Feb. 21, 2014
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- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
THE SETTING
No. 15/15 Iowa (19-6, 8-4) returns to action Saturday, hosting No. 16/18 Wisconsin (21-5, 8-5). Tipoff is scheduled for 11:02 a.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,400) in Iowa City. The game is sold out. Iowa, third place, is a half-game ahead of Wisconsin, fourth place, in the Big Ten standings. Fans are encouraged to wear gold clothing for Saturday’s “Be Bold, Wear Gold” game, and also be in their seats by 10:45 a.m. for instructions on the inaugural card stunt in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The card stunt will take place prior to tipoff.
ON THE AIR
Radio: 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.
TV: Saturday’s game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 (WATCHESPN). Bob Wischusen and Dan Dakich will call the action.
Game 26 | Wisconsin (21-5, 8-5) at Iowa (19-6, 8-4) | ||
Date | Saturday, Feb. 22 | 11:02 a.m. (CT) | |
Location | Iowa City, Iowa | Carver-Hawkeye Arena | |
TV | ESPN2 | |
Radio | Hawkeye Radio Network | |
Live Coverage | Twitter Game Updates | |
All-Time Series | Series tied, 79-79 |
GAME #26 STORYLINES
? Saturday will be Iowa’s second game in 14 days after Tuesday’s postponement at Indiana.
? Iowa had a game postponed almost a year ago to date: Feb. 21, 2013 (at Nebraska-weather) and Feb. 18, 2014 (at Indiana-arena damage).
? Iowa and Wisconsin have played 158 times, with each team winning 79 times. Iowa and Wisconsin have split the last four meetings, with each game being decided by four points or less.
? Iowa is one game behind Michigan and MSU in the loss column for first place in the standings.
? Iowa is one of only three teams (Villanova and Wichita State) in the official NCAA RPI top 25 not to have lost to a team outside the RPI top 20.
? Iowa is one win from the 20-win threshold. Nine other past Hawkeye teams reached 20 victories during the month of February.
? Iowa’s six losses have come to teams ranked in the top-25 by a combined 21 points, including two in overtime. The Hawkeyes have lost games by two (Michigan State – overtime), three (Iowa State), four (Wisconsin), five (Villanova – overtime) and seven points (Ohio State).
? Devyn Marble is the only active B1G player, and 1-of-9 in the country, to amass 1,500+ points, 350+ assists, 150+ steals, and 425+ rebounds. Marble, who is the only player to score 10+ points in every B1G game this season, has been named to the Naismith Trophy Top 30 List.
HAWKEYES WIN AT PENN STATE
? Iowa outscored Penn State 51-37 in the second half en route to an 82-70 win at Penn State on Feb. 15, at the Bryce Jordan Center. It was the only regular-season meeting between the two teams.
? The Hawkeyes were 31-of-40 (.775) from the foul line, setting season bests for makes and attempts during Big Ten play. Iowa was 13-of-14 from the free throw line over the last 2:31 of the game and 16-of-18 during the final 3:50.
? The Hawkeyes registered 10 blocks – the most since rejecting 12 in the season opener versus UNC Wilmington.
? Roy Devyn Marble scored 10 of his 15 points from the charity stripe in the second half. He was 10-of-12 from the free throw line, establishing season bests in makes and attempts during league play.
? Iowa took care of the basketball, recording only six turnovers, the fewest it has recorded in Big Ten play this season.
? Mike Gesell tallied 13 points, bolstered by matching a career high with four 3-pointers. The point guard also dished out seven of Iowa’s 13 assists and had a blocked shot.
? Melsahn Basabe led the team in scoring (16), blocks (4), and rebounding (8). Basabe shot 4-of-4 from the free throw line and 6-of-9 (.667) from the field. It marked the second time since 1996-occurence was also by Basabe in 2010-11.
