| GAME 23: #5/7 Iowa (18-4, 9-1) at Illinois (11-12, 3-7) | |
|---|---|
| When | Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 | 12:06 p.m. CT |
| Where | State Farm Center – Champaign, Illinois |
| Shop | Herky’s Locker Room |
| TV | BTN | Watch Online via BTN2GO Announcers: Kevin Kugler and Jon Crispin |
| Radio | Hawkeye Radio Network | Listen | Sirius 81 / XM 81 |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| All-time Series | Illinois leads, 82-70 |
| 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  |
Feb. 5, 2016
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THE SETTING
No. 5/7 Iowa (18-4, 9-1), winners of 11 of its last 12 games, travels to Champaign, Illinois, Sunday for its only regular season contest against Illinois (11-12, 3-7). Tipoff is scheduled for 12:06 p.m. (CT) at the State Farm Center.
ON THE AIR
Radio: Sunday afternoon’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: Sunday afternoon’s will be televised to a national audience on BTN (BTN2GO). Kevin Kugler and Jon Crispin will call the action.
HAWKEYES EARN HIGHEST NATIONAL RANKING SINCE 1987
Iowa is ranked fifth in the latest Associated Press Poll and seventh in the USA Today Coaches Poll released Monday afternoon. Last week’s No. 3 ranking is its highest during the Fran McCaffery era and highest since earning a No. 3 ranking in the Associated Press Poll on Dec. 8, 1987. For the third time in school history, Iowa’s football and men’s basketball teams earned a Top 5 ranking in the same season (1984-85 and 1960-61). It marked the first time in school history that football and men’s basketball were ranked as high as No. 3 in the same season. Iowa men’s basketball lost at No. 7 Maryland on Jan. 28; it was the first regular season Big Ten defeat by either the football, wrestling, or men’s basketball since the men’s basketball team lost at Northwestern in overtime on Feb. 16, 2015 — a span of 345 days.
MCCAFFERY COACHED IN 100TH BIG TEN REGULAR SEASON GAME WEDNESDAY
Iowa head men’s basketball coach coached in his 100th Big Ten regular season game Wednesday against Penn State (51-49, .510). Iowa’s head coach notched victory No. 113 last Sunday against Northwestern, surpassing his win 112 win total in five seasons at Siena. McCaffery is currently tied with Bucky O’Connor (1950, 1952-58) for fifth on Iowa’s all-time coaching win total with 114 victories.
FAST START IN BIG TEN PLAY
Iowa has reached the halfway point of its Big Ten schedule with a mark of 9-1, which ties Indiana for first place in the standings. The 9-1 mark is the program’s best start in Big Ten play since going 10-1 to start conference play the 1981-82 season. Since Iowa’s 1969-70 team that went 14-0, only this year’s squad and the 1981-82 team have started a Big Ten season, 9-1. Five of Iowa’s first 10 games came against ranked opponents, including three of four road games versus ranked opposition (Purdue, Michigan State, and Maryland).
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Illinois holds an 82-70 advantage in the series that began with a 46-36 Iowa win in 1908. The Illini have won 10 of the last 15 against the Hawkeyes, but Iowa has won four of the last five meetings. Illinois holds a 61-15 advantage in games played in Champaign. The Hawkeyes snapped an 11-game losing streak at Assembly Hall in their last visit on Feb. 1, 2014, with an 81-74 victory.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS
? Iowa and Illinois are the only two teams in the Big Ten with two players ranked in the Top 10 in scoring (conference games only). Illinois Malcom Hill (19.6) and Kendrick Nunn (16.2) rank first and ninth, respectively. Iowa’s Jarrod Uthoff (18.6) and Peter Jok (15.1) rank third and 10th, respectively.
? Illinois has won two of its last four games, winning both games in overtime. The Illini topped Minnesota (76-71) in Minneapolis on Jan. 23, and outlasted Rutgers (110-101) in triple overtime in Piscataway, New Jersey, this past Wednesday.
? Four Illinois netted double figures in Wednesday’s victory at Rutgers. Malcom Hill poured in a team-high 32 points and had 14 rebounds in 49 minutes of action. Kendrick Nunn had 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Maverick Morgan tallied 20 points.
