Men's Hoops Travels to Minnesota on Sunday

Feb. 1, 2013

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Iowa Game Notes

THE SETTING
Iowa (14-7, 3-5) travels to Minneapolis Sunday to play No. 23 Minnesota (16-5, 4-4). Tip-off is set for 12:06 p.m. (CT) inside Williams Arena. Sunday will be Iowa’s third road contest in four games and its fourth Sunday road contest in the last five weeks.

ON THE AIR
Radio: All Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, along with color commentator Bob Hansen. The network includes more than 40 stations that blanket the state of Iowa and include portions of Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pregame show. Fans can also listen to the broadcast on satellite radio: Sirius (91) and XM (91).
Television: Sunday afternoon’s game will be televised on BTN (BTN2GO). Brian Anderson and Eddie Johnson will call the action.

GAME #22 STORYLINES
? Iowa is one of only two Big Ten teams (Penn State) with two players in the top ten in scoring.
? Iowa is in the middle of a stretch of playing 4-of-6 and 5-of-7 on the road.
? Four of UI’s five Big Ten losses have come by margins of nine points or less, two by three points.
? Iowa is 13-3 when shooting 40 percent or better from the field.
? Aaron White is one of only three Big Ten players to average 14 ppg and six rpg or better. The other two being Cody Zeller of Indiana and Deshaun Thomas of Ohio State.
? The Hawkeyes are 8-1 when Aaron White scores 16 points or more.
? Iowa is 16-2 when scoring 80 points or more, the last three seasons. The Hawkeyes are 22-0 when holding opponents to fewer than 60 points, the last three years.
? Melsahn Basabe earned his first start of the season in Iowa’s last game. In the last three outings, Basabe has led the team in rebounding, averaging 9.3 boards.
? For only the second time in the last two decades, the men’s basketball team has nine players logging 15.5 minutes or more per game, and 10 players averaging 9.5 minutes or more. Iowa’s 1998-99 team, that advanced to the Sweet 16 in the 1999 NCAA Tournament, had 10 players average 17 minutes or more.

HAWKEYES BEAT PENN STATE, 76-67
? Iowa led by as many as 15 points en route to a 76-67 win over Penn State on Thursday night in Iowa City. The win was Iowa’s 10th straight over the Nittany Lions in Iowa City.
? Sophomore Aaron White netted a career-high 27 points. It was the fourth time he has scored 20 points or more this season, and the sixth time in his career.
? Melsahn Basabe started for the first time this season and first time since Jan. 26, 2012. In his 53rd career start, the junior recorded his first double-double of the season and the 10th of his career. He scored 10 points and pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds. Eight of his 10 points came at the free throw line, matching a career best.
? Iowa tied for season highs in free throws made (31) and attempted (39); Iowa also went 31-of-39 at the free throw line vs. Wichita State on Nov. 21, 2012 in Cancun.
? The Hawkeyes forced 18 Penn State turnovers, which is the most Iowa has forced against a Big Ten team this season.
? Iowa was credited with assists on 90 percent of its field goals (18-of-20).
? Zach McCabe collected a game-high four steals, which equaled a personal best.
? The Hawkeyes had 10 players play 10 minutes or more. Iowa’s bench scored 27 points. For the season, Hawkeye reserves average 25.4 points per game.
? Iowa collected 11 steals, which ties for the most in Big Ten play (vs. Indiana). The Hawkeyes are 5-1 when recording double-digit thefts.
? The win improved Iowa’s home record to 11-2 this season. Additionally, the Hawkeyes have won 16 of their last 19 home contests, dating back to last season.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Minnesota holds a 100-90 advantage in the series that began with a 47-10 Gopher win in 1902. The 190 meetings are the most Iowa has played against any opponent. The Gophers had won six straight in the series before the Hawkeyes swept Minnesota a season ago. It marked Iowa’s first sweep over Minnesota since 2007. The Gophers hold a 60-34 advantage in games played at Minnesota. Minnesota has won five of the last seven meetings in Williams Arena. Iowa snapped a three-game losing streak in the barn with last year’s 64-62 thrilling win on Jan. 4, 2012. The teams have met twice in the Big Ten Tournament. Along with a 2006 win in Indianapolis, Iowa defeated the Gophers 81-78 in the 2000 event at the United Center in Chicago. Iowa also defeated the Gophers at a neutral site (Los Angeles) early in the 1964-65 season.

