| GAME 27: Iowa (16-10, 7-6) at Nebraska (13-13, 5-9) | |
|---|---|
| When | Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 | 2:06 p.m. CT |
| Where | Pinnacle Bank Arena — Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Shop | Herky’s Locker Room |
| Television | BTN | Watch Online via BTN2GO Announcers: Kevin Kugler and Shon Morris |
| Radio | Hawkeye Radio Network | Listen | Sirius 84 / XM 84 |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| All-time Series | Iowa leads, 16-9 |
| Iowa Team Info | Game Notes (PDF) | Media Guide | 2014-15 Stats (HTML) | 2014-15 Stats (PDF) |
| Big Ten Info | B1G Notes (PDF) | Media Guide | Conference Stats |
| Social Media | @IowaHoops  | #Hawkeyes | IowaHoops  | Facebook  |
Feb. 20, 2015
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THE SETTING
Iowa (16-10, 7-6) hits the road this weekend when it travels to Nebraska to face the Cornhuskers (13-13, 5-9) on Sunday. Tipoff is set for 2:06 p.m. (CT) at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
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: Sunday’s game will be televised nationally on BTN (BTN2GO). Kevin Kugler and Shon Morris will call the action.
GAME #27 OPENING TIP
? Sunday will be Iowa’s first ever visit to Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. The Hawkeyes did not play in Lincoln a year ago — the first season of Pinnacle Bank Arena.
? Iowa has won the last two games against Nebraska, with both games being played at Iowa.
? Iowa has one Nebraska native on its roster, Mike Gesell, who hails from South Sioux City.
? Iowa’s 34-point win over Rutgers is the largest by a Big Ten team in league play this year and the biggest by an Iowa team in conference play since a 91-57 win over Northwestern in 1998.
? Iowa senior forward Aaron White is one of 16 players nationally named to the first-ever Karl Malone Award watch list. White surpassed Ronnie Lester for sixth in Iowa career scoring Thursday against Rutgers. White has scored 1,679 career points.
? According to ESPN, Iowa’s strength of schedule ranks 18th strongest in the country.
? Iowa is 15-1 this year when scoring 64+ points, with the lone loss coming to Iowa St. (90-75).
? Junior forward Jarrod Uthoff has led Iowa in scoring in four of the last five games.
? Iowa is 4-3 in road games this season, including a 3-3 record away from home in league play.
? Iowa is averaging a double-double out of its center position of Adam Woodbury and Gabriel Olaseni. The duo combine to average 15.3 points and 10.1 rebounds.
IOWA POSTS CONVINCING WIN OVER RUTGERS
? Iowa cruised to an 81-47 victory over Rutgers Thursday evening in Iowa City. The 81 points are the most points scored by the Hawkeyes in league play this season.
? Four Hawkeyes scored in double figures: Jarrod Uthoff (14), Aaron White (13), Gabriel Olaseni (12), and Peter Jok (11).
? In addition to leading the team in scoring for the fourth time in five games, Uthoff collected a game and career-high four steals.
? Iowa shot 51 percent (30-of-59) from the field, including 47 percent (8-of-17) from 3-point territory. The Hawkeyes have shot better than 50 percent in three of their last five games.
? The Hawkeyes forced 19 Rutgers turnovers and converted those miscues into 20 points.
? Anthony Clemmons dished out a game and season-high seven assists to go along with equaling a season high with three steals.
? Freshman Dom Uhl tallied nine points and matched a personal best with six rebounds.
? Iowa collected 13 steals, which are the most by the Hawkeyes in league play and the most since being credited with 16 against UMBC on Dec. 6.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa holds a 16-9 advantage in the series that began with a 27-17 Husker win in 1907. The Hawkeyes have won four of the six meetings since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011. The Hawkeyes have won 12 of the last 17 and seven of the last nine in the series. Nebraska owns a slim 6-5 advantage in games played between the two schools in Lincoln. Sunday will be Iowa’s first visit to Pinnacle Bank Arena and first game in Lincoln since a 64-60 loss on Feb. 23, 2013. Iowa’s last victory in Lincoln came in 2012 (62-53).
