Men's Hoops Plays Colorado Friday Night

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THE SETTING
Iowa (7-6, 0-2) looks to extend its three-game win streak Friday evening when the Hawkeyes take on Colorado (8-3, 0-0). Tipoff is set for 8:07 p.m. (CT) at the Sanford Pentagon (3,200) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The game sold out in 13 minutes when tickets when on sale to the general public in September.

ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles 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: Friday’s game will be televised nationally on BTN (BTN2GO). Kevin Kugler and Jon Crispin will call the action.

HAWKEYE HOOPS HUDDLE
Join fellow Hawkeye fans and a live DJ for a pregame huddle on Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Will’s Training Table in Sioux Falls (4021 North Bobhalla Drive), across the street from the Sanford Pentagon. Hawkeye Hoops Huddles are presented by the National I-Club. Admission is free.
    For more details on the Hawkeye Huddles visit jointheiclub.com or find the National I-Club (@jointheiclub) on Facebook and Twitter. 

GAME #14 STORYLINES
•    Friday will be the first meeting between Iowa and Colorado since 1995. The Hawkeyes own a slim, 4-3, advantage over the Buffaloes on the previous seven meetings.
•    Both Iowa’s Fran McCaffery and Colorado’s Tad Boyle are in their eighth season as head coach at their respective institution.
•    Both Iowa and Colorado have strong rebounding margins. The Hawkeyes average +7.2 more rebounds than their opponents, while Colorado is +7.0.
•    The Hawkeyes are seeking their first four-game win streak since of the season. Iowa has won its last three contests versus Southern, Drake, and Southern Utah.
•    Tyler Cook has dunked the ball eight times during Iowa’s three-game win streak, including a season-best six in Iowa’s versus Drake. Cook has 27 dunks this season.
•    Iowa has netted 90 points or more in six of its seven wins. The Hawkeyes scored 85 points in its other victory.
•    Iowa is shooting the basketball at a 53 percent clip in its seven victories and has made 51 percent of its field goal attempts in its six home games.
•    Nicholas Baer has led the team in rebounding in each of the last two games, grabbing a career-high 14 boards against Drake and 10 versus Southern Utah.
•    Iowa is 7-0 when scoring 80 points or more and 4-0 when Iowa has fewer turnovers than its opponent this season.
•    The Hawkeyes rank 16th in the country in assists per game, averaging 19.2 per contest.
•    Last Saturday’s game against Drake University was the first regular season game in which all 16 players on the roster were active and uninjured. Iowa had at least one player injured the first 11 games of the season.
•    Jordan Bohannon ranks 37th nationally in 3-point percentage (.461) and is averaging 2.7 3-pointers made per game, which ranks first in the Big Ten and 103rd in the country.
•    Iowa’s top six scorers are underclassmen with sophomore Tyler Cook leading the pack (13.8). Freshmen Luka Garza ranks first in rebounding (6.8) and blocks (1.2), rookie Jack Nunge leads the team in steals (0.8), and sophomore Jordan Bohannon ranks first in assists (4.8).
•    Fran McCaffery has 395 wins in 22 seasons as a head coach; he is five victories from reaching the 400-win milestone.

HAWKEYES CRUISE TO VICTORY OVER SOUTHERN UTAH
Iowa shot 50 percent or better from the field in both halves, cruising to a 92-64 win over Southern Utah Tuesday night inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.
•    Iowa tied a season high with 25 assists, while only turning the ball over 12 times. The 25 assists ties for the sixth most in a single game during the Fran McCaffery era.
•    Three Hawkeyes netted double figures: Luka Garza (17), Isaiah Moss (16), and Tyler Cook (16). Garza reached double figures for the third straight game.
•    Nicholas Baer stuffed the stat sheet again, collecting 10 rebounds, five points, two assists, two steals, and one blocked shot. Baer has led the squad in rebounding in each of the last two games.
•    The Hawkeyes owned the glass, pulling down 19 more rebounds than the Thunderbirds. Iowa corralled a season-high 38 defensive rebounds.
•    Point guard Jordan Bohannon was credited with seven assists for the second straight game and fourth time this season.
•    Luka Garza was 7-of-8 from the foul line, making his first seven attempts.
•    Iowa held Southern Utah to 39 percent shooting from the field. Brandon Better and Jadon Cohee led the Thunderbirds with 12 points each.

