Jan. 4, 2016
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THE SETTING
No. 19/23 Iowa (11-3, 2-0), winners of four straight and seven of its last eight games, returns home to face Nebraska (8-7, 0-2) in the only regular season meeting between the two teams. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:06 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
PROMOTIONS
? FREE Adam Woodbury bobbleheads for the first 1,500 fans in attendance Tuesday evening.
? Jake McVey autograph session from 6:30-7:30 p.m. behind section NN
ON THE AIR
Radio: Tuesday night’s game will be broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin will handle 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: Tuesday night’s game will be televised to a national audience on BTN (BTN2GO). Dave Revsine and Shon Morris will call the action.
| GAME 15: Nebraska (8-7, 0-2) at #19/23 Iowa (11-3, 2-0) | |
|---|---|
| When | Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 | 8:06 p.m. CT |
| Where | Carver-Hawkeye Arena — Iowa City, Iowa |
| Shop | Herky’s Locker Room |
| TV | BTN | Watch Online via BTN2GO Announcers: Dave Revsine and Shon Morris |
| Radio | Hawkeye Radio Network | Listen | Sirius 83 / XM 195 |
| GameTracker | Gametracker |
| All-time Series | Iowa leads, 17-9 |
| Iowa Team Info | Game Notes (PDF) | Media Guide | 2015-16 Stats (HTML) | 2015-16 Stats (PDF) |
| Big Ten Info | B1G Notes (PDF) | Media Guide | Conference Stats |
| Social Media | @IowaHoops  | #Hawkeyes | IowaHoops  | Facebook  |
GAME #15 OPENING TIP
? Iowa has won eight consecutive Big Ten regular season games dating back to last year.
? Iowa defeated two ranked Big Ten teams in the same week for the first time since 1987.
? Iowa’s leading scorer each of the last two games scored 25 points: Mike Gesell versus No. 1 Michigan State and Jarrod Uthoff at No. 14 Purdue.
? Iowa has won nine of its last 13 true road games, including posting a 7-3 mark last season.
? Jarrod Uthoff is one of only two players in the country with 250+ points, 80+ rebounds, and 45+ blocks. He has 928 career points — 72 shy of reaching the 1,000-point plateau.
? Iowa has had nine different players score in double digits at least once this season. Senior Jarrod Uthoff has reached double figures in every game.
? Reserve walk-on Nicholas Baer has scored in double figures three of the last four games.
? Iowa has made 12 3-pointers in four games this season. The last time the Hawkeyes made 12+ 3-pointers in a game four times in a season was in 2009-10 (five times).
? Iowa’s three losses have come by a combined 12 points, including a one-point loss at Iowa State.
? Iowa is 46-7 when scoring 80 points or more, the last six seasons. The Hawkeyes are 58-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points, the last six years.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa holds a 17-9 advantage in the series that began with a 27-17 Nebraska win in 1907. The Hawkeyes have won five of the seven meetings since the Huskers joined the Big Ten in 2011, including sweeping the two-game season series each of the past two years. Iowa also played Nebraska on Jan. 5, a year ago in Iowa City, with the Hawkeyes winning, 70-59. The Hawkeyes have won 13 of the last 18 and eight of the last 10 in the series. Iowa is 11-3 in games played between the two schools in Iowa City. Tuesday will be Nebraska’s fifth-ever game played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes have won eight of the last nine contests in the series played in Iowa City, dating back to 1943.
GESELL PUTTING UP CAREER BEST NUMBERS
Fourth-year starter Mike Gesell is having a career season leading the team at point guard. The native of South Sioux City, Nebraska, is averaging career bests in scoring (9.1), rebounds (3.5), assists (6.7), field goal percentage (.468), 3-point accuracy (.474), and assist-to-turnover ratio (3.2). After netting a career-best 25 points (7-of-10 FG, 11-of-13 FT) to lift Iowa to an 83-70 win over No. 1 Michigan State, the senior had seven points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in Iowa’s victory at No. 14 Purdue on Sunday evening. His efforts earned him national and Big Ten player of the week honors Monday by the website College Sports Madness.
SCOUTING NEBRASKA
? Nebraska enters Tuesday’s game having lost three of its last four games, with the lone win coming at home over Prairie View A&M (81-50) on Dec. 22.
? After playing five straight home games, Tuesday begins a stretch of four of five on the road for Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are 0-2 this season in true road contests having lost at Villanova (87-63) and Creighton (83-67) in nonconference play.
