| GAME 31: Northwestern (15-15, 6-11) at Iowa (20-10, 11-6) | |
|---|---|
| When | Saturday, March 7, 2015 | 11:06 a.m. CT |
| Where | Carver-Hawkeye Arena — Iowa City, Iowa |
| Shop | Herky’s Locker Room |
| Television | BTN | Watch Online via WATCHESPN Announcers: Wayne Randazzo and Stephen Bardo |
| Radio | Hawkeye Radio Network | Listen | Sirius 135 / XM 196 |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| All-time Series | Iowa leads, 113-59 |
| 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  |
March 5, 2015
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THE SETTING
Iowa (20-10, 11-6), winners of seven of its last nine games and five straight, host its home finale Saturday against Northwestern (15-15, 6-11). The game is scheduled to tipoff at 11:06 a.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game is sold out; Iowa’s fifth sell out of the season.
SATURDAY PREGAME, HALFTIME RECOGNITION
The UI men’s basketball program will recognize the four Hawkeye seniors prior to Saturday’s game. Kyle Denning, Gabriel Olaseni, Josh Oglesby, and Aaron White will be honored beginning at approximately 10:50 a.m. at center court. Family members of each senior will accompany each senior on the court, including Olaseni’s family from London. The UI Athletics Department will recognize Roy Marble, its all-time leading scorer, at halftime. Marble scored 2,116 points in 134 games between 1986-89. He also recorded 668 career rebounds and 281 assists as the Hawkeyes posted an 89-37 record during his career. Iowa earned four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight appearance in 1987 and a trip to the Sweet 16 in 1988. Marble shared team Most Valuable Player honors from 1987-89.
GAME #31 OPENING TIP
? Iowa’s senior class has amassed 58 home wins in its four-year career — the most in program history for a class. Iowa’s 1988, 2008, and 2009 squads rank second winning 54 home contests.
? Iowa has won 20+ games in each of the last three seasons (25 in 2013, 20 in 2014, and 20 in 2015), its longest streak since a five-year stretch between 1994-95 to 1998-99.
? Junior Mike Gesell was named third team Academic All-America (3.93 GPA) last week.
? Iowa is 19-1 this year when scoring 64+ points, with the lone loss coming to Iowa St. (90-75).
? Aaron White, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week, has scored 20+ points in three straight games for the first time in his career. White became only the second Iowa player since 1996-97 to amass 70+ points and 20+ rebounds over a three-game span (Adam Haluska in 2006-07).
? Aaron White is tied with Greg Stokes for third place on Iowa’s all-time scoring list. He is 11 points from equaling and 12 points from surpassing Acie Earl for second on the scoring chart.
? Iowa is 7-3 in road games this season, with six of the wins coming in league play. The seven overall road wins are second best in the Big Ten (Wisconsin – eight). Iowa’s seven road victories are the most by a Hawkeye team since the 1986-87 campaign. The seven road wins tie for 11th nationally among teams in the seven major conferences.
ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, along with color commentator Bob Hansen. The network includes more than 40 stations that blanket the state of Iowa and include portions of Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pregame show.
TV: Saturday’s game will be televised nationally on BTN (BTN2GO). Wayne Randazzo and Stephen Bardo will call the action.
SENIOR CLASS RACKING UP WINS
Iowa’s senior class has accounted for 83 wins during its four-year career (18 in 2012; 25 in 2013; 20 in 2014; and 20 in 2015). The 83 are the eighth most for a class. Iowa’s 1989 class ranks first with 97 victories.
IMPROVED DEFENSE
After allowing 70.3 points a year ago, the Iowa defense has improved this season, allowing 8.3 fewer points per game (62.0). Also, opponents shot .415 from the field last season compared to .392 in 2014-15.