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Iowa-Wisconsin series is even, 79-79, after 158 games. Iowa has won three of the last five against Wisconsin, while the Badgers have won the last two. The home team has won the last four meetings, including Wisconsin winning earlier this season in Madison, 75-71, on Jan. 5 The last four meetings have been decided by a combined 13 points and include a double overtime contest. The last six meetings have been decided by seven points or less, with each of the last three meetings having been decided by four points. Iowa holds a 50-26 advantage in games played in Iowa City, with the Hawkeyes winning the last two by a combined seven points. Two of the last five meetings in Iowa City (2009 and 2011) have gone to extra time, with each team winning one.
LAST TIME SEASON VERSUS WISCONSIN
? Iowa led by 11 points at halftime (35-24), but No. 4 Wisconsin rallied in the second half to upend Iowa, 75-71, at the Kohl Center on Jan. 5.
? The Hawkeyes were led by Roy Devyn Marble, who netted a game-high 27 points. Marble’s 10 field goals made and 24 attempted ranks third and first, respectively, by a Hawkeye during the Fran McCaffery era.
? Junior Aaron White contributed 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots. Senior Melsahn Basabe snagged a game-high nine boards, while sophomore Mike Gesell had a game-high seven assists and three steals to go along with nine points.
? Iowa held Wisconsin to 27 percent (8-of-30) shooting and outrebounded the Badgers by 11 (27-16) in the first half. Wisconsin shot 52 percent (12-of-23) from the field, including 6-of-9 (66.7 percent) from 3-point range, in the second stanza.
? The Hawkeyes outscored Wisconsin, 36-12, in the paint.
? Iowa outscored the Badgers, 23-7 in second chance points, including 18-1 in the first 20 minutes.
SCOUTING WISCONSIN
? After losing 5-of-6 games between Jan. 14 and Feb. 1, the Badgers have won four straight contests, including road victories at Illinois and Michigan. Wisconsin is 6-2 in true road games, including a 4-2 mark in league road contests.
? Wisconsin is 7-3 in games decided by eight points or less, including 5-2 in games decided by six points or fewer.
? Wisconsin has four players average double figures in scoring: Sam Dekker (13.5); Frank Kaminsky (13.0); Ben Brust (13.0); and Traevon Jackson (10.7). Kaminsky netted a school-record 43 points against North Dakota earlier this season – the most points by a Big Ten player in 2013-14.
? The Badgers rank second in the conference in turnover margin (+2.0); third in free throw percentage (.744), scoring defense (63.3), 3-pointers made (7.7), and 3-point accuracy (.372).
? Wisconsin ranks second in the country in fewest fouls per game (15.1) and fewest turnovers (8.3); 28th in free throw percentage (.744); and 30th in scoring defense (63.3).
? Ben Brust ranks first in the conference in free throw percentage (.903, 56-62) and second in 3-pointers made (2.5).
? The Badgers have five players who have made 22 triples or more: Brust (64), Gasser (33), Dekker (32), Kaminsky (25), and Jackson (22).
? Wisconsin senior Zach Bohannon is a native of Marion, Iowa (Linn-Mar HS).
ROAD WARRIORS
? Iowa has posted four Big Ten road victories this season, including three straight.
? The last time Iowa won three straight conference road games was the 1997-98 season. Iowa will be gunning for its fourth consecutive road triumph Tuesday at Indiana, something that has not happened at Iowa since the 1986-87 campaign (Tom Davis’ first season as head coach). Devyn Marble’s father was a sophomore on that squad.
? The last time Iowa had four conference road wins was 10 years ago during the 2003-04 season. The last time a Hawkeye team won five Big Ten road contests was during the 1997-98 campaign.
