| GAME 26: #4/6 Iowa (20-5, 11-2) at Penn State (12-13, 3-9) | |
|---|---|
| When | Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016 | 5:31 p.m. CT |
| Where | Bryce Jordan Center – University Park, Pa. |
| Shop | Herky’s Locker Room |
| TV | BTN | Watch Online via BTN2GO Announcers: Kevin Kugler and Shon Morris |
| Radio | Hawkeye Radio Network | Listen | Sirius 145 / XM 195 |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| All-time Series | Iowa leads, 28-14 |
| 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. 16, 2016
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THE SETTING
No. 4/6 Iowa (20-5, 11-2), winners of 13 of its last 15 games, travel to University Park, Pennsylvania Wednesday to compete against Penn State (12-13, 3-9) for the second time in as many weeks. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:31 p.m. (CT) at the Bryce Jordan Center.
ON THE AIR
Radio: Wednesday 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: Wednesday night’s will be televised to a national audience on BTN (BTN2GO). Kevin Kugler and Shon Morris will call the action.
GAME #26 OPENING TIP
? The last time Iowa was in first place in the Big Ten this deep in the season was Feb. 23, 2006.
? Iowa is the only Big Ten school with two players ranked in the top 10 in league scoring: Jarrod Uthoff (2nd at 19.4 ppg) and Peter Jok (7th at 17.9 ppg).
? Mike Gesell became the 45th Hawkeye to score 1,000 career points. Gesell reached the milestone at Indiana on Feb. 11. The senior point guard also eclipsed 500 career assists in Iowa’s last game against Minnesota on Feb. 14.
? Iowa’s senior class has won all three of its previous games played at Penn State.
? Iowa has won 12 of its last 18 true road games, dating back to last season. The Hawkeyes are 4-2 in Big Ten road games this season.
? Iowa has won 20 games or more each of the last four seasons — its longest streak since 1996-99.
? Iowa has five wins over AP Top 25 teams this season, which ties for second-most by the Hawkeyes over the last 20 seasons.
? The Hawkeyes have won nine of their 13 league games by double figures.
? Jarrod Uthoff is the only player from a Power 5 conference this season with 470+ points, 165+ rebounds, and 70+ blocks.
? Iowa’s five losses this year have come by a combined 25 points; each loss coming by single digits.
HAWKEYES EARN HIGHEST NATIONAL RANKING SINCE 1987
Iowa is ranked fourth in the latest Associated Press Poll and sixth in the USA Today Coaches Poll released this past Monday. Iowa’s No. 3 ranking (Jan. 25) 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 SURPASSED BUCKY O’CONNOR FOR FIFTH IN VICTORIES AT IOWA
Fran McCaffery notched victory No. 115 as Iowa’s head coach on Feb. 7 at Illinois, surpassing Bucky O’Connor (1950, 1952-58) for fifth on Iowa’s all-time coaching win total. McCaffery increased his win total to 116 after Sunday’s win over Minnesota. Rollie Williams (1930-42, 1951) ranks fourth in victories with 139.
UTHOFF, IOWA GRACE COVER OF SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
Senior Jarrod Uthoff was on the cover of the Feb. 8, 2016, regional cover of Sports Illustrated. The article inside the magazine focused on the All-America candidate and the nationally-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes. Uthoff is the first Iowa basketball player since George Peeples on Jan. 24, 1966, to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. George Kittle and the UI football team were on the Sports Illustrated cover this past November. It marks the first time in school history that Iowa football and men’s basketball were featured on Sports Illustrated covers in the same season.
FAST START IN BIG TEN PLAY
Iowa reached the halfway point of its Big Ten schedule with a first-place record of 10-1. The 10-1 mark was 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, 10-1. Six of Iowa’s first 12 games have come against ranked opponents, including four of six road games versus ranked opposition (Purdue, Michigan State, Maryland, and Indiana).
SCOUTING PENN STATE
? Wednesday will be the second time in as many weeks that Iowa and Penn State will meet. The Nittany Lions have lost five of their last six games with the win coming at home against Indiana (68-63) on Feb. 6.
? Penn State is 3-8 in true road games this season, but 8-3 at home.
