| GAME 28: Illinois (17-10, 7-7) at Iowa (17-10, 8-6) | |
|---|---|
| When | Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015 | 8:06 p.m. CT |
| Where | Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,400), Iowa City, Iowa |
| Tickets | Single-Game Tickets |
| Promotions | Promotions Schedule |
| Shop | Herky’s Locker Room |
| Television | BTN | Watch Online via BTN2GO Announcers: Kevin Kugler and Shon Morris |
| Radio | Hawkeye Radio Network | Listen | Sirius 92 / XM 195 |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| All-time Series | Illinois leads, 82-69 |
| 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. 23, 2015
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- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
THE SETTING
Iowa (17-10, 8-6) returns home Wednesday to host Illinois (17-10, 7-7) in the only regular season meeting. Tickets are available for $27 for adults, and $15 for youth and UI students. Iowa is tied with Ohio State for sixth in the Big Ten standings, while Illinois is in eighth. The Hawkeyes are No. 55 in the RPI, while the Fighting Illini and No. 58.
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 BTN (BTN2GO). Kevin Kugler and Shon Morris will call the action.
GAME #28 OPENING TIP
? Wednesday will be the only regular season meeting between Iowa and Illinois.
? Iowa won its two games last week over Rutgers & Nebraska by an average of 31 points. Iowa beat back-to-back league opponents by 28+ points for the first time since the 1995-96 season.
? According to ESPN, Iowa’s strength of schedule ranks 26th strongest in the country, which is tops among Big Ten teams.
? Iowa is 16-1 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 six games.
? Aaron White is eight points from tying B.J. Armstrong (1986-89) for fourth place on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart. He surpassed Devyn Marble for fifth in Sunday’s game at Nebraska.
? Iowa has shot 50 percent or better from the field in four of its last six contests.
? Iowa is 5-3 in road games this season, with four of the wins coming in league play. The five overall road wins rank third best in the Big Ten (Wisconsin – eight; Michigan State – six). Iowa’s five road victories are the most by a Hawkeye team since the 2002-03 campaign.
? Iowa is averaging a double-double out of its center position of Adam Woodbury and Gabriel Olaseni. The duo combine to average 15.2 points and 10 rebounds.
IOWA CRUISES TO VICTORY AT NEBRASKA
? Iowa posted its second consecutive win by 28+ points on Sunday with a 74-46 triumph over Nebraska in Lincoln. The loss was the Cornhuskers’ worst defeat in Pinnacle Bank Arena. The win was Iowa’s fourth straight over Nebraska.
? Iowa shot 50 percent (29-of-58) from the field, including 50 percent (5-of-10) from 3-point range. The Hawkeyes have shot 50 percent or better in four of their last six games.
? Aaron White posted his second double-double of the season and 14th of his career, totaling game highs in scoring (18) and rebounding (11). White recorded the first 18-point, 11-rebound, 3-steal game by a Hawkeye since Cyrus Tate had 18 points, 11 rebounds and three steals against Northwestern on Feb. 19, 2008. White’s scoring totals moved him past Devyn Marble and into fifth place on Iowa’s all-time scoring list.
? Jarrod Uthoff contributed 11 points and a game-best four blocked shots, while Peter Jok netted 14 points. Jok has reached double figures in five of Iowa’s last six games.
? Nebraska’s 46 points are the fewest points Iowa has allowed in league play this year.
? Iowa held Nebraska to 2-of-18 (.111) shooting from 3-point range.
? Nebraska’s top two-leading scorers, Terran Petteway and Shavon Shields, entered the game averaging 34 combined points; Iowa held the duo to 19 total points.
STEALS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
In Iowa’s 17 victories, the Hawkeyes average 7.9 steals per game compared to 4.2 in their 10 defeats. The +3.7 steals per game difference in wins versus losses is second in the Big Ten behind Minnesota (+5.8). The +3.7 differential also is the eighth largest in the country.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Illinois holds an 82-69 advantage in the series that began with a 46-36 Iowa win in 1908. The Illini have won 10 of the last 14 against the Hawkeyes, but Iowa has won three of the last four meetings. Iowa holds a 53-21 advantage in games played in Iowa City, including an 18-11 margin in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Fighting Illini beat the Hawkeyes, 66-63, in last season’s regular season finale in Iowa City.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS
? After winning four straight games, Illinois has dropped its last two games (at No. 5 Wisconsin and versus Michigan State in Champaign).
