Iowa Entertains No. 13 Michigan Saturday

Jan. 12, 2012

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Iowa Game Notes

TIP-OFF
? Saturday is the only regular season meeting between Iowa and Michigan. Iowa’s other one-plays include Ohio State (lost 76-47), Michigan State (lost 95-61) and at Illinois (Feb. 26).
? Saturday will be Fran McCaffery’s 50th game as head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
? Iowa has collected 10 steals or more in nine games, including being credited with 10 in two of the last three 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 29.3 points per game.
? Iowa vaulted 70 RPI points (193-123) according to realtimerpi.com after road victories over Wisconsin and Minnesota, and playing sixth-ranked teams Ohio State and Michigan State.
? Iowa’s scoring average of 74.2 is its highest since the 1997-98 season (80.2).
? 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.
? Three of the last seven meetings between Iowa and Michigan have gone to overtime, with Michigan winning two.
? Four of Iowa’s first six Big Ten games are against ranked opponents.

HAWKEYES LOSE SECOND STRAIGHT CONTEST TO TOP-10 TEAM
Iowa faced the sixth-ranked team for the second consecutive game Tuesday, falling at Michigan State (95-61) in the Breslin Center. The Spartans took a 22-point lead (46-24) into halftime and never looked back. Four Hawkeyes scored in double figures, led by Aaron White’s 15 points off the bench. Roy Devyn Marble netted 12, while Matt Gatens contributed 11 and Melsahn Basabe 10. Marble had a team-best eight rebounds and three steals, both of which equal personal bests. It marked the first time in his career that the guard led the team in rebounding.

IOWA, MICHIGAN STATE TIP-INS
? Iowa forced 15 turnovers for the second straight game (Ohio State) and collected eight steals. Iowa’s 8.4 steals per game ranks third in the league.
? Zach McCabe made all three free throw attempts. The sophomore has made his last 18 free throws, dating back to the IPFW game (Nov. 26).
? Freshman Aaron White also blocked two shots to go along with his 15 points, six rebounds and two steals. The two rejections match a career high.

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 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 holds an 89-57 advantage in the series that began with a 19-15 Wolverine win in 1912. The Wolverines and Hawkeyes have met 11 times the last four seasons. The Wolverines have won nine of the last 10, including the last six. Three of the last seven meetings between Iowa and Michigan have gone to overtime, with Michigan winning two. The series is tied, 35-35, in games played in Iowa City. Iowa holds a 14-12 advantage in games played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The two teams have split the last 10 meetings in Iowa City. Iowa’s last win over Michigan came on Feb. 22, 2009, with a 70-60 overtime victory in Iowa City. Michigan holds a 5-0 advantage in games played at neutral sites, all in the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan won 77-66 in 1998 at Chicago and 79-70 in the 2004 event at Indianapolis. Michigan has defeated Iowa in the first round at Indianapolis in each of the past three seasons, winning 55-47 in 2008, 73-45 in 2009 and 59-52 in 2010.

SCOUTING MICHIGAN
? Michigan has won nine of its last 10 games entering Saturday’s contest at Iowa. The Wolverines are 1-2 in true road games, while they are perfect in Crisler Arena (11-0).
? Michigan is 3-1 in games decided by five points or less, including registering a 66-64 overtime win over Northwestern Tuesday night in Ann Arbor. Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway, Jr. each netted 19 points to lead the Maize and Blue.
? Michigan has a pair of underclassmen guards leading the team in scoring, sophomore Tim Hardaway, Jr. (16.1) and freshman Trey Burke (14.1). Burke also ranks first in assists (5.1).
? Michigan and Iowa have played three common opponents: Iowa State, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Wolverines won all three at home, while the Hawkeyes played all three on the road and won two of the three, beating the Gophers and Badgers.
? Michigan can really shoot the 3-ball, sinking 142 triples; a total that ranks second in the Big Ten. The Wolverines have five players who have drained 20 or more.
? The Wolverines rank fourth in Big Ten scoring defense (59.8), free throw percentage (.712), and fifth in 3-point field goal percentage (.355).
? Tim Hardaway, Jr. ranks sixth in league scoring (16.1); Evan Smotrycz ranks fifth in rebounding (6.5) and 3-point accuracy (.491); Jordan Morgan is second in field goal percentage (.644), and Trey Burke ranks third in assists (5.1).

