Hawkeyes Play at Michigan State Tuesday

Jan. 9, 2012

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Iowa Notes

TIP-OFF
? Tuesday is the only regular season meeting between Iowa and Michigan State. Iowa’s other one-plays include Ohio State (lost 76-47), Michigan (Jan. 14) and at Illinois (Feb. 26).
? Iowa has posted its first 2-0 road start in the Big Ten since 2000-01.
? Iowa has collected 10 steals or more in nine games, including being credited with 10 in each of the last two contests. The nine games with 10 or more steals lead the Big Ten and are the fourth most in the country.
? Iowa has one of the deepest benches in the Big Ten, averaging 29.9 points per game.
? The Hawkeyes vaulted 70 RPI points (193-123) according to realtimerpi.com after its two road victories over 11th-ranked Wisconsin and Minnesota and playing sixth-ranked Ohio State.
? Iowa’s scoring average of 74.9 is its highest since the 1997-98 season (80.2).
? Tuesday concludes a stretch of playing three of four games on the road for Iowa.
? Iowa is 9-0 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.
? Iowa is 7-0 this season when holding opponents to 68 points or less.
? Four of Iowa’s first six Big Ten games are against ranked opponents.

IOWA FALLS TO SIXTH-RANKED OHIO STATE SATURDAY
In the only regular-season meeting, the sixth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Iowa, 76-47, Saturday. The game was played in front of a sellout crowd of 15,400 on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, its first of the season. Ohio State sophomore center Jared Sullinger led all scorers with 28 points and was credited with a game-high four steals. The Buckeyes shot 52 percent from the field, including 65 percent in the second half. Iowa junior Eric May led the team in scoring (9) and rebounding (6). It marked the first time in May’s career that he led the team in scoring and rebounding in the same game. Freshman guard Josh Oglesby contributed seven points.

IOWA, OHIO STATE TIP-INS
? Iowa forced 15 Ohio State turnovers and collected 10 steals. Iowa has registered 10 steals or more nine times this season, which ranks first in the Big Ten.
? The Hawkeyes shot 76.9 percent (10-of-13) from the foul line.
? For the 13th time in 17 games, Josh Oglesby sank a 3-pointer.
? Iowa blocked six shots. After blocking 16 shots its first 10 games (1.6), the Hawkeyes have rejected 36 the last seven (5.1).

IOWA TO HONOR 1987 TEAM AND LETTERMEN’S DAY ON FEB. 4
There will be more than a basketball game on Feb. 4 when Penn State visits Carver-Hawkeye Arena. That Saturday will be a special afternoon as the UI men’s basketball program will honor the 1986-87 Hawkeyes. Former UI head coach Tom Davis, and a majority of players and staff from the 1987 team will reunite in Iowa City. Additionally, for “Lettermen’s Day”, the team will wear special throwback jerseys. Fans will have an opportunity to meet this illustrious group before the Feb. 4 game. There will be an autograph session of selected players and coaches from 12:30-1:30 p.m. around the concourse. Following autographs there will be a pregame ceremony recognizing the team and its accomplishments. That team, which was the top-ranked team in the country for a number of weeks during the season, set the program’s single-season record for wins (30) and was one game from the earning the program’s fourth Final Four appearance. Eight players from the 1987 team ultimately went on to get drafted in the NBA, while others played professionally overseas.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Michigan State holds a 64-53 advantage over Iowa in the series that began with a 52-37 Michigan State win in 1938. Iowa and Michigan State played three times last year, with the Spartans winning twice. Iowa won on its home court, while Michigan State won in East Lansing and in Indianapolis at the Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans hold a 41-17 advantage in games played in East Lansing. Iowa has lost 16 straight since capturing a 96-90 overtime win at the Breslin Center on Jan. 28, 1993. Iowa is 2-18 at the Breslin Center, which opened in 1989-90. 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 has had a week to prepare for Iowa, as the Spartans played last at Wisconsin on Jan. 3. Michigan State won that contest in overtime 63-60.
? After losing its first two games of the season to nationally-ranked North Carolina (67-55) and Duke (74-69), Michigan State has won 14 consecutive contests, the third longest active streak in the country. The 14-game streak is their longest since 2001.
? Senior Draymond Green leads the team in scoring (15.6), rebounding (9.8), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.3). He also ranks second in assists (3.3).
? Keith Appling averages 12.5 points and a team-best 3.6 assists per game. Brandon Wood averages 10 points and 2.9 rebounds.
? Michigan State, who is first in the Big Ten standings, is a perfect 10-0 at home this season, selling out each game (14,797).
? Michigan State averages 75.7 points and 41.1 rebounds. The Spartans yield 59.5 points to their opponents and hold their foes to 30.8 rebounds per game.
? The Spartans are one of five teams with three wins against current ranked teams in the Associated Press.
? Michigan State is 3-1 in games decided by nine points or less.