HAWKEYES WIN FIFTH STRAIGHT GAME, WIN AT INDIANA
? Four Hawkeyes netted double figures in a 77-63 road triumph at Indiana’s Assembly Hall Tuesday. Iowa has won now five consecutive league games for the first time since 1997. The Hawkeyes handed the Hoosiers’ only their third home loss of the season.
? Aaron White led all scorers with 21 points, marking the third consecutive contest that the Hawkeye senior has tallied 20+ points. Gabriel Olaseni contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, while Anthony Clemmons added 10 points and a team-best three assists off the bench. Clemmons’ 10 points marked the first time in Big Ten plays this season that the junior reached double figures in scoring.
? Iowa is 47-of-55 (.873) from the free throw line its last two games combined. After shooting 25-of-27 from the foul line t Penn State (Feb. 28), the Hawkeyes shot 23-of-28 (.821) from the charity stripe at Indiana. Aaron White was 9-of-10 (.900) at the free throw line. The senior has attempted 10+ free throws in each of the last three contests.
? Iowa grabbed 11 offensive rebounds and converted the second chance opportunities into 17 points.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa holds a 113-59 advantage over Northwestern in the series. After winning five straight over the Wildcats, Northwestern has won the last two meetings, dating back to the 2014 Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. Northwestern edged the Hawkeyes, 66-61, in overtime on Feb. 15 in this season’s first meeting. Iowa holds a 65-18 advantage in games played in Iowa City, including a 25-4 record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes won last season’s contest in Iowa City, 93-67.
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
? After losing 10 straight conference games, Northwestern has won five of its last six. Two of the Wildcats’ last five wins have come in overtime, including a double overtime contest against Michigan Tuesday night in Evanston.
? Three Wildcats average in double figures: Tre Demps (12.7 ppg), Alex Olah (11.8 ppg), and Bryant McIntosh (11.5 ppg).
? In Northwestern’s five wins since Feb. 15, Tre Demps is averaging 17.2 points per game.
? The Wildcats are 3-7 in true road games this season, including a 2-6 in road games in the Big Ten.
? Northwestern upended Michigan, 82-78, in double overtime Tuesday in Evanston. Tre Demps drained game-tying 3-pointers at the end of regulation and at the end of the first overtime to send the game to a second extra session. Demps finished with 20 points, while Alex Olah led the Wildcats with 25 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Northwestern was 12-of-27 (.444) from 3-point range.
? Alex Olah leads the squad in rebounding (6.8) and blocks (54), while Bryant McIntosh leads the team in assists (141) and free throw shooting (54-of-64, .844).
? Thirty-one percent of Northwestern’s field goals this season have come from 3-point territory. Tre Demps (52) and Bryant McIntosh (37) have combined to make 89 triples.
LAST MEETING AGAINST NORTHWESTERN
Northwestern outlasted Iowa, 66-61, in overtime on Feb. 15, in Evanston, Illinois. Trailing 54-51, Iowa’s Jarrod Uthoff sank an off-balance 3-pointer with four seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. Northwestern scored eight of its 12 points in overtime at the free throw line. For the game, the Wildcats were 15-of-20 (.750) at the charity stripe. Uthoff led all scorers, pouring in a game and career-high 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field, including a career-best 5-of-11 from 3-point range, and 4-of-4 from the foul line. Iowa’s leading scorer Aaron White was held to a season-low six points on 1-of-12 shooting from the field, but did pull down a game-high 13 rebounds. Tre Demps (16), Bryant McIntosh (18), and Alex Olah (11) combined to score 45 of Northwestern’s 66 points.
SINCE IOWA’S LOSS TO NORTHWESTERN IN EVANSTON…
Iowa has won five consecutive games to boost its overall record to 20-10 and 11-6 in league play. The 11 conference wins are the most since 2006. Below are superlatives during the five-game win streak.
