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THE SETTING
Iowa (7-5) will close out its nonconference schedule on Thursday when it hosts Delaware State (3-10). Tipoff is set for 8:06 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,400).
TICKETS/PROMOTIONS
• Tickets are available through the Iowa Athletics Ticket Office: $18 for adults and $5 for youth/UI students. Fans can also take advantage of a “Family 4 Pack” for $55, which includes four tickets, four hot dogs, and four drinks (must be purchased in advance).
• Thursday is Iowa Men’s Basketball Camper Reunion Night. Campers are admitted FREE with printed invite, while their guests can purchase a game ticket for only $5.
• The first 2,500 fans receive an exclusive Tigerhawk cookie cutter.
ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are 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: Thursday’s game will be televised nationally on BTN (BTN2GO). Kevin Kugler and Jess Settles will call the action.
GAME #13 STORYLINES
• Iowa enters Thursday’s nonconference finale on a season-best four-game win streak. The Hawkeyes will be seeking their first five-game win streak since winning nine consecutive contests between Dec. 19-Jan. 24 last season.
• Thursday will be the first-ever meeting between Iowa and Delaware State. The Hawkeyes are 17-0 all-time against current members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Hornets are the second team from the MEAC that the Hawkeyes will have faced this season (116-84 win over Savannah State).
• Iowa has won 43 of its last 46 nonconference home games, dating back to 2012.
• Sophomore Ahmad Wagner celebrated his 20th birthday on Wednesday.
• Iowa has won its last six nonconference finales under Fran McCaffery dating back to 2010.
• Peter Jok had 18 points Tuesday against North Dakota boosting his career scoring total to 1,149 points. His efforts on Tuesday moved him past two Hawkeyes on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart: Bob Hansen and Kevin Kunnert. Jok enters Thursday’s game in 29th place, 19 points behind Chad Calabria (1,168 points) for 28th.
• Freshmen Cordell Pemsl scored in double figures in each of his five starts this season.
• Peter Jok had his 30-game streak of making at least one 3-pointer snapped in Iowa’s last outing against North Dakota (0-for-3).
• Three of Iowa’s top four scorers this season are true freshmen. Tyler Cook is second (13.7), followed by Cordell Pemsl (10.4), and Jordan Bohannon (9.0).
• Nicholas Baer posted his first career double-double Saturday vs. UNI (11 points, 11 rebounds).
• Peter Jok, who scored his 1,000th career point against Memphis, has scored double digits in all 12 games, including netting 27 or more points five times. Jok ranks sixth in country — first among players from Power 5 conferences — in scoring per game (23.1). He also ranks 16th nationally in free throw accuracy (.921).
• Cordell Pemsl ranks first in the Big Ten in field goal percentage, making 74.6 percent of his shot attempts (50-of-67). Pemsl is one of seven Division I players in the last 20 years to shoot 75 percent or better through 10 career games (minimum 50 attempts).
• Peter Jok was named to the preseason 10-player All-Big Ten first team, while also being named to the 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award and 2017 Naismith Trophy and John Wooden Award watch lists.
BAER DOING BAER THINGS
Redshirt sophomore Nicholas Baer ranks first on the squad in steals (1.6), is second in rebounding (6.0), and fourth in assists (2.1). His 1.6 steals per game average ranks third best among Big Ten players.
Iowa is 7-1 this season when the native of Bettendorf, Iowa, scores at least seven points in a game. During Iowa’s four-game win streak, Baer netted seven points against Stetson, 10 versus Iowa State, 11 against Northern Iowa, and eight versus North Dakota.
Baer has led the team in steals four times this season, being credited with three steals or more in a game a team-best four times, including Iowa’s win over North Dakota. He also contributed eight points, six rebounds, and a team-best two blocks on Tuesday.
Baer posted his first career double-double in Iowa’s win over Northern Iowa last Saturday with 11 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
HAWKEYES TOP NORTH DAKOTA FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN
Iowa led by as many as 19 points in an 84-73 win over North Dakota Tuesday night in Iowa City. The win was the Hawkeyes’ season-best fourth straight win.
• Seven Hawkeyes scored eight points or more, with three reaching double figures: Peter Jok (18), Jordan Bohannon (18), and Brady Ellingson (10).