MARBLE NAMED TO NAISMITH TOP 30 LIST
Iowa senior Roy Devyn Marble has been named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason Top 30 List. Marble currently ranks third in Big Ten scoring (17.6) and is the only player to score in double figures in every Big Ten game this season. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound guard is producing offensively and defensively, as he is the only Big Ten player to average 16+ points and have 45+ steals. The native of Southfield, Mich., is the only active Big Ten player, and one of nine in the country, to amass 1,525+ points, 325+ assists, 450+ rebounds and 150+ steals. The team co-captain has scored 26 or more points eight times in his career, including in big games against nationally ranked opponents Wisconsin and Michigan. Marble averages 28.8 points in the five games in his career of attempting eight 3-pointers or more. Marble is one of four Big Ten players on the list, joining Gary Harris and Keith Appling of Michigan State, and Nik Stauskas of Michigan.
CLOSING IN ON 20 VICTORIES
This season’s Iowa team is trying to become the 10th Iowa squad to reach 20 wins in the month of February. The Hawkeyes are one win away from reaching the 20-win threshold. Should Iowa win Saturday against Wisconsin, it would be the third-fastest at reaching 20 wins in school history (Feb. 4 in 1986-87 and Feb. 14 in 2005-06).
BASABE JOINS TEAMMATES IN 1,000-POINT CLUB
Melsahn Basabe (1,091) joined teammates Roy Devyn Marble (1,544) and Aaron White (1,208) in Iowa’s 1,000-point club against Northwestern on Jan. 9. Marble netted his 1,000th point in the 2013 regular season finale against Nebraska, while White passed 1,000 points against Notre Dame (Dec. 3) earlier this year. Basabe, White, and Marble become Iowa’s fifth trio of players on the same team to reach the 1,000-point threshold, and first trio since 2005.
MARBLES RISING AMONG FATHER-SON SCORING COMBOS
Iowa’s Roy Marble (1986-89) and Roy Devyn Marble (2011-present) are rising among the leading father-son scoring duo in collegiate history. Currently, the Marble’s (3,660) are third among father-son combos, playing at the same school, behind the Burtt’s of Iona (4,568). Overall, the Marble’s are seventh and are eight points from moving past Pete and Jaeson Maravich of LSU.
HAWKEYES FOLLOWING A LOSS THIS SEASON…
Iowa is 6-0 in games following a loss. The Hawkeyes average 86.5 points, 19.3 assists, 8.2 steals, boast a +14 rebounding margin, and shoot 53 percent from the field (50 percent from 3-point range) and 77 percent from the foul line in the six games following a defeat.
BENCH MOB
Iowa’s reserves played a large role in Iowa’s 19 victories. Overall, Iowa’s bench is averaging 32.4 points, 20.2 rebounds and three blocks. The Hawkeye reserves’ rebounding average is tops in the country, while its scoring and blocks rank third best. In victories, Hawkeye reserves average 36.4 points and 21.9 rebounds, while in losses Iowa’s bench averages 19.5 points and 14.5 rebounds.
RAISING THE BAR
Roy Devyn Marble and Aaron White have each increased their scoring output each season in an Iowa uniform. Marble averaged 5.7 points as a freshman, 11.5 his sophomore campaign, 15.0 points as a junior, and 16.4 points this season as a senior. White averaged 11.1 points as a rookie, 12.8 points as a sophomore, and 13.2 points this year as a junior.
ON POINT
In the last three games, sophomore point guard Mike Gesell ranks second on the team in scoring, averaging 13 points per game – bolstered by 58 percent shooting (14-of-24) from the field. The floor general has also valued the basketball, turning the ball over a combined four times, while dropping 18 dimes (4.5 assist-to-turnover ratio) in those three games. He averaged 11.5 points, 7.5 assists and 1.5 turnovers the last two games. In 25 games this season, Gesell ranks first in the Big Ten and 12th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.2). Gesell posted 10 points, eight assists, and three steals in Iowa’s win over nationally-ranked Michigan. It marked just the fifth time since 1996-97 that a Hawkeye amassed 10+ points, 8+ assists and 3+ steals in a game (Andre Woolridge three times & Jeff Horner).