? Won three games on the road and two at home
? Boast a 17.6 average margin of victory and 9.2 steals per game
? Shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 76.7 percent from the free throw line
? Three players average in double figures (White – 20.4 ppg; Uthoff – 11.2 ppg; Olaseni – 10.8 ppg)
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WHITE HOT
Aaron White, the reigning B1G Player of the Week, averaged 23.7 points & 9.3 rebounds in Iowa’s last three victories. His average of 20.4 since Feb. 16, is second in the Big Ten. White ranks third in Iowa history with 1,768 points, fourth in 873 rebounds, and second with 136 games played. He ranks first among active conference players in rebounding (873) and is third in scoring (1,768). He is the only Hawkeye ever to amass 1,700+ points and 850+ rebounds. White is one of 16 players named to the first-ever Karl Malone Award watch list. He ranks first on the team in rebounding (7.4), steals (1.3), and scoring (15.6), and is fifth in assists (1.5) this season. White is one of only two Big Ten players to average 15+ points and 7+ rebounds (Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky). His rebounding and scoring averages rank third and eighth, 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 (82 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. In Iowa’s 10 conference wins, White is averaging 18.7 points per game, compared to 8.8 in the six defeats (White saw limited action in loss at Purdue due to injury). White currently ranks fourth in Iowa scoring; he is 22 points from surpassing Greg Stokes (1,768) for third all-time.
STEALS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
In Iowa’s 19 wins, the Hawkeyes average eight steals per game compared to 4.2 in their 10 defeats. The +3.8 steals per game difference in wins versus losses is second in the Big Ten behind Minnesota (+5.8). The +3.8 differential also is the eighth largest in the country.
HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa is 16-1 this season when scoring 70+ points and 17-2 when shooting at a higher percentage than its opponents.
? According to ESPN, Iowa’s strength of schedule ranks 24th strongest in the country, which ranks third among Big Ten teams (Wisconsin – 19; Michigan State – 22).
? Iowa is averaging a double-double out of its center position of Adam Woodbury and Gabriel Olaseni. The duo combine to average 15.1 points and 10.1 rebounds.
? In Iowa’s last three wins, Iowa’s senior class combined for 122 points (Aaron White 71, Gabriel Olaseni 33, and Josh Oglesby 18).
? The Hawkeyes have won seven true road games this season. The last time Iowa won seven true road games was during the 1986-87 campaign.
? The Hawkeyes are 10-2 when Gabriel Olaseni scores in double figures this season.
? Iowa is 8-1 this season when sinking eight or more 3-pointers.
? Iowa has made (488) more free throws than its opponents have attempted (484).
? Iowa is the only team post a win at Ohio State this year (18-1).
? In conference statistics rankings, Iowa ranks fourth in field goal percentage (.455) and fifth in 3-point accuracy (.365).
? Iowa’s 11 conference wins are the most during the Fran McCaffery era (2010-present).
? Junior guard Anthony Clemmons has amassed 22 assists and only six turnovers off the bench the last six games.
? Iowa has had fewer than 10 turnovers in nine games this year. Iowa had a season-low four turnovers at Northwestern (Feb. 15).
? Iowa has beaten Ohio State, Indiana, and Michigan on the road in the same season for the first time since 1969-70.
? 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.
? Aaron White became just the third Hawkeye to register 21+ points and 14+ rebounds in a Big Ten road game (at Penn State on Feb. 28) since 1996-97 (Jared Reiner at Indiana in 2003 and Greg Brunner at Indiana in 2004).
? Iowa has reached sell out status in four games this season. The Hawkeyes average 14,025 fans through 17 home games.
? All five starters reached double figures at Michigan for the first time in a conference game since Feb. 7, 2004 (vs. Indiana).
? Aaron White’s 29 points on Feb. 25, are the most by an Iowa player vs. Illinois since James Moses had 30 in 1991. Also, White became just the second player since 1997 to register 29+ points and 9+ rebounds against Illinois (Ohio State’s Evan Turner in 2010).
? 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.
