Men's Hoops Hosts Northwestern Saturday

Feb. 8, 2013

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Iowa Game Notes

THE SETTING
Iowa (14-9, 3-7) returns home Saturday after playing 4-of-5 on the road to host Northwestern (13-10, 4-6). Tip-off is set for 3:36 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,400). Tickets are $27 for adults, and $15 for youth and UI students.

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 (113) and XM (193).
Television: Saturday afternoon’s game will be televised on BTN (BTN2GO). Justin Kutcher and Shon Morris will call the action.

GAME #24 STORYLINES
? The Hawkeyes are 11-2 at home this season. Saturday marks Iowa’s second Big Ten home game on a Saturday this year. Iowa has played road contests four of the last five Sundays.
? Five of Iowa’s seven Big Ten losses have come by margins of four points or less, including three by three points or less. Two of those three defeats came in overtime (one in double overtime).
? Iowa’s strength of schedule ranks 22nd in the country.
? Iowa is 23-4 against Northwestern in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, but Northwestern has won the last two meetings.
? Iowa shot 46 percent (29-of-63) from the field at Northwestern, its best shooting percentage against a Big Ten opponent this season. ? 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 13.8 points and six or more rebounds. The other two are Cody Zeller of Indiana and Deshaun Thomas of Ohio State.
? The Hawkeyes are 8-1 when Aaron White scores 16 points or more.
? The last three seasons, Iowa is 16-2 when scoring 80 points or more and 22-0 when holding opponents to fewer than 60 points.
? Melsahn Basabe has led the team in rebounding four of the last five games, averaging 7.8 during that span. He earned his first start of the season versus Penn State (Jan. 31).

WISCONSIN CLIPS HAWKEYES IN DOUBLE OVERTIME
? Wisconsin’s Traevon Jackson sank a 3-pointer with 21 seconds left to tie the game and ultimately escape with a 74-70 double-overtime win over Iowa on Wednesday at the Kohl Center in Madison. The win snapped a three-game losing skid to the Hawkeyes.
? Iowa shooting guard Josh Oglesby nearly sank his fourth 3-pointer of the contest at the end of regulation that would have given the Hawkeyes the win.
? Iowa trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half and led by as many as nine points in the second half, but fell for the fourth straight time on the road. Two of the four road defeats have come in overtime (one in double overtime).
? Three of the last eight meetings between Iowa and Wisconsin have gone to overtime. Wednesday marked the first double-overtime game between the two teams since 1977.
? Iowa grabbed 51 rebounds, its most in Big Ten play and third-most of the season.
? Freshman Mike Gesell led Iowa with 14 points, the fourth time this season leading the team in scoring. Gesell has scored in double-figures four of the past six contests.
? Junior Melsahn Basabe led Iowa on the glass with eight rebounds, the sixth time he has led Iowa in rebounding this season and fourth time in five games. Basabe is averaging 7.8 rebounds per game since being inserted into the starting lineup.
? Sophomore Aaron White scored 11 points and had 11 free throw attempts. White has attempted at least 10 free throws in five games this season.
? Iowa’s bench outscored Wisconsin 33-8. For the season, Hawkeye reserves average 25.8 points per game.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa holds a 109-57 advantage over Northwestern in the series that began with a 24-23 Wildcat win in 1905. The Hawkeyes snapped a five-game losing skid to the Wildcats with a 70-50 victory in Evanston on Jan. 13. Northwestern has won six of the last eight contests; Iowa has won 26 of the last 39. Eleven of the last 16 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less, with eight decided by five points or less. Iowa holds a 63-18 advantage in games played in Iowa City, including a 23-4 record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Northwestern has won the last two meetings in Iowa City; 90-71 in 2011 and 70-66 in 2012. Iowa won the only neutral-site meeting, 72-55, at the United Center in the first round of the 2001 Big Ten Tournament.

SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
? Northwestern has had a week to prepare for the Hawkeyes after posting a 75-60 win over Purdue on Feb. 2. Reggie Hearn poured in a game and career-high 26 points in the victory, making his first nine field goal attempts.
? In its win over the Boilermakers, the Wildcats blocked a school-record 12 shots. Northwestern won by 15 points despite being outrebounded by 16 (46-30). The Wildcats sank 11 triples and shot 53 percent (26-of-49) from the field.
? Northwestern is 3-3 in games decided by six points or less, which includes a three-point overtime win against Illinois State (Nov. 24).
? The Wildcats are 3-3 in away games, including a 2-3 road mark in Big Ten play. Saturday will be Northwestern’s third time on the road in four contests, losing its last two at Nebraska (64-49) and Michigan (68-46).
? Senior Drew Crawford, who averaged 13.5 points and 4.6 rebounds the first 10 games of the season, is out for the season because of a shoulder injury.
? Senior Reggie Hearn, who rans eighth in the Big Ten in scoring at 14.2 points per game, missed two games with a sprained ankle (Brown and Michigan).
? Northwestern has three players who have made 25 or more 3-pointers: Dave Sobolewski (39), Reggie Hearn (29), and Jared Swopshire (25).
? The Wildcats rank second in Big Ten assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4); third in 3-pointers made (7.7); fifth in 3-point accuracy (.357); sixth in turnover margin (+1.6)
? Sophomore point guard Dave Sobolewski ranks fourth in the league in assists (4.3).