IOWA, MICHIGAN STATE TIP-INS
? Both Iowa and Michigan State notched victories at the Kohl Center this season. Iowa won 72-65, while the Spartans won 63-60 in overtime.
? Against Michigan State in their career, Matt Gatens averages 14.3 points, Bryce Cartwright 6.8 points, Melsahn Basabe 7.6 points and Zach McCabe 5.3
? Iowa’s second (Roy Devyn Marble, 10.6), third (Aaron White, 9.2), fourth (Melsahn Basabe, 9.0) and sixth (Zach McCabe, 7.3) leading scorers are underclassmen.
? Iowa’s roster includes two players from the state of Michigan: sophomore Roy Devyn Marble (Southfield) and freshman Stephen McCarty (Bloomfield). Marble and McCarty are cousins.
? Tuesday will be Eric May’s final visit to the Breslin Center. Iowa will only play Michigan State once during the regular season next season and that meeting will come in Iowa City.
? After not playing a non-conference ranked opponent, four of Iowa’s first five Big Ten games are against ranked foes: Wisconsin (11), Ohio State (6), Michigan State (10) and Michigan (13). Last season, Iowa opened conference play with five of its first six against ranked competition.
? Michigan State ranks sixth in the nation in rebounding margin (+10.3); 13th in field goal percentage defense (.373); 17th in scoring margin (16.2) and 22nd in assists (16.3). Individually, Draymond Green ranks 10th in the country in double-doubles (8).
? Iowa ranks 18th in the country in assist/turnover ratio (1.2), 23rd in fewest turnovers per game (12.1); 29th in turnover margin (3.1); 37th in assists (14.9) and 41st in free throw percentage (.737). Individually, Roy Devyn Marble ranks fifth in the country in assist/turnover ratio (3.5).
? Iowa struggled against Michigan State beyond the 3-point arc last season. The Hawkeyes shot a combined 7-30 (.233). Iowa was 0-12 from distance at Michigan State on March 2, 2011, snapping a streak of 239 games of making at least one trey.
? Michigan State (1999 and 2000) and Iowa (2001 & 2006) have won four of the 14 Big Ten Conference tournaments. 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, 2010 and 2011, Illinois won in 2003 and 2005, Wisconsin earned the title in 2004 and 2008 and Purdue in 2009.
? Michigan State’s roster is comprised of 14 student-athletes. The roster consists of three seniors, one junior, three sophomores and seven freshmen (three redshirt). Nine players hail from Michigan, three from Indiana, and two from Ohio.

MICHIGAN STATE COACH TOM IZZO
Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo is in his 17th year as a college head coach, all at Michigan State. Izzo holds a record of 397-163 (.709). 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. In 2010, 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 two in the last three years, and two Big Ten Tournament championships under Izzo, who is in his 29th year as a member of the Spartan staff. He has been named national Coach of the Year on four occasions. Izzo is 22-9 against the Hawkeyes.

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Tuesday will be Iowa’s third game, second straight, against a ranked opponent. The Hawkeyes upset No. 11 Wisconsin (72-65) on Dec. 31 in Madison and most recently fell to No. 6 Ohio State (76-47) on Jan. 7 in Iowa City. Iowa has played eight ranked foes in each of the last two seasons.

