March 5, 2014
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THE SETTING
No. 24/25 Iowa (20-9, 9-7) hits the road Thursday for its final regular season road contest when it visits East Lansing, Mich., to challenge No. 22/22 Michigan State (22-7, 11-5). Tipoff is slated for 8:05 p.m. (CT) at the Breslin Center. Iowa is 7-6 in games away from home this season, including a 4-5 mark in true road games.
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: Thursday night’s game will be televised nationally on ESPN (WATCHESPN). Dan Shulman and Dick Vitale will call the action.
| Game 30 | Iowa (20-9, 9-7) at Michigan State (22-7, 11-5) | ||
| Date | Thursday, March 6 | 8:05 p.m. (CT) | |
| Location | East Lansing, Michigan | Breslin Center | |
| TV | ESPN | |
| Radio | Hawkeye Radio Network | |
| Live Coverage | Twitter Game Updates | |
| All-Time Series | Michigan State leads, 69-53 | |
GAME #30 STORYLINES
? The last three Iowa-Michigan State contests have been decided by three points or less, including a two-point decision in overtime earlier this season won by Michigan State in Iowa City.
? Iowa has won 20 games in consecutive seasons for first time since 2004-05/2005-06.
? Iowa is 15-2 this season when making five 3-pointers or more, with the two losses coming vs. Villanova and Minnesota. Iowa is 8-1 in Big Ten play when sinking at least five triples.
? Iowa is 15-0 in games decided by double digits and 5-9 in games decided by single digits. The Hawkeyes have lost games by two, three, four, five (twice), six, seven (twice) and eight points.
? Roy Devyn Marble is believed to be only the second Big Ten player (Gary Grant of Michigan) since 1985-86 with 1,625+ points, 375+ assists, 450+ rebounds, and 170+ steals.
? Aaron White is the only player in the country to shoot better than 55 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line.
? Guard Josh Oglesby has averaged 12.5 points the last four games, including equaling a season-high 17 points against Wisconsin on Feb. 22.
? Aaron White has led Iowa in rebounding 12 times, including each of the last four outings.
? Iowa has two Michigan natives on its roster: Roy Devyn Marble (Southfield) and Anthony Clemmons (Lansing).
TOP SCORER
Roy Devyn Marble enters this week’s play leading the Big Ten in scoring (297, 18.6 ppg) by two points over Nebraska’s Terran Petteway (295, 18.4 ppg). Marble is looking to become the first Hawkeye since Adam Haluska (21.3 ppg) in 2007 to lead the league in scoring.
HAWKEYES OUTLAST PURDUE, 83-76
? Iowa snapped a three-game losing skid with an 83-76 win over Purdue Sunday afternoon in Iowa City.
? Iowa had four players score in double figures: Roy Devyn Marble (21), Aaron White (15), Mike Gesell (15, and Josh Oglesby (11). Marble scored 10 of his 21 points in the final 2:49 of the first half.
? Aaron White registered his second consecutive double-double (15 points and 10 boards). It is his team-leading fifth double-double of the season and 13th of his career.
? Iowa closed the first half on a 7-0 run to grab its largest lead of the game 50-37.
? The Hawkeyes committed a season-low only five turnovers.
? Roy Devyn Marble has scored 20+ points in five of the last six games — the best scoring stretch of his career. Marble’s 21 points against Purdue moved him up a notch to No. 7 on Iowa’s all-time career scoring list surpassing Jess Settles.
? Iowa collected 12 steals, reaching double-digit thefts for the second consecutive contest. The 12 steals are the most by the Hawkeyes against Big Ten competition this year.
? The Hawkeyes were 26-36 (.722) from the foul line, while Purdue was 14-of-21 (.667). Iowa made 8-of-10 from the charity stripe the last two minutes to seal the victory.
