| GAME 34: Gonzaga (33-2) vs. Iowa (22-11) | |
|---|---|
| When | Sunday, March 22, 2015 | 6:10 p.m. CT |
| Where | KeyArena – Seattle, Washington |
| Shop | Herky’s Locker Room |
| Television | TBS | Watch Online via MARCH MADNESS LIVE Announcers: Spero Dedes, Mike Gminski, and Jaime Maggio |
| Radio | Hawkeye Radio Network | Listen | Sirius 93 / XM 203 |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| All-time Series | Iowa leads, 2-0 |
| 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 21, 2015
- NCAA Men’s Basketball Central
- Read the March issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly iOS app
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly android app
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
THE SETTING
Iowa (22-11) cruised to an 83-52 triumph over 10th-seeded Davidson, 83-52, Friday night in Seattle. The Hawkeyes advance to meet second-seeded Gonzaga (33-2), who knocked off North Dakota State, 86-76, Sunday at 6:10 p.m. (CT) at KeyArena.
ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa NCAA Tournament games will be 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. Games will also be available nationally on Westwood One radio affiliates and Sirius 93 and XM 203.
TV: Sunday’s game will be televised nationally on TBS. Spero Dedes, Mike Gminski, and Jaime Maggio will call the action.
NCAA TOURNAMENT THIRD ROUND STORYLINES
? Iowa & Gonzaga have played twice before, with Iowa winning both meetings (1984 & 1986).
? The Hawkeyes’ 83-52 dominant performance over Davidson Friday was the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory since 2001 (Creighton in the first round).
? Aaron White (26), Mike Gesell (15), & Peter Jok (12) outscored Davidson’s entire team, 53-52.
? Iowa’s 31-point margin of win over Davidson is the second-largest margin of victory in the 2015 Tournament behind Villanova’s 41-point win over Lafayette.
? Aaron White’s 26 points vs. Davidson ties for the eight most in the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
? This is Iowa’s third trip to Seattle for an NCAA Tournament game. The Hawkeyes played in the Kingdome in the 1987 and 1988 NCAA Regionals.
? Iowa concluded the regular season winning six consecutive Big Ten games — its longest win streak against Big Ten competition since the 1986-87 season.
? Aaron White became Iowa’s 25th first-team All-Big Ten honoree, while Jarrod Uthoff was named to the coaches all-league third team. Gabriel Olaseni earned the Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the Year, becoming just the second Hawkeye to win that award (Doug Thomas in 2006).
? The Hawkeyes tied Purdue and Michigan State for third place in the Big Ten, which is Iowa’s best finish in the league standings since tying for second place in 2006.
? Iowa has won 20+ games in each of the last three seasons (25 in 2013, 20 in 2014, and 21 in 2015), its longest streak since a five-year stretch between 1994-95 to 1998-99.
? Since Feb. 16, Iowa senior Aaron White leads all Big Ten players averaging 21.8 points per contest (eight games). The Hawkeyes are 7-1 during that stretch.
? Jarrod Uthoff is the only player in the nation to have 50+ 3-pointers, 55+ blocks & 35+ steals.
? Iowa is 21-1 this year when scoring 64+ points, with the lone loss coming to Iowa State (90-75).
? Aaron White is just the second Hawkeye since 1985 to score 20+ points in six straight games. The last Iowa player to reach 20 points in at least six consecutive basketball games was Greg Stokes during the 1984-85 campaign (eight straight).
? Aaron White is the only player in the country to average 16+ points, 7+ rebounds, while shooting above a 50 percent clip from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line.
? Fran McCaffery has guided Iowa to upper division finishes in the Big Ten in each of the last three seasons. McCaffery, who is one of just 12 Division I head coaches to take four different programs to the NCAA Tournament, has accumulated 15 first division finishes in 19 years as a head coach. McCaffery has posted nine seasons of 20 or more wins as a head coach.
? Iowa’s 12 conference wins are the most by a Hawkeye team since 1997.
? Iowa’s six B1G road wins rank second behind Wisconsin (seven) for the most in the league. Its seven overall road victories are the most by a Hawkeye team since the 1986-87 campaign.
HAWKEYES BEAT DAVIDSON IN NCAA TOURNAMENT
? Iowa won its first NCAA Tournament game since 2001 with an 83-52 win over Davidson. The 31-point margin of victory is biggest in program history, surpassing Iowa’s 29-point margin over Penn State in its first-ever NCAA Tournament game in 1955 (82-53). It also marked the largest margin of victory in NCAA Tournament history in a 7/10 matchup.