IOWA, MICHIGAN TIP-INS
? Free trading cards will be given Saturday to the first 1,500 children in eighth grade or younger.
? Melsahn Basabe had his best Big Ten games against Michigan a year ago. Basabe missed only four field goal attempts (17-of-21) and averaged 22 points and eight rebounds against the Wolverines. In the first meeting in Ann Arbor, Basabe posted 25 points (9-11 FG, 7-8 FT) and eight rebounds. In Iowa City, the native of Glen Cove, N.Y., netted 19 points (8-10 FG, 3-3 FT).
? Against Michigan in their career, Matt Gatens averages 10.8 points; Melsahn Basabe 22.0 points and 8.0 rebounds; Eric May 5.2 points and Roy Devyn Marble 4.2 points.
? Last year, against Iowa, the Wolverines took advantage of their trips to the charity stripe. Michigan was a combined 26-of-32 (.813) in the two contests. The Wolverines were 19-of-24 in Iowa City, including 14-of-16 in the second half. Michigan made key attempts down the stretch that helped send the game to overtime, which the Wolverines ultimately won.
? Iowa’s second (Roy Devyn Marble, 10.7), third (Aaron White, 9.6), fourth (Melsahn Basabe, 9.1) and fifth (Zach McCabe, 7.3) leading scorers are all underclassmen.
? Michigan assistant coach LaVall Jordan previously served as an Iowa assistant coach for three seasons (2007-10).
? 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.
? After not playing a nonconference 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 ranks 13th in the nation in fewest fouls per game (15.1), 28th in 3-point ers (8.4), 31st in fewest turnovers (11.6) and 36th in scoring defense (59.8).
? Iowa ranks 23rd in fewest turnovers per game (12.6); 37th in assists (14.7) and 41st in free throw percentage (.729).
? Michigan’s roster is comprised of 16 student-athletes. The roster consists of three seniors, four juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen. Five players hail from Michigan, three from Illinois, two from Indiana, and one each from Ohio, Florida, New York, Arizona, Massachusetts and Washington.

MICHIGAN COACH JOHN BEILEIN
John Beilein is in his fifth season as the head coach at Michigan and his 34th year as a head coach on the junior college, NAIA, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division I levels. Beilein is 81-70 (.536) at Michigan and his career mark is 632-388 (.620). Beilein is in his 20th year as a Division I head coach, posting an 89-62 record at Canisius (1993-97), a 100-53 record at Richmond (1998-2002) and a 104-60 mark at West Virginia (2003-07). He led West Virginia teams to four straight postseason appearances, including two trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 and a trip to the Elite Eight in 2005. West Virginia, won the NIT post-season tournament in 2007. Beilein has taken his team to postseason action in 12 of the last 19 seasons, including the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Beilein’s teams have posted 28 winning seasons in 33 years, including 16 seasons of at least 20 wins. He ranks among the top 20 active Division I coaches in career wins. Beilein is 9-2 against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

ESPN.COM RANKS NATION’S TOP FRESHMEN
ESPN.com released a midseason report on the nation’s top freshmen. Included in the list are Iowa’s Aaron White and Michigan’s Trey Burke. White is ranked No. 15, while Burke is seventh. Indiana’s Cody Zeller is second. White ranks third in Iowa scoring (9.6) and second in rebounding (4.7), while Burke ranks first in Michigan assists (5.1) and second in scoring (14.1).

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

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

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Saturday will be Iowa’s fourth game, third 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 and No. 6 Michigan State (95-61) on Jan. 10 in East Lansing, Mich. Iowa has played eight ranked foes in each of the last two seasons.

BIG TEN RANKINGS
Iowa ranks third in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.729); third in steals (8.4); fourth in scoring (74.2) and rebounding (36.2); and sixth in sixth in assists (14.7) and turnover margin (+2.6). Individually, Roy Devyn Marble ranks second in assist/turnover ratio (2.9); seventh in steals (1.6), and 14th in assists (3.3). Matt Gatens ranks fourth in free throw (.857); 10th in steals (1.5) and 16th in scoring (13.1). Melsahn Basabe ranks 11th in rebounding (5.7), while Bryce Cartwright ranks fifth in assists (3.9) and eighth in assist/turnover ratio (1.8).