? Illinois, who entered Sunday’s game vs. Michigan State averaging 7.5 3-pointers made per game, went 2-of-16 (.125) from 3-point territory. Malcolm Hill and Rayvonte Rice combined to score 32 of Illinois’ 53 points in defeat.
? Illinois ranks first in the country in free throw accuracy (.790), while also ranking seventh in fewest turnovers (9.7), and 17th in turnover margin (+3.3). The Fighting Illini rank fourth in the Big Ten in steals (6.3) and assist/turnover ratio (1.3).
? The Fighting Illini are 12-2 at home this season, but 2-6 in true road games, including a 2-5 mark away from Champaign during league play.
? Rayvonte Rice leads the team in scoring (15.9 ppg), rebounding (6.4 rpg), and steals (1.9 spg). His 15.9 scoring average ranks eighth in the league. Rice is a transfer, who played against Iowa his first two seasons while enrolled at Drake University (Des Moines).
? The Fighting Illini average 7.2 3-pointers made per game. Five players have made 30+ triples. Kendrick Nunn leads the squad with 46 treys, shooting at a 40 percent clip.
? Illinois is 4-4 in Big Ten games decided by eight points or less.
? Illinois is 1-1 in overtime games this season, with both contests coming against Michigan. The Fighting Illini fell in Ann Arbor (73-65), but won in Champaign (64-52).
LAST MEETING AGAINST ILLINOIS
Illinois’ Jon Ekey made a 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds remaining to lift Illinois to a 66-63 win at Iowa in the 2014 regular season finale in Iowa City. Illinois opened the game on a 20-6 run the first 6:11 of the contest, before the Hawkeyes closed the half on a 28-9 run to lead 34-29 at halftime. Shooting stats were almost identical between Iowa and Illinois, with the 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left proving to be the difference. Illinois shot 25-of-54 from the field, including 7-of-19 from 3-point territory, and 9-of-12 from the free throw line. Iowa was 24-of-54 from the field, including 6-of-17 from 3-point range, and 9-of-14 from the foul line. Three Hawkeyes scored in double figures in defeat: Aaron White (12), Mike Gesell (11), and Adam Woodbury (11). Iowa forced 13 Illini turnovers, scoring on almost every Illinois miscue — 23 points.
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 (101) and ranks seventh in the Big Ten in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0). Gesell averages 7.3 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 (12.2), rebounding (6.0), steals (30), and assists (51). He is the only Division I player with 45+ 3-pointers, 40+ blocks, and 30+ 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 147 of his 396 points (37 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 12 makes from equaling Dave Schelhase of Purdue (582) for fourth in conference history. White has attempted 10+ free throws in seven games this year and 13 times in his career. Only two active players in the nation have accomplished that feat more than White.
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WHITE HOT
Aaron White, who is fifth in Iowa history with 133 games played, ranks first among active conference players in rebounding (845) and is fourth in scoring (1,697). He passed Devyn Marble for fifth on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart at Nebraska on Sunday. He is only seven boards from tying Bruce King for fifth place in Iowa career rebounding. White is one of only three Hawkeyes ever to amass 1,600+ points and 800+ rebounds (Acie Earl and Greg Stokes). White is one of 16 players named to the first-ever Karl Malone Award watch list. He ranks first on the team in rebounding (7.1), steals (1.3), and scoring (14.7), and is fourth in assists (1.55) this season. His rebounding and scoring averages rank third and 10th, 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 (51 percent) and 80 percent from the charity stripe (81 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 reached the 1,000-point milestone in his 82nd career game his junior season. White currently ranks fifth in Iowa scoring; he is nine points from surpassing B.J. Armstrong (1,705) for fourth all-time.
DICKERSON GRANTED RELEASE TO TRANSFER
Fran McCaffery announced Monday that Trey Dickerson has decided to transfer from the program and has been granted a full release from his scholarship. The 6-foot guard averaged 2.7 points, 1.2 assists and 0.5 rebounds in 15 games this season with the Hawkeyes.