SCOUTING NEBRASKA
? Nebraska has lost six of its last seven contests, including four straight. The Cornhuskers just concluded a stretch of playing five of seven games away from home.
? The Cornhuskers lost a close one at Maryland, 69-65, Thursday night. Nebraska sank 10 3-pointers, with Walter Pitchford making five of the 10. Pitchford led Nebraska with 19 points and snagging seven rebounds off the bench. Shavon Shields chipped in 12 points, while Nick Fuller had 12.
? Nebraska is 10-4 at home this season, including a 5-2 record at Pinnacle Bank Arena in league play.
? Nebraska has played three overtime games this season, including one contest in double overtime. The Huskers are 2-1 in extra time, beating Cincinnati and Loyola Marymount and falling at Rhode Island.
? Terran Petteway (59) and Walter Pitchford (36) led the Huskers in 3-point shooting.
? Leslee Smith did not play against Iowa on Jan. 5 due to injury. Smith has played 12 games this season, including four starts, averaging 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds.
LAST MEETING AGAINST NEBRASKA
Iowa scored 35 points in each half and posted a 70-59 victory over Nebraska on Jan.5 in Iowa City. The win was Iowa’s second straight over Nebraska, dating back to last year. Jarrod Uthoff, Aaron White, and Gabriel Olaseni combined for 56 of Iowa’s 70 points. Aaron White equaled a season high, netting 23 points for the third time this season. Classmate Gabriel Olaseni scored 12 of his career-high 18 points at the charity stripe, going 12-of-13 (.923) from the foul line. Uthoff scored nine of his 15 points via the 3-point shot. Iowa was 31-of-38 (.816) at the foul line. Iowa’s bench produced 27 points, compared to only eight for Nebraska.
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UTHOFF, GESELL EARN ACADEMIC DISTINCTION
Juniors Mike Gesell and Jarrod Uthoff have been named Capital One Academic All-District first team honorees for their combined performance athletically and in the classroom. The Hawkeye duo will advance to the Capital One Academic All-America Team ballot, where first-, second-, and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month. Gesell, a native of South Sioux City, Nebraska, is a finance major maintaining a 3.93 grade point average. He leads the team in assists (93) and ranks eighth in the Big Ten in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0). Gesell averages 7.2 points per game. Earlier this fall, Gesell earned invitation to Beta Gamma Sigma, the National Scholastic Honor Society for business students at the University of Iowa who have garnered GPA’s that place them in the top 10 percent of their class. Uthoff, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is an economics major with a 3.34 GPA. Uthoff ranks second in team scoring (12.3), rebounding (6.0), steals (29), and assists (48). He is the only Division I player with 45+ 3-pointers, 35+ blocks, and 25+ steals. He was named the Big Ten Player of the Week on Jan. 6, following his performances in Iowa wins over No. 18 Ohio State and Nebraska. The last Iowa player to earn Academic All-District distinction was Adam Haluska in 2007, who also earned first team Academic All-America accolades. The Iowa women’s basketball team also had two players recognized (Sam Logic and Ally Disterhoft). The University of Iowa is one of only two schools to have two men and two women’s basketball student-athletes earn Academic All-District laurels.
FINDING WAYS TO SCORE
Aaron White ranks first in the country in highest percentage of points scored from free throws (minimum 375 total points). The Hawkeye senior has scored 145 of his 378 points (38 percent) from the charity stripe. On Jan. 5 against Nebraska, White surpassed Roy Marble as Iowa’s all-time leader in free throws. He currently ranks fifth in Big Ten annals and is 14 makes from equaling Dave Schelhase of Purdue (582) for fourth in conference history. White has attempted 10+ free throws in seven games this season and 13 times in his career. Only two active players in the country have accomplished that feat more than White.