? Nebraska has two players averaging double figures in scoring: Andrew White III (17.3 ppg) and Shavon Shields (15.4 ppg). White is shooting at a 51 percent clip from the field (87-of-170), including 43.5 percent from 3-point range (40-of-92).
? Nebraska lost its last game, 79-69, to Indiana on Saturday in Lincoln. The Hoosiers outscored the Huskers by 13 in the second half. Four Huskers scored in double figures in defeat: Andrew White III (16); Jack McVeigh (16); Shavon Shields (10); Benny Parker (10).
? Nebraska ranks second in the Big Ten in steals (7.5) and fifth in free throw percentage (.717). Individually, Andrew White III ranks fifth in the league in scoring (17.3) and fifth in 3-pointers made (2.7). Shavon Shields is tied for fifth in steals (1.4).
? Freshman Ed Morrow was a classmate of Iowa rookie Isaiah Moss on Simeon High School in Chicago.
? Tim Miles is in his 21st season as a head coach and his fourth season at Nebraska. Miles guided the Huskers to the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
? University of Iowa deputy athletics director Gene Taylor hired Tim Miles as head coach at North Dakota State in 2001 when Taylor was the AD in Fargo.
LAST MEETING AGAINST NEBRASKA
? Iowa posted a 74-46 triumph over Nebraska in Lincoln on Feb. 22, 2015. 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.
? Aaron White registered a double-double, 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.
? Jarrod Uthoff contributed 11 points and a game-best four blocked shots, while Peter Jok netted 14 points.
? Nebraska’s 46 points were the fewest points Iowa allowed in league play last season.
? 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.
DIALING IT UP FROM LONG DISTANCE
Iowa averaged 5.6 3-pointers made per game a year ago. Through 14 games this season, the Hawkeyes are averaging 9.1 triples, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 34th nationally. The Hawkeyes have made 127 triples through 14 games; the last time an Iowa team made over 125 3-pointers through the first 14 games of a season was the 2008-09 squad (129). Iowa made 12 triples in four games this season (Coppin State, Marquette, Dayton, and UMKC). The last time the Hawkeyes made 12+ 3-pointers in a game four times in a season was in 2009-10 (five times). Additionally, six of Iowa’s top 10 treys made in a game during the McCaffery era have occurred the first 14 games this season. Last year, Iowa shot 33.3 percent from behind the arc, while the Hawkeyes are shooting at a 40 percent clip this season.
IOWA ERASES 19-POINT DEFICIT, WINS AT #14 PURDUE
? Iowa rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to upend No. 14 Purdue, 70-63, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette last Saturday.
? The victory marked Iowa’s first win over Purdue in West Lafayette since Feb. 1, 2006.
? Iowa is just the second Big Ten team in the last 20 seasons to start 2-0 in conference play with both victories coming against ranked opponents (2009-10 Michigan State).
? The Hawkeyes trailed by as many as 19 points and were down, 37-20, at the half. Iowa outscored the Boilermakers, 50-26, in the second half.
? Purdue committed only four first-half turnovers, however Iowa’s 3/4-court pressure forced 10 second-half turnovers.
? Jarrod Uthoff led the Hawkeyes with 25 points, marking the sixth time this season he has scored 20 or more points in a single game. He also added five rejections, marking the sixth time he has recorded four or more blocks in a single game this season.
? Iowa shot 64 percent from the field in the second half, while holding Purdue to just 31 percent the field the final 20 minutes.
? The Hawkeyes only turned the ball over nine times, marking the fourth time this season that Iowa has had nine or fewer turnovers in game.
? Mike Gesell had seven points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. Anthony Clemmons netted eight points and was credited with a game and career-best four steals.
NOTING IOWA’S COMEBACK AGAINST PURDUE
? Iowa trailed by 19 points at Purdue with 2:21 remaining in the first half. The Hawkeyes trailed by 17 points at halftime.
? The 19-point comeback is the third largest in school history and second biggest in a Big Ten contest. The Hawkeyes rallied from 23 points against Gardner-Webb in 2012 and 22 points at Illinois in 1987. Iowa won the Illinois game in overtime.
? Iowa is the fourth Division I team in the last 20 seasons to beat an AP Top 15 team after trailing by 17-or-more points at the half, and only the second team to accomplish the feat on the road.
? Iowa beat Purdue after trailing by 17 points at half, which is the largest halftime comeback in game between major-conference teams this season.