• Nicholas Baer led the team in blocks (2) and steals (3), while also contributing eight points and six rebounds. Iowa improves to 7-1 this season when Baer nets seven points or more in a game.
• The Hawkeyes earned 34 free throw attempts, outscoring the Fighting Hawks 23-12 at the foul line. Peter Jok made all 10 of his free throw attempts, marking the third contest this season that the Hawkeye senior made every free throw in a game (min. 10 attempts).
• Peter Jok, who leads the Big Ten in 3-point field goals made, entered the game making at least one 3-pointer in 30 consecutive games dating back to last year. His 30-game streak was snapped Tuesday against North Dakota missing three attempts.
SCOUTING DELAWARE STATE
• After playing its first two games at home, Delaware State has played 10-of-11 contests on the road. Thursday will be the Hornets’ 11th road game of nonconference play.
• Delaware State lost its last game, 103-56, at Indiana on Monday night. Starting forward DeVaughn Mallory nearly posted a double-double (14 points, 9 rebounds), while Kobe Gantz had 13 points off the bench against the Hoosiers. Indiana shot 67 percent from the field, scoring 27 of its 42 field goals in the paint.
• Four starters average double figures in scoring for the Hornets: Devin Morgan (12.9), Kavon Waller (11.2), DeAndre Haywood (10.4), and DeVaughn Mallory (10.0).
• Delaware State has three main 3-point threats: Kavon Waller (35-of-64, .547), Devin Morgan (32-of-87, .368), and Dana Raysor (17-of-40, .425). Waller’s 3-point percentage of 54.7 percent ranks fifth best in the country.
• The Hornets have been outrebounded by an average of 7.9 rebounds per game. DeVaughn Mallory (6.6 rpg) is the only Hornet averaging more than four rebounds per contest.
• Delaware State averages 67.7 points per game. The Hornets scored more than 70 points just four times this season. Delaware State won its three games scoring 79 points or more.
• Keith Walker is in his third season (33-59, .359) as head coach at Delaware State and 10th season overall (124-161, .435). In his first full season as head coach of the Hornets in 2014-15, he led Delaware State to the MEAC tournament championship game and an appearance in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI).
PEMSLVANIA
Freshman Cordell Pemsl has had a great start to his collegiate career. The native of Dubuque, Iowa, has come off the bench in seven games, while starting five. In 12 total games, Pemsl has scored in double digits seven times and is averaging 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds, while shooting a Big Ten-best 74.6 percent (50-of-67) from the field. Pemsl is one of seven Division I players in the last 20 years to shoot 75 percent or better through 10 career games (minimum 40 attempts).
In his five starts, he is averaging 15.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest. He has scored in double figures in all five starts. Pemsl has made a staggering 81.6 percent of his shot attempts, missing only seven (31-of-38).
CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA ENHANCEMENTS
The Iowa Athletic Department upgraded Carver-Hawkeye Arena’s video boards, sound system, lighting, digital scorestable displays, and playing surface this past summer.
A new four-sided centerhung video system is the centerpiece of the installation. The two main centerhung displays measure approximately 14.5 feet high by 26 feet wide and the other two centerhung displays measure 9.5 feet high by 16.5 feet wide. The project also upgraded the auxiliary displays located near the ceiling at each side of the arena.
PETER JOK SCORCHING THE NETS
After averaging 7.0 points per game as a sophomore, Peter Jok averaged 16.1 points last year as a junior (+9.1), and is averaging a Big Ten-best 23.1 points so far this season as a senior (+7.0). The +9.1 improvement last year was tops among Big Ten players.
Jok was named to the preseason All-Big Ten first team, while also being named to the 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award and 2017 Naismith Trophy and John Wooden Award watch lists. Jok has scored 27 points or more five times this season, including scorching the nets for 42 points against Memphis and 33 against Omaha on Dec. 3. Jok nearly had a triple-double against Stetson (15 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) and a double-double against No. 25/25 Iowa State (23 points and nine rebounds).
Jok has been recognized as the Big Ten Player of the Week twice this season (Nov. 21 and Dec. 12). He averaged 28.5 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two assists against Seton Hall and UTRGV for the Nov. 21 award. Jok averaged a team-best 19 points, 8.5 rebounds, and five assists in contests versus Stetson and No. 25 Iowa State for the Dec. 12 distinction.