? Michael Finke, Leron Black, and Mike Thorne did not play Wednesday due to injury.
? Three of Illinois’ last four games have went into overtime (2-2), including its last contest at Rutgers going three overtimes.
? Malcolm Hill’s 32-point outburst at Rutgers vaulted the guard into first place in league scoring, averaging 19.1 points per game. Kendrick Nunn is second (17.3 ppg) on the team in scoring and Mike Thorne is third (12.9 ppg).
? The Fighting Illini rank 12th in the country in fewest turnovers per game (10.2), 19th in turnover margin (3.3), and 48th in free throw percentage (73.5).
? Illinois is 347-of-472 (.735) from the foul line. Malcom Hill has made 144 of Illinois’ 347 makes. The 144 makes ranks eighth in the country. After Hill’s 144, the next closest Illini in free throw makes is Kendrick Nunn (39).
? Illinois has four players who have made 27 or more 3-pointers: Jalen Coleman-Lands (53), Kendrick Nunn (51), Michael Finke (29), and Malcolm Hill (27).
? Illinois competed at the Emerald Coast Classic in Niceville, Florida, Thanksgiving weekend. Iowa will compete in that tournament in November, 2016.
? John Groce is in his fourth season as head coach at Illinois (73-54, .575).
LAST MEETING AGAINST ILLINOIS
? Iowa held Illinois to 25 percent shooting from the field in the second half en route to a 68-60 win over the Fighting Illini ON Feb. 25, 2015, in Iowa City.
? Aaron White posted career bests in scoring (29) and 3-pointers made (3). The Hawkeye senior also snagged nine rebounds and had two steals.
? Aaron White’s 29 points were the most by an Iowa player in a contest against Illinois since James Moses had 30 in 1991. Also, White became just the second player since 1996-97 to register 29+ points and 9+ rebounds against Illinois (Ohio State’s Evan Turner in 2010).
? Jarrod Uthoff (10), Aaron White (9), and Adam Woodbury (9) combined for 28 of Iowa’s 36 total rebounds. Uthoff’s 10 were a game high.
? Iowa attempted 30 free throws after Illinois was whistled for 25 fouls.
? Rayvonte Rice (20) and Ahmad Starks (19) combined for 39 of Illinois’ 60 points.
UTHOFF, GESELL APPROACHING ELITE COMPANY
Jarrod Uthoff is just the third Hawkeye to accumulate 1,000+ points and 150+ blocks. Uthoff enters Sunday’s game with 1,079 points and 155 blocks. The other two of the club are Acie Earl (1,779 points and 365 blocks) and Greg Stokes (1,768 points and 228 blocks). Earl and Stokes played four years, while Uthoff is in the middle of his third season. Mike Gesell is about to become the fourth Hawkeye to total more than 1,000 points, 500 assists, and 150 steals. Gesell enters Sunday’s game with 990 points, 490 assists, and 144 steals. B.J. Armstrong (1,705 points, 517 assists, and 178 steals), Dean Oliver (1,561 points, 561 assists, and 205 steals), and Jeff Horner (1,502 points, 553 assists, and 166 steals) are the other Hawkeyes to accomplish the feat.
DOWN GOES #1
Iowa’s victory over Michigan State 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 state of Iowa is just the second state ever to have three teams beat the top-ranked team in the country. UNI toppled UNC on Nov. 21 and Iowa State downed Oklahoma on Jan. 18). Four teams from North Carolina beat No. 1 teams in 1997-98.
POSSESSING THE ROCK
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 turnovers, which ranks eighth-best nationally. The Hawkeyes have recorded nine or fewer turnovers in five of their last nine contests. Iowa ranks 16th nationally in turnover margin (+3.5).
HAWKEYES CRUISE TO HOME WIN OVER PENN STATE
? Iowa posted a 73-49 triumph over Penn State Wednesday evening in Iowa City. The 49 points are a season-low for the Nittany Lions and the fewest by an Iowa opponent this season.