CLEMMONS, VALENTINE REUNITE
Iowa sophomore Anthony Clemmons and Michigan State rookie Denzel Valentine were classmates at Sexton High School in Lansing, Mich. The duo won three consecutive conference championships (2010-12) and back-to-back Class B state titles (2011-12) playing the title games at the Breslin Center. Valentine’s father was Clemmons’ high school coach.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Michigan State holds a 69-53 advantage over Iowa in the series that began with a 52-37 Michigan State win in 1938. The Spartans have won 12 of the last 13 meetings, including the last seven. The last three contests have been decided by three points or less, including a two-point decision in overtime earlier this season in Iowa City (71-69) won by Michigan State. The Hawkeyes’ last victory over the Spartans came on Feb. 2, 2011, in Iowa City, by the score of 72-52. The Spartans hold a 42-17 advantage in games played in East Lansing. Iowa has lost 17 straight, since capturing a 96-90 overtime win at the Breslin Center on Jan. 28, 1993. Iowa is 2-19 at the Breslin Center, which opened in 1989-90. Iowa will be making its first visit to East Lansing in over two years on Thursday.
LAST TIME VERSUS MICHIGAN STATE
? Michigan State snapped Iowa’s 20-game home win streak, which was the sixth-longest in the country, with a 71-69 overtime win in Iowa City on Jan. 28.
? With the game tied, Iowa had an opportunity to win the game in regulation, but a Roy Devyn Marble floating jumper in the lane and Melsahn Basabe tip attempt misfired sending the game to overtime. The Spartans led by as many as six points in the extra session.
? Roy Devyn Marble led all scorers with 21 points, while Aaron White netted eight of his 10 points from the foul line. White also led the team in rebounding (7).
? Iowa was 30-of-43 from the free throw line. The 43 attempts equal the second most during the Fran McCaffery era, while the 30 makes are fifth. Aaron White was a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line.
? Michigan State was 10-of-29 (.345) from 3-point range, while Iowa was 3-of-12 (.250).
? Iowa held Michigan State leading scorer, Gary Harris, to a season-low nine points.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
? Michigan State has lost three of its last four, including its last two home games to Nebraska and Illinois. The Spartans dropped a 53-46 decision to Illinois Saturday in East Lansing. The Fighting Illini forced 16 turnovers and scored 25 points off those miscues. Gary Harris (19) was the only Spartan to score in double figures.
? Michigan State will honor three seniors, who will be playing in their final home game Thursday: Keith Appling, Dan Chapman and Adreian Payne.
? Michigan State is 4-2 in games decided by four points or less this season. The Spartans are 3-0 in overtime, beating Ohio State, Minnesota, and Iowa.
? Branden Dawson missed nine games due to injury, but returned to action in Michigan State’s last game. Dawson played 25 minutes off the bench scoring six points and snagging seven rebounds. The junior is the Spartans’ leading rebounder (8.6). Adreian Payne and Dawson did not play against Iowa on Jan. 28 in Iowa City due to injury.
? Michigan State ranks sixth in the country in assists (17.1); 10th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5); 20th in defensive rebounding (26.6); 24th in 3-pointers made (8.2); 25th in scoring margin (+10.9) and field goal percentage defense (.397).
? The Spartans led the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense (.397) and assists (17.1); second in scoring (76.2), 3-point accuracy (.386), 3-pointers made (8.2), and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5); and third in steals (7.2), rebounding margin (+4.8), scoring margin (+10.9) and field goal percentage (.470).
? Garry Harris ranks second in scoring — in overall games (17.9) and is third in steals (2.0). Harris 2.0 steals average ranks 35th best in the country. Keith Appling ranks second in the league in assists (4.8) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3). Denzel Valentine is third in the Big Ten in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0), while Travis Trice is third in 3-point accuracy (.446). Senior Adreian Payne ranks second in the Big Ten with six double-doubles.
ROAD WARRIORS
? Iowa has posted four Big Ten road victories this season. The last time Iowa had four conference road wins was 10 years ago during the 2003-04 season.