Jok, who scored career point No. 1,000 against Memphis, made his first 24 free throw attempts this season before misfiring on his first attempt at Notre Dame. Jok has had free throw streaks of 27 and 26 the last two seasons. The school record for consecutive free throws made is 34 set by Chris Street (Jan. 2-Jan. 16, 1993).
Jok ranks sixth nationally in points per game (23.1), 16th in free throw accuracy (.921), and 23rd in 3-pointers per contest (3.25). His 23.1 scoring average is tops best among players from Power 5 conferences.
Jok has made 171 career 3-pointers, which are the seventh most in program history. He is 22 triples from tying Brody Boyd (2001-04) for sixth place with 193.
RECENT GRADUATES PLAYING PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL
A number of recent Iowa basketball graduates are playing professionally: Melsahn Basabe (Greece), Anthony Clemmons (Austria), Mike Gesell (Denmark), Jarryd Cole (France), Matt Gatens (NBA D-League: Iowa Energy — injured), Devyn Marble (Greece), Gabriel Olaseni (Italy), Darius Stokes (Australia), Jarrod Uthoff (NBA D-League: Raptors 905), Aaron White (Russia), and Adam Woodbury (NBA D-League: Fort Wayne Mad Ants).
NICHOLAS BAER PLAYED OVERSEAS IN AUGUST
Nicholas Baer averaged 8.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and two steals in four games (3-1) overseas on the USA East Coast All-Star Team.
This marked the sixth consecutive year that a Hawkeye traveled overseas with the USA East Coast basketball team. In 2011, Matt Gatens and Bryce Cartwright traveled overseas; Zach McCabe went in 2012; Jarrod Uthoff was on the roster in 2013; Mike Gesell and Adam Woodbury competed in 2014; while Dom Uhl traveled with the team in 2015.
HAWKEYE FASTBREAKS
• Iowa is 55-10 when scoring 80 points or more, the last six seasons. The Hawkeyes are 62-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points, the last six years.
• As a team, Iowa ranks 20th nationally in assists per game (18.0), 27th in scoring offense (84.3) and 44th in 3-pointers made (9.4).
• Peter Jok poured in 42 points against Memphis on Nov. 26. The 42 points are the most by a Hawkeye in 40 years and tie for the fourth most in a single-game in program history, tying Bruce King’s 42 points against Pittsburgh in 1976.
• Jordan Bohannon was 7-of-15 from long distance at Notre Dame on Nov. 29; the 15 attempts tied Justin Jackson for the second most 3-point attempts in a single-game in Iowa history.
• Eight different Hawkeyes have reached double figures in scoring through eight games this season.
• Peter Jok tied a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record against Omaha, making all 12 free throw attempts. The perfect 12-of-12 mark tied Luke Recker (2001 vs. Kansas State), Val Barnes (1992 vs. Ohio State), and Roy Marble (1988 vs. Northern Iowa).
• After scoring in double figures once in 27 games last year, Brady Ellingson has netted double digits three times this season.
• Iowa surpassed the century mark for the 97th time in program history with a 116-84 win over Savannah State on Nov. 13. The 116 points equal the seventh most points scored in a game in program history and are the most points scored in a game by a Big Ten team this season.
• Iowa posted school records in 3-pointers made (18) and attempted (43) in its victory over Savannah State on Nov. 13.
• Isaiah Moss was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Dec. 12. It marked the first time a rookie Hawkeye was honored by the conference office since Nicholas Baer on Dec. 21, 2015.
• Iowa has scored 90 points or more five times this season.
• Peter Jok joined Reggie Evans (twice) and Aaron Fuller as the only Hawkeyes to post 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in a single game the last 20 years. Jok totaled 30 points and 11 rebounds against Seton Hall (Nov. 17). His efforts earned the team captain Big Ten Player of the Week honors on Nov. 21.
• Peter Jok scored 27 points in Iowa’s opener vs. Kennesaw State. The 27 points are the most by a Hawkeye in a season opener since Adam Haluska poured in 29 against The Citadel in 2006.
• Freshman Tyler Cook (10) joined Aaron White as the only two players to grab 10 or more rebounds in their first game as a Hawkeye in the past 20 years.