? Adam Woodbury grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds — 10 in the first half — in 22 minutes of action. His 13 defensive rebounds were the most by a Hawkeye since Kurt Looby (Nov. 13, 2006 vs. Citadel). Woodbury has grabbed 10 or more boards six times this season, including four of the last five games. The center has led the team in rebounding in six straight contests.
? Jarrod Uthoff scored 14 points, grabbed three rebounds, and blocked five shots. He has blocked five or more shots in six games this season.
? Iowa’s bench tallied 28 points, while the Hawkeyes outscored Penn State, 13-0, in fast break scoring.
? Brandon Taylor led the Nittany Lions with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
? Iowa held Penn State to a season-low 1-of-20 (5 percent) from 3-point range.
GESELL PUTTING UP CAREER 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 (8.4), rebounds (3.5), assists (6.3), field goal percentage (.419), and 3-point accuracy (.367). Gesell was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Jan. 11 after posting his first career double-double (22 points and 10 assists) in a 77-66 victory over Nebraska (Jan. 5). Gesell matched career highs in free throws made (11) and attempted (13). He scored 19 of his 22 points and dished out seven of his 10 assists in the second half. 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 Jan. 2. His efforts earned him national and Big Ten Player of the Week honors on Jan. Jan. 4, by the website College Sports Madness.
FLOCKING TO CHA
Iowa sold out 20 home games the last three 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. Iowa averages 13,444 fans in 2015-16, which includes four sellout crowds (Michigan State; Michigan; Purdue; Northwestern).
RETURNING STARTS
Iowa returned 134 of a possible 170 starting positions from the previous year (78.8 percent), the second-highest total during the Fran McCaffery era. Iowa’s starting five (Mike Gesell, Anthony Clemmons, Peter Jok, Jarrod Uthoff, Adam Woodbury) have a combined 19 years of college basketball experience.
Peter Jok NAMED BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK ON JAN. 18
Peter Jok collected his first Big Ten Player of the Week honor of his career on Jan. 18. Jok led Iowa to a pair of wins at No. 4 Michigan State and Michigan at home. Jok averaged 19.5 points, shooting at a 58 percent clip from the field (14-of-24), including a blistering 63.6 percent (7-of-11) from 3-point range. He also averaged 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. The native of West Des Moines, Iowa, helped snap an 18-game losing skid at Michigan State (Jan. 14) — Iowa’s last win at the Breslin Center came in 1993. Jok netted 19 of his game-high 23 points in the first half against the Spartans. The 6-foot-6, 205-pound guard netted 14 of his 16 points in the second half and had four rebounds in an 82-71 win against Michigan in Iowa City. Iowa has garnered four weekly honors from the Big Ten Conference this season, including capturing back-to-back Player of the Week laurels; senior Mike Gesell earned the honor last week. It marks the first time Hawkeye players earned consecutive Player of the Week accolades since Adam Haluska (Jan. 30) and Jeff Horner (Feb. 6) earned co-Player of the Week honors in 2006. It is the first time in school history that two Hawkeyes earned the weekly honor in consecutive weeks without sharing the award with another Big Ten student-athlete. Only twice in school history has three different Hawkeyes earned Big Ten Player of the Week distinction in the same season, 2015-16 (Gesell, Jok, and Uthoff) and 2000-01 (Reggie Evans, Dean Oliver, and Luke Recker — twice).
DIALING IT UP FROM LONG DISTANCE
Iowa averaged 5.6 3-pointers made per game a year ago. Through 22 games this season, the Hawkeyes are averaging 8.8 triples, which ranks third in the Big Ten and 40th nationally. 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, eight of Iowa’s top 11 treys made in a game during the McCaffery era have occurred the first 20 games this season. Iowa has made 10 or more triples in four of the last seven games and 11 times this season. Last year, Iowa shot 33.3 percent from behind the arc, which ranked 11th in the league. This season, the Hawkeyes are shooting at a 39 percent clip — 17th best in the nation. Iowa’s 3-point percentage (.397) is its best in a season since the 1997-98 season (40.1 percent).
