March 7, 2014
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THE SETTING
No. 24/25 Iowa (20-10, 9-8) returns home to host Illinois (17-13, 6-11) in its regular season finale. Tipoff is slated for 7:36 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,400). A limited number of tickets have become available for purchase: $30 for adults, and $20 for youth and UI students. Order online at hawkeyesports.com or in person at the UI Ticket Office.
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 night’s game will be televised nationally on BTN (BTN2GO). Josh Lewin and Jim Jackson will call the action.
| Game 31 | Illinois (17-13, 6-11) at Iowa (20-10, 9-8) | ||
| Date | Saturday, March 8 | 7:36 p.m. (CT) | |
| Location | Iowa City, Iowa | Carver-Hawkeye Arena | |
| TV | BTN | |
| Radio | Hawkeye Radio Network | |
| Live Coverage | Twitter Game Updates | |
| All-Time Series | Illinois leads, 81-69 | |
REGULAR SEASON FINALE STORYLINES
? Iowa’s 2014 senior class will be recognized prior to Saturday night’s game.
? Iowa’s senior class has amassed 53 home wins during their four-year career. The 53 wins tie for fourth in program history. Iowa’s 1988, 2008 and 2009 seniors won 54 home games.
? Iowa has won 30-straight home games against unranked opponents, dating back to the Dayton game on March 13, 2012 — the longest active streak in the Big Ten.
? Iowa has won 20 games in consecutive seasons for first time since 2004-05/2005-06.
? Roy Devyn Marble has scored 20+ points in each of the last five games; the longest stretch of his career and longest active streak of any Big Ten player.
? Iowa is 15-3 this season when making five 3-pointers or more, with the three losses coming vs. Villanova, Minnesota and MSU. Iowa is 8-2 in Big Ten play when sinking at least five triples.
? Roy Devyn Marble is believed to be only the second Big Ten player (Gary Grant of Michigan) since 1985-86 with 1,650+ 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 11.6 points the last five games, including equaling a season-high 17 points against Wisconsin on Feb. 22.
TOP SCORER
Roy Devyn Marble leads the Big Ten in scoring (321, 18.9 ppg) with one game to play. He leads Nebraska’s Terran Petteway (308, 18.1 ppg) by 13 points. Marble is looking to become the first Hawkeye since Adam Haluska (21.3 ppg) in 2007 to lead the league in scoring.
HAWKEYES FALL AT MICHIGAN STATE
? Iowa dropped an 86-76 decision at No. 22 Michigan State Thursday in East Lansing.
? The Hawkeyes led 41-39 at halftime, but were outscored 47-35 in the second stanza. The Spartans opened the second half on a 9-0 run.
? Iowa had two players score in double figures: Roy Devyn Marble (24) and Aaron White (10). White scored all 10 of his points in the final 16 minutes of the game, while Marble netted 16 of his 24 in the first half.
? Iowa shot 86.7 percent (13-of-15) from the foul line. Michigan State attempted 11 more free throws than the Hawkeyes (20-of-26, .769).
? Iowa collected 10 steals and forced 16 Michigan State turnovers. The Hawkeyes have collected 10+ steals in three consecutive games (10.7 average).
? The game featured seven ties and 13 lead changes.
? Josh Oglesby sank two 3-pointers and finished with eight points. The junior guard has made two or more 3-pointers eight times this season, including the last four contests.
? Senior Melsahn Basabe made his first career 3-pointer with his attempt at the buzzer.
? The loss was Iowa’s first by double digits this season.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Illinois holds an 81-69 advantage in the series that began with a 46-36 Iowa win in 1908. The Illini have won nine of the last 13 against the Hawkeyes, but Iowa has won the last three, including an 81-74 Hawkeye victory in Champaign on Feb. 1. Iowa holds a 53-20 advantage in games played in Iowa City, including an 18-10 margin in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes beat the Fighting Illini, 63-55, last March.
LAST TIME VERSUS ILLINOIS
? Iowa led by as many as 21 points in the first half en route to an 81-74 win at Illinois on Feb. 1. The win was the Hawkeyes’ first in Champaign, Ill., since 1999.
? Trailing 70-66, Iowa outscored the Fighting Illini 15-4 over the last 5:01.