MARBLE EARNS WEEKLY PRAISE
Senior Roy Devyn Marble poured in 61 points to tie the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament record, earning Big Ten Player of the Week accolades by College Sports Madness. Marble averaged 20.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in the three games. College Sports Madness recognized Marble a second time on Feb. 9 after he led Iowa with 26 points in an 85-67 victory over Michigan. Marble earned his first Player of the Week honors by the Big Ten and was also recognized as Athlon Sports’ National Player of the Week on Jan. 13, after leading the Hawkeyes to a pair of victories at No. 3 Ohio State (84-74) and versus Northwestern (93-67). Marble averaged 18.5 points, shooting 60 percent from the field (12-of-20) and 3-point range (3-of-5). He averaged 4.5 assists, 3.5 steals and three rebounds in the two victories. Marble enters Saturday’s game versus Wisconsin 10th in Iowa career scoring with 1,544 points. Marble is 17 points from ninth-place Dean Oliver (1,561). He has netted 21 or more points seven times this season, including 26 against Michigan on Feb 8. The senior averages 28.8 points in the five games in his career of attempting eight 3-pointers or more. The native of Southfield, Mich., averages 17.6 points, 2.25 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals in conference play. Marble ranks 54th in the country in steals (1.9). Marble is the only Big Ten player to average 16.5+ points, 2.9+ assists and 1.9+ steals. Marble surpassed Mon’ter Glasper and Jim Bartels for eighth place on Iowa’s all-time steals chart (164) against Illinois (Feb. 1). He is two thefts from tying Jeff Horner for seventh. Marble has come up huge down the stretch, averaging 11 points (79 percent FT and 44 percent FG) in the second half of Big Ten games this season.
MARBLE TIES SCHOOL RECORD
Roy Devyn Marble tied the school record for 3-pointers in a half when he drained six in the first half vs. Michigan on Feb. 8. Marble tied Chris Kingsbury, who sank six in the first half versus Drake on Nov. 29, 1994, and Justin Johnson, who made six in the second stanza against Indiana on Jan. 2, 2008.
CENTER OF ATTENTION
Iowa is getting 12.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and two blocks per game from their center position of Adam Woodbury and Gabriel Olaseni.
REBOUNDING BOOST
Last year, Iowa owned a +4.7 rebounding margin, while this season the Hawkeyes have a +9.5 advantage on the glass — a +4.8 margin of improvement from a year ago. Iowa’s rebounding margin of +9.5 ranks fourth in the country. On Tuesday, the Hawkeyes will be facing the league’s top rebounding team, in terms of margin — Indiana (+9.9).
ATTACKING THE RIM
Last season, Iowa ranked 20th in the country in free throw attempts per game (23.6). The Hawkeyes have improved on that number this season, averaging 29.9 foul shots per game, ranking seventh nationally. Iowa ranks third in the country in made free throws (21.8). Iowa attempted 43 and 40 free throws against Michigan State and Penn State, ranking 1-2 respectively, among Big Ten teams during conference play this season.
UTHOFF, OLASENI LEADING HAWKEYES OFF BENCH
Gabriel Olaseni and Jarrod Uthoff are averaging a combined 15.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game coming off the bench for the Hawkeyes. Uthoff ranks third on the team in scoring (8.3 and fourth in rebounding (5.0), while Olaseni ranks first on the squad in rejections (1.5) and third in rebounding (5.2). Uthoff’s 8.3 scoring average ranks third-best in the Big Ten for reserves behind Northwestern’s Tre Demps (10.7 ppg) and Malik Smith of Minnesota (9.8 ppg). Olaseni averages an offensive rebound every six minutes played. Nearly half of Olaseni’s rebounds are offensive (62 of 131); the center ranks second in the league (overall games) in offensive rebounding (2.5). Olaseni, leads the team with four double-doubles. The four double-doubles ties for the most in the nation by a reserve. Olaseni put up career highs at Illinois (15 points and 12 rebounds) on Feb. 1.