EXPERIENCED BACKCOURT
Iowa has two senior point guards (Mike Gesell and Anthony Clemmons) and a junior shooting guard (Peter Jok) on this year’s roster. Gesell and Clemmons have combined to sink 20 3-pointers and have been credited with 149 of Iowa’s 254 assists. Clemmons, who has started 39 of 118 games, was named the team’s Most Improved Player last spring after leading the team in 3-point accuracy (.373) and posting single-season bests in rebounding, steals, scoring, and free throw percentage in 2014-15. Clemmons netted in double figures in back-to-back games against Drake and Tennessee Tech. He had a game-best four steals at No. 14 Purdue. Gesell is a four-year starter, who has 932 points, 446 assists, and 136 steals. He is 34 assists from tying Ronnie Lester (480) for fifth.
DOWN GOES #1
Iowa’s victory over Michigan State in the conference opener on Dec. 29, marked the first time it has ever beaten a No. 1 team at home (0-2, 1993 vs. Indiana and 2005 vs. Illinois). It was Iowa’s first win against a No. 1 ranked team since beating top-ranked Connecticut in New York City in 1999. Iowa became just the ninth unranked team in the last 20 seasons to beat an AP No. 1 by 13 or more points. The victory over Michigan State was its first since 2011, snapping a nine-game losing streak to the Spartans.
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BAER BECOMES RELIABLE RESERVE
After forward Dale Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury on Dec. 1, Nicholas Baer has seen his minutes increase. The redshirt freshman walk-on has taken advantage of the opportunity. Baer was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Dec. 21) after his performance against Drake (Dec. 19). He scored 13 points making five of his 10 field goal attempts, including going 3-of-5 from 3-point range. The native of Bettendorf, Iowa, also grabbed seven rebounds and blocked a personal-best six shots while playing a career-high 30 minutes in Iowa’s 70-64 victory over Drake at the Hy-Vee Big Four Classic in Des Moines. Baer’s six blocks, four of which came in the first half against the Bulldogs, broke the Wells Fargo Arena record in a college basketball game. The six rejections in a game were also the most by an Iowa freshman since Melsahn Basabe denied six shots against Ohio State in 2011. Baer’s six blocks helped Iowa establish a school record for total blocks in a game with 14, besting the previous mark of 13 set against Illinois on March 5, 2013. Baer is averaging 15 minutes off the bench, averaging six points, shooting at a 50 percent clip from 3-point range (16-of-32) and 3.6 rebounds. Baer’s 15 blocked shots on the season rank second best on the team. He has scored in double figures and grabbed five or more rebounds in three of the last four games (Drake, Tennessee Tech, and Michigan State). Against the Spartans, Baer totaled 11 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. Baer tallied seven crucial points, all in the final 6:30 of the game, and rejected two shots to help the Hawkeyes record their first win at Purdue since 2006. Baer made all three shot attempts, including a 3-pointer.
INCREASED WORK LOAD
The last couple seasons, Adam Woodbury split time at the center position with Gabriel Olaseni. With Olaseni having graduated, expect Woodbury’s minutes to increase according to coach McCaffery. The 7-foot-1, 250-pounder averaged 21 minutes per game a year ago alongside Olaseni. In his career when playing 28 minutes or more, Woodbury averages 11.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. The senior has played over 28 minutes three this year (15 points and seven rebounds vs. Wichita State; 11 points and 10 rebounds vs. Florida State; 12 points and five rebounds at Iowa State).
UTHOFF FILLS IT UP DURING FIRST HALF AT IOWA STATE
Senior Jarrod Uthoff scored 30 first-half points at second-ranked Iowa State, while also grabbing six rebounds, blocking two shots and collecting a steal. Uthoff made 11-of-13 shot attempts, including 5-of-6 from 3-point territory, while also going 3-of-4 from the charity stripe the first 20 minutes of action.
FLOCKING TO CHA
Iowa sold out 16 home games the last two seasons. The Hawkeyes ranked 20th in national attendance in 2015, averaging 14,101 fans. It is the second straight season and 21st time that Iowa has cracked the top 20 in the national attendance rankings. Additionally, Iowa played in front of 475,998 fans in its 34 games (home, away, and on neutral courts) throughout the season. That figure ranked 13th in the country. As a conference, the 14 Big Ten schools averaged 12,781 fans to lead in the nation in average attendance for a 39th consecutive season. More than three million fans witnessed Big Ten games in person throughout the course of the 2014-15 season. For the second consecutive year, Iowa was one of seven Big Ten schools to rank in the top 20 nationally. This season, Iowa averages 12,971 fans, which includes one sellout crowd (vs. No. 1 Michigan State on Dec. 29).