BALANCED SCORING
Iowa has six players averaging seven points or more. Matt Gatens is first on the team (13.1), followed by Roy Devyn Marble (10.7), Aaron White (9.6), Melsahn Basabe (9.1), Zach McCabe (7.3) and Eric May (7.1).

STAT SHEET STUFFER
Roy Devyn Marble’s level of play has been stellar the last 14 games. The sophomore has averaged a team-best 12.4 points and 3.4 assists during that span. Also, he is shooting 44 percent from the field and 70 percent from the foul line during the 14-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 13.2 points, 4.0 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He has amassed a staggering assist/turnover ratio this season. He has 60 assists to only 21 turnovers, ranking second in the Big Ten (2.9). Marble has been credited with four assists or more 10 times this season.

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 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and has collected 60 assists and 29 steals in 18 contests. He has started the last 10. From the foul line this season, the sophomore has seen significant improvement, shooting 70 percent (55-of-78). The 78 free throw attempts are the third most by a Big Ten student-athlete this season. Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger is first with 91 attempts.

WHITE LEADS BIG TEN RESERVES IN REBOUNDING
Aaron White leads Big Ten reserves in rebounding. The Iowa freshman has pulled down 84 rebounds. Michigan State’s Derrick Nix ranks second (69), Austin Thornton of Michigan State is third (64), while Purdue’s Terone Johnson is fourth (54).

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.

Matt Gatens AMONG SELECT GROUP
Matt Gatens is one of five active Division I players with 1,300+ points, 400+ rebounds and 189+ made 3-pointers in a career.

PERIMETER DEFENSE IMPROVING
In 13 nonconference games, Iowa opponents shot 35 percent (70-of-201) from long distance. However, through five games in league play, Hawkeye opponents are shooting just 29 percent (30-of-103) from 3-point territory

WHITE OUT
Aaron White has been contributing solid numbers off the bench. The freshman, who leads all Big Ten reserves in rebounding (4.7), averaged 12.6 points and 4.7 rebounds the last seven games. White has scored in double digits five times, including six of the last eight games. The last eight games, White has averaged 12.3 points, shooting at a 66 percent clip (35-of-53) from the field. The 6-foot-8 wing player has scored 15 points or more five times, which ties Trey Burke of Michigan for second 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.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 80 of its 114 games (.702) 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 356-115 (.756) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 162-91 (.640) in Big Ten games and 194-24 (.890) in non-Big Ten contests.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,643 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,587-1,056 (.600). That includes a 950-351 (.730) record in home games, a 547-715 (.433) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 705-721 (.494) mark in Big Ten games and a 356-115 (.756) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

SINKING THE FREEBEES
Last year, Iowa’s free throw percentage was 67.6 percent. This season, the Hawkeyes have improved in that area, shooting 72.9 percent, which ranks third best in the Big Ten. Twenty-two percent of Iowa’s offense this year has come from the foul line. The Hawkeyes have missed only 16 free throws (66-of-82, .805) in the final five minutes of games. Additionally, the Hawkeyes have missed only eight free throws (23-of-31, .742) 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 seven 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 61.9 points in its defeats, a differential of 22.1 points. The Hawkeyes own a +16.4 point differential in their scoring defense, and +10.1 rebounding and +8.3 assists margins in wins compared to losses.
? Roy Devyn Marble has 60 assists to only 21 turnovers. His 2.9 assist/turnover ratio ranks second in the Big Ten.
? Aaron White ranks fifth in the Big Ten in field goal percentage during conference play, shooting at a 61 percent clip. Zach McCabe has made all 10 free throw attempts in league play and ranks first.
? 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 five points from tying James Moses (1989-92) for 15th place. Gatens has amassed 1,338 points entering Saturday’s contest against 13th-ranked Michigan.
? 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 14 of Iowa’s 18 contests. Iowa’s bench averages 29.3 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).

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 Derrick Jones of Louisiana Tech. 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.

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 the road when it travels to West Lafayette, Ind., for a match-up against Purdue on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT).