Men's Hoops Plays at Rutgers Tuesday Night

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THE SETTING
Iowa (12-10, 4-5) returns to action Tuesday evening when it plays at Rutgers (12-10, 1-8). Tipoff is set for 6:01 p.m. (CT) at the RAC in Piscataway, New Jersey.
    The Hawkeyes enter Tuesday’s contest in a five-way tie for sixth place in the Big Ten standings.

ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, while Bob Hansen provides expert analysis. The network includes more than 40 stations that blanket the state of Iowa and portions of Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pregame show.
TV: Cory Provus and Dan Bonner will call the action Tuesday on BTN (BTN2GO).

IOWA SNAPS 3-GAME LOSING STREAK, BEATS OHIO STATE
Four Hawkeyes scored in double figures en route to an 85-72 victory over Ohio State Saturday night in Iowa City. Iowa’s win snapped a three-game losing streak.
•    Iowa played the contest without Big Ten-leading scorer Peter Jok (21.0 ppg), who missed his first game since Nov. 15, 2015 due to injury (back).
•    Iowa underclassmen accounted for 79 of its 85 points, including 51 points from five freshmen.
•    Sophomore Brady Ellingson scored a team-best 17 points, bolstered by a career-high five 3-pointers. Freshman Ryan Kriener equaled a personal best with 14 points, while freshman Tyler Cook contributed 13 points and rookie Jordan Bohannon had 12 points.
•    Sophomore Nicholas Baer started his ninth game of the season, posting team bests in rebounding (8) and blocked shots (3), while also totaling six points and three assists.
•    Iowa amassed 21 assists on 32 baskets and only turned the ball over nine times. Dom Uhl (6) and Cordell Pemsl (5) posted personal bests in assists.
•    Three Buckeyes netted double figures in the only regular season meeting between the two teams: Ja-Sean Tate (17), Kam Williams (14), and JaQuan Lyle (12). Starting center Trevor Thompson was held scoreless in 13 minutes of action, fouling out with 6:43 left.

NEXT-MAN-IN
With Big Ten-leading scorer Peter Jok out of Saturday’s lineup versus Ohio State, Iowa needed other players to fill the void on the perimeter. One of those players was sophomore Brady Ellingson. The 6-foot-4, 193-pound reserve tallied 17 points, bolstered by a career-high five 3-pointers (5-of-7). Ellingson also posted personal bests in minutes played (25), rebounds (4), assists (3), and steals (1). For the year, the sharp-shooter is shooting a team-best 53.7 percent from 3-point territory (22-of-41) and 1.000% at the free throw line (18-of-18).

SCOUTING RUTGERS
•    Rutgers (RPI – 131) started its season 11-1 before losing nine of its last ten games. The 11-1 start is its best start to a season since winning its first 31 games during the 1975-76 season.
•    Three of Rutgers’ eight conference losses have come by nine points or less, including dropping a 61-54 contest in overtime to nationally-ranked Wisconsin Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
•    Corey Sanders (15) and Nigel Johnson (13) led the Scarlet Knights in Saturday’s loss to Wisconsin. Rutgers outrebound the Badgers, 44-41. Both teams struggled shooting the ball from 3-point range: Rutgers (3-of-10, .300) and Wisconsin (3-of-25, .120).
•    Corey Sanders (15.4 ppg) is the only Scarlet Knight averaging double figures in conference play. In all games, Nigel Johnson averages 11.5 points and Deshawn Freeman averages 11.1 points.
•    Rutgers ranks first in the Big Ten in rebounding (42.2), second in field goal percentage defense (.391), third in the Big Ten in scoring defense (65.1) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.309), fourth in rebounding margin (+7.1), and fifth in steals (6.7). The Scarlet Knights are last in scoring offense (66.9), free throw percentage (.628), 3-pointers made (4.1), and 3-point field goal percentage (.288).
•    Deshawn Freeman ranks fourth in the league in rebounding (8.3), C.J. Gettys is seventh in field goal percentage (.592), and Corey Sanders is tied for fifth in steals per contest (1.5). Mike Williams is Rutgers’ main 3-point weapon, making 30-of-88 attempts (.341).
•    Rutgers is fourth nationally in offensive rebounding (15.0), 16th in blocked shots (5.5) and field goal percentage defense (.391), and 19th in rebound margin (+7.1). Individually, Deshawn Freeman ranks 41st in the country in double-doubles (8).
•    Steve Pikiell is in his 12th season as a head coach and his first season at Rutgers. 