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 rank 34th and 57th nationally, respectively, in assist-to-turnover ratio. Clemmons is third on the team in scoring (8.9), while Gesell in tied for fourth (8.4). Clemmons 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 is averaging nine points and 3.5 assists over the last 10 games. Gesell is a four-year starter, who has 990 points, 490 assists, and 144 steals. The Hawkeye senior is 27 assists from tying B.J. Armstrong for fourth in Iowa career assists.
BENCH YIELDING SIGNIFICANT GAINS
Through 22 games, Iowa’s bench is averaging 21.5 points, 15.34rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.1 steals, and two blocks.
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 five points, shooting at a 44 percent clip from 3-point range (21-of-48) and 2.8 rebounds. Baer’s 18 blocked shots on the season rank second best on the team. He has scored in double figures and grabbed five or more rebounds four times this season (UMKC, Drake, Tennessee Tech, and Michigan State).
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 18 minutes, 7.5 points, and four rebounds per game this year. He has scored in double figures seven times this season, including scoring nine points or more in four of the last seven contests (Nebraska, Michigan State, Michigan, and Maryland). Uhl posted his first career double-double against UMKC (Dec. 5) with 14 points and a personal-high 10 boards. He had nine points, two rebounds, and a steal at No. 7 Maryland (Jan. 28). Uhl is shooting 54 percent (13-of-24) from behind the arc in conference play. He pulled down team bests in rebounds three times this season (Drake, Tennessee Tech, and Nebraska).
BLOCK PARTY
Iowa’s length has affected a number of opponent shot attempts this season. The Hawkeyes have blocked 128 shots this season (5.8), which ranks second in the conference and 10th nationally. Uthoff has put together back-to-back 50+ block seasons, totaling 56 last season and 65 this year. He is the first Hawkeye since Erek Hansen in 2005 and 2006 to register more than 50 rejections in consecutive seasons. Iowa ranks first in the nation in 22 blocked shots on 3-point attempts, with Jarrod Uthoff blocking 12 of the 22. Uthoff’s 12 blocks on opponent 3-point attempts ranks him ahead of 342 Division I teams.
UTHOFF FILLS IT UP DURING FIRST HALF AT IOWA STATE
Senior Jarrod Uthoff scored 30 first-half points at No. 2/4 Iowa State (Dec. 10), 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. He finished the contest with 32 points.
UTHOFF PRODUCING ON THE WING
Jarrod Uthoff has amassed 1,079 points. The senior had his 19-game double-digit scoring streak snapped on Jan. 28, scoring nine points at nationally-ranked Maryland. Uthoff has scored 20 or more 11 times this year, including six of the last nine games (Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan, Rutgers, Purdue, and Northwestern). Uthoff’s 11 20-point games are the most by a Hawkeye before February since Adam Haluska in 2006-07 (12). Uthoff ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.4) and first in blocks (2.95), and is second on the Hawkeyes in 3-pointers (46) and rebounding (6.2). His 2.95 blocks per game ranks seventh best in the nation. Uthoff is the second Big Ten player since 1996-97 to have 150+ blocks and 115+ 3-pointers made (Minnesota’s Michael Bauer, 1999-2004).
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UTHOFF NAMED TO MID-SEASON LISTS
Senior forward Jarrod Uthoff has been named to a couple mid-season All-American lists. He averages 18.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.95 blocks. NBC and ESPN both named the 6-foot-9, 221-pound forward to their second team list. Uthoff is also on the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25, Oscar Robertson Trophy Top 20 Watch List and is one of 31 players on the Lute Olson Award Watch List. Uthoff is the only player in from a Power 5 conference to amass 400+ points, 135+ rebounds, and 65+ blocks.
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 15th in the country in assists (6.3) and 34th in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.9). Gesell collected a career-best 12 assists in Iowa’s win over Coppin State and had 10 helpers in Iowa’s win vs. Tennessee Tech. He has been credited with nine or more assists eight times this season and 10 more three times. Gesell is the first Hawkeye with three 10-assist games in a season since Jeff Horner in 2005-06. He is on pace to surpass Andre Woolridge, who ranks second in career assists. He poured in a game and career-best 25 points in lifting Iowa to an 83-70 win over No. 1 Michigan State and posted his first career double-double in Iowa’s win over Nebraska (22 points and 10 assists).