? Penn State lost its last game, 70-54, at Nebraska this past Saturday. Brandon Taylor was the only Nittany Lion to score in double figures (14). Penn State was outscored 34-7 at the start of the second half after trailing by only one points (32-31) at halftime.
? Three Nittany Lions average in double figures in scoring: Brandon Taylor (16.5), Shep Garner (13.3), and Payton Banks (10.0).
? Penn State averages 65 points per game, while allowing 69 points.
? The Nittany Lions have three players who have made over 25 3-pointers: Shep Garner (48), Brandon Taylor (35), and Payton Banks (26). After going 5-of-12 from 3-point range against Michigan on Jan. 30, Garner has gone a combined 0-for-16 from long distance in Penn State’s last three games.
? Patrick Chambers is in his fifth season as head coach at Penn State (68-88, .436).
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa holds a 28-14 advantage in the series versus Penn State. The Hawkeyes have won eight of the last 11 meetings. Iowa split last year’s two meetings with Iowa winning in overtime at Penn State (81-77), and Penn State beating Iowa at the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago (67-58). Iowa won two weeks ago in Iowa City (73-49). Penn State holds a slim 10-9 edge in games played at University Park. Iowa, on Jan. 4, 1997, was the first visiting team to win (67-59) in Penn State’s new arena (Bryce Jordan Center). The Hawkeyes posted an 81-77 overtime win at Penn State a year ago.
LAST MEETING AGAINST PENN STATE
? Iowa posted a 73-49 triumph over Penn State on Feb. 3, 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).
? Jarrod Uthoff scored 14 points, grabbed three rebounds, and blocked five shots.
? 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.
IOWA TOPS MINNESOTA SUNDAY IN IOWA CITY
? Iowa posted a 75-71 win over Minnesota Sunday in Iowa City in the only regular season meeting between the two teams.
? Sunday’s win earned Iowa its fourth straight 20-win season. Iowa has won 16 straight home games, dating back to last February.
? Iowa enters this week’s action in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten Conference. The last time Iowa won a share of the Big Ten title was in 1979.
? Jarrod Uthoff recorded his third double-double of the year (24 points, 15 rebounds, and six blocks). He is the third player to record 20+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 5+ blocks in a Big Ten game in the last 20 years. His 15 rebounds are a career high, while his six blocks equaled a personal best (vs. Michigan State, 12/29/15).
? Peter Jok led all scorers with 27 points, bolstered by four 3-pointers. He has now scored 20+ points in eight games this season. Iowa is 8-0 when he scores 20 or more points this season.
? Mike Gesell matched a career high in assists with 12. He has dished out 10 or more assists four times this season.
? Iowa had 10 offensive rebounds but did not register a second chance point, marking the 12th time this season a major conference team won a game without netting a second chance point.
? Four Golden Gophers scored in double figures: Nate Mason (14). Dupree McBrayer (12), Jordan Murphy (11), and Joey King (10).
UTHOFF, GESELL JOIN ELITE COMPANY
Jarrod Uthoff is just the third Hawkeye to accumulate 1,000+ points and 150+ blocks. Uthoff enters Sunday’s game with 1,121 points and 158 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 four steals from becoming just the fourth Hawkeye to total more than 1,000 points, 500 assists, and 150 steals. Gesell enters Sunday’s game with 1,020 points, 509 assists, and 146 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.
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 9.8 turnovers, which ranks eighth-best nationally. The Hawkeyes have recorded nine or fewer turnovers in eight of their last 12 contests. Iowa ranks 17th nationally in turnover margin (+3.3). Senior Jarrod Uthoff had a career-high eight turnovers in Iowa’s conference opener win over Michigan State on Dec. 29. Since that contest, Uthoff has totaled five turnovers in 12 games (404 minutes of game action).
UTHOFF NAMED TO MID-SEASON LISTS
Senior forward Jarrod Uthoff has been named to a couple mid-season All-American lists. He averages 18.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.0 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 Late Season Top 20, 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 470+ points, 165+ rebounds, and 70+ blocks.
BENCH YIELDING SIGNIFICANT GAINS
Through 25 games, Iowa’s bench is averaging 19.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.8 blocks.