CLOSING OUT THE NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Iowa finished its nonconference schedule with a record of 9-3. Fran McCaffery‘s last four Hawkeye teams, including this season, won at least nine nonleague games: 2016 (9); 2015 (9); 2014 (11); 2013 (11). Iowa’s 2012 team won eight nonconference contests.
THREE TIMES THE CHARM
Iowa posted a 22-12 record last season, reaching the 20-win plateau for the third consecutive season. For the first time in 15 years, Iowa won 20 or more games in three consecutive seasons. The last time Iowa won at least 20 games four straight seasons was 1995-1999 — Tom Davis’ last five seasons as Iowa’s head coach.
HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa has defeated top-15 teams in back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 2004 (beat No. 12 Louisville and No. 15 Texas).
? Iowa ranks 37th in the country in assists per field goals made (60.9 percent).
? Iowa has posted road wins over a Big Ten ranked opponent each of the last three seasons.
? Iowa posted a 6-1 record during the month of December, with the only loss coming by one point at No. 2/4 Iowa State on Dec. 10.
? The Hawkeyes have four players average double figures in scoring during its four-game win streak: Uthoff (14.5); Jok (13.8); Gesell (12.8); and Baer (12.5).
? Iowa has won its last three conference openers — beating Nebraska two seasons ago; at No. 18 Ohio State a year ago and most recently topping No. 1 Michigan State on Dec. 29 in Iowa City.
? Iowa averaged 11.1 turnovers in 2015, which is the best average for fewest turnovers in program history since turnovers became an official stat in 1980. So far this season, the Hawkeyes are averaging 10.6 turnovers through 14 games.
? Iowa has won 38 of its last 39 nonconference home games, dating back to November, 2011. The lone loss came to Iowa State in 2014.
? Iowa returned seven letterwinners, including four starters.
? Iowa won 21 regular season games last season, the most by a Hawkeye team since 2006 (22).
? Iowa’s win over Florida State on Dec. 2, clinched the Big Ten/ACC Challenge for the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes have clinched the Challenge for the Big Ten each of the last two years.
? Iowa has competed in postseason play the last four years: NIT second round in 2012; NIT runner-up in 2013; NCAA first round in 2014; NCAA third round in 2015. The Hawkeyes tied for third place in the Big Ten last season — its best finish in nine years.
? Iowa has won at least 20 games in three consecutive seasons — its longest streak in 15 years.
? The Hawkeyes won seven true road games last season, including winning its final six regular-season Big Ten games for the first time since 1955. The seven total road wins were the most by a Hawkeye team since 1987.
? Iowa’s 12 conference wins last season are the most by a Hawkeye team since 1997. Also, its third place finish was its best in nine seasons.
? Iowa’s 83-52 effort over Davidson in the NCAA Second Round was the program’s first tournament win since 2001. It also marked the largest margin of victory in an NCAA Tournament 7/10 match-up.
? Iowa has had a first-team All-Big Ten honoree in each of the last two seasons: Devyn Marble in 2014 and Aaron White in 2015.
WELCOME NEWCOMERS
Despite having four returning starters, plus another who has starting experience, Iowa welcomes 10 newcomers to its 2015-16 roster. The 10 newcomers includes two players who received redshirts last season (Nicholas Baer and Brady Ellingson). Iowa’s 10 newcomers ties for third most among Division I schools: Portland State and Tennessee State have 11, followed by Iowa, UTEP, and Nebraska with 10. The Hawkeyes add five freshmen (Isaiah Moss, Andrew Fleming, Brandon Hutton, Ahmad Wagner, and Christian Williams), and three junior college transfers (Dale Jones, and Michael and Steven Soukup). The Soukups, who celebrated their 21st birthday this past Sunday, are identical twins.
MUSCLE GAIN
Last season, freshman Dom Uhl was listed a 6-foot-8 and 195 pounds. After a year in the weight room, the sophomore forward checks in a 6-foot-9 and 215 pounds entering this season. Uhl earned the team’s Newcomer Award last year. Uhl is averaging 17 minutes, 7.1 points, and 4.1 rebounds per game this year. He has scored in double figures four times this season. Uhl posted his first career double-double against UMKC with 14 points and a personal-high 10 boards. He pulled down team bests in rebounds two of the last four games, grabbing eight against Drake and seven versus Tennessee Tech. Uhl tallied six critical points via two 3-point shots the final 11:32 of the game at No. 14 Purdue last Saturday night.