WHITE HOT
Aaron White, who is sixth in Iowa history with 132 games played, ranks first among active Big Ten players in rebounding (834) and is fourth in scoring (1,679). He passed Ronnie Lester for sixth on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart against Rutgers Thursday night. He is 18 boards from tying Bruce King for fifth place in Iowa career rebounding. White is one of 16 players named to the first-ever Karl Malone Award watch list. He ranks first on the team in rebounding (7.0), steals (1.3), and scoring (14.5), and is fourth in assists (1.6) this season. His rebounding and scoring averages rank third and 11th, respectively, in the Big Ten this year. White is seeking to become the first Hawkeye to lead the team in scoring and rebounding since Greg Brunner in 2006 (14.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game). White was the only Big Ten player to average 13+ points and 7+ rebounds during league play in 2014. White became the first Hawkeye ever to register 1,300+ points, 650+ rebounds, 100+ steals, and 100+ assists by his junior season. White was the only player in the nation to shoot better than 55 percent from the field and 80 percent from the foul line in 2014. He shot 58 percent from the field and 81 percent from the charity stripe. Again this season, White is the only player in the nation to shoot better than 50 percent from the field (50 percent) and 80 percent from the charity stripe (80 percent). White became the fifth player, since 1960, to lead the Hawkeyes in rebounding three consecutive seasons. White joins Don Nelson (1960-62); Kevin Kunnert (1971-73); Bruce King (1975-77); and Greg Brunner (2004-06). He is seeking to become the first player all-time to lead the Hawkeyes in rebounding all four seasons. 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, 2012). He reached the 1,000-point milestone in his 82nd career game. White currently ranks sixth in Iowa scoring; he is 16 points from surpassing Devyn Marble (1,694) for fifth all-time.
SELECT COMPANY
Aaron White is one of only two active Division I players (Oklahoma’s TaShawn Thomas) to have 1,675+ points, 825+ rebounds, 175+ assists, and 125+ steals. He is the only Hawkeye ever to post those numbers in the program’s history. Also, his 13 career double-doubles ranks second among active Big Ten players; Michigan State’s Branden Dawson ranks first (18).
FRESH START
Sophomore Peter Jok made his first start of his career on Dec. 22 vs. North Florida. The native of West Des Moines, Iowa, has started the last 14 games, beginning with that North Florida contest. Jok is averaging 7.2 points per game for the season and 8.7 points since being inserted into the starting lineup, which ranks third during the 14-game stretch. He has made at least one triple in 13 of the last 18 games, including three (3-of-5) in Iowa’s last game against Rutgers. Jok has scored in double figures in four of Iowa’s last five games, netting 10 points at Michigan, contributing 15 points vs. No. 16 Maryland, scoring a career-high 16 points vs. Minnesota and posting 11 against Rutgers. Jok is 10-of-20 (.500) from 3-point range the last five games.
UTHOFF PRODUCING ON THE WING
Jarrod Uthoff ranks second in team scoring (12.3 ppg) and steals (1.1), and first in 3-point shooting (45-of-113, .398). He is the only Division I player to have 45+ 3-pointers, 35+ blocks and 25+ steals. Uthoff has made 30 of his team-leading 45 3-pointers in Iowa’s 16 victories. He is averaging a team-best 13.9 points and shooting 46 percent (64-of-140) in Big Ten play, while averaging 10.6 points and shooting 39.8 percent (51-of-128) in nonconference action. The redshirt junior, who has led the team in scoring in four of the last five games, poured in a game and career-high 25 points in Iowa’s loss at Northwestern (Feb. 15). His career-high fifth 3-pointer came with four seconds remaining in regulation to even the score and send the game to overtime. Uthoff was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Jan. 6 by the Big Ten Conference after his performance in Iowa’s win at No. 18 Ohio State (Dec. 30) and vs. Nebraska (Jan. 5). Uthoff averaged 16.5 points, seven rebounds, and 3.5 blocks in those two games. Uthoff drained four triples in Iowa’s victory over Hampton (Nov. 14) and at No. 18 Ohio State (Dec. 30). He has reached double figures in 17 of Iowa’s 26 contests. He averages a team-best 18.7 points over the last three games. Uthoff tallied eight points and equaled career bests in rebounding (11) and blocked shots (five) in Iowa’s five-point victory at No. 12 North Carolina. He had 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four blocks at Minnesota on Jan. 13. Uthoff became the first player to amass 22+ points, 5+ rebounds, 4+ assists, and 4+ blocks in a Big Ten contest since Minnesota’s Joel Przybilla versus Iowa on Jan. 12, 2000. The native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has two double-doubles this season (North Florida and Michigan State). He had 10 points and a personal-best 12 boards against North Florida (Dec. 22), and 12 points and a team-best 10 rebounds versus Michigan State (Jan. 8).
HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa is 13-1 this season when scoring 70+ points and 14-2 when shooting at a higher percentage than its opponents.
? The Hawkeyes have won four true road games this season, equaling its road win total from a season ago. Iowa has three road games remaining on its schedule.
? The Hawkeyes have had fewer than 10 turnovers in eight games this season (Iowa State, Longwood, Nebraska, Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Northwestern). Iowa had a season-low four turnovers at Northwestern (Feb. 15).
? Iowa has beaten Ohio State and Michigan both on the road in the same season for the first time since 1998-99.
? The Hawkeyes are 8-2 when Gabriel Olaseni scores in double figures this season.
? Iowa is 7-1 this season when sinking eight or more 3-pointers. The Hawkeyes made eight triples in each of the last two games (lost at Northwestern and beat Rutgers).
? Iowa was the first team in the country to post road wins over two ranked opponents: No. 12 North Carolina (60-55) on Dec. 3 and No. 18 Ohio State (71-65) on Dec. 30.
? Iowa has nearly made (409) more free throws than its opponents have attempted (423).
? Iowa’s 18-point win against Michigan in Ann Arbor is its largest since winning by 18 on Feb. 8, 1954.
? All five starters reached double figures at Michigan for the first time in a conference game since Feb. 7, 2004 (vs. Indiana).
? Iowa has reached sell out status in four games this season. The Hawkeyes average 13,974 fans through 16 home games.
? Adam Woodbury collected six assists to go along with his 11 points at Michigan. Woodbury became just the third Big Ten 7-footer to post 10+ points and 6+ assists in a game since 1996-97.
? Iowa recorded a season-low six turnovers at Michigan (Feb. 5). The six turnovers are the second fewest by a Hawkeye team in the Fran McCaffery era (five on five occasions).
? Gabriel Olaseni scored 18 points in consecutive games against Nebraska (Jan. 5) and Michigan State (Jan. 8). The London native became just the fifth Big Ten player since 2006 to record back-to-back 18-point games off the bench (Indiana’s Will Sheehey in 2012; Michigan’s DeShawn Sims in 2008; Minnesota’s Lawrence McKenzie in 2007; and Ohio State’s Deaquan Cook in 2006).
? Iowa has had four players post double-doubles this year (Adam Woodbury, Jarrod Uthoff, Gabriel Olaseni, and Aaron White). Only Michigan State has had more (five).
? Iowa is 37-6 when scoring 80 points or more, the last five seasons. The Hawkeyes are 51-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points, the last five years.
IMPROVED DEFENSE
After allowing 70.3 points a year ago, the Iowa defense has improved this season, allowing 8.2 fewer points per game (62.1). Also, opponents shot .415 from the field last season compared to .397 in 2014-15.
BLOCK PARTY
Senior Gabriel Olaseni denied a game-high four shots in Iowa wins over Hampton (Nov. 14), Northern Illinois (Nov. 26) and North Florida (Dec. 22). He denied a career-high five shots in Iowa’s win over Northern Illinois. Olaseni ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 78th nationally, averaging 1.6 rejections per game. His 42 blocks are the fifth most by a Hawkeye senior in program history. He also ranks fifth in Iowa career blocks (129). Uthoff ranks eighth in the league in blocks (1.4), rejecting at least one shot in 21-of-26 games. As a team, Iowa ranks 51st in the country in rejections (4.6).
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.