SCOUTING COLORADO
•    Colorado, who won its first six games of the season, enters Friday’s game with an 8-3 record. The Buffaloes are 3-0 at neutral sites. Colorado’s three setbacks came on the road to Xavier and Colorado State and at home to San Diego.
•    The Buffaloes played their last game on Dec. 15, winning a double overtime thriller over South Dakota State (112-103) in Boulder, Colorado.
•    Colorado played at the Sanford Pentagon once before, losing to Iowa State (68-62) in the 2015-16 season opener.
•    In Colorado’s last game, the Buffaloes drained a season-best 13 3-pointers (all in regulation) in the double overtime win over the Jackrabbits. Six players scored in double figures with all six leading scorers coming off the bench, including McKinley Wright’s team-best 30 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds.
•    Three Buffaloes average in double figures in scoring: McKinley Wright (16.6), George King (14.6), and Namon Wright (11.5). King also leads the squad in rebounding, averaging 8.6 rebounds per contest.
•    Colorado ranks 23rd nationally in defensive rebounding (29.45) and 45th in rebounding margin (7.0). Individually, George King ranks 73rd in the country in rebounds per game (8.6) and 86th in defensive rebounds per contest (6.0).
•    Colorado’s roster of 15 players includes eight freshmen, four seniors, two sophomores, and one junior.
•    Colorado and Iowa have played two common opponents: Drake and South Dakota State. The Hawkeyes beat Drake (94-60), but lost to South Dakota State (80-72) at the Cayman Islands Classic. The Buffaloes topped South Dakota State (112-103) in double overtime and edged Drake (86-81) at the Paradise Jam.
•    Tad Boyle is in his eighth year at the helm of Colorado’s basketball team. Boyle has 157 career wins at Colorado, ranking third on the Colorado all-time coaching list. Boyle has guided Colorado to four NCAA Tournaments and two NIT appearances.

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa leads the all-time series with Colorado, 4-3. Iowa has won the last two meetings against Colorado, including a 100-85 triumph in Boulder on Dec. 28, 1995. 
    The two schools played one previous neutral site contest with the Buffaloes topping the Hawkeyes, 75-54, in a Final Four Consolation Game played in Kansas City, Missouri.

GARZA SHINES IN EARLY SEASON GAMES
Freshman Luka Garza ranks first on the team in rebounding (6.8) and blocked shots (1.2), second in free throws made (35) and attempts (63), and is fourth in scoring (9.9).
    Garza has netted double figures in each of the last three games — all wins (23 points versus Southern, 13 against Drake, and a team-best 17 versus Southern Utah). He had his best game as a collegiate player against Southern, registering personal bests in scoring (23) and rebounding (13). Garza was credited with a personal-best three steals in Iowa’s triumph over Drake. 
    Garza has made 19 of his last 24 free throws (.792) after starting the season 16-of-39 (.410) from the charity stripe. Additionally, he has shot 50 percent or better from the field in each of the last six games, making a combined 22-of-36 (.611) during that span.
    Against Chicago State on Nov. 10, Garza became the second Hawkeye in the last 20 years to register 16 points and five rebounds in their debut (Aaron White in 2011).
    Garza followed up that performance against Chicago State (16 points, 5 rebounds) with a double-double against Alabama State. The native of Washington, D.C. had 11 points and a game-best 13 rebounds. Garza is the fifth Hawkeye to post a double-double in either his first or second game over the last 20 years, joining Dean Oliver, Reggie Evans, Devon Archie, and Aaron White. Garza’s efforts in those first two wins garnered the forward Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,753 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,619-1,134 (.588). Iowa’s 1,619 wins are 39th most among Division I programs. That includes a 1,035-361 (.741) record in home games, a 580-770 (.429) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 762-766 (.499) mark in Big Ten games and a 440-135 (.765) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

COOKIN’ WITH TYLER
Tyler Cook ranks first in scoring (13.8) and is second in rebounding (6.6). Cook has made a team-best 58.2 percent of his field goal attempts (minimum 100 attempts). The native of St. Louis has grabbed six or more rebounds in 10 of 13 games, including a career-best 12 against Penn State. He had the best game of his collegiate career against UAB on Nov. 22 (29 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field and 13-of-16 from the free throw line).
    During Iowa’s three-game win streak, Cook is averaging 15.7 points. He made 20-of-30 (.667) field goals and 7-of-9 (.778) free throws. He dunked the ball eight times during that stretch, including a season-high six versus Drake. Cook has 27 dunks this season.
    Cook ranks 11th in the league in field goal accuracy (.582) and 16th in rebounding (6.6). He has one double-double to his credit this season (Penn State).
    Not only has Cook done a good job getting to the free throw line, but making his foul shots. Cook ranks 63rd nationally in free throw attempts (71) and 91st in free throw makes (51).