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 (8.6), rebounds (3.4), assists (6.3), field goal percentage (.421), and 3-point accuracy (.394). Mike Gesell netted his 1,000th career point with his first bucket of the game in the first half at Indiana on Feb. 11. Gesell finished with 17 points — his highest point total since netting 22 vs. Nebraska on Jan. 5. He also was credited with his 500th career assist in Iowa’s win over Minnesota this past Sunday in Iowa City. 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). 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 21 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 13,594 fans in 2015-16, which includes five sellout crowds (Michigan State; Michigan; Purdue; Northwestern; Minnesota). Iowa’s final two home games against Wisconsin and Indiana are nearing sellout status.
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).
FOUR STRAIGHT 20-WIN SEASONS
Iowa has won 20 games or more each of the last four seasons — its longest streak in 15 years. It marks the first time since 1996-99 seasons that Iowa has posted four consecutive 20-win campaigns.
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.
DIALING IT UP FROM LONG DISTANCE
Iowa averaged 5.6 3-pointers made per game a year ago. Through 24 games this season, the Hawkeyes are averaging 8.6 triples, which ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 48th nationally. Iowa’s Peter Jok ranks sixth in the league averaging 2.4 triples per game. The Hawkeyes are 10-1 this year when Jok sinks at least three triples in a game. 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 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 39.4 percent clip — 18th best in the nation. Iowa’s 3-point percentage (.394) 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 22nd and 76th nationally, respectively, in assist-to-turnover ratio. Clemmons is third on the team in scoring (9.2), while Gesell in fourth (8.6). 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 9.5 points and 3.4 assists over the last 13 games. Gesell is a four-year starter, who has 1,020 points, 509 assists, and 146 steals. The Hawkeye senior is eight assists from tying B.J. Armstrong for fourth in Iowa career assists.
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, 6.9 points, and 3.8 rebounds per game this year. He has scored in double figures seven times this season. 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 (14-of-26) from behind the arc in conference play. He pulled down team bests in rebounds three times this season (Drake, Tennessee Tech, and Nebraska).
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 4.7 points, shooting at a 43 percent clip from 3-point range (22-of-51) and 2.6 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).
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 1,145 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 13 times this year, including eight of the last 12 games. Uthoff’s 11 20-point games prior to the month of February are the most by a Hawkeye since Adam Haluska in 2006-07 (12). Uthoff ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.8) and first in blocks (3.0), and is second on the Hawkeyes in 3-pointers (50) and rebounding (6.7). His 3.0 blocks per game ranks sixth best in the nation. Uthoff is the second Big Ten player since 1996-97 to have 150+ blocks and 120+ 3-pointers made (Minnesota’s Michael Bauer, 1999-2004). He is also the second player nationally the last 20 years to average two blocks and two 3-pointers per game (Duke’s Shane Battier in 2000-01).
IOWA’S SENIOR CLASS
Iowa’s senior class has totaled 87 victories in its four years (25 in 2013; 20 in 2014; 22 in 2015; and 20 so far in 2016). The 87 wins tie the 1983 class for third most by a senior class in school history; Iowa’s 1989 class ranks first with 97 wins, followed by 95 in the class of 1988. Iowa’s senior class has won 58 home games the past four seasons, which includes winning all 13 home games already contests as seniors. Iowa’s 2015 senior class registered a school-record 59 home wins during their four-year careers. Iowa has two remaining home games on its schedule (Feb. 24 vs. Wisconsin and March 1 vs. Indiana). 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 (twice), 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.
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 18th in the country in assists (6.3) and 37th in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.1). Gesell collected a career-best 12 assists in Iowa’s win over Coppin State and also in Iowa’s last game against Minnesota on Sunday. He has been credited with nine or more assists nine times this season and 10 more four times. Gesell is the first Hawkeye with four 10-assist games in a season since B.J. Armstrong in 1988-89. 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).
HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa has won nine Big Ten games by double digits. It’s the most by any Hawkeye team since the 1996-97 season.
? 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 has won 16 straight home games, dating back to last February. The Hawkeyes are 13-0 at home this year, averaging 83.5 points and a +16.9 average margin of victory in those games.
? Iowa has had a player score 20 points or more in 12 of its last 14 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 ties for second-most by the Hawkeyes over the last 20 seasons.
? Iowa swept Purdue for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign.
? 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).