? Iowa won three straight conference road games (Northwestern, Illinois and Penn State) this season. The last time Iowa accomplished that feat was the 1997-98 season.
? Thursday is Iowa’s last true road game of the season. The last time a Hawkeye team won five Big Ten road contests was during the 1997-98 campaign.
VARIETY OF WEAPONS
Iowa has five players who average 7.8 points or more. Senior Roy Devyn Marble leads the way averaging 17.1 points per contest, followed by Aaron White (13.4), Mike Gesell (8.2), Jarrod Uthoff (7.9), and Melsahn Basabe (7.8). Josh Oglesby (7.2), Gabriel Olaseni (6.8) and Zach McCabe (6.0) average six points or better.
BASABE JOINS TEAMMATES IN 1,000-POINT CLUB
Melsahn Basabe (1,107) joined teammates Roy Devyn Marble (1,630) and Aaron White (1,267) 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 (3,746) are second among father-son combos, playing at the same school, behind the Burtt’s of Iona (4,568). The Marble’s are sixth overall.
ATTACKING THE RIM
Iowa has made (609) more free throws than its opponents have attempted (605). Furthermore, the Hawkeyes have attempted nearly 100 more free throws than the next Big Ten team, Indiana (740). Iowa has attempted 447 free throws during league play; 75 more attempts than second place Wisconsin (372). Iowa’s 28.8 free-throw attempts average, ranks 10th nationally. The Hawkeyes rank second in the country in made free throws (21.0). Junior Aaron White is on pace to shatter the school’s free-throw makes record. White currently ranks seventh with 413 career makes, while senior Roy Devyn Marble is sixth (418). Both Marble (580) and White (548) are also climbing Iowa’s free-throw attempts chart ranking sixth and eighth, respectively.
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 17.1 points this season as a senior. White averaged 11.1 points as a rookie, 12.8 points as a sophomore, and 13.4 points this year as a junior.
ON POINT
Point guard Mike Gesell has scored in double figures in six of the last seven games, which included a stretch of five straight games — the longest stretch of his career. He has averaged 11.9 points per game the last seven outings, while dropping 36 dimes (5.1 average). In 29 games this year, Gesell ranks first in the Big Ten and 12th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0). The sophomore has 534 career points, just past halfway to the 1,000-point club. 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 and Jeff Horner). He had 13 points, six assists and no turnovers at Minnesota on Feb. 25. He netted 15 points in Iowa’s win over Purdue on Sunday.
MARBLE FINISHING HIS IOWA CAREER STRONG
Roy Devyn Marble has led the Hawkeyes in scoring in five of the last six games, including netting 20+ points in each of the last four games. He has topped 20 points in five of the last six games (21.2 ppg) — the best stretch of his career. His scoring average this season (17.1) is the highest by a Hawkeye since Adam Haluska averaged 20.5 points during the 2007 season. Marble enters this week leading the Big Ten in scoring during conference play. The last Hawkeye to lead the Big Ten in scoring during league play was Haluska in 2007 (21.3 ppg). Marble is one of only two Hawkeyes to amass 500+ points, 100+ rebounds, 100+ assists and 55+ steals as a senior (B.J. Armstrong). Marble, who was named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason Top 30 List, enters Thursday’s game seventh in Iowa career scoring with 1,630 points. He surpassed Jess Settles after his 21-point performance vs. Purdue last Sunday. Marble is only five points from sixth-place Matt Gatens (1,635). He has netted 21 or more points 10 times this season, including 26 against Michigan on Feb 8 and 21 versus Wisconsin on Feb. 22. The native of Southfield, Mich., averages 18.6 points, 3.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals in conference play. Marble is the only Big Ten player to average 17+ points, 3+ assists and 1.8+ steals, and also the only player to score in double figures in every Big Ten contest this season. Marble had 21 points and a career-high 11 assists — his first career double-double — versus Wisconsin on Feb. 22. Marble became only the third player in the country with 20+ points and 10+ assists against an AP Top 25 opponent in 2013-14. It marked just the third time the last 18 years an Iowa player posted 20+ points and 10+ assists in a game (Jeff Horner in 2004 and Jake Kelly in 2009). The 11 assists were the most by a Hawkeye since Bryce Cartwright had 11 at Oregon March 18, 2012. The senior guard averages 20 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists versus top teams in the Big Ten standings this year (Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State). The 6-foo-6, 200-pound guard averages 28 points in the six career games when attempting eight 3-pointers or more. Marble surpassed Jeff Horner for seventh place on Iowa’s all-time steals list in Iowa’s last game at Indiana on Thursday. 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 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.