SCOUTING MINNESOTA
? Minnesota snapped a four-game losing skid with an 84-65 triumph over Nebraska on Tuesday night in Minneapolis. Senior forward Rodney Williams scored a season-high 23 points, while sophomore guard Andre Hollins added 14 points and junior guard Austin Hollins finished with 13 points.
? The Golden Gophers are 11-1 at home, with the lone setback coming to top-ranked Michigan (83-75) on Jan. 17.
? During Minnesota’s four-game losing skid, three of the losses came on the road. Additionally, each of the four losses came by eight points or less, including one game by one point (at Wisconsin).
? Minnesota leads the Big Ten in blocks (6.1) and steals (6.1); ranks second in rebounding margin (+9.6) and assists (16.0); ranks third in scoring (73.7), and is fourth in field goal percentage (.463). Their +9.6 rebounding margin is fifth best in the country.
? Trevor Mbakwe ranks first in the conference in rebounding (8.6); second in blocks (1.8); and fifth in field goal percentage (.587). Andre Hollins ranks eighth in the league in scoring (14.1); fourth in 3-point accuracy (.420); fifth in free throw percentage (.793); ninth in 3-pointers (2.0); and 10th in assists (3.5). Austin Hollins ranks second in the Big Ten in steals (2.0).

IOWA BEAT MINNESOTA IN LAST MEETING
Iowa used two second-half 9-0 runs, including one to end the game, to come from behind and edge Minnesota, 63-59, on Feb. 1, 2012, in Iowa City. Roy Devyn Marble scored five of his 12 points in crunch time, and assisted on another crucial basket in the final seconds. Senior Matt Gatens led all scorers with 18 points, netting 14 in the second half. Zach McCabe posted personal bests in rebounding (10), steals (4) and assists (4). Iowa scored in transition and had a high number of high percentage shots en route to victory. The Hawkeyes outscored Minnesota 15-0 in fast break points and 30-10 in paint points.

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Sunday will be Iowa’s fourth contest this year against a ranked opponent. The Hawkeyes fell 69-65 on Dec. 31 to fifth-ranked Indiana in Iowa City; No. 2 Michigan (95-67) on Jan. 6 in Ann Arbor; and No. 18 Michigan State (62-59) on Jan. 10 in Iowa City.

BASABE… SPICY!
Melsahn Basabe’s play has been so good the last few games, that he was moved to the starting lineup in Iowa’s last outing vs. Penn State. The junior has averaged 9.4 points and 6.8 rebounds in his last five games. He led the team in rebounding the last three outings, averaging 9.3 boards. Basabe posted his first double-double of the season in Iowa’s win over Penn State (10 points and 10 rebounds). Overall, Basabe ranks fourth in team scoring (7.4), first in blocks (1.1) and third in rebounding (4.5).

HAWKEYE FASTBREAKS
? In Iowa’s two win against Minnesota a year ago, Zach McCabe averaged 10 points and 8.5 rebounds. Aaron White averaged 9.5 points and 6.5 boards, while Roy Devyn Marble averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.
? Iowa’s strength of schedule ranks 43rd in the country.
? Junior Zach McCabe has averaged three steals the last two games.
? The Hawkeyes have played 10 players or more in 20 of their 21 games. The only contest in which they did not play 10 players was Iowa State (nine players). Iowa has nine players who average nearly 15.5 minutes or more of action.
? Co-captain Eric May has posted his best offensive rebound average, assist rate, turnover rate and free throw percentage of his career this season.
? Iowa shot 40 percent from the field in its win over Penn State, marking the first game since Wisconsin on Jan. 19 in which it shot at least 40 percent from the field. The Hawkeyes are 13-3 this season when shooting at a 40 percent clip or better.
? Seven of the 12 Big Ten teams enter this weekend with four losses or more in league play. The Big Ten is the No. 1 rated conference by the RPI.
? Adam Woodbury has almost the same number points (112) and rebounds (111).
? Last season, Iowa had eight different players post double digits in one game or more. This year, 11 different players have scored double figures for the Hawkeyes.
? Three of Iowa’s first six Big Ten games were one-plays. The Hawkeyes only play Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State once. Iowa’s other one-play this season is Illinois (March 5 in Iowa City).
? Aaron White ranks 41st in the nation in free throw attempts per game (6.67).
? Iowa has made 44-of-127 (.346) 3-pointers in six games away from home, while the Hawkeyes are 64-of-236 (.271) from long range in 13 home contests.
? Iowa ranks fourth in the country in free throws made (17.8) and seventh in attempts (25.1).
? Iowa has made (374) more free throws than its opponents have attempted (357), which is a staple of Fran McCaffery-coached teams.
? Iowa has had an attendance figure of 10,500 fans or greater in all 13 home contests, including sellouts of 15,400 against Indiana on Dec. 31 and Wisconsin on Jan. 19.
? Iowa’s 12 triples vs. UNI are the second most by a Fran McCaffery-coached Iowa team. Roy Devyn Marble’s 30 points and 14 free throws made rank third and first, respectively, the last three seasons under Fran McCaffery.
? Iowa has won 16 of its last 19 home games, including 11-of-13 this season, dating back to Feb. 1, 2012. The Hawkeyes’ two losses this season have come to nationally ranked teams (Indiana and Michigan State).

DISHING THE ROCK
Iowa has done an outstanding job sharing the basketball this season. The Hawkeyes have assisted on 66.8 percent of their field goal makes (338 assists on 522 field goals), a rate that is 12th best in the country.

IN NATIONAL STATISTICS…
Iowa ranks 20th in the country in assists (16.1) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.290); 39th in field goal percentage defense (.390).