? 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 or more 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 38-6 when scoring 80 points or more, the last five seasons. The Hawkeyes are 53-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points, the last five years.
FINDING WAYS TO SCORE
Aaron White ranks first in the country in highest percentage of points scored from free throws (minimum 450 total points). The Hawkeye senior has scored 177 of his 467 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 fourth in Big Ten annals and is 15 makes from equaling Kiwane Garris of Illinois (615) for third in conference history. White has attempted 10+ free throws 11 times this year, including the last three contests, and 16 times in his career. Only two active players in the nation have accomplished that feat more than White.
UTHOFF, GESELL EARN ACADEMIC DISTINCTION
Juniors Mike Gesell and Jarrod Uthoff were named Capital One Academic All-District first team honorees for their combined performance athletically and in the classroom. Gesell was also tabbed third team Academic All-America last week becoming the first Hawkeye to accomplish the national distinction since Adam Haluska (first team) in 2007. 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 (110) 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 (12.0), rebounding (6.2), and steals (34). He is the only Division I player with 50+ 3-pointers, 45+ 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 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.
SELECT COMPANY
Aaron White is the only active Division I player to have 1,700+ points, 850+ rebounds, 175+ assists, and 125+ steals. He is the only Hawkeye ever to post those numbers in the program’s history. Also, his 15 career double-doubles ranks second among active Big Ten players; Michigan State’s Branden Dawson ranks first (18).
UTHOFF PRODUCING ON THE WING
Jarrod Uthoff ranks second in team scoring (12 ppg) and steals (1.1), and first in 3-point shooting (50-of-127, .394). He is the only Division I player to have 50+ 3-pointers, 45+ blocks and 30+ steals. Additionally, Uthoff is one of only two Big Ten players to average 12+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 1.5+ blocks (Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky). Uthoff has made 35 of his team-leading 50 3-pointers in Iowa’s 20 victories. He is averaging a team-best 15 points per game, shooting 45.5 percent (48-of-99) from the field and 100 percent (19-of-19) from the foul line, in Iowa’s nine conference road games, while averaging 11 points, shooting 40 percent (32-of-79) from the field, in its eight league home contests. The redshirt junior, 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 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 20 times this season. He averages 14 points per contest over the last seven games. Uthoff tallied eight points and equaled career bests in rebounding (11) and blocked shots (five) in Iowa’s win 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).
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 18 games, beginning with that North Florida contest. Jok is averaging 7.3 points per game for the season and 8.7 points since being inserted into the starting lineup, which ranks third during the 18-game stretch. He has made at least one triple in 16 of the last 22 games, including multiple 3-pointers in six of the last nine contests. Jok netted a career-high 16 points vs. Minnesota (Feb. 12) and 14 points against Nebraska (Feb. 22) in Lincoln.
OLASENI: B1G SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE
Senior Gabriel Olaseni is a strong candidate for the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year. Olaseni ranks third on the Hawkeyes in scoring (8.5), second in blocked shots (44) and free throw shooting (85-of-110), fourth in rebounding (4.9). Olaseni denied a game-high four shots three times this season. He denied a career-high five shots in Iowa’s win over Northern Illinois. His 44 blocks are the fifth most by a Hawkeye senior in program history.
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).
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 (7.3 rpg) and eighth in scoring (15.6 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 the only active Division I player, and the only Hawkeye ever, with 1,700+ points, 850+ 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 fourth in Iowa career rebounding (873), third in scoring (1,768), 14th in double-doubles (15), and first in free throws made (600) and attempted (778). Malone attended Louisiana 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.
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.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,670 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,570-1,100 (.588). That includes a 1,002-353 (.739) record in home games, a 564-744 (.431) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 740-751 (.496) mark in Big Ten games and a 406-127 (.762) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
ON THE HORIZON
All 14 teams will converge in Chicago for the 2015 Big Ten Tournament. Iowa’s opponent and game time will be announced following regular season play concludes on Sunday.