DISTRIBUTOR AND PROTECTOR
Point guard Mike Gesell has done an outstanding job directing the Hawkeye offense his entire Hawkeye career. Gesell owns two of Iowa’s top four assist-to-turnover ratio’s since the 1996-97 season. His 3.05 ratio in 2013-14 ranks first, while his 2.21 ratio in 2014-15 ranks fourth. Dean Oliver’s 2.75 ratio in 2000-01 is second, followed by Ryan Luehrsmann’s 2.21 in 1997-98 ranking third. The native of South Sioux City, Nebraska, ranks 11th in the country in assists (6.7) and 27th in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.2). Gesell collected a career-best 12 assists in Iowa’s win over Coppin State and had 10 helpers in Iowa’s against Tennessee Tech. He has been credited with nine or more assists six times this season. Gesell poured in a game and career-best 25 points in lifting Iowa to an 83-70 win over No. 1 Michigan State last week.
UTHOFF, GESELL, WOODBURY EARN ACADEMIC DISTINCTION
Mike Gesell and Jarrod Uthoff were named 2015 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, earned his degree in finance in three years. Last 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, graduated last May with a degree in economics. Additionally, Gesell, Uthoff, and Adam Woodbury were named 2015 Academic All-Big Ten.
UTHOFF PRODUCING ON THE WING
Jarrod Uthoff is one of 10 men’s basketball players selected to the 2015 Preseason All-Big Ten team, selected by a media voting panel, and was named to the 2015 Advocare Invitational after averaging 20 points in three games. Uthoff has amassed 928 points in 2 1/2 years of action. He is 72 points shy of reaching the 1,000-point plateau. The senior has scored in double figures in all 14 games, including reaching double figures in the first half in seven of those contests. Uthoff has scored 20 or more six times this year, including a personal-best 32, including 30 in the first half, at No. 2/4 Iowa State. He had 25 points at No. 14 Purdue on Saturday. Uthoff ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.1) and first in blocks (3.3), and leads the Hawkeyes in 3-pointers (28), and is second in rebounding (6.0). His 3.3 blocks per game ranks fourth best in the nation. Uthoff is one of only two players in the nation with 250+ points, 80+ rebounds, and 45+ blocked shots. Uthoff averaged 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 blocks in leading Iowa to a pair of wins over top-15 teams last week. He blocked a career-high six shots against No. 1 Michigan State and scored 16 of Iowa’s 20 first-half points at No. 14 Purdue.
FRESH START
Peter Jok started 2015 with a new number, changing from No. 3 last year to No. 14 this season. Jok averaged seven points per game in 2014-15, which ranked fifth on the squad. His 36 triples in 2015 rank as the sixth most by a sophomore in Iowa history. His 19 steals, 44 assists, 83 field goals and 36 treys last season were single season bests. This season, Jok ranks second on the team in scoring (13.5 ppg) and free throw accuracy (.818, 27-of-33). He has scored 20 or more points three times (20 at Marquette on Nov. 19; a career-best 24 vs. FSU on Dec. 2; 21 vs. Tennessee Tech on Dec. 22). In addition to netting 24 points against the Seminoles, Jok had a career-best four steals. The Hawkeye junior netted 19 against No. 1 Michigan State and had 11 points and tied a personal best with nine boards at No. 14 Purdue.
BLOCK PARTY
Iowa’s length has affected a number of opponent shot attempts this season. The Hawkeyes have blocked 90 shots this season (6.4), which is tops in the league and fourth nationally. Additionally, Iowa has rejected a staggering 20 combined shots through the first two Big Ten games (10.0 bpg) against Michigan State and Purdue. Jarrod Uthoff has denied 11 of those 20 shots.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa is ranked No. 19 by the Associated Press and 23rd in the Coaches Poll this week. Iowa has played five games this season against ranked opponents, posting a 3-2 record, which includes winning the last two contests last week (No. 1 Michigan State and No. 14 Purdue). The Hawkeyes split their two games versus ranked opponents at the Advocare Invitational in Orlando (Nov. 26-27). Iowa fell to No. 17 Notre Dame (68-62), but overwhelmed No. 20 Wichita State (84-61). The Hawkeyes were edged at No. 2/4 Iowa State (83-82) on Dec. 10, but beat top-ranked Michigan State (83-70) on Dec. 29, in Iowa City. In their last outing, the Hawkeyes rallied from a 19-point deficit to win 70-63 at No. 14/14 Purdue on Jan. 2.