BIG TEN RANKINGS
Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.737) and steals (8.5); fourth in scoring (74.9) and rebounding (36.4); fifth in assist/turnover ratio (1.2), and six in assists (14.9) and turnover margin (+3.1). Individually, Roy Devyn Marble ranks second in assist/turnover ratio (3.5); eighth in steals (1.5), and 13th in assists (3.5). Matt Gatens ranks third in free throw (.869); eighth in steals (1.5) and 15th in scoring (13.2). Melsahn Basabe ranks ninth in rebounding (5.9), while Bryce Cartwright ranks sixth in assists (3.9) and assist/turnover ratio (1.9).

FRESHMEN CONTRIBUTIONS
Freshmen Aaron White and Josh Oglesby have combined for six games of scoring 15 or more points this season. White has scored 15 points or more in three of the last five contests.

CARTWRIGHT RECOGNIZED BY WEBSITES
Senior point guard Bryce Cartwright was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Jan. 2 by the websites College Sports Madness and NetScouts Basketball for his performances last week. It marked the second consecutive week that College Sports Madness honored a Hawkeye (Roy Devyn Marble). Cartwright helped lead Iowa to victory at Wisconsin. The senior scored 10 of his season-high 17 points in the second half to help give distance between Iowa and the Badgers down the stretch. He also had five assists and only one turnover in 31 minutes off the bench. For the week he shot 50 percent from the field and had nine assists to only two turnovers.

BALANCED SCORING
Iowa has six players averaging 7.3 points or more. Matt Gatens is first on the team (13.2), followed by Roy Devyn Marble (10.6), Aaron White (9.2), Melsahn Basabe (9.0), Eric May (7.4) and Zach McCabe (7.3).

STAT SHEET STUFFER
Roy Devyn Marble’s level of play has been stellar the last 13 games. The sophomore has averaged a team-best 12.5 points and 3.6 assists during that span. Also, he is shooting 46 percent from the field and 70 percent from the foul line during the 13-game stretch. Since moving to the starting point guard spot, Marble has led Iowa in scoring five of the last nine games. As a starter this season, he is averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds. He has amassed a staggering assist/turnover ratio this season. He has 59 assists to only 17 turnovers, ranking second in the Big Ten (3.5). He has posted 22 assists to seven turnovers the last six games. Marble has been credited with four assists or more 10 times this season, including five or more in five of the last eight contests.

IMPROVED NUMBERS FOR MARBLE
Last season, Roy Devyn Marble averaged 5.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and was credited with 41 assists and 21 steals in 31 contests. He started the last six of 2010-11. Also, he shot 53 percent from the free throw line (35-of-66). This year, Marble has seen improved numbers, averaging 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and has collected 59 assists and 26 steals in 17 contests. He has started the last nine. From the foul line this season, the sophomore has seen significant improvement, shooting 70 percent (53-of-75). The 75 free throw attempts are the third most by a Big Ten student-athlete this season. Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger is first with 89 attempts.

HAWKEYES PUSHING THE TEMPO
An even more increased tempo by the Iowa Hawkeyes has led to 7.7 more points per game compared to last season, an increase that ties Michigan State for second best in the Big Ten.

WHITE LEADS BIG TEN RESERVES IN REBOUNDING
Aaron White leads Big Ten reserves in rebounding. The Iowa freshman has pulled down 78 rebounds. Michigan State’s Derrick Nix ranks second (65), Austin Thornton of Michigan State is third (62), while Purdue’s Terone Johnson is fourth (54).

IMPROVED DECEMBER STATS FOR BASABE
After a sluggish start to the season, sophomore Melsahn Basabe’s numbers in December were solid. Basabe has averaged 13.3 points and 8.4 rebounds in Iowa’s eight games in December. He shot 44-of-76 (.579) from the field in those contests. The previous seven contests, the native of Glen Cove, N.Y. averaged 6.4 points and four rebounds. Basabe has led the team in rebounding in six of the last 10 contests. For the season, he ranks ninth in the Big Ten in rebounding (5.9). Basabe has three double-doubles this season (North Carolina A&T, Brown and Boise State). His latest double-double, and ninth of his career, was a 14 point and 11 rebound performance in the Hawkeyes’ win over Boise State on Dec. 22.

NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 10
Iowa has won five of its last six games when Melsahn Basabe pulls down 10+ rebounds, including a 3-0 mark in 2011-12. His three games with 10 or more rebounds ranks fifth best in the conference this season. Basabe is one of four active Big Ten players with at least 10 games of 10+ rebounds since the beginning of last season. Basabe has accomplished the feat 11 times.