? Iowa was led by Gabriel Olaseni, Devyn Marble and Aaron White. Olaseni registered his fourth this season, posting career highs in scoring (15) and rebounding (12). Marble netted all of his team-high 17 points in the second half, including eight in the final 4:24, to go along with a game-high three steals. White had 14 points, six rebounds and two assists.
? The Hawkeyes shot 80 percent (24-of-30) from the foul line, with Olaseni sinking a career high nine (9-of-10).
? Iowa outrebounded Illinois by 13 (41-28), and converted 15 offensive rebounds into 20 second-chance points.
? Iowa’s bench was productive, scoring 32 points and clearing 23 rebounds.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS
? Saturday will be Illinois’ third-straight game against a ranked opponent. The Fighting Illini won at Michigan State (53-46) before dropping an 84-53 decision to Michigan at home Tuesday. Illinois is 4-6 in true road contests, including 3-5 away from home in league play.
? Illinois’ three-game win streak was snapped Tuesday by the Big Ten regular season champion Michigan Wolverines, 84-53. The 31-point loss was the worst by the Illini at the State Farm Center. Michigan sank 16 triples, compared to only two for Illinois. Rayvonte Rice and Kendrick Nunn led the way for the Illini, scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively.
? Illinois has two players average double figures in scoring: Rayvonte Rice (15.8) and Tracy Abrams (10.6). Rice also leads the squad in rebounding (6.1), while Nnanna Egwu is second (6.0).
? Prior to Tuesday night’s 84-point scoring outburst by Michigan, Illinois had limited its previous four opponents to under 50 points.
? Transfer Rayvonte Rice played against the Hawkeyes twice before when he was at Drake. As a freshman in 2010, Rice scored 14 points, and had four rebounds and five turnovers in a 59-52 Iowa win in Des Moines. Rice had 23 points, five rebounds, two steals and six turnovers in an 82-68 Hawkeye win in Iowa City in 2011.
? Illinois is 1-0 in overtime games this season, beating Indiana 83-80 in the Big Ten opener on Dec. 31 in Champaign.
BASABE JOINS TEAMMATES IN 1,000-POINT CLUB
Melsahn Basabe (1,112) joined teammates Roy Devyn Marble (1,654) and Aaron White (1,277) 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.
CENTER OF ATTENTION
Iowa is getting 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per game from their center position of Adam Woodbury and Gabriel Olaseni.
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. The Marble’s (3,770) will finish their collegiate careers second among father-son combos, playing at the same school, behind the Burtt’s of Iona (4,568). The Marble’s are sixth overall.
VARIETY OF WEAPONS
Iowa has five players who average 7.6 points or more. Senior Roy Devyn Marble leads the way averaging 17.3 points per contest, followed by Aaron White (13.3), Mike Gesell (8.2), Melsahn Basabe (7.7), and Jarrod Uthoff (7.6). Josh Oglesby (7.2), Gabriel Olaseni (6.6) and Zach McCabe (6.1) average six points or better.
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT SEEDING
Depending on results of this weekend’s games, Iowa will be a fourth, fifth or sixth seed. Iowa owns all tiebreakers with Nebraska and Ohio State. To get the fourth seed and a first-round bye, Iowa will need a win over Illinois and a Nebraska loss to Wisconsin.
ATTACKING THE RIM
Iowa has nearly made (622) more free throws than its opponents have attempted (631). Furthermore, the Hawkeyes (851) have attempted nearly 100 more free throws than the next Big Ten team, Indiana (757). Iowa has attempted 462 free throws during league play; 59 more attempts than second place Wisconsin (403). Iowa’s 28.4 free-throw attempts average, ranks 11th nationally. The Hawkeyes rank seventh in the country in made free throws (20.7). 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 (422). Both Marble (584) and White (549) 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 17.3 points this season as a senior. White averaged 11.1 points as a rookie, 12.8 points as a sophomore, and 13.3 points this year as a junior.
ON POINT
Point guard Mike Gesell has scored in double figures in six of the last eight games, which included a stretch of five straight games — the longest stretch of his career. He has averaged 11.3 points per game the last eight outings, while dropping 38 dimes (4.8 average). In 30 games this year, Gesell ranks first in the Big Ten and 12th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.8). The sophomore has 541 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 last Sunday.