IOWA FASTBREAKS
? Iowa is 13-0 when holding opponents to 70 points or less.
? Iowa is 8-0 in afternoon games this season.
? Iowa is 4-0 in Big Ten games played on Saturday this season, winning three of the four on the road (Northwestern, Illinois, and Penn State).
? Iowa ranks eighth in the Sagarin ratings, KenPom and the BPI, ranks 23rd in the RPI.
? All six of Iowa’s losses have come by eight points or less to teams ranked in the RPI top 20. Iowa is one of four teams (Syracuse, Villanova and Wichita State) in the official NCAA RPI top 25 not to have lost to a team outside the RPI top 20.
? The Hawkeyes have out-rebounded 21 of their 25 opponents.
? Roy Devyn Marble ranks eighth on Iowa’s all-time steals chart (164). He is three steals from surpassing Jeff Horner for seventh.
? Roy Devyn Marble is coming up huge down the stretch, averaging 11 points (79% FT and 44% FG) in the second half of Big Ten games.
? Iowa will play at Indiana on Thursday, Feb. 27 (8 p.m. CT) and host Purdue on Sunday, March 2 (1 p.m. CT). Both games changed due to the Feb. 18 postponement of the Iowa-Indiana contest.>br> ? Iowa, Michigan and North Carolina are the only teams with a road win against an AP top-three team this season. The Hawkeyes won at then-No. 3 Ohio State (84-74) on Jan. 12.
? Iowa’s win over No. 3 Ohio State on Jan. 12, marked Iowa’s first over a top-five team since an 83-65 victory at second-ranked Missouri on Dec. 15, 2001, in Columbia, Mo.
? Iowa handed Michigan (18 points) and Minnesota (21 points) their most lop-sided losses this season.
? Iowa has beaten multiple AP Top 10 Big Ten teams in the regular season for the first time since 1990-91.
? Iowa’s 18-point victory over Michigan was Iowa’s largest versus an AP Top 10 team since beating No. 2 Missouri by 18 on Dec 15, 2001.
? Iowa is one of five teams in the country to have the same starters all season (Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, Campbell and Oklahoma).
? Roy Devyn Marble averages 15.6 points in Iowa’s 19 victories, and 19 points in its six defeats.
? Iowa started 5-2, or better, in Big Ten play for the 12th time. Each of the previous 11 teams made the NCAA Tournament. Iowa’s 1969-70 team started 7-0, while its 1981-82 and 1986-87 squads started conference play 6-1.
? The last time an Iowa team started conference play 8-4 was the 2005-06 team, which started 9-3.
? Junior forward Aaron White ranks second in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.592) and sixth in free throw percentage (.821).
? Iowa has two of the Big Ten’s top five field goal percentage leaders: Aaron White (second, .592) and Melsahn Basabe (third, .564).
? Iowa was the last Big Ten team to lose at home this season, falling 71-69, to No. 6/7 Michigan State on Jan. 28.
? Iowa has made (544) more free throws than its opponents have attempted (504).
? Iowa has attempted 358 free throws in 12 Big Ten games, the most in the league. Wisconsin ranks second with 311 in 13 games.
? Iowa recorded its 10th win by 20-plus points at Northwestern on Jan. 25, the most of any Big Ten team this season.
? Iowa (4) and Michigan State (6) are the only Big Ten team to have at least four different players post a double-double.
? Iowa has had four or more players score in double digits in 13-of-25 games.
? The Hawkeyes are 2-5 in games decided by five or fewer points.
? Iowa is 33-4 when scoring 80 or more points, the last four seasons. The Hawkeyes are 39-1 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points, the last four seasons – with the one loss coming to Michigan State (59-56) at the Big Ten Tournament last season.
? Iowa’s average starting lineup height is 6-foot-6. The Hawkeye lineup consists of two sophomores, one junior, and two seniors.
? Iowa has been credited with 20 or more assists seven times this season. The Hawkeyes rank 13th nationally in assists (16.2).