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 14 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 15 games, beginning with that North Florida contest. Jok is averaging 7.4 points per game for the season and 9.1 points since being inserted into the starting lineup, which ranks third during the 15-game stretch. He has made at least one triple in 14 of the last 19 games, including multiple 3-pointers in five of the last six contests. Jok has scored in double figures in five of Iowa’s last six games, averaging 11.7 points and shooting at a 48 percent clip from 3-point range (12-of-25) during the six-game span. He netted a career-high 16 points vs. Minnesota (Feb. 12) and 14 points in Iowa’s last outing against Nebraska on Sunday in Lincoln.
UTHOFF PRODUCING ON THE WING
Jarrod Uthoff ranks second in team scoring (12.2 ppg) and steals (1.1), and first in 3-point shooting (46-of-114, .404). He is the only Division I player to have 45+ 3-pointers, 40+ blocks and 30+ steals. Uthoff has made 31 of his team-leading 46 3-pointers in Iowa’s 17 victories. He is averaging a team-best 13.7 points and shooting 46 percent (68-of-148) 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 six 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. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native is only the second Hawkeye ever to average 12+ points, 6+ rebounds and shoot better than 40 percent from 3-point territory (Russ Millard in 1995-96). Uthoff enters Wednesday’s game averaging 12.2 points, six rebounds and shooting at a 40 percent clip from long distance. 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 18 of Iowa’s 27 contests. He averages a team-best 16.8 points over the last four 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. Uthoff 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 14-1 this season when scoring 70+ points and 15-2 when shooting at a higher percentage than its opponents.
? Junior guard Anthony Clemmons has amassed 14 assists and only one turnover the last three games.
? The Hawkeyes have won five true road games this season. Iowa has two road games remaining on its schedule. The last time Iowa won five true road games in the regular season was in 2002-03.
? The Hawkeyes have had fewer than 10 turnovers in nine games this season. 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 two of their last three games (at Northwestern and versus 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 (420) more free throws than its opponents have attempted (437).
? 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’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.
? 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 two double-doubles this year (Adam Woodbury, Jarrod Uthoff, Gabriel Olaseni, and Aaron White). Iowa and Michigan State are the only Big Ten schools to have four players with multiple double-doubles this season.
? Iowa is 37-6 when scoring 80 points or more, the last five seasons. The Hawkeyes are 52-2 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 8.8 fewer points per game (61.5). Also, opponents shot .415 from the field last season compared to .395 in 2014-15.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
The Hawkeyes are 4-5 against opponents ranked in either the Associated Press or USA Today Coaches polls this season. Iowa won at No. 12 North Carolina (60-55) on Dec. 3, at No. 18 Ohio State (71-65) on Dec. 30 and completing the season sweep against the 25th-ranked Buckeyes (76-67) in Iowa City on Jan. 17, and beat No. 16 Maryland (72-55) in Iowa City on Feb. 8. The Hawkeyes fell to No. 10 Texas (71-57) and No. 23 Syracuse (66-63) in New York City, at home to No. 13 Iowa State (90-75) and twice to No. 5 Wisconsin (82-50 on Jan. 20 and 74-63 on Jan. 31).
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 sixth in the Big Ten and 88th nationally, averaging 1.55 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 (1.5), rejecting at least one shot in 22-of-27 games. He denied a game-high four shots Sunday at Nebraska. As a team, Iowa ranks 52nd in the country in rejections (4.6).
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 (7.1 rpg) and 10th in scoring (14.7 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 1,675+ 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 (845) and fifth in scoring (1,697), 14th in double-doubles (14), and first in free throws made (570) and attempted (744). 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 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.
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
Forty-eight coaches compete in the Infiniti Coaches’ Challenge for the chance to win $100,000 for charity. Iowa’s Fran McCaffery is one of 48 collegiate coaches taking part in this challenge. McCaffery has advanced to the third round of voting. Fan participation will determine the ultimate winner by voting on ESPN.com/Infiniti. Visit ESPN.com/Infiniti each day and vote for McCaffery, using multiple email addresses, and his charity — Coaches vs. Cancer.
ON THE HORIZON
Iowa travels to Penn State on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. (CT).