MARBLE FINISHING HIS IOWA CAREER STRONG
Roy Devyn Marble has led the Hawkeyes in scoring in six of the last seven games, including netting 20+ points in each of the last five games — the longest stretch of his career and longest active streak in the Big Ten. He has topped 20 points in six of the last seven games (21.6 ppg) — the best stretch of his career. His scoring average this season (17.3) is the highest by a Hawkeye since Adam Haluska averaged 20.5 points during the 2007 season. Marble enters this weekend 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 Saturday’s game sixth in Iowa career scoring with 1,654 points. He surpassed Matt Gatens after his 24-point performance at Michigan State on Thursday. Marble is 21 points from fifth-place Ronnie Lester (1,675). He has netted 21 or more points 11 times this season, including 26 against Michigan on Feb 8 and 21 versus Wisconsin on Feb. 22. The native of Southfield, Mich., averages 18.9 points, 3.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals in conference play. Marble is the only Big Ten player to average 17+ points, 3+ assists and 1.6+ 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 20.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists versus top teams in the Big Ten standings this year (Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State). The 6-foot-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 Feb. 27. 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 (6.7), and second in scoring (13.3). 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 59 percent from the field and 81 percent from the charity stripe. White, who led the Hawkeyes in rebounding in each of his first two seasons, will become the fifth player since 1960 to lead the Hawkeyes in rebounding three consecutive seasons. White will 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.
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Zach McCabe will play in his school-record 135th career game Saturday versus Illinois. |
BENCH MOB
Iowa’s reserves played a large role in Iowa’s 20 victories. Overall, Iowa’s bench is averaging 31 points, 19.2 rebounds and 2.8 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 21.3 points and 14.4 rebounds.
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 11.6 points the last five 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 10 of the last 11 games and 14-of-18 games this season. Furthermore, he has made two or more triples in each of the last four contests. Oglesby averages a single-season best 7.2 points per game this season and is shooting at a 44-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.
? The Hawkeyes and Baylor Bears have played 10 games against RPI top 25 teams, only Kansas has played more (11).
? Iowa ranks 12th in the Sagarin, 13th in the KenPom ratings, 15th in the BPI, and 40th in the official NCAA RPI.
? The Hawkeyes have out-rebounded 22 of their 30 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-30 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 20.3 points in its 10 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 (.591) and sixth in free throw percentage (.811).
? Iowa has two of the Big Ten’s top five field goal percentage leaders: Aaron White (second, .591) and Melsahn Basabe (third, .571).
? 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 is averaging 13.2 more points this season (83.3 ppg) compared to last (70.1 ppg).
? 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 13th 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 +7.8 advantage on the glass — a +3.1 margin of improvement from a year ago. Iowa’s rebounding margin of +7.8 ranks ninth in the country. Iowa ranks ninth in the nation in defensive rebounding (27.5) and 21st in offensive rebounding (13.7).
BASABE MOVIN’ ON UP
Senior Melsahn Basabe, who has posted three double-doubles this season, is averaging 7.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. After playing only one minute vs. Wisconsin and missing the Minnesota game due to illness, Basabe returned to action at Indiana (Feb. 27), scoring 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. Basabe’s 739 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 14.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game coming off the bench for the Hawkeyes. Uthoff ranks fifth on the team in scoring (7.6) and fourth in rebounding (4.7), while Olaseni ranks first on the squad in rejections (1.4) and third in rebounding (5.0). Olaseni averages an offensive rebound every six minutes played. Nearly half of Olaseni’s rebounds are offensive (73 of 151); the center is tied for third 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.
WINNING ON THE ROAD
? Iowa 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.
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 (83.3) and scoring margin (+13.0). The Hawkeyes also rank second in the conference in rebounding margin (+7.8), assists (16.3), and blocked shots (5.0). Iowa ranks fifth in the country in fifth in scoring (83.3); ninth in rebounding margin (+7.8); 11th in scoring margin (+13.0); 13th in assists (16.3); 22nd in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4); and 40th in blocks (5.0). Individually, Mike Gesell ranks 23rd in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.8) and Roy Devyn Marble ranks 66th in steals (1.6).
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 42 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 12th in the league. As a team, Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten, and 40th nationally, in rejections (5.0).
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.
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 14,949 fans this season. Iowa’s last home game against Illinois sold out. Iowa has sold out 10 previous contests this season (Penn, Notre Dame, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan, and Purdue). The additional sell outs will give the Hawkeyes 11 sellouts, their most since the 2001-02 season (16).
“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 final show of the season will take place Monday (March 10) 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.