? Iowa held Michigan State leading scorer, Gary Harris, to a season-low nine points Jan. 28, in Iowa City.
? Iowa is 1-2 in overtime games. The Hawkeyes beat Xavier (77-74), but lost to Villanova (88-83) and Michigan State (71-69).
BASABE MOVIN’ ON UP
Senior Melsahn Basabe, who has posted three double-doubles this season, is averaging 8.1 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds per game. Basabe pulls down 7.1 rebounds per game in Big Ten play, an average that ranks third in the conference. Basabe’s 735 career rebounds are the most among active Big Ten players. Since the start of the year, Basabe moved past Ryan Bowen for fourth place on Iowa’s career blocked shots list and currently has 140 rejections. Basabe led the team in blocked shots in each of his first three seasons with the Hawkeyes. Basabe led the Hawkeyes in scoring (16) and rebounding (8) in their last game at Penn State. It marked the first time this season that the senior led the team in both categories in the same game. He averaged 9.3 points and 7.3 rebounds the last three outings.
SHARPSHOOTER
Junior Josh Oglesby, who missed the first 12 games of the season due to an injured foot, made his first four 3-point attempts of the game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Dec. 22) and Minnesota (Jan. 19). The junior finished with 13 and 17 points, respectively. Oglesby has made at least one triple in five of the last six games and 9-of-13 games this season. Oglesby averages 5.5 points per game this season and is shooting at a 48.6-percent clip from 3.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Fran McCaffery has one of the most experienced coaching staffs in the country. The Iowa men’s basketball staff has 65 years of combined collegiate head coaching experience and more than 130 years of collegiate coaching under their belts.
WHITE HOT
Junior Aaron White ranks second on the team in rebounding (6.5) and scoring (13.2). White is one of only two Big Ten players to average 13.2 points and 6.5 rebounds or better (Northwestern’s Drew Crawford). White, who led the Hawkeyes in rebounding in each of his first two seasons, is looking to become the fifth player since 1960 to lead the Hawkeyes in rebounding three consecutive seasons. White would join Don Nelson (1960-62); Kevin Kunnert (1971-73); Bruce King (1975-77); and Greg Brunner (2004-06). White (164) currently is one rebound behind Melsahn Basabe (165). White became the 41st Hawkeye to surpass 1,000 career points with his 19th point scored with one second remaining at the free throw line versus Notre Dame (Dec. 3). He currently ranks 20th in Iowa scoring after surpassing Bill Logan (1954-56) and Dave Gunther (1957-59) Saturday against Michigan. White became the first Hawkeye since Luke Recker (Nov. 14, 2001) to post 18+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a game when he had 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists against the Wildcats on Jan. 9 in Iowa City. The native of Strongsville, Ohio, became the first Hawkeye in 10 years to amass 25 points and 17 rebounds in a game at Iowa State on Dec. 13. The last Hawkeye to accomplish the feat was Jared Reiner on March 1, 2003, at Indiana. The 17 rebounds are the most in a single-game since Greg Brunner cleared 23 against Minnesota on Jan. 18, 2006. White ranks second in the league in field goal percentage (.592).
HAWKEYES RANK HIGH IN STATISTICS
Iowa leads the Big Ten in scoring (83.6) and scoring margin (+16.4). The Hawkeyes also rank second in the conference in rebounding margin (+9.5), field goal percentage (.470), assists (16.2), field goal percentage (.470), and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.292). Iowa ranks third in the country in scoring margin (+16.4); fourth in rebounding margin (+9.5); ninth in scoring (83.6); 13th in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.295); 15th in field goal percentage defense (.387); 17th in assists (16.3); 27th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4); and 33rd in blocked shots (5.3). Individually, Mike Gesell ranks 12th in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.2) and Roy Devyn Marble ranks 54th in steals (1.9).