? Aaron White (26), Mike Gesell (15), and Peter Jok (12) outscored the entire Davidson team by one (53-52).
? Aaron White poured in a game-high 26 points (11-of-14 FG and 3-of-3 FT), including a personal 13-2 run over Davidson in the second half. The 26 points are the most by a Hawkeye in an NCAA Tournament game since Dean Oliver had 26 in a loss to Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
? Peter Jok’s 12 points mark the second straight NCAA Tournament game that he registered double figures; he posted 10 against Tennessee in the first round in 2014.
? Iowa’s 83 points are the most by an Iowa team in an NCAA Tournament game since Iowa tallied 98 in a 98-92 win over Texas in 1992.
? Iowa dominated the glass, grabbing 16 more boards than the Wildcats (46-30).
? Junior Mike Gesell dished out a game-high six assists, which are the most by a Hawkeye in an NCAA Tournament game since Dean Oliver had six against UAB in 1999.
? Iowa shot 50.7 percent (35-of-69) from the field, marking the first time Iowa shot 50 percent or better from the field since its win at Nebraska on Feb. 22 (50 percent).
? Iowa committed only five turnovers, which are the second fewest by an Iowa team in an NCAA Tournament game (three versus Virginia in 1997).
? Iowa improved to 4-0 all-time in games played on March 20.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa is 2-0 all-time against Gonzaga. The Hawkeyes beat Gonzaga in 1984 (62-40) in Iowa City and in 1986 (84-64) in Spokane. Sunday will be the first meeting on a neutral floor.
IOWA IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Iowa is participating in the NCAA Tournament for the 24th time, including making its second straight appearance. Iowa earned a No. 7 seed this season for the fourth time in program history. The Hawkeyes were also a No. 7 seed in 1983, 1991, and 2001. The Hawkeyes are 5-3 all-time as a No. 7 seed after beating Davidson Friday night in Seattle. The Hawkeyes hold an overall record of 28-25 in the tournament, advancing to the Final Four in 1955, 1956, and 1980. Iowa reached the regional championship in 1987 and lost in the regional semifinal in 1988 and 1999.
IOWA IN WASHINGTON STATE
Iowa is playing in the NCAA Tournament in the state of Washington for the third time. Iowa is 3-3 in games played in Washington, including a 2-2 record in Seattle and a 1-1 record in Pullman. Iowa defeated Northeast Louisiana in the first round before falling to Idaho in Pullman in 1982. Iowa defeated Oklahoma (93-91) in Seattle in the 1987 Sweet Sixteen before losing to UNLV (84-81) in the Elite Eight. The following year, Iowa lost to Arizona (99-79) in the Sweet Sixteen. All three of those games were played in the Kingdome in Seattle.
3 HAWKEYES EARN POSTSEASON BIG TEN HONORS
Seniors Aaron White and Gabriel Olaseni, and juniors Jarrod Uthoff and Mike Gesell, earned postseason accolades. After earning third-team All-Big Ten honors a year ago, White became the 25th Hawkeye in program history to be named to the first team (media and coaches). With Devyn Marble earning first team laurels a year ago, this marks the first time since 2007 Iowa players made the All-Big Ten first team in back-to-back years. Uthoff was named to the third team by the coaches and was honorable mention by the media. It marked the fourth straight season, Iowa had a player named to the third team. Olaseni was named the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year, becoming just the second Hawkeye to earn that distinction. Gesell was named the team’s Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree.
WHITE NAMED TO USWBA DISTRICT TEAM
Aaron White was named to the 10-player All-District VI team by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). The native of Strongsville, Ohio, becomes the second Hawkeye in as many years to garner all-district accolades (Roy Devyn Marble in 2014). District six includes players from the state of Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. White (6-foot-9, 220 pounds) has started all 33 games, leading the team in scoring (16.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.3 rpg). He helped the Hawkeyes win 12 conference games for the first time in 18 years. He was also instrumental in leading Iowa to seven true road victories — the most by a Hawkeye team since 1987.
IMPROVED DEFENSE
After allowing 70.3 points a year ago, the Iowa defense has improved this season, allowing 8.7 fewer points per game (61.6). The 8.7 improvement ranks eighth best in the country among the seven major conferences. Also, opponents shot .415 from the field last season compared to .390 in 2014-15.