INCREASED WORK LOAD
The last couple seasons, Adam Woodbury split time at the center position with Gabriel Olaseni. With Olaseni having graduated, Woodbury’s minutes have increased. The 7-foot-1 center averaged 21 minutes per game a year ago alongside Olaseni. In his career when playing 28 minutes or more, Woodbury averages 10.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. The senior has played over 28 minutes six 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; 8 points and six rebounds vs. Nebraska; four points and eight rebounds at No. 4 Michigan State; 12 points and six rebounds vs. Michigan). Woodbury has totaled five double-doubles this season, which tie for the fifth most in the league. Woodbury is the first Hawkeye to record a double-double in three straight games (Rutgers, Purdue, and Maryland) since Greg Brunner in 2005-06. He has led the team in rebounding the last six games, including snagging a career-best 15 boards against Penn State in only 22 minutes Wednesday night.
HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa is 50-7 when scoring 80 points or more, the last six seasons. The Hawkeyes are 60-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points, the last six years.
? Iowa is the only team in the nation ranked in the Top 15 in both offensive (sixth) and defensive (12th) efficiency.
? Iowa has won 15 straight home games, dating back to last February. The Hawkeyes are 12-0 at home this year, averaging 84.2 points and a +18 average margin of victory in those games.
? Iowa has had a player score 20 points or more in nine of its last 11 games, including three players (Jok, Uthoff, and Clemmons) total 20 or more points at Rutgers (Jan. 21). It marked the first time since 2000 (vs. Missouri) that Iowa had three players reach 20 points in a game: Luke Recker (23), Dean Oliver (22), and Reggie Evans (20). It is the first time three Hawkeyes poured in 20 points in a Big Ten game since 1989 (vs. Northwestern): Roy Marble (22), Ed Horton (21), and B.J. Armstrong (21).
? Iowa went 7-1 during the month of January, with the only loss coming by six points at No. 7 Maryland. The last time Iowa won seven games in the month of January was the 1986-87 season (7-2).
? 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.
? Iowa has five wins versus AP Top 25 teams this season, which is the most in the country this season and tied for second-most by the Hawkeyes over the last 20 seasons.
? Iowa swept both Purdue and Michigan State, boasting a +12.3 average margin of victory in the four games.
? Only four times over the last two decades has Iowa swept the regular season series with the opponent ranked in both games — two of the four times have taken place this season (Michigan State and Purdue).
? Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in second chance points scored per game (12.6).
? Iowa ranks second in the league, averaging 17.5 points off turnovers.
? Iowa gets its first win over a ranked Big Ten opponent (Purdue) while being ranked in the Top 10 since beating No. 16 Ohio State while ranked No. 8 on Feb 13, 1989.
? Iowa has become the first team since Duke and Kentucky in 1965 to beat the same top-5 opponent by 10 in same year (No. 1 and No. 4 Michigan State by 13 and 17 points, respectively).
? Iowa defeated top-15 teams in back-to-back games (No. 1 Michigan State and No. 14 Purdue) for the first time since Nov., 2004 (beat No. 12 Louisville and No. 15 Texas).
? Iowa beat two ranked Big Ten (No. 1 Michigan State and No. 14 Purdue) teams in the same week for the first time since 1987.
? Adam Woodbury has led Iowa in rebounding the last six contests, including controlling a career-high 15 boards vs. Penn State.
? Iowa’s first four road games in the Big Ten this season have come against Purdue, Michigan State, Rutgers, and Maryland.
? Iowa’s senior class has totaled 85 wins in its four years: 25 in 2013; 20 in 2014; 22 in 2015; and 18 so far in 2016. Last year’s senior class also amassed 85 victories, which ranked sixth in school history.
? Seventeen of Iowa’s 22 games played this season have been contested under two hours.
? Iowa has posted road wins over a Big Ten ranked opponent each of the last three seasons.