WHITE NAMED TO KARL MALONE AWARD WATCH LIST
Iowa senior Aaron White is one of 16 players named to the first-ever Karl Malone Award watch list. Named after Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its inaugural year recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men’s college basketball. White ranks third in the Big Ten in rebounding (7.0 rpg) and 11th in scoring (14.5 ppg). He is seeking to become the first Hawkeye in nine years to finish the season leading the team in scoring and rebounding (Greg Brunner in 2006). White is one of only two active Division I players (Oklahoma’s TaShawn Thomas), and the only Hawkeye ever, with 1,650+ points, 825+ rebounds, 175+ assists, and 125+ steals. The native of Strongsville, Ohio, is also the only Division I player to shoot better than 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line the last two seasons. White ranks sixth in Iowa career rebounding (834) and scoring (1,679), 13th in double-doubles (13), and first in free throws made (568) and attempted (742). Malone attended La. Tech due to its close proximity to his hometown of Summerfield, Louisiana. He led the Bulldogs to a Sweet 16 appearance and earned All-Southland honors in his three seasons while averaging 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Malone achieved great success during his 19 seasons in the NBA as a 14-time NBA All-Star (1988-98, 2000-02), 11-time All-NBA First Team player (1989-99) and a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. He also won two Olympic gold medals (1992, 1996). White is one of two players recognized from the Big Ten (Maryland’s Jake Layman) and one of three from the state of Iowa (UNI’s Seth Tuttle and Georges Niang of Iowa State).
WHITE NOMINATED FOR GOOD WORKS TEAM
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Allstate Insurance Company announced the nominees for the 2015 Allstate NABC Good Works Team. Among the nominees is University of Iowa basketball student-athlete Aaron White. This prestigious community service award recognizes a distinguished group of student-athletes who have demonstrated a commitment to enriching the lives of others and contributing to the greater good in their communities. College sports information directors and basketball coaches across the country nominated players who exhibit exceptional leadership skills and an unwavering commitment to volunteerism. Voting panels will select two 10-member teams comprised of five student-athletes from the NCAA Division I level. The final roster of 20 award recipients will be unveiled in February.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Fran McCaffery has the most experienced coaching staffs in the country. The Iowa men’s basketball staff has 66 years of combined collegiate head coaching experience and more than 130 years of collegiate coaching under their belts. Iowa ranks first, followed by Indiana and Tulsa.
ALL-SESSION BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE
All-session tickets for the 2015 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament are on sale. The Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament returns to the United Center in Chicago, March 11-15. The event will feature a five-day format for the first time in conference history. Lower level tickets may be purchased through the UI Ticket Office. Upper level tickets may be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or going to unitedcenter.com. All-session tickets for the 100 and 200 levels at the United Center are available for $375 through the Big Ten university ticket offices only. All-session tickets for the 300 level are available for $275 or $200 (depending on seat location) through Ticketmaster or the United Center box office only. Orders will be limited to four all-session tickets. The tournament will continue to feature a discounted student ticket program. Students of Big Ten universities will be able to purchase tickets for $20, good for only the session or sessions featuring their school. All students must have a valid student ID for entry. Student section seating will be available in balcony sections and orders will be limited to one ticket per student.
McCAFFERY IN COACHES CHARITY CHALLENGE
Infiniti, ESPN, NABC and the NCAA have teamed up again to produce the Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge. Forty-eight coaches compete in a tournament for the chance to win $100,000 for charity. Iowa’s Fran McCaffery is one of 48 collegiate coaches taking part in this challenge. Thank you fans for voting McCaffery, who is one of the top 16 coaches who have advanced to the third round of voting. 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. Visit ESPN.com/Infiniti each day and vote for McCaffery, using multiple email addresses, and his charity — Coaches vs. Cancer.
ON THE HORIZON
Iowa returns to Iowa City Wednesday when it entertains Illinois in the only regular season meeting between the two teams. Tipoff is set for 8:05 p.m. (CT) in Iowa City. Tickets are still available for the contest ($27 for adults and $15 for youth and UI students).