WHITE HOT
Junior Aaron White ranks first on the team in rebounding (6.9), and second in scoring (13.4). White is only Big Ten player to average 13+ points and 7+ rebounds during league play this season. White is the only player in the country to shoot better than 55 percent from the field and 80 percent from the foul line. He shoots 58.9 percent from the field and 81.6 percent from the charity stripe. 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 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 reached the 1,000-point milestone in his 82nd career game. He currently ranks 18th in Iowa scoring. 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.
BENCH MOB
Iowa’s reserves played a large role in Iowa’s 20 victories. Overall, Iowa’s bench is averaging 31.2 points, 19.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks. The Hawkeye reserves’ rebounding average is tops in the country, while its scoring and blocks rank third best. In victories, Hawkeye reserves average 35.9 points and 21.7 rebounds, while in losses Iowa’s bench averages 20.8 points and 14 rebounds.
CENTER OF ATTENTION
Iowa is getting 12.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and two blocks per game from their center position of Adam Woodbury and Gabriel Olaseni.
SHARPSHOOTER
Junior Josh Oglesby, who missed the first 12 games of the season due to an injured foot, has come on strong as of late. Oglesby has averaged 12.5 points the last four games, including equaling a season-high 17 points against Wisconsin on Feb. 22. Oglesby made his first four 3-point attempts in his season debut following injury against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Dec. 22) and then once again against Minnesota (Jan. 19). The junior finished with 13 and 17 points, respectively. Oglesby made a season-high five 3-pointers against Minnesota on Jan. 19 in Iowa City. Oglesby has made at least one trey in nine of the last 10 games and 13-of-17 games this season. Oglesby averages a single-season best 7.2 points per game this season and is shooting at a 45-percent clip from 3. Oglesby tied a season high of 17 points (8-of-12 FG, including 1-of-3 from 3-point range) against Wisconsin on Feb. 22. Oglesby scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Oglesby followed up that performance scoring 16 points (5-of-10 FG, including 4-of-9 from 3-point territory), in a starting role, at Minnesota on Feb. 25 — marking the first time since his third and fourth game his freshman season that he reached double figures in consecutive games.
IOWA FASTBREAKS
? Iowa is 13-0 when holding opponents to 70 points or less.
? Thursday will be the Hawkeyes’ 10th game against an RPI top 25 team. Iowa and Baylor enter this week’s action having played nine games against the RPI top 25; only Kansas has played more (11).
? Iowa is 8-3 in games played in March the last two seasons.
? Iowa ranks 10th in the Sagarin, 12th in the KenPom ratings, 16th in the BPI, and 39th in the official NCAA RPI.
? All nine of Iowa’s losses have come by eight points or fewer. The Hawkeyes have dropped games by two, three, four, five (twice), six, seven (twice) and eight points this season.
? The Hawkeyes have out-rebounded 22 of their 29 opponents.
? Roy Devyn Marble ranks seventh on Iowa’s all-time steals chart (170).
? 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 had four or more players score in double digits in 16-of-29 games.
? 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 win over Michigan was Iowa’s largest vs. an AP Top 10 team since beating No. 2 Missouri by 18 on Dec 15, 2001.
? Roy Devyn Marble averages 15.9 points in Iowa’s 20 victories, and 19.9 points in its nine 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 (.589) and fifth in free throw percentage (.816).