WHITE HOT!
Aaron White has averaged 17.3 points per game and 5.3 rebounds the last three games. The sophomore is one of just three Big Ten players to average 14 points and six rebounds this season, with the other two being Cody Zellar of Indiana and Ohio State’s Deshaun Thomas. The Hawkeyes are 8-1 this season when White scores 16 points or more.

HEATING UP
Roy Devyn Marble’s game has soared as of late before injuring his ankle, rising to ninth in Big Ten scoring (14.0 ppg). He has scored in double digits in all but three games played this season (Iowa State, Penn State and Northwestern). In his last 10 games played, the junior averaged 14.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. During that 10-game stretch, Marble is shooting 78 percent from the free throw line (53-of-68). The native of Southfield, Mich., did not play vs. Michigan State due to an injured ankle.

WELCOME FRESHMEN
Iowa welcomes five newcomers to the fold for 2012-13. The newest Hawkeyes include guards Anthony Clemmons, Pat Ingram and Mike Gesell; forward Kyle Meyer and center Adam Woodbury. The class ranks 25th in the nation by ESPN.com.

McCAFFERY INVOLVED IN COACHES VS. CANCER CHALLENGE
Iowa’s Fran McCaffery is one of 48 NABC coaches taking part in the “Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge.” Fan participation will determine the ultimate winner over an eight-week period by registering and voting on a custom microsite on www.ESPN.com/Infiniti. For the first six weeks, four brackets of 12 coaches will be paired against each other, with the winners from each group moving onto the next round in week seven and the final round in week eight. Fans can vote once per day for their favorite coach and his charity. Go to www.ESPN.com/Infiniti each day and vote for Fran McCaffery and his charity, Coaches vs. Cancer. The total Infiniti contribution will be more than $300,000. All 48 coaches’ charities are guaranteed at least $5,000 from Infiniti.

DEFENSE IMPROVEMENT
Last year, Iowa allowed opponents 72.5 points per contest. Through 21 games in 2012-13, Iowa is yielding 63.9 points. Iowa held Howard to 36 points on Nov. 15, which were the fewest points a Hawkeye team allowed since a 61-36 win over Bryant on Dec. 5, 2008. Also, the Black and Gold limited Northwestern (Jan. 13) to 50 points, its fewest output against Iowa since scoring 48 in Iowa’s 65-48 victory on Feb. 23, 1999 in Iowa City. Also, Iowa is holding its opponents to a much lower field goal percentage this season, compared to a year ago. Hawkeye opponents are shooting at a 39 percent clip this season, compared to 46 percent last season.

DEFENSE IMPROVEMENT, PART 2
Iowa has improved its 3-point field goal percentage defense by 5.5 percent this season compared to last. That improvement is tops in the Big Ten.

DYNAMIC DUO
Sophomore Aaron White and junior Roy Devyn Marble are one of only two Big Ten duos to rank in the top ten in overall scoring. Marble ranks ninth (14.1), while White ranks 10th (14.0). Penn State’s D.J. Newbill ranks fifth (15.7), while Jermaine Marshall ranks seventh (15.0).

FREEBIES
Iowa made 31-of-39 free throws Thursday night vs. Penn State. The last time the Hawkeyes made at least 31 foul shots in a Big Ten game was Jan. 16, 2007 against Indiana (32). The last time Iowa attempted at least 39 free throws in a league game was Feb. 5, 2005 vs. Michigan State (45). Aaron White, who ranks 41st in the country in free throw attempts, has attempted double-digit foul shots in four games this season, including two of the last four contests.

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 48 years of head coaching experience. Director of basketball operations Jerry Strom is in his 32nd season as a member of the Iowa basketball staff. Additionally, Iowa’s video coordinator, Al Seibert, has 18 years of collegiate coaching experience.

“HAWK TALK WITH Fran McCaffery”
University of Iowa basketball fans may join Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery and radio announcer Gary Dolphin for the “Hawk Talk with Fran McCaffery” radio call-in show. The next show will take place Monday (Feb. 4) 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.

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 and game highlights, along with news stories and other content.

ALL-SESSION BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKET INFORMATION
All-session tickets for the Big Ten Basketball Tournament is on sale now. The tournament returns to the United Center in Chicago from March 14-17. It will be the eighth time the tournament will be held in Chicago and the first time since 2007. Lower level tickets for both tournaments can be purchased at all 12 Big Ten university ticket offices. Upper level tickets may be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or through the United Center ticket offices at 312-455-4668 or unitedcenter.com. All-session tickets for the 100 and 200 levels at the United Center are available for $325 through the Big Ten university ticket offices only. All-session tickets for the 300 level are available for $240 or $175 (depending on seat location) through Ticketmaster or the United Center box office only. Orders will be limited to eight all-session tickets.

ON THE HORIZON
The Hawkeyes remain on the road for their second-straight road game and fourth road contest in five games on Wednesday when they travel to Wisconsin (8 p.m., BTN).