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THE SETTING
Iowa (8-6, 0-1) will host Michigan (10-3, 0-0) on Sunday. Tipoff is set for 1:21 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Sunday’s game will be the only regular season meeting between Iowa and Michigan.
Tickets are $33 for adults, $20 for UI students, and $10 for youth. The $10 “Kids Day” discounted ticket must be purchased in advance.
ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Jim Albracht 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’s game will be televised nationally on BTN (BTN2GO). Brian Anderson and Jon Crispin will call the action.
BIG TEN HOME OPENER STORYLINES
• Sunday marks Iowa’s 10th game played on New Year’s Day and first since 1946. The Hawkeyes are 5-4 in games played on Jan. 1, winning its last two (1944 and 1946). Sunday will be Iowa’s first ever contest against a Big Ten opponent on New Year’s Day.
• Iowa has won four straight over the Michigan Wolverines, dating back to Feb. 8, 2014.
• Sunday will be Michigan’s first game played since a 68-62 win over Furman on Dec. 22. Both Iowa and Michigan enter Sunday’s game winners of five of their last six games.
• Iowa has won its last three Big Ten home openers — beating Nebraska three seasons ago (67-57) and two years ago (70-59), and top-ranked Michigan State last year (83-70).
• Iowa made all 13 of its free throw attempts in its last game at No. 15 Purdue on Wednesday. The last time a Hawkeye team made all of its free throws (min. 10 attempts) was at Virginia (15-of-15) in the NIT quarterfinals on March 27, 2013.
• Both Michigan and Iowa have a Germany native on its rosters: Iowa’s Dom Uhl hails from Frankfurt, while Mortiz Wagner of Michigan is from Berlin.
• Tyler Cook, who missed seven games due to injury, scored 12 points in his return Wednesday evening at No. 15 Purdue.
• Peter Jok had 13 points at No. 15 Purdue, boosting his career scoring total to 1,179 points. Jok, who enters Sunday’s game in 26th on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart, is within reach of four players: Val Barnes (1,188), Dave Gunther (1,188), Bill Logan (1,188), and Kevin Boyle (1,189).
• Freshmen Cordell Pemsl has scored in double figures in six of seven starts.
• Three of Iowa’s top four scorers this season are true freshmen. Tyler Cook is second (13.4), followed by Cordell Pemsl (10.2), and Jordan Bohannon (8.5).
• Peter Jok, who scored his 1,000th career point against Memphis, has scored double digits in all 14 games, including netting 27 or more points five times. Jok ranks 17th in country — third among players from Power 5 conferences — in scoring per game (21.9). He also ranks eighth nationally in free throw accuracy (.930) and 40th in 3-pointers made (3.07).
• Cordell Pemsl ranks first in the Big Ten in field goal percentage, making 71.8 percent of his shot attempts (56-of-78). Pemsl is one of seven Division I players in the last 20 years to shoot 75 percent or better through the first 10 games of his career (minimum 50 attempts).
• Peter Jok was named to the preseason All-Big Ten first team, while also being named to the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, Naismith Trophy and John Wooden Award watch lists.
BAER DOING BAER THINGS
Redshirt sophomore Nicholas Baer ranks first on the squad in steals (1.4), is second in rebounding (6.0), and fourth in assists (1.9). His 1.4 steals per game average ties for sixth best among Big Ten players.
Iowa is 7-2 this season when Baer scores at least seven points in a game.
The native of Bettendorf, Iowa, has led the team in steals four times this year, being credited with three steals or more in a game a team-best four times.
Baer posted his first career double-double in Iowa’s win over Northern Iowa on Dec. 17, with 11 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
HAWKEYES FALL AT NO. 15 PURDUE IN BIG TEN OPENER
Iowa lost its first Big Ten opener in four years on Wednesday, 89-67, at No. 15/15 Purdue.
• The Boilermakers led by 24 points at halftime. Purdue was 10-of-17 from 3-point range, while Iowa missed all seven of its long distance attempts in the first half. For the game, Purdue made 12 triples to Iowa’s four.
• Iowa made all 13 of its free throw attempts. Peter Jok extended his consecutive free throw streak to 19, going 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.
• Four Hawkeyes scored in double figures: Peter Jok (13), Tyler Cook (12), Brady Ellingson (11), and Cordell Pemsl (10).
• Brady Ellingson made three of Iowa’s four treys. He has made his last six 3-point attempts, dating back to the Iowa State game on Dec. 8.
• The Hawkeye defense forced 14 Boilermaker turnovers and outscored Purdue, 20-7, in points off turnovers.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
• Michigan (RPI 79) has played seven of its last eight games at home. For the season, the Wolverines are 0-2 in true road games, falling at South Carolina (61-46) on Nov. 23 and at nationally-ranked UCLA (102-84) on Dec. 10.
• Three Wolverines average double figures: Zak Irvin (14.1), Derrick Walton, Jr. (12.4), and Mortiz Wagner (11.5).
• Michigan has five players who have made 14 or more 3-pointers this season: Derrick Walton, Jr. (32-of-78, .410); Duncan Robinson (24-of-60, .400); Zak Irvin (22-of-58, .379); Mortiz Wagner (15-of-30, .500); Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (14-of-46, .304).