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Tuesday will be only the fifth meeting between Iowa and Rutgers. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 against the Scarlet Knights, including a 1-0 record in Piscataway, New Jersey.
    Iowa won 87-73, on March 17, 1989, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Providence, Rhode Island; 81-47 in Iowa City on Feb. 19, 2015; 90-76 last season in Piscataway; and 68-62 last month in Iowa City.

LAST MEETING
Iowa outscored Rutgers 26-11 the final 10:12 to rally from a nine-point second-half deficit to upend Rutgers, 68-62, on Jan. 8, in Iowa City. The win was Iowa’s fourth straight over the Scarlet Knights.
•    Peter Jok had team bests in points (18) and rebounds (11) to register his third double-double of the season.
•    Junior Dom Uhl netted a season-high 10 points, blocked a career-high five shots, and snagged eight rebounds.
•    Freshman point guard Jordan Bohannon was credited with a personal-best eight assists to go along with his eight points.
•    Iowa outscored Rutgers 16-2 at the free throw line, with all 18 combined free throws made coming in the second half.
•    Deshawn Freeman led Rutgers with a double-double (19 points, 13 rebounds).

ROOKIE FLOOR GENERAL
After having two veteran point guards graduate last spring (Mike Gesell and Anthony Clemmons), Jordan Bohannon has done a fantastic job directing the Hawkeye offense as a freshman. Bohannon ranks first on the team in assists (4.7), second in minutes played (28.1), free throw accuracy (.893) and 3-pointers made (45), and fourth in scoring (8.8). He has netted 17 or more points in four games and led the squad in assists a team-best 16 times. 
    Bohannon netted 12 of his 17 points in the second half and overtime in Iowa’s triumph over Michigan on New Year’s Day. He also had six assists and no turnovers. The native of Marion, Iowa, nearly had his first double-double versus No. 17/19 Purdue on Jan. 12, with 12 points and a personal-best nine assists.

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 points this season as a senior (+4.9). The +9.1 improvement last year was tops among Big Ten players.
    Jok did not play in Iowa’s last game versus Ohio State (back). The Hawkeye senior’s status for Tuesday’s game at Rutgers is unclear as he is day-to-day.
    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, and a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award. Jok scorched 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, who has led the Hawkeyes in scoring each of the last six games, 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 20th nationally in points per game (21.0), ninth in free throw accuracy (.915), and 44th in 3-pointers per contest (2.9). His 21.0 scoring average is fourth among players from Power 5 conferences. Jok has scored 25 points or more eight times this year, which ties for sixth nationally.
    Jok has made 193 career 3-pointers, which are the seventh most in program history. He is only one triple from surpassing 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 (Italy), Gabriel Olaseni (Italy), Darius Stokes (Australia), Jarrod Uthoff (NBA D-League: Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Aaron White (Russia), and Adam Woodbury (NBA D-League: Fort Wayne Mad Ants).

NOT YOUR AVERAGE BAER
Sophomore Nicholas Baer ranks first on the squad in blocks (1.4), steals (1.3) and rebounding (6.2), and is tied for third in assists (1.8). His is the only reserve in the Big Ten with 150+ points, 135+ rebounds, 25+ steals, and 30+ blocked shots this season. The forward was in the starting lineup in Iowa’s last contest against Ohio State on Saturday. Baer is ninth in the Big Ten in steals (1.3) and blocked shots (1.4).
    The native of Bettendorf, Iowa, has led the team in steals six times this year, being credited with three steals or more in a game a team-best five 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. He has pulled down 10 or more rebounds in two of his last five games (11 at Nebraska and 10 versus No. 17/19 Purdue).