? Iowa swept Michigan State for the first time since the 1992-93 season. The Hawkeyes’ win in East Lansing on Jan. 14, was their first since 1993, snapping an 18-game losing streak at the Breslin Center. Iowa’s 17-point win over Michigan State is its largest victory over the Spartans in East Lansing since a 75-57 win March 12, 1983.
? Iowa swept Purdue for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign.
? 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).
? Iowa’s win over Purdue on Jan. 2 is its first in West Lafayette, Indiana, since Feb. 1, 2006. Its victory at No. 4 Michigan State on Jan. 14, is its first since Jan. 28, 1993.
? Iowa has won eight Big Ten games by double digits — the most by any major conference school in the country. North Carolina is second with six wins by double digits.
? 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 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.
? 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 has won at least 20 games in three consecutive seasons — its longest streak in 15 years.
? 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.
FRESH START
Peter Jok started 2015 with a new number, changing from No. 3 last year to No. 14 this season. Jok ranks second on the team in scoring (15.1 ppg) and second in free throw accuracy (.825, 47-of-57). He has scored 20 or more points six times (20 at Marquette; a career-best 24 vs. Florida State; 21 vs. Tennessee Tech; 23 at Michigan State; 29 at Rutgers; 26 vs. Northwestern). Jok equaled a career best with five 3-pointers made at Rutgers (Jan. 21). Jok’s 29-point outburst at Rutgers ties for seventh most by a Hawkeye during the Fran McCaffery era. After averaging seven points per game a season ago, Jok has surged 8.1 points this year averaging 15.1 points per contest. The +8.1 improvement ranks second among Big Ten players over the last two seasons. Over the past five games, Jok is leading the Hawkeyes averaging 18.8 points, while shooting at a 51 percent clip from the field (32-of-62) and 80 percent (16-of-20) from the foul line. The Hawkeye junior averaged 21 points in two games against Michigan State early in conference play. His 23 points at Michigan State (Jan. 14) and 16 against Michigan (Jan. 17) earned Jok Big Ten Player of the Week accolades. Jok is one of four Hawkeyes since 2005-06 to average 2+ 3-pointers and 1+ steal per game in a season (Jeff Horner in 2006; Adam Haluska in 2007; Matt Gatens in 2012).
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, which is the largest halftime comeback between major-conference teams this season.
? 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.
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). Jones is out of action the remainder of this season due to suffering a knee injury at practice on Dec. 1.
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.
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.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa is ranked No. 5 by the Associated Press and seventh in the USA Today Coaches Poll this week. Iowa has played eight games against ranked opponents, posting a 5-3 record, which includes winning four of its last five contests (No. 1 Michigan State; No. 14 Purdue; No. 4 Michigan State; No. 22 Purdue). Iowa’s five victories over AP ranked opponents are the most in the country. Iowa became just the fifth team ever, and first team since Duke and Kentucky in 1965, to beat the same top-5 opponent by 10 in same season.
WINNING ON THE ROAD
Iowa’s senior class has won at least once at 12 Big Ten arenas. The only gyms in the conference this class has played in and not won a game are the XFINITY Center (Maryland) and the Kohl Center (Wisconsin). This class has won at Penn State (three times), Ohio State (twice), Northwestern (twice), Illinois, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska, Minnesota, Rutgers, and Michigan. Also, the 2016 Iowa senior class has beaten every Big Ten team at least once during their careers.
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).
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.
UTHOFF NAMED BIG TEN CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK — DEC. 14
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. Uthoff shot 61 percent from the field (22-of-36), including a blistering 69 percent from 3-point range (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). 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 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 CANDIDATE FOR GOOD WORKS, SENIOR CLASS AWARDS
Senior Mike Gesell is a nominee for the Allstate NABC Good Works Team and one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award. This prestigious Good Works 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. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character, and competition.
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 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. McCaffery is one of 24 coaches who earned enough votes to advance to the second round of voting. Visit ESPN.com/Infiniti each day and vote for McCaffery, using multiple email addresses, and his charity — Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
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 staff 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.
ON THE HORIZON
Iowa remains on the road when it takes on nationally-ranked Indiana on Thursday, Feb. 11, at Bloomington, Indiana. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT (ESPN) inside Assembly Hall.