BACK IN ACTION
Sophomore forward Cordell Pemsl had successful sports hernia surgery in May. Pemsl did not participate in the Prime Time League nor Iowa’s exhibition games overseas.
    Pemsl is averaging six points and 5.8 rebounds in 12 contests. The native of Dubuque, Iowa, reached double figures for the third time this season, scoring 10 points and snagging eight rebounds before leaving Iowa’s game at Iowa State on Dec. 7, due to injury. Pemsl did not play against Southern on Dec. 10, however returned to action versus Drake last Saturday posting eight rebounds and six points in 12 minutes of action. He contributed eight points and four rebounds in Iowa’s victory over Southern Utah.
    Pemsl netted a game-high 15 points in Iowa’s win over Alabama State on Nov. 12. He had a personal-best 14 rebounds and a career-best six assists at Virginia Tech. The 14 boards against the Hokies are the third most by a Big Ten player this season. 
    Pemsl started 14 of 34 games a year ago, averaging 8.9 points and five rebounds per contest. The forward shot a single-season school record 61.7 percent (116-of-188) from the field his during freshman campaign.

FRAN McCAFFERY TO BE INDUCTED INTO SIENA HALL OF FAME
The Siena Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2017 includes former men’s basketball head coach Fran McCaffery. McCaffery and three others, including former player Ronald Moore (2009-12), will be enshrined in a special ceremony on Feb. 18 at the Times Union Center, prior to the men’s basketball game versus Monmouth.
    McCaffery led Siena to the most decorated five-year run in program history, which culminated with the Saints being the only Division I program to win both their regular season and tournament championships for three consecutive years from 2008-10. The Philadelphia native amassed a 112-51 (.687) overall record from 2005-10, including a 68-22 (.756) mark in the MAAC. McCaffery guided Siena to four straight 20-win seasons and MAAC Tournament Championship Game appearances. Named the 2009-10 NABC District I Coach of the Year and 2008-09 MAAC Coach of the Year, he led Siena to school record-tying 27-win seasons in each of his last two years at the helm, which included a program record 15-game winning streak in his final campaign. McCaffery both recruited and coached four fellow Siena Athletics Hall of Famers, and three of the top-five scorers in program history. 

CONNOR McCAFFERY TO PLAY FRESHMAN SEASON
Freshman guard Connor McCaffery announced his decision earlier this month to play his freshman season on the basketball court. McCaffery will join the baseball team upon conclusion of the basketball season. A decision as to whether or not McCaffery will redshirt baseball this spring will be determined at that time.
    However, the guard’s start to his freshman year started slow. After playing in Iowa’s two exhibition games, McCaffery missed Iowa’s first 10 regular season games. McCaffery sat out the first two games due to a sprained ankle, while missing the following eight outings due to illness (mono).
    McCaffery played his first game of the season on Dec. 10, against Southern University. 

MISSING IN ACTION
Iowa’s game against Drake University on Dec. 16, was the first regular season game this season where Iowa had all 16 players active. 

• Connor McCaffery: first 10 games (2 games, ankle; 8 games mono)
• Nicholas Baer: first six games (finger)
• Ahmad Wagner: UAB (shoulder)
• Ryan Kriener: Indiana (concussion)
• Cordell Pemsl: Southern University (leg laceration)

STANDING TALL
Iowa has a nine players on its 16-play roster who stand 6-foot-7 or taller. The Hawkeyes own a +7.2 rebounding margin, which ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 41st nationally. Iowa averages 41.8 rebounds per game, which ranks 13th in the country. Iowa has only averaged 40 rebounds or more per game once since the 1996-97 season (40.3 in 2013-14).

BOHANNON NAMED CANDIDATE FOR BOB COUSY AWARD
Sophomore Jordan Bohannon is on the 20-player watch list for the 2018 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award. The annual honor recognizes the top point guards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
    Bohannon joins Minnesota’s Nate Mason and Bryant McIntosh of Northwestern as the only Big Ten student-athletes on the national list. 
    The native of Marion, Iowa, has had a great start to the 2017-18 campaign, dishing out a team-best 63 assists, and averaging 11.9 points. He is shooting a Big Ten-best 46 percent (minimum 75 attempts) from 3-point range and 82.8 percent (24-of-29) from the free throw line. He is averaging 2.7 3-pointers made per game, which ranks second in the league and 103rd in the country. His 46 percent shooting from 3-point range ranks 37th nationally.
    Bohannon, one of five players named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, led the Hawkeyes in assists (175) and 3-pointers made (89), and was third in scoring (10.9 ppg). He was one of only two freshmen in the country over the last 25 seasons to register 175+ assists and 85+ 3-pointers. His 89 triples shattered Iowa’s single-season freshman record, besting Matt Gatens’ previous mark of 52 set in 2009. Bohannon’s 175 assists are the most by an Iowa freshman and rank eighth-best by any Hawkeye player in a single season. He finished the season by posting a school-record three straight double-doubles in points and assists (Indiana, South Dakota, and TCU). Bohannon helped lead Iowa to a win at nationally-ranked Maryland, draining eight 3-pointers (8-of-10) — the most by a Hawkeye rookie and one shy of Chris Kingsbury’s school record.