KRIENER MAKING MOST OF OPPORTUNITY
Iowa got six crucial points against nationally-ranked Purdue on Jan. 12, from freshman reserve Ryan Kriener. The skilled big man followed up that performance with a career night at Northwestern on Jan. 15, posting personal bests in scoring (14), minutes (22), and 3-pointers made (1). He had six rebounds, four points, one assist, and one steal versus Maryland on Jan. 19 and tied a personal high with 14 points and grabbed a season-best seven boards in Iowa’s win over Ohio State last Saturday night in Iowa City. 
    In his first ten games played, Kriener averaged 6.8 minutes per game, but has averaged 14.2 minutes per contest over a span of the last six games. Kriener is shooting a robust 59.6 percent (31-of-52) from the floor this season.

A CLOSER LOOK AT IOWA’S FRESHMEN PRODUCTION
•    For the first time in program history, Iowa has had four freshmen score at least 20 points in a game: Tyler Cook (24 vs. Seton Hall); Jordan Bohannon (23 at Notre Dame); Isaiah Moss (21 versus Stetson); Cordell Pemsl (21 versus Stetson). 
•    For the first time in school history, Iowa has had five freshmen reach double figures in scoring in a game: Tyler Cook, Jordan Bohannon, Cordell Pemsl, Ryan Kriener, and Isaiah Moss.
•    Iowa freshmen have accumulated 60 combined starts this season, which ranks third most in program history. Iowa’s 2013 freshmen class had 81 starts, and the 2010 squad accumulated 62 starts.

PEMSL MAKING THE MOST OF HIGH PERCENTAGE SHOTS
Freshman Cordell Pemsl has had a great start to his collegiate career. The native of Dubuque, Iowa, has started 14 games, while coming off the bench eight times. In 22 total games, Pemsl has scored in double digits 10 times and is averaging nine points and 4.9 rebounds, while shooting a Big Ten-best and 18th-best nationally 63.4 percent (78-of-123) from the field. He has scored in double figures in eight of the 14 starts. 

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
•    Nine of the 14 Big Ten teams have five or more losses in conference play entering this week’s competition.
•    Ryan Kriener became the 10th different Hawkeye to have reached double figures in a game this season after netting 14 at Northwestern on Jan. 15.
•    Iowa is 59-11 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.
•    Iowa has scored 90 points or more six times this season.
•    Iowa has amassed 28 Big Ten wins the last three seasons, a total that ties Indiana for fifth most in the conference: Wisconsin (35), Maryland (33), Purdue (30), and Michigan State (30).
•    Peter Jok totaled 29 points, six rebounds, and a career-best eight assists vs. No. 17/19 Purdue on Jan. 12. Jok became just the third Big Ten player with at least 29 points, six rebounds, and eight assists in a game versus a ranked foe in the last 20 years (Minnesota’s Nate Mason in 2017 and Denzel Valentine of Michigan State in 2016). Additionally, he is the first Hawkeye to post those numbers in any game since Adam Haluska had 31 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds vs. Coppin State in 2006.
•    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.
•    After scoring in double figures once in 27 games last year, Brady Ellingson has netted double digits five 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 played in back-to-back overtime games (Michigan and Nebraska) for the first time since Dec. 25 and Dec. 27, 1984.
•    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 in a game in school history and are the most points 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.
•    Iowa made all 13 of its free throw attempts at No. 15 Purdue on Dec. 28. 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.
•    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.
•    The 183 points in the Iowa-Nebraska double overtime game on Jan. 5 are the most points scored in the 28-game series history.
•    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 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.

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.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,728 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,605-1,123 (.588). Iowa’s 1,605 wins are 39th most among Division I programs. That includes a 1,026-358 (.741) record in home games, a 575-762 (.430) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 756-762 (.498) mark in Big Ten games and a 431-132 (.765) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

VOTE FOR McCAFFERY IN THE CHARITY COACHES CHALLENGE
Iowa’s Fran McCaffery is one of 48 collegiate coaches taking part in the annual Coaches Charity Challenge. Fan participation determines the ultimate winner over an eight-week period. The tournament is divided into four rounds. 
    Thanks to your votes, coach McCaffery was one of 24 coaches to advance to the next round. The coaches with the most votes will advance to the quarterfinals and earn more money for their charity. Visit Iowa’s social media sites @IowaHoops on Twitter and /hawkeyehoops on Facebook for more information on how to vote for McCaffery and Coaches vs. Cancer.

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.