? The last time an Iowa team won a share of the Big Ten men’s basketball title was 1979, while the last time Iowa won the league title outright was 1970.
? Eighteen of Iowa’s 25 games played this season have been contested under two hours.
? Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in second chance points scored per game (12.9).
? Iowa ranks second in the league, averaging 16.8 points off turnovers.
? Iowa earned 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 in eight of the last nine contests, including controlling a career-high 15 boards vs. Penn State and at Indiana the last two weeks.
? 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 is only 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 38 of its last 39 nonleague home games, dating back to Nov., 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’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.
BLOCK PARTY
Iowa’s length has affected a number of opponent shot attempts this season. The Hawkeyes have blocked 138 shots this season (5.5), which ranks second in the conference and 17th nationally. Uthoff has put together back-to-back 50+ block seasons, totaling 56 last season and 74 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 23 blocked shots on 3-point attempts, with Jarrod Uthoff blocking 13 of the 23. Uthoff’s 13 blocks on opponent 3-point attempts ranks him ahead of 340 Division I teams.
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 10.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. The senior has played over 28 minutes eight times this year. Woodbury has totaled seven double-doubles this season, which ties five other players for the 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 eight games, including snagging a career-best 15 boards against Penn State and at Indiana last Thursday night. Woodbury is averaging 11.1 rebounds per game over the last eight games. He is the second Hawkeye the past 20 years to grab 84 or more rebounds in a seven game span (Jan. 21-Feb. 11); Reggie Evans was the other Hawkeye to accomplish the feat in 2000-01 and 2001-02. Woodbury grabbed 13 defensive rebounds against Penn State on Feb. 3 — the most by a Hawkeye since Kurt Looby (Nov. 13, 2006 versus The Citadel).
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 (15.8 ppg) and second in free throw accuracy (.827, 62-of-75). He has scored 20 or more points eight times this season, including a career-best 29 points at Rutgers on Jan. 21. The 29-point outburst at Rutgers ties for seventh most by a Hawkeye during the Fran McCaffery era. Iowa is 10-1 this season when Jok makes at least three triples in a game (Iowa State). After averaging seven points per game a season ago, Jok has surged 8.8 points this year averaging 15.8 points per contest. The +8.8 improvement is tops among Big Ten players over the last two seasons. 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 two or more 3-pointers and one 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 EARN ACADEMIC DISTINCTION
Mike Gesell and Jarrod Uthoff were named 2016 Academic All-District first team honorees for their combined performance athletically and in the classroom. The Hawkeye duo will advance to the Capital One Academic All-America Team ballot, where first-, second-, and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month. It marks the second straight year that Gesell and Uthoff earned the academic all-district distinction. Gesell, a native of South Sioux City, Nebraska, garnered a cumulative grade point average of 4.11 this past fall taking leisure studies graduate classes after earning a finance degree in May 2015. The team co-captain ranks 15th nationally in assists (6.3) and is 22nd in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.1). Gesell is averaging career bests in rebounds (3.4), assists (6.3), field goal percentage (.421), and 3-point accuracy (.394). Gesell scored career point No. 1,000 at Indiana on Feb. 11. Uthoff, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, posted a 4.00 cumulative grade point average last semester taking leisure studies graduate classes after earning his degree in economics in May 2015. Uthoff has scored in double figures in all but one game this season, including netting 20 points or more 12 times. The team co-captain leads the Big Ten in blocked shots (3.0) and is second in scoring (18.8). He became the third Hawkeye in school history to amass 1,000 points and 150 blocks in a career (Acie Earl and Greg Stokes). Uthoff is the second player nationally the last 20 years to average two blocks and two 3-pointers per game (Duke’s Shane Battier in 2000-01). Gesell was a third team Academic All-America his junior year.
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.
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.
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 SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Senior Mike Gesell is one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award. 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.
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.
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.
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. For the second straight year, McCaffery is one of 16 coaches who earned enough votes to advance to the third round of voting. Visit ESPN.com/Infiniti each day and vote for McCaffery, using multiple email addresses, and his charity — Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
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 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 will have a week between games, returning to action on Wednesday, Feb. 24, against Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes and Badgers will tipoff at 7:35 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in the only regular season meeting. Tickets are still available for the Feb. 24 contest against Wisconsin.