IOWA BEAT NORTHWESTERN IN LAST MEETING
Iowa closed the first half on a 14-4 run en route to a 70-50 victory at Northwestern on Jan. 13. The win was the Hawkeyes’ first in Evanston since a 67-62 triumph in 2008. The 50 points marked Northwestern’s fewest output against Iowa since scoring 48 in a 65-48 Iowa victory on Feb. 23, 1999 in Iowa City. Junior Josh Oglesby scored 12 of his season-high 14 points in the second half, draining a season-best four triples in the second stanza. Sophomore Aaron White scored a game-high 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line. Junior Melsahn Basabe netted 11 points. Freshman Adam Woodbury tied a career high with nine rebounds in only 12 minutes of action. Iowa registered seven dunks in the win. The Hawkeyes had four dunks in the first half, compared to Northwestern’s five total field goals. Aaron White had four of Iowa’s seven slams. Northwestern’s 15 first-half points were the second-fewest by an Iowa opponent this season: Iowa held Coppin State to 14 first-half points. Iowa’s reserves outscored its starters (40-30). The 40 bench points are the second-highest total this season (44 versus Texas A&M-Corpus Christi).

GESELL, WOODBURY, ABRAHAMSON REUNITE
Iowa freshmen Mike Gesell and Adam Woodbury, and Northwestern rookie Kale Abrahamson played AAU basketball on the same team (Martin Brothers All Iowa Attack). All three are starters for their respective teams this season.

HAWKEYE FASTBREAKS
? 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).
? Mike Gesell has led Iowa in scoring three of the last four contests, averaging 10.8 points during the four-game stretch.
? Saturday is game six of 5-of-7 games on the road.
? Since coming off the bench the last three games, Anthony Clemmons has eight assists to only two turnovers (4.0 assist-to-turnover ratio).
? For the second time in the last two decades, the men’s basketball team has nine players logging 16 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 NCAA Tournament, had 10 players average 17 minutes or more.
? The Hawkeyes have played 10 players or more in 22 of their 23 games. The only contest in which they did not play 10 players was Iowa State (nine players).
? Junior Zach McCabe has averaged two steals the last four games.
? 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 40 percent or better.
? Seven of the 12 Big Ten teams enter this weekend with five or more losses in league play. The Big Ten is the No. 1 rated conference by the RPI.
? Adam Woodbury has almost the same number points (118) and rebounds (122).
? 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.
? Iowa has made 62-of-191 (.325) 3-pointers in 10 games away from home, while the Hawkeyes are 64-of-236 (.271) from long range in 13 home contests.
? Iowa ranks seventh in the country in free throws made (17.3) and 12th in attempts (24.6).
? Iowa has made (399) nearly more free throws than its foes have attempted (404).
? 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.

DISHING THE ROCK
The Hawkeyes have assisted on 65.3 percent of their field goal makes (371 assists on 568 field goals), a rate that is eighth-best in the country. The last two road games (Minnesota and Wisconsin), the Hawkeyes combined to assist on a combined 20-of-21 first-half field goals.

CLOSE CALLS
Iowa has lost five Big Ten games by four points or less for the first time since 2009. Four of the five defeats (MSU, Purdue, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) have come with the Hawkeyes having a late with under two minutes left, including the last three road games.

BASABE… SPICY!
Melsahn Basabe’s play has been so good the last month that he was moved to the starting lineup in Iowa’s vs. Penn State (Jan. 31). The junior has averaged 8.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in his last seven games. He led the team in rebounding four of the last five outings, averaging 7.8 boards during that stretch. 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 (7.3), first in blocks (1.0) and third in rebounding (4.6).

WHITE HOT!
Aaron White has averaged 15.5 points per game and 4.8 rebounds the last four games. He scored a career-high 27 points against Penn State (Jan. 31), moving to the small forward position. The sophomore is one of just three Big Ten players to average 13.8 points and six rebounds this season, with the other two being Cody Zeller of Indiana and Ohio State’s Deshaun Thomas. Iowa is 8-1 this season when White scores 16 points or more.

IN NATIONAL STATISTICS…
Iowa ranks 16th in the country in assists (16.1); 18th in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.288); 30th in assist/turnover ratio (1.27); and 38th in field goal percentage defense (.390).

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 23 games in 2012-13, Iowa is yielding 64.2 points. Iowa 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 5.7 percent this season compared to last. That improvement is tops in the Big Ten.

ALL-AROUND SKILLS
Mike Gesell is one of only three Hawkeye freshmen to total 210 points, 65 rebounds and 65 assists in a single season.

FREEBIES
Iowa made 31-of-39 free throws on Jan. 31 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 28th in the country and second in the Big Ten in free throw attempts (6.87), has attempted double-digit foul shots in five games this season, including two of the last three games and three of the last six contests.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 97 of its 135 games (.718) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,400) over the last nine 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, 8-8 in 2011 and 13-6 in 2012.

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. 11) 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
Iowa hits the road for the fifth time in seven games on Thursday (Valentine’s Day) when the Hawkeyes travel to Happy Valley to face Penn State. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. (CT) inside the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park, Pa.