WHITE OUT
Aaron White has been contributing solid numbers off the bench. The freshman, who leads all Big Ten reserves in rebounding (4.6), averaged 12.2 points and 4.5 rebounds the last six games. White has scored in double digits five times, including five of the last seven games. The last seven games, White has averaged 11.9 points, shooting at a 65 percent clip (30-of-46) from the field. The 6-foot-8 wing player has scored 15 points or more four times, which is the third most by a Big Ten rookie this season. White was named Big Ten co-Freshman of the Week after his performance in Iowa’s season opening victory over Chicago State (Nov. 11). The native of Strongsville, Ohio, shined in his Hawkeye debut, leading all scorers and rebounders with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The 19 points are the most by an Iowa freshman in an 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.

Matt Gatens AMONG SELECT GROUP
Matt Gatens is one of five active Division I players with 1,300+ points, 390+ rebounds and 185+ made 3-pointers in a career.

SINKING THE FREEBEES
Last year, Iowa’s free throw percentage was 67.6 percent. This season, the Hawkeyes have improved in that area, shooting 73.7 percent, which ranks second best in the Big Ten. Twenty-two percent of Iowa’s offense this year has come from the foul line. Iowa has been aggressive to the basket the last eight games, attempting an average of 23.6 free throws during that span. The Hawkeyes have made 143-of-189 (.757) from the charity stripe the last eight games. The Hawkeyes have missed only 16 free throws (63-of-79, .797) in the final five minutes of games. Additionally, the Hawkeyes have missed only eight free throws (21-of-29, .724) in the final minute.

IMPROVEMENT UNDER McCAFFERY IN SECOND YEAR
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 7.7 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.
? Iowa averages 84.0 points in its wins, compared to 62.0 points in its defeats, a differential of 22 points. The Hawkeyes own a +14.3 point differential in their scoring defense, and +10.4 rebounding and +8.5 assists margins in wins compared to losses.
? Roy Devyn Marble has 59 assists to only 17 turnovers. His 3.5 assist/turnover ratio ranks second in the Big Ten and fifth nationally.
? Iowa’s attendance numbers are up again this season, after a 20 percent bump a year ago. Last season, Iowa averaged 11,096 fans. Through 12 games this season, the Hawkeyes are averaging 11,200.
? Matt Gatens ranks 16th on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart. The senior is only 16 points from tying James Moses (1989-92) for 15th place. Gatens has amassed 1,327 points entering Tuesday’s contest at Michigan State.
? 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.
? At least 10 players have seen action in 13 of Iowa’s 17 contests. Iowa’s bench averages 29.9 points.
? Iowa has had five players score in double figures three times (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).

PERIMETER DEFENSE IMPROVING
In 13 nonconference games, Iowa opponents shot 35 percent (70-of-201) from long distance. However, through four games in league play, Hawkeye opponents are shooting just 23.5 percent (20-of-85) from 3-point territory.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,642 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,587-1,055 (.601). That includes a 950-351 (.730) record in home games, a 547-714 (.434) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 705-720 (.495) mark in Big Ten games and a 356-115 (.756) 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.

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 then advanced to the Sweet 16 with a win over Saddi Washington of Oakland University. In both rounds, Speraw sank all 25 of his free throws. Speraw’s next opponent is Ramon Williams of Ohio or Louisiana Tech’s Derrick Jones. The Sweet 16 and Round of Eight will occur in January, while 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.

“HAWK TALK WITH Fran McCaffery”
University of Iowa basketball fans may join Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery and radio announcer Gary Dolphin during the season for the “Hawk Talk with Fran McCaffery” radio call-in show. The show takes place at Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Cafe in Iowa City from 7-8:30 p.m. Fans can call in and ask the coach a question by calling 1-877-464-2957. This week’s show will air on Wednesday.

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 Bankers Life 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. Bankers Life 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 through Ticketmaster or the Bankers Life Fieldhouse Box Office only. 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 Bankers Life 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 Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

ON THE HORIZON
Iowa returns to home after playing three of its last four on the road to host nationally-ranked Michigan on Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 12:01 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.