• Thirty-nine percent of Michigan’s offensive production come via the 3-ball, making 125 triples (375) and totaling 970 points this season. Michigan ranks third in the league in triples per game (9.6), while the Wolverines rank fourth in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (.379).
• Senior Mark Donnal (6.5 ppg and 3.2 rpg) is the younger brother of Andrew Donnal, who was an offensive lineman at Iowa (2012-14).
• Mark Donnal and Duncan Robinson were starters last year and are now combing to average 15.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game off the bench this season as seniors.
• Michigan ranks first nationally in fewest fouls per game (14.1), third in fewest turnovers per game (9.5), fourth in free throw percentage (.801), 14th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.53), 17th in scoring defense (60.8), and 30th in 3-pointers made per game (9.6).Individually, Derrick Walton, Jr. ranks 10th in the country in free throw accuracy (.929).
• Michigan and Iowa have played one common opponent: Kennesaw State. The Hawkeyes beat the Owls, 91-74, on Nov. 11 in Iowa City, while the Wolverines also cruised to a 82-55 triumph on Dec. 3 in Ann Arbor.
• John Bielein is in his 39th season as head coach (750-444, .628) and his 10th at Michigan (199-126, .612). Beilein is looking to become just the second Michigan coach with 200-plus wins, joining Johnny Orr, who is the all-time leader with 209.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Michigan holds a 91-62 advantage in the series that began with a 19-15 Wolverine win in 1912. The Wolverines have won 11 of the last 17, but the Hawkeyes have won the last four, including sweeping both meetings last season.
Iowa owns a 37-36 edge in games played in Iowa City. Iowa holds a 16-13 edge in games played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Michigan has lost its last three contests at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, dating back to 2012.
Three of the last six Iowa-Michigan games played in Iowa City have gone to overtime, dating back to 2009. Iowa won two of those three overtime contests.
LAST MEETING
• Iowa posted a 71-61 win over Michigan in Ann Arbor on March 5, 2016.
• Jarrod Uthoff led all scorers with 29 points. He also added seven boards, four steals, and three blocks. He became just the fourth player from a major conference the past 10 seasons to post 29+ points, 7+ rebounds, 4+ steals, and 3+ blocks in a game (Kevin Durant, Texas; Andrew Wiggins, Kansas; Ben Simmons, LSU).
• Mike Gesell dished out 11 assists, tying Steve Carfino for most assists in a game by a Hawkeye against the Wolverines; Carfino had 11 assists versus Michigan in 1982.
• Iowa registered 19 assists, while turning over the ball only eight times.
• Three Wolverines scored in double figures: Derrick Walton (14), Zak Irvin (11), and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (10).
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 seven. In 14 total games, Pemsl has scored in double digits eight times and is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds, while shooting a Big Ten-best 71.8 percent (56-of-78) from the field.
In his seven starts, he is averaging 13.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. He has scored in double figures in six of seven starts. Pemsl has made a staggering 75.5 percent of his shot attempts, missing 12 (37-of-49), in his seven starts.
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 21.9 points so far this season as a senior (+5.8). 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. He enters Sunday’s game having made 19 straight. The school record for consecutive free throws made is 34 set by Chris Street (Jan. 2-Jan. 16, 1993).
Jok ranks 17th nationally in points per game (21.9), eighth in free throw accuracy (.930), and 40th in 3-pointers per contest (3.07). His 21.9 scoring average is third best among players from Power 5 conferences.
Jok has made 175 career 3-pointers, which are the seventh most in program history. He is 18 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
• In two games against Michigan last season, Peter Jok averaged 16.5 points and 3.5 rebounds. Dom Uhl averaged five points and 2.5 rebounds against the Wolverines a year ago.
• Iowa is 56-10 when scoring 80 points or more, the last seven seasons. The Hawkeyes are 63-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points, the last seven years.
• As a team, Iowa ranks 22nd nationally in assists per game (17.8), 32nd in scoring offense (83.4) and 68th in 3-pointers made (9.3).
• 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 this season.
• After scoring in double figures once in 27 games last year, Brady Ellingson has netted double digits four times 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).
• Iowa has scored 90 points or more five 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.
• 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.
• Iowa has won 44 of its last 47 nonconference home games, dating back to 2012.
• 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.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,720 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,601-1,119 (.589). Iowa’s 1,601 wins are 39th most among Division I programs. That includes a 1,022-357 (.741) record in home games, a 575-759 (.431) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 752-758 (.498) mark in Big Ten games and a 427-131 (.765) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HAWKEYES SWEPT 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.
2 HAWKEYES SIDELINED DUE TO INJURIES
Dale Jones and Tyler Cook have missed time due to hand injuries suffered in November.
Cook fractured his right index finger during a practice on Thanksgiving at the Emerald Coast Classic. He missed seven games before returning to action last Wednesday against No. 15 Purdue (12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist). Cook, who started the first six games of his collegiate career, ranks second on the team in scoring (13.4 points per game) and fourth in rebounding (4.9 rebounds per game).
Jones suffered a fracture in his right wrist in Iowa’s game against Seton Hall (Nov. 17) and is expected to miss another month. 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.
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.
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 hit the road for a midweek contest against Nebraska in Lincoln on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 8:06 p.m. (CT) at Pinnacle Bank Arena. It will mark the third straight season that the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers will have played on Jan. 5.