? Iowa has two of the Big Ten’s top five field goal percentage leaders: Aaron White (second, .589) and Melsahn Basabe (third, .569).
? 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 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.
? The Hawkeyes are 2-6 in games decided by five or fewer points.
? Iowa is 34-6 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 12th nationally in assists (16.3).
? 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).
? Iowa is 9-1 in afternoon games this season.
? Iowa is 9-0 when wearing its white uniforms this season.
REBOUNDING BOOST
Last year, Iowa owned a +4.7 rebounding margin, while this season the Hawkeyes have a +8.2 advantage on the glass — a +3.5 margin of improvement from a year ago. Iowa’s rebounding margin of +8.2 ranks seventh in the country. Iowa ranks sixth in the nation in defensive rebounding (28.0) and 24th in offensive rebounding (13.7).
BASABE MOVIN’ ON UP
Senior Melsahn Basabe, who has posted three double-doubles this season, is averaging 7.8 points and six rebounds per game. After playing only one minute vs. Wisconsin and missing the Minnesota game due to illness, Basabe returned to action last Thursday at Indiana, scoring 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. Basabe’s 737 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), rebounding (8) and blocks (4) at Penn State (Feb. 15). It marked the second time since the 1996-97 season a Hawkeye had 16+ points, 8+ rebounds and 4+ blocks in a game — with Basabe posting the other occurrence his freshman season (2010-11).
UTHOFF, OLASENI LEADING HAWKEYES OFF BENCH
Gabriel Olaseni and Jarrod Uthoff are averaging a combined 14.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game coming off the bench for the Hawkeyes. Uthoff ranks fourth on the team in scoring (7.9) and fourth in rebounding (4.7), while Olaseni ranks first on the squad in rejections (1.4) and third in rebounding (5.1). Olaseni averages an offensive rebound every six minutes played. Nearly half of Olaseni’s rebounds are offensive (71 of 148); the center ranks fourth in the league (overall games) in offensive rebounding (2.4). 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.
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.
HAWKEYES RANK HIGH IN STATISTICS
Iowa leads the Big Ten in scoring (83.6) and scoring margin (+13.8). The Hawkeyes also rank second in the conference in rebounding margin (+8.2), assists (16.3), and blocked shots (5.2). Iowa ranks fifth in the country in sixth in scoring (83.6); seventh in rebounding margin (+827); eighth in scoring margin (+13.8); 12th in assists (16.3); 21st in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4); 29th in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.305); and 34th in blocks (5.2). Individually, Mike Gesell ranks 14th in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0) and Roy Devyn Marble ranks 52nd in steals (1.8).
IOWA TIP-INS
? Iowa finished its nonconference schedule 11-2 for the second straight season.
? Michigan won three straight games in January 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 40 blocks rank eighth in the Big Ten (1.4 average). The center rejected five shots in the season opener against UNC Wilmington. Sophomore Jarrod Uthoff has blocked 32 shots (1.1 average), a total that ranks 11th in the league. As a team, Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten, and 34th nationally, in rejections (5.2).
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.
2014-15 BIG TEN SCHEDULE STRUCTURE ANNOUNCED
The Big Ten Conference office announced the single-plays and home-and-away opponents for the 2014-15 men’s basketball league schedule. Maryland and Rutgers begin conference play in the Big Ten next season. The conference schedule will remain at 18 games, with each team playing five teams twice (home and away) and eight teams once (four at home and four on the road). Iowa will play the following five teams twice next season: Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Illinois, Maryland, Michigan State and Rutgers will visit Iowa City for the only regular season meeting. Iowa will travel to Indiana, Michigan, Penn State and Purdue.
ON THE HORIZON
The Hawkeyes return to Iowa City and will have one day to prepare for its regular season finale. Iowa will host Illinois at 7:30 p.m. (CT) on Saturday in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes’ senior class will be recognized before the game on Saturday.