senior is 74 points from tying James Moses (1989-92) for 15th place. Gatens has amassed 1,269 points entering Thursday’s contest against Boise State.
? Iowa saw an increase in its attendance numbers in 2010-11. Compared to 2009-10, last year’s Hawkeyes averaged 2,085 more fans than the previous year, an increase of 20%. Iowa averaged 9,550 fans two years ago, compared to 11,635 last year.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 79 of its 111 games (.712) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) over the last eight 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 in 2011.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 355-113 (.759) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 162-89 (.645) in Big Ten games and 193-24 (.889) in non-Big Ten contests.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,637 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,584-1,053 (.601). That includes a 949-349 (.731) record in home games, a 545-714 (.433) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 703-718 (.495) mark in Big Ten games and a 355-113 (.759) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

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 47 years of head coaching experience. Director of Basketball Operations Jerry Strom is in his 31st season as a member of the Iowa basketball staff.

WHITE TABBED BIG TEN CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Iowa freshmen Aaron White was named Big Ten co-Freshman of the Week after his performance in Iowa’s season opening victory over Chicago State (Nov. 11). White shared the weekly honor with Indiana’s Cody Zeller. White shined in his Hawkeye debut, leading all scorers and rebounders with 19 points and 10 rebounds in 18 minutes of action. The native of Strongsville, Ohio, shot 50 percent (6-of-12) from the field and sank all five free throw attempts. The 19 points are the most by an Iowa freshman in a season opener, equaling Dick Ives’ 19 scored against Nebraska in his debut on Dec. 10, 1943. Furthermore, White’s performance marked the first time a Hawkeye posted a double-double, in a season opener, since Dean Oliver had 10 points and 12 assists in a victory over Chicago State in 1997. It was the first time a Hawkeye freshman had a double-double, points and rebounds, since Jess Settles had 13 points and 11 rebounds versus Drake in 1993.

BIG TEN TRIPLEHEADER TO OPEN LEAGUE PLAY ON DEC. 28
The Big Ten will have a tripleheader Wednesday, Dec. 28, to open conference play. Northwestern visits Ohio State (4:30 p.m.), Michigan State entertains Indiana (6:30 p.m.) and Purdue travels to Iowa (8:30 p.m.). All three games will be televised on BTN.

WELCOME NEW HAWKEYES
Iowa has six new faces on the team this season: Gabriel Olaseni, Josh Oglesby, Aaron White, Stephen McCarty, Kyle Denning and Christopher Rickert. Olaseni, Oglesby and White are on scholarship, while Denning, McCarty and Rickert are walk-ons.

SPERAW TAKING PART IN “SHOTS FROM THE HEART”
Iowa men’s basketball assistant coach Kirk Speraw is one of 256 collegiate basketball coaches taking part in the second annual “Shots from the Heart”, which is an event created by Angela Lento and Joe Dwyer of collegeinsider.com to increase awareness for the growing problem of Heart Disease and raise money to benefit the Skip Prosser Foundation. Speraw posted a victory over Old Dominion’s Jim Corrigan in the first round of the tournament. He moves on to round two to face Saddi Washington of Oakland University. Speraw shot his free throws, sinking all 25. The second round will take place in December, while the Sweet 16 and Round of Eight will occur in January, and the semifinals and finals are scheduled for February. To view the brackets and/or learn how you can contribute to the Skip Prosser Foundation” visit: collegeinsider.com.

HAWKEYEBASKETBALL.COM
Check out the Iowa basketball team’s new website, HawkeyeBasketball.com, devoted to everything on-and-off-the-court surrounding the program. HawkeyeBasketball.com, allows fans a chance to go behind the scenes with the Hawkeye basketball program on and off the court. The site is complete with exclusive videos, photo galleries and content featuring the basketball program. HawkeyeBasketball.com will be updated throughout the year with exclusive videos, including game highlights and player features, along with news stories and other content.

ALL-SESSION BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE
All-session tickets for the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament are on sale. Tickets can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For more information regarding how to purchase tickets within Iowa’s block, contact the UI Athletic Ticket Office. Conseco Fieldhouse is the site of the men’s tournament from March 8-11, featuring 22 games over eight days. Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament all-session tickets for the lower and club levels are available for $325 through Big Ten university ticket offices only. All-session tickets for the upper levels are available for $240 or $175 (depending on seat location) through Ticketmaster or the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office only. Orders will be limited to eight all-session tickets. In addition, the men’s tournament will continue to feature a special discounted rate of $50 for all-session tickets available only to students of Big Ten universities. All students must have a valid student ID for entry. Student section seating will be available in eight balcony sections and orders will be limited to one all-session ticket. Details on the student ticket program will be sent to the university ticket offices for distribution directly to students. The Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament will call Indianapolis and Conseco Fieldhouse home this March and again in 2014 and 2016. The 2012 tournament marks the eighth time Indianapolis has hosted the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse.

ON THE HORIZON
Iowa will take a couple days off for Christmas before returning to practice to prepare for its Big Ten home opener against Purdue, Wednesday, Dec. 28 (8:36 p.m., BTN).