AGAINST THE NCAA FIELD
During the regular season, Iowa posted an 8-7 record against teams in the NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes played 13 different opponents who were selected for the NCAA Tournament, including six Big Ten opponents and seven nonconference opponents. Six of Iowa’s opponents, and seven games, came versus teams that won their league tournament (Hampton, Iowa State, North Dakota State, North Florida, UNI, and Wisconsin). The six opponents and seven games are the most of any team in the nation this year. Six other Big Ten teams will compete in this year’s tournament: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue, and Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes went 4-4 in contests against those teams. Iowa beat Indiana, Maryland, and Ohio State (twice). The Hawkeyes lost to Purdue, Michigan State, and Wisconsin (twice).
NCAA TOURNAMENT NOTEABLES
? Sunday will be Iowa’s second consecutive contest against a team averaging 79 points per game of offense. Gonzaga averages 79.3 points, while Davidson averaged 79.9 points. The Hawkeyes held Davidson to a season-low 52 points; the Wildcats’ previous low was 60 versus Rhode Island).
? Iowa is 1-3 all-time against No. 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes beat Missouri 77-63 in 1983, while falling to Kentucky (92-79) in 2001, Duke (85-70) in 1991, and Louisville (80-72) in 1980.
? Gonzaga ranks first in the country in field goal percentage (.524), second in defensive rebounding (27.6) and scoring margin (+18.0), fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.6), and seventh in scoring offense (79.3), 3-point field goal percentage (.405) and assists (16.5). Individually, Kevin Pangos is second nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.8), while Kyle Wiltjer is 42nd in field goal percentage (.540).
? In Friday night’s win over North Dakota State, the Zags forced 13 turnovers and converted the Bison miscues into 24 points. Both Gonzaga (51.7 percent) and North Dakota State (53.7 percent) shot better than 50 percent from the field.
? Gonzaga and Iowa played one common opponent. The Hawkeyes beat Pepperdine 72-61 on Nov. 24 in Iowa City. Gonzaga topped Pepperdine three times in conference play.
? Seven Gonzaga players saw double-digit action in its 86-76 win over North Dakota State Friday evening. Gonzaga’s starting five comprise of 73.8 percent of the team’s offense this season.
? Gonzaga played only one overtime contest this season, Dec. 6, at Arizona (lost 66-63).
? The Big Ten and Big 12 led the nation, with each sending seven teams to the NCAA Tournament. The Big Ten went 5-2 in second round games, while the Big 12 went 3-4.
? This is Fran McCaffery‘s seventh NCAA Tournament appearance (3-6 record).
? Iowa is 14-1 all-time against current members of the West Coast Conference with the lone setback coming against San Francisco in 1956 national championship game.
STATE OF IOWA IN THE TOURNAMENT
The state of Iowa had three teams start tournament play (Iowa, Northern Iowa, and Iowa State. The last time those three Iowa teams all competed in the same NCAA Tournament was 2005. Iowa State lost in the second round to UAB, while Iowa and Northern Iowa are still alive after beating Davidson and Wyoming, respectively. Earlier this season, the state of Iowa had three teams ranked in the Jan. 19 Associated Press weekly poll (Jan. 19) — Iowa State was ninth, Northern Iowa was 20th, while Iowa was ranked 25th.
STREAKING
Iowa lost its first round game of the Big Ten Tournament to Penn State, but finished the regular season winning its last six games. It marked the first time since 1987 that a Hawkeye team won six consecutive Big Ten games. It also marked the first time since 1955 that the Hawkeyes won their final six contests of the regular season. Iowa’s 1955 squad, which advanced to the Final Four, won its final 14 games of the regular season. Iowa won its final three road games of the season (Nebraska, Penn State, and Indiana). The last a Hawkeye team won its final three regular season road games was 1984 (Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Northwestern). Iowa has won 20-or more games for the third straight season. The Hawkeyes won 21 regular season games, which is the highest regular season total for Iowa under Fran McCaffery and the most since 2006 (22).
WHITE JOINS ELITE LIST
Aaron White enters Sunday’s game with 1,840 points and 900 rebounds in his four-year career. The Hawkeye senior is one of only 12 players in conference history to amass more than 1,800 points and 900 rebounds.
 |
ON POINT
Mike Gesell joins Dean Oliver and Jeff Horner as the only Iowa players in the program’s history to amass 750+ points, 325+ assists, 200+ rebounds, and 100+ steals his freshman through junior seasons. His 130 assists this season rank as the seventh most by an Iowa junior in program history. His 3.9 assists average this season is ninth best among Big Ten players. Gesell scored 15 points and dished six assists in Iowa’s win over Davidson. He scored in double figures for the 10th time this season and had five or more assists for the 11th time. His six assists are the most for an Iowa player in the NCAA Tournament since Dean Oliver had six in a win over UAB in 1999.
