2016-17 Iowa Nonconference Schedule
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa Department of Athletics and head coach Fran McCaffery have announced the 2016-17 nonconference men’s basketball schedule. Iowa will play nine nonleague regular-season contests on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including the first four of the regular season (Nov. 11-20). The Hawkeyes will also travel for one road contest and three neutral-site games.
The Hawkeyes return eight players, including second-leading scorer Peter Jok (16.1 ppg). Hawkeye fans will get their first glimpse of the new squad on Nov. 4 in an exhibition against Division II Regis University. Fans will be able to enjoy new video boards that will hang over center court and an improved sound system in Carver-Hawkeye Arena beginning this Fall.
Iowa’s Big Ten schedule, game times, and television information will be announced later this summer.
Nov. 11 vs. Kennesaw State
Iowa opens its 2016-17 campaign against Kennesaw State. It will be the first-ever meeting between the Hawkeyes and Owls. Kennesaw State is one of two Atlantic Sun Conference schools Iowa will face in the nonconference portion of its schedule. The Owls won 11 games and tied for fifth place in the Atlantic Sun Conference last season. Kennesaw State returns its top scorer from last season, Kendrick Ray (18.7 ppg).
Nov. 13 vs. Savannah State (Emerald Coast Classic preliminary game)
Savannah State will compete against the Hawkeyes for the first time. This is one of two Emerald Coast Classic preliminary contests that Iowa will play. The Tigers, who placed fifth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, competed in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament a season ago. Savannah State returns its leading scorer from last season, Troyce Manassa (12.4 ppg).
Nov. 17 vs. Seton Hall (Gavitt Games)
This will be the second meeting between Iowa and Seton Hall. Iowa beat the Pirates, 85-63, on Dec. 29, 1982, in the Rochester Classic in Rochester, New York. Seton Hall posted a 25-9 record and captured the 2016 BIG EAST Tournament title. The Pirates competed in its 10th NCAA Tournament, ultimately losing to Gonzaga in the first round in 2016. Iowa cruised to an 89-61 win at Marquette in its inaugural Gavitt Games contest played last November in Milwaukee.
Nov. 20 vs. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (Emerald Coast Classic preliminary game)
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, formerly known as UT Pan American, will make its fifth trip to Iowa City. This will be Iowa’s second of two Emerald Coast Classic preliminary games to be played before traveling to Destin, Florida, for the final two games of the tournament. The Vaqueros last played in Iowa City in 2012, falling 86-55. Iowa is 4-0 all-time against UT Rio Grande Valley. Iowa enters this season a perfect 9-0 against current members of the Western Athletic Conference.
Nov. 25-26 at Emerald Coast Classic
Iowa will make its first-ever appearance in the Emerald Coast Classic Invitational in Destin, Florida. Joining the Hawkeyes in the four-team final are Memphis, Providence, and Virginia. The Hawkeyes will face Virginia in the first round and either Memphis or Providence in the second game. This is the second straight season that the Hawkeye will spend Thanksgiving in Florida; Iowa played in the Advocare Invitational at Orlando in 2015. Iowa is 2-0 all-time against the Cavaliers, most recently winning 75-64 in Charlottesville in the 213 NIT Quarterfinals. Iowa is 2-0 all-time against Memphis (1983 and 2001) and 0-1 against Providence (1965).
Nov. 29 vs. Notre Dame (Big Ten/ACC Challenge)
This is the 16th overall meeting between the Fighting Irish and Hawkeyes, and third in four seasons. This will be Iowa’s seventh visit to Notre Dame and first since Nov. 17, 1990. The Hawkeyes and Irish first met in 1923 (Iowa City) and last competed at the 2015 Advocare Invitational (Orlando). Iowa has won its last three Challenge games in thrilling fashion, all by five points or less. Iowa topped Notre Dame (98-93) in Iowa City in 2013, won at No. 12 North Carolina (60-55) in 2014, and outlasted Florida State (78-75) in overtime in Iowa City last season. The Hawkeyes’ victory over Notre Dame in 2013 was the Irish’s first Challenge game since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference. McCaffery served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame for 11 years from 1988-99, serving on staffs of Richard “Digger” Phelps and John MacLeod. He helped the Irish to NCAA Tournament appearances in 1989 and 1990, and the NIT finals in 1992.
Dec. 3 vs. Omaha
Iowa and Omaha will renew their series after previously playing in 1983 and 2013 – both Iowa victories. The Mavericks finished third in The Summit League a year ago. Peter Jok is the only current Hawkeye who played against Omaha, when Iowa notched an 83-75 win on Nov. 10, 2013, in Iowa City. Omaha graduated its top two scorers from last season, Devin Patterson (18.0 ppg) and Jake White (17.3 ppg).
Dec. 5 vs. Stetson
Stetson will be Iowa’s second nonconference opponent from the Atlantic Sun Conference. This will be the first meeting between Iowa and Stetson. The Hatters tied for seventh in their league a year ago, totaling 12 victories. Derick Newton led the team in scoring last season as a freshman, averaging 16.3 points per game. Newton was named Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year and was honored on the Kyle Macy Freshman All-America Team.
Dec. 8 vs. Iowa State (Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series)
Iowa and Iowa State renew their in-state rivalry for the 70th time; Iowa leads the all-time series 43-26. The Cyclones have won two of the last three meetings against the Hawkeyes by three points or less. Iowa’s last victory against Iowa State came in Iowa City in 2012. Steve Prohm’s Cyclones returns three starters from last year’s squad that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16: Monte Morris (13.8 ppg and 6.9 apg), Naz Mitrou-Long (12.0 ppg), and Matt Thomas (11.0 ppg).
Dec. 17 vs. Northern Iowa (Hy-Vee Big Four Classic)
After a week for final exams, Iowa travels to Des Moines to play Northern Iowa in the Hy-Vee Classic. This is the third time the Hawkeyes will play the Panthers in Wells Fargo Arena; Iowa owns a 34-10 advantage over UNI in the all-time series. The teams have traded wins the last four meetings with UNI winning the last meeting (56-44) in 2014. Head coach Ben Jacobson and the Panthers return two starters from last year’s team that won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and won a game in the NCAA Tournament: Jeremy Morgan (11.3 ppg) and Bennett Koch (7.6 ppg).
Dec. 20 vs. North Dakota
Iowa and North Dakota hit the hardwood together for the first time since 1969, a game the Hawkeyes won, 91-59, in Iowa City. The Fighting Hawks are coached by Brian Jones, who served as an assistant coach at Iowa for five seasons (2002-06) before being named head coach at North Dakota. Jeff Horner, Iowa’s all-time assists leader, is an assistant coach on Jones’ staff. Guard Quinton Hooker returns for his senior season after being named College Court Report Mid-Major Player of the Year. Hooker averaged a team-best 20.1 points per game and led North Dakota to a nine-game improvement from the previous season.
Dec. 22 vs. Delaware State
Iowa and Delaware State meet for the first time in the Hawkeyes’ nonconference finale. The Hornets will be Iowa’s second nonconference opponent from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (Savannah State). Iowa enters this season 15-0 against current members of the MEAC. Delaware State returns its top two scorers from a year ago: Devin Morgan (12.0 ppg) and DeAndre Haywood (11.5 ppg).
The Hawkeyes are coming off a season that saw them tie for third in the Big Ten and win a game in the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season.