UTHOFF NAMED BIG TEN CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Iowa’s Jarrod Uthoff was named Big Ten Co-Player of the Week along with Maryland’s Melo Trimble on Dec. 14. The honor is the second of Uthoff’s career, having first earned the recognition on Jan. 6, 2015. Uthoff shot 61 percent from the field (22-of-36), including a blistering 69 percent from 3-point territory (9-of-13), and 86 percent from the free throw line (6-of-7) in two games, averaging nearly a double-double (29.5 points and nine rebounds). He also averaged 2.5 blocks. The native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, scored a career-high 27 points in a 90-56 win over Western Illinois, and then bested that performance with a personal-best 32 points in a one-point loss at No. 2/4 Iowa State. The Hawkeye senior scored 24 of his 27 points in the first half against the Leathernecks and 30 of his 32 in the first 20 minutes against the Cyclones. Uthoff’s 32 points are the most by a Hawkeye since Matt Gatens had 33 against Wisconsin in 2012, and the most by a Big Ten player this season against a ranked opponent.
GESELL NOMINATED FOR GOOD WORKS TEAM
Senior Mike Gesell is a nominee for the 2016 Allstate NABC Good Works Team. 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.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,688 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,583-1,105 (.589). That includes a 1,010-353 (.741) record in home games, a 569-749 (.432) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 743-751 (.497) mark in Big Ten games and a 414-127 (.765) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
UTHOFF NAMED TO ADVOCARE INVITE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Iowa’s Jarrod Uthoff was one of five players named to the 2015 Advocare Invitational All-Tournament Team. Uthoff joined Xavier’s Trevon Bluiett and Jalen Reynolds, Scoochie Smith of Dayton, and Justin Robinson of Monmouth (MVP). Uthoff averaged 20 points in three games (Dayton, Notre Dame, and Wichita State), reaching double figures in the first half in all three games. The Hawkeye senior also averaged 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks, and shot at a 50 percent clip (23-of-46).
IN MEMORY…
Iowa’s all-time leading scorer, Roy Marble, passed away on Sept. 11, 2015, at the age of 48. Marble led the Hawkeyes to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including advancing to the Elite Eight in 1987 and Sweet 16 in 1988, and led the team in scoring three consecutive seasons. In memory of Marble, RM23 is stitched on the upper right corner of Iowa’s jerseys this season.
2 HAWKEYES SELECTED IN LAST 2 NBA DRAFTS
Roy Devyn Marble and Aaron White were selected in the second round of the NBA Draft each of the past two seasons — Marble in 2014 by Orlando and White in 2015 by Washington. The Hawkeyes are one of four Big Ten schools to have multiple players drafted by NBA teams the last two years.
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.
McCAFFERY’S HONORED WITH FIGHTING SPIRIT AWARD
The American Cancer Society honored Fran and Margaret McCaffery with the Fighting Spirit Award, Sept. 30, in Troy, New York, at the 10th Anniversary Coaches vs. Cancer Basket Ball. The McCaffery’s were honored for bringing attention and their tremendous amount of fundraising for cancer research. McCaffery was also honored with the Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award during Final Four Weekend in Indianapolis last April. The honor is awarded annually to a college coach who has been engaged vigorously in the Coaches vs. Cancer program’s fundraising, education and promotional initiatives and has demonstrated leadership in the fight to save more lives from cancer. The McCaffery’s helped raise $176,000 at October’s cancer research fundraiser, which will benefit the Adolescent and Young Adult Program Fund in Johnson County. The McCaffery family committed $22,000 this year and an additional $10,000 per year for the duration of his contract at Iowa.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Fran McCaffery has the most experienced coaching staffs in the country. The Iowa men’s basketball staff has 67 years of combined collegiate head coaching experience and more than 130 years of collegiate coaching under their belts — the most experience of any Division I college basketball program in the country.
MCCAFFERY IN COACHES CHARITY CHALLENGE
Infiniti, ESPN, NABC and the NCAA have teamed up again to produce a one-of-a-kind charity competition — the Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge. For 10 weeks, 48 coaches compete in a round robin bracket 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. 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 — Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
ON THE HORIZON
Iowa will have a nine-day break between games before returning to action at nationally-ranked Michigan State on Jan. 14. That game is scheduled to tipoff at 6 p.m. (CT) at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan.