STEALS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
In Iowa’s 22 wins, the Hawkeyes average 7.7 steals per game, compared to four in their 11 defeats. The +3.7 steals per game difference in wins versus losses is second largest in the country behind Minnesota (+5.7). Iowa had three steals in the NCAA Tournament win over Davidson.
FINDING WAYS TO SCORE
Aaron White ranks second in the country in highest percentage of points scored from free throws (minimum 500 total points) behind Maryland’s Melo Trimble (36.9 percent). The Hawkeye senior has scored 192 of his 539 points (35.6 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 is tied for third in Big Ten annals (Kiwane Garris of Illinois (615). White has attempted 10+ free throws 12 times this year, including four of the last six contests, and 27 times in his career. Only four active players in the nation have accomplished that feat more than White. White has made 127 free throws this season, which are the most by any Iowa senior in program history.
SELECT COMPANY
Aaron White is the only active Division I player to have 1,800+ points, 900+ rebounds, 175+ assists, and 125+ steals. He is the only Hawkeye ever to post those numbers in the program’s history. Also, his 16 career double-doubles ranks second among active Big Ten players; Michigan State’s Branden Dawson ranks first (18).
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,673 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,572-1,101 (.588). That includes a 1,003-353 (.740) record in home games, a 565-745 (.431) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 741-751 (.497) mark in Big Ten games and a 407-127 (.762) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa is 17-1 this season when scoring 70+ points and 19-2 when shooting at a higher percentage than its opponents.
? Iowa is 9-3 in its last 12 games, winning the nine games by a 18.9 margin, with each of the three setbacks coming by single digits (two by five points and one by nine).
? Iowa is averaging a double-double out of its center position of Adam Woodbury and Gabriel Olaseni. The duo combine to average 14.9 points and 10.2 rebounds.
? The Hawkeyes are 10-2 when Gabriel Olaseni scores in double figures this season.
? 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.
? The Hawkeyes won seven true road games this season. The last time Iowa won seven true road games was during the 1986-87 campaign.
? Iowa’s senior class has accounted for 85 wins (18 in 2012; 25 in 2013; 20 in 2014; and 22 in 2015). The 85 are the seventh most for a class. Iowa’s 1989 class ranks first with 97 victories.
? Iowa’s senior class amassed 59 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 is 9-1 this season when sinking eight or more 3-pointers.
? Iowa is 2-2 in games contested on March 22.
? Iowa has made nearly as many free throws (531) than its opponents have attempted (532).
? Iowa was one of only two teams to record a win at Ohio State this season (Wisconsin).
? Iowa’s 12 conference wins are the most during the Fran McCaffery era (2010-present) and most since 1997.
? Junior guard Anthony Clemmons has made 16 of his last 17 (.941) free throw attempts combined the last seven games.
? Iowa has had fewer than 10 turnovers in 11 games this year. Iowa had a season-low four turnovers at Northwestern (Feb. 15). Iowa’s five turnover vs. Davidson are the second lowest for the Hawkeyes in a NCAA Tournament game (since turnovers were first kept in 1979). Iowa had three turnovers in a 1997 tournament win over Virginia.
? 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 beat Ohio State, Indiana, and Michigan on the road in the same season for the first time since 1969-70.
? Mike Gesell’s five assists against Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament propelled the junior to ninth on Iowa’s career assists chart. With six assists versus Davidson, Gesell is five assists shy of tying Kenny Arnold (1979-82) for eighth place (352).
? Iowa reached sell out status in five games this season. The Hawkeyes averaged 14,101 attendees in 18 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 39-6 when scoring 80 points or more, the last five seasons. The Hawkeyes are 55-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points, the last five years.