• Iowa athletic teams swept Iowa State in four competitions Dec. 7-10 (women’s basketball, men’s basketball, women’s swimming, and wrestling). The Hawkeyes lead the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, 14-7. With only three athletic events remaining, Iowa has clinched the series for 2016-17.
• The Hawkeyes won 22 games, tied for third place in the Big Ten, and won an NCAA Tournament game each of the last two seasons.
• Iowa has competed in postseason play the last five years (NCAA 2014-16; NIT 2012-13).
• Iowa has won 20 or more games in four consecutive seasons — its longest streak in 15 years
• Fran McCaffery has guided Iowa to upper division finishes in the Big Ten in each of the last four seasons. McCaffery, who is one of just 12 Division I head coaches to take four different programs to the NCAA Tournament, has accumulated 16 first division finishes in 20 years as a head coach. McCaffery has posted 10 seasons of 20 or more wins as a head coach.
HAWKEYES SWEEP BIG TEN WEEKLY HONORS
Senior Peter Jok and redshirt freshman Isaiah Moss were named Big Ten Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week, respectively, on Dec. 12. It marked the first time Iowa swept the weekly men’s basketball accolades (weekly freshman honors began in 2010).
Jok (6-6, 205 pounds) collected the third Big Ten weekly honor of his career and second this season. Jok helped lead the Hawkeyes to a pair of victories over Stetson (95-68) and No. 25 Iowa State (78-64). He averaged a team-best 19 points, 8.5 rebounds, and five assists in the two contests.
In Iowa’s upset over 25th-ranked Iowa State on Dec. 8, Jok lead all scorers and rebounders with 23 points and nine rebounds. Against Stetson, the team captain flirted with a triple-double recording 15 points, eight rebounds, and dishing out a career-high seven assists without committing a turnover.
Moss (6-5, 205 pounds) earned his first conference weekly recognition after averaging 17.5 points and five rebounds in Iowa’s two victories. The native of Chicago scored nine of his 14 points in the second half to help Iowa upend the 25th-ranked Cyclones.
Moss tallied personal bests in scoring (21), steals (2), and rebounds (6) in the Hawkeyes’ triumph over Stetson on Dec. 5. The shooting guard shot at a 50 percent clip from 3-point range in the two games (6-of-12), including going 5-of-8 (62.5 percent) from long distance against the Hatters.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,718 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,600-1,118 (.589). That includes a 1,021-357 (.741) record in home games, a 575-758 (.431) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 752-757 (.498) mark in Big Ten games and a 426-131 (.765) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
2 HAWKEYES SIDELINED DUE TO INJURIES
Dale Jones and Tyler Cook are sidelined due to hand injuries suffered in November.
Jones suffered a fracture in his right wrist in Iowa’s game against Seton Hall (Nov. 17) and is expected to miss 8-9 weeks. The senior sustained the injury minutes after making his season debut. Jones, who transferred to Iowa in 2015 after three years at Tyler Junior College, has played limited minutes in only seven games during his Hawkeye career.
Cook fractured his right index finger during a practice on Thanksgiving at the Emerald Coast Classic and is expected to return to the lineup on Dec. 28, at Purdue. The Hawkeye freshman had surgery on Nov. 29 in Iowa City. Cook, who started the first six games of his collegiate career, ranks second on the team in scoring (13.7 points per game) and rebounding (5.3 rebounds per game).
BAER NOMINATED FOR GOOD WORKS TEAM
Nicholas Baer is a nominee for the 2017 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.
ALL-SESSION BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE
All-session tickets for the 2017 Big Ten Basketball Tournament are on sale. The Big Ten Basketball Tournament will take place at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C., March 8-12.
Lower level tickets may be purchased through the UI Ticket Office. General public tickets may be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
All-session tickets for the lower level at the Verizon Center are available for $400 through the Big Ten university ticket offices only. All-session tickets general public tickets are available for $200 or $250 (depending on seat location) through Ticketmaster or the Verizon Center box office only. Orders will be limited to eight all-session tickets.
The tournament features a discounted student ticket program. Students of Big Ten universities are able to purchase tickets for $20, good for only the session or sessions featuring their school. All students must have a valid student ID for entry. Student section seating are available in balcony sections.
ON THE HORIZON
Iowa will have five days off before opening Big Ten play on the road at nationally-ranked Purdue on Wednesday, Dec. 28. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (CT) at Mackey Arena.