HOME COOKIN’
Iowa and its fans have once again made Carver-Hawkeye Arena a hostile and challenging place for opponents to visit. Iowa has won 21 of its last 23 home games, dating back to last year. Furthermore, Iowa has won 30 of its last 34 at home since the start of last season. Iowa won a school-record 18 home victories (18-2) in 2012-13, the most since posting 17 home victories in 2006. Iowa has won 29-straight home games against unranked opponents, dating back to the Dayton game on March 13, 2012 — the third-longest active streak in the Big Ten. Iowa has also won 23 straight at home against nonconference foes, dating back to 2011. Iowa’s senior class of Melshan Basabe, Roy Devyn Marble and Zach McCabe have won 52 home games during their career.
IOWA TIP-INS
? Iowa finished its nonconference schedule 11-2 for the second straight season.
? Michigan won three straight games last month over top-10 ranked opponents (Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan State). The Wolverines became first team since Iowa in 1987 to post three straight victories against top-10 teams.
? Iowa had three players (Basabe, Uthoff and Olaseni) post double-doubles in its victory over Fairleigh Dickinson. It marked the first time in 20 years three Hawkeyes recorded double-doubles, in the same game, in points and rebounds.
? Zach McCabe and Roy Devyn Marble were named to the Battle 4 Atlantis all-tournament team.
? Iowa scored 80-plus points in each of its first five games for the fourth time in school history (also 1986-87, 1994-95 & 1997-98).
? Iowa played overtime games two days apart (Xavier and Villanova) for the third time in program history. The Hawkeyes played five extra minutes against Maryland (Dec. 25, 1984) and Cornell (Dec. 27, 1984), and Michigan (Jan. 9, 1992) and Illinois (Jan. 11, 1992).
? Iowa’s overtime win over Xavier marked its first overtime victory since March 7, 2009 (versus Penn State — double overtime).
? Iowa’s win over UTEP was the team’s seventh consecutive to start the season. The last time an Iowa team won seven straight to start a year was 2000-01; that team won its first nine.
? Iowa beat Minnesota, 94-73, on Jan. 19 in Iowa City. The 21-point loss is the Gophers’ most lop-sided loss of the season. The 94 points are its most against Minnesota in a non-OT game since scoring 99 points versus the Gophers on Feb. 18, 1989.
? Iowa’s 249 points and 19.0 assists average, in three games, are a Battle 4 Atlantis tournament records.
? Iowa’s win at Ohio State on Jan. 12, marked only the third time in the last four seasons that Ohio State allowed 80-plus points and the first time since 2008 that a team registered 84-plus points against the Buckeyes.
? In Iowa’s win at Ohio State on Jan. 12, it marked the first time since 1989 that Iowa had five double figure scorers in Columbus.
? Aaron White is the first Hawkeye since Jared Reiner (2002-03) to score at least 20 points and grab 15 or more rebounds in a game. White had 20 points and 15 rebounds in Iowa’s win over Nebraska-Omaha.
? The Hawkeyes erupted for 100-plus points for consecutive contests (Maryland-Eastern Shore and Abilene Christian) for the first time since the beginning of the 1997-98 campaign where Iowa topped the century mark three straight games (105 vs. Chicago State; 112 vs. North Texas; 101 vs. Long Island).
? In Iowa’s season opener, Jarrod Uthoff (14 points, seven rebounds, four blocks) became only the second Big Ten player since the 1996-97 season to register 14-plus points, seven-plus rebounds and four-plus blocks in his first career game (Ohio State’s Greg Oden, 2006-07).
? The Hawkeyes blocked 12 shots versus UNC Wilmington, one shy of the school record of 13 set last year vs. Illinois. Junior Gabriel Olaseni rejected five shots, all in the first half.
? Fran McCaffery has guided Iowa to win improvements in each of his first three seasons, going from 11 wins, to 18, to 25 last year. McCaffery’s highest win total as a head coach is when he coached Siena to back-to-back 27-win seasons in 2009 and 2010.