WHITE HOT
Aaron White’s play this season garnered the Hawkeye senior first-team All-Big Ten and USWBA All-District honors. The last month (eight games), White has averaged 21.8 points and 9.3 rebounds. During the eight-game stretch, he is shooting 56.6 percent (56-of-99) from the field, 58.8 percent (10-of-17) from 3-point range, and 85.2 percent (52-of-61) from the foul line. His average of 21.8 since Feb. 16, is tops in the Big Ten. White led Iowa to a win over Davidson in the second round Friday, scoring 26 points (11-of-14 field goals), including a stretch of 13 straight in the second half. He added six rebounds, two assists, one steal and a blocked shot. White is the second Iowa player ever to have 26+ points, 5+ rebounds, 1+ assists, one steal, and one block in an NCAA Tournament game (Roy Marble in 1987). White ranks second in Iowa history with 1,840 points, third with 900 rebounds, and is first with 139 games played. He ranks first among active conference players in rebounding (900) and is third in scoring (1,840). He is the only Hawkeye and one of only five Big Ten players ever to amass 1,800+ 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 (7.5), steals (1.3), and scoring (16.3), and is fifth in assists (1.4) this season. White is the only player in the country to average 16+ points and 7+ rebounds, with a 50+ field goal percentage & 80+ free throw percentage. His rebounding and scoring averages rank third and fifth, respectively, in the Big Ten this year. White will become the first Hawkeye to lead the team in scoring and rebounding in the same season since Greg Brunner in 2006 (14.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game). 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 (52.1 percent) and 80 percent from the charity stripe (81.7 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 will become the first player all-time to lead the Hawkeyes in rebounding all four seasons. In Iowa’s 12 conference wins, White averaged 19.4 points per game, compared to 8.8 in the six defeats (White saw limited action in loss at Purdue due to injury).
FRESH START
Sophomore Peter Jok made his first start of his career on Dec. 22 versus North Florida. The native of West Des Moines, Iowa, has started 20 of the last 21 games (senior Josh Oglesby got the start on March 7 for “Senior Day”). Jok is averaging 7.1 points per game for the season, which ranks fifth on the squad. He has made at least one triple in 18 of the last 24 games, including multiple 3-pointers in seven of the last 12 contests. He scored 12 points in Iowa’s win over Davidson, while grabbing five rebounds. Jok has reached double figure scoring in each of the two NCAA Tournament games in his career.
UTHOFF PRODUCING ON THE WING
Jarrod Uthoff, who was named third team All-Big Ten, ranks second in team scoring (12.2 ppg), and steals (1.2), and first in 3-point shooting (54-of-142, .380). He is the only Division I player to have 50+ 3-pointers, 55+ blocks and 35+ 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 38 of his team-leading 54 3-pointers in Iowa’s 22 victories. He averaged 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 11.6 points, shooting 42 percent (38-of-91) from the field, in its nine league home contests. His 55 blocks and 54 triples rank fourth and fifth best, respectively, by an Iowa junior in program history. The redshirt junior poured in a game and career-high 25 points in Iowa’s overtime 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 performances 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 22 times this season. He averages 13.9 points per contest over the last 10 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). He added eight points and a team-best nine rebounds in the win over Davidson.
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, 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 (130) and ranks sixth in the Big Ten in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.2). Gesell averages 7.4 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 (6.4) and steals (38), and is first in blocked shots (55) and 3-point shooting (54-of-142, .380). He is the only Division I player with 50+ 3-pointers, 50+ blocks, and 35+ 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). Along with Gesell, Disterhoft and Logic were named Academic All-America. The University of Iowa is the only Division I school in the country to have a combined three men’s and women’s basketball players earn the national distinction.
OLASENI NAMED BIG TEN SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR
Senior Gabriel Olaseni became just the second Hawkeye to be recognized as the Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the Year. Iowa’s Doug Thomas earned the distinction in 2006. Olaseni ranks third on the Hawkeyes in scoring (8.2), second in blocked shots (53) and free throw shooting (90-of-119), and fourth in rebounding (4.9). Olaseni has denied four or more shots five times this season, including five shots twice (Northern Illinois and Penn State). His 53 blocks are the third most by a Hawkeye senior in program history. Among the Big Ten reserves this year, he ranks first in blocks (53), and second in rebounding (4.9) and scoring (8.2). Olaseni recorded six points, six rebounds and three blocked shots in Iowa’s NCAA Tournament win over Davidson.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Fran McCaffery has the most experienced coaching staff 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.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Sunday will be Iowa’s 10th game against a ranked opponent this season; Gonzaga is ranked seventh nationally. 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 (7.5 rpg) and fifth in scoring (16.3 ppg). He will 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 1,800+ points, 900+ 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 third in Iowa career rebounding (900), second in scoring (1,840), 14th in double-doubles (16), and first in free throws made (615) and attempted (797). 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.
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.