TRIPLE PLAY
Jordan Bohannon finished his rookie season with a flurry, posting a school-record three straight double-doubles in points and assists.
    Bohannon tallied 24 points and 10 assists against Indiana at the Big Ten Tournament on March 9. The native of Marion, Iowa, then registered 19 points and 11 assists against South Dakota on March 15 in the first round of the NIT. Bohannon bested that performance again on March 19, posting personal bests in scoring (25) and assists (13). The 13 helpers are the most by a Hawkeye in a postseason game.

HAWKEYE FASTBREAKS
•    Iowa scored 90 points or more nine times in 2016-17. The Hawkeyes netted 90-plus points in six of their seven victories.
•    Iowa has won 50 of its last 54 nonconference home games, dating back to 2012.
•    Iowa is one of only three teams to have posted a Big Ten record of .500 or better each of the last five seasons (Michigan State and Wisconsin).
•    Iowa is 72-15 when scoring 80 points or more, the last eight seasons. The Hawkeyes are 67-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points, the last eight years.
•    Fran McCaffery and his coaching staff are the first in program history to win 18 games or more in six straight seasons. McCaffery’s 137 victories rank second behind Tom Davis (152) for most in the first seven seasons as Iowa’s head coach. 
•    Fran McCaffery has guided Iowa to upper division finishes in the Big Ten in each of the last five seasons. McCaffery has accumulated 17 first division finishes in 21 years as a head coach.

HAWKEYES GO UNDEFEATED IN EUROPE
Iowa finished its European Tour with a perfect record in August notching wins in Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. 
    Four Hawkeyes averaged in double figures in the four games. Freshman Luka Garza averaged a double-double (22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds), sophomore Isaiah Moss averaged 12.5 points, Cook averaged 12.3 points, while Ryan Kriener averaged 11.3 points. As a team, the Hawkeyes shot 48.6 percent from the field, out-rebounded their opponents by 18, and had a +5.8 turnover margin.
    Iowa played its first game in Germany, the home of Hawkeye senior Dom Uhl. The native of Frankfurt, Germany, had seven points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block in his homecoming. 
    Garza led the team in scoring in all four games.

RECENT GRADUATES PLAYING PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL
A number of recent Iowa basketball graduates are playing professionally: Melsahn Basabe (Poland), Anthony Clemmons (Kazakhstan), Gabriel Olaseni (Spain), Jarrod Uthoff (NBA G League: Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Peter Jok (NBA G League: Northern Arizona Suns), Adam Woodbury (NBA G League: Westchester Knicks), and Aaron White (Lithuania).

A CLOSER LOOK AT IOWA’S FRESHMEN PRODUCTION IN 2016-17
•    Iowa’s six freshmen accounted for 48.8 percent of Iowa’s offense, besting Iowa’s 1943-44 freshmen class who averaged 40.7 points.
•    Iowa freshmen scored in double figures a program-best 62 times, besting the 1997-98 squad (42).
•    For the first time in program history, Iowa had four freshmen score at least 20 points in a single game: Tyler Cook (24 vs. Seton Hall; 21 at Maryland); Jordan Bohannon (24 at Maryland; 23 at Notre Dame; 24 vs. Indiana; 25 vs. TCU); Isaiah Moss (21 vs. Stetson); Cordell Pemsl (21 vs. Stetson). 
•    For the first time in school history, Iowa had five freshmen reach double digits in scoring in a game throughout the season: Tyler Cook, Jordan Bohannon, Cordell Pemsl, Ryan Kriener, and Isaiah Moss.
•    Iowa freshmen accumulated 96 combined starts, which is the most in program history.
•    Iowa rookies combined to average 15.4 rebounds per game, second behind the 2000-01 squad (16.3 rpg).

ON THE HORIZON
Friday will be Iowa’s final game before Christmas. After a brief break, the Hawkeyes will return to action on Friday, Dec. 29, in their nonconference home finale against Northern Illinois (7 p.m.). Tickets are still available via hawkeyesports.com/tickets.