? Darius Stokes earned a scholarship after being a walk-on the last three years. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native is a redshirt junior.
? Okey Ukah has been added to the roster as a walk-on. The Iowa City native is a junior.
BLOCK PARTY
Junior Gabriel Olaseni has blocked at least three shots five times this season. His 38 blocks rank eighth in the Big Ten (1.5 average). The center rejected five shots in the season opener against UNC Wilmington. Sophomore Jarrod Uthoff has blocked 29 shots (1.2 average), a total that ranks 11th in the league. As a team, Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten, and 29th nationally, in rejections (5.3).
HAWKEYES FINISH RUNNERS-UP AT BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS
Iowa won its first two games over Xavier (77-74 in overtime) and UTEP (89-53) before being edged by Villanova in the championship game (88-83 in overtime) at the Battle 4 Atlantis holiday tournament held at Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The Hawkeyes rallied from a 15-point deficit in their first contest against Xavier to win, but surrendered a 15-point first-half advantage to Villanova in the championship. Both contests went to overtime. Iowa cruised to a 36-point victory over UTEP in the semifinals. Seniors Roy Devyn Marble and Zach McCabe were honored on the all-tournament team. Marble led all scorers averaging 20.3 points, while also averaging 4.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in the three games. His 61 points in the three contests tie the tournament record with Minnesota’s Andre Hollins (2012), while his 24 points against Villanova are the most by a player in a Battle 4 Atlantis championship game. McCabe averaged 13 points, shooting 50 percent from the field (14-of-28) and 3-point territory (8-of-16).
WORLD TRAVELERS
Iowa traveled to France and the United Kingdom in August to compete in six exhibition games. The Hawkeyes posted a 5-1 record against professional teams, boasting a +22.0 scoring margin. Aaron White led the team, averaging 13.6 points, followed by Peter Jok (13.3), Melsahn Basabe (12.6) and Roy Devyn Marble (11.2). Prior to traveling with his teammates to Europe in August, White also competed for Team USA at the World University Games in Russia in July. The Hawkeye junior played in five countries in five months: Russia (July), England (August), France (August), United States (November), and Bahamas (November).
HAWKEYEBASKETBALL.COM
Check out the Iowa basketball team’s 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.
MCCAFFERY IN COACHES CHARITY CHALLENGE
Infiniti, ESPN, NABC and the NCAA have teamed up again to produce a one-of-a-kind charity competition — the Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge. The first and second rounds of the event has ended and thanks to your votes, Iowa’s Fran McCaffery has advanced to round three, guaranteeing at least $10,000 for his charity, Coaches vs. Cancer. McCaffery is one of 16 coaches to advance to the third round, with the top four advancing to the finals. Fan participation will determine the ultimate winner over an eight-week period by registering and voting on a custom microsite on ESPN.com/Infiniti. The tournament is divided into four rounds. The coaches with the most votes will advance to the next round and earn more money for their charity. Go to ESPN.com/Infiniti each day and vote for Fran McCaffery and his charity, Coaches vs. Cancer.
ATTENDANCE ON THE RISE
Iowa’s attendance has increased each season since Fran McCaffery’s arrival in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes averaged 11,635 in 16 games in 2011; 11,908 fans in 19 contests in 2012; and 13,625 in 20 games last season. Iowa’s attendance boost from 2012 to 2013 ranked as the eighth-largest in the country. Iowa averages 14,885 fans this season. Iowa’s remaining three home games have reached sellout status. Iowa has sold out eight previous contests this season (Penn, Notre Dame, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan State, Ohio State and Michigan). The additional three sell outs will give the Hawkeyes 11 sellouts, their most since the 2001-02 season (16).
ON THE HORIZON
Iowa returns to action Tuesday, Feb. 25, when it travels to Minnesota (6 p.m. CT, BTN). The Hawkeyes will then travel to Bloomington, Ind., to face Indiana Thursday, Feb. 27 (8 p.m. CT, ESPN).