Fight For Iowa | Hawk Talk Monthly — December | Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store – https://hawkeyefanshop.com/?utm_source=HawkeyeSports&utm_medium=HawkeyeSports&utm_campaign=HawkeyeSports | Game Notes (PDF)
THE SETTING
Iowa (4-4, 0-1) travels to Bloomington, Indiana, for a Monday night game at Indiana (4-4, 0-1). Tipoff is set for 7:03 p.m. (CT) in Assembly Hall (17,222).
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: Monday’s game will be televised nationally on BTN (BTN2GO). Kevin Kugler and Stephen Bardo will call the action.
GAME #9 STORYLINES
• Both Iowa and Indiana enter Monday’s game having lost two games in a row.
• After playing its first three games of the regular season at home, Iowa is in the middle of a stretch playing six of seven away from Iowa City.
• In two games against Indiana last season, Jordan Bohannon averaged 16.5 points and eight assists. Tyler Cook averaged 11 points and six rebounds, while Cordell Pemsl averaged 11 points and six rebounds.
• Isaiah Moss was named to the Cayman Islands Classic All-Tournament Team after averaging 18 points, leading the team in scoring in its first two games of the tournament.
• Iowa has yet to play a regular season game at full strength. Ahmad Wagner missed the UAB game (shoulder). Nicholas Baer played his first game last Tuesday at Virginia Tech (finger), while Connor McCaffery has missed every game (ankle and mono).
• Iowa’s top seven scorers are underclassmen with sophomores Tyler Cook and Isaiah Moss leading the pack, averaging 15.3 and 13.8 points, respectively. Cook also leads the squad in rebounding (7.3). Freshman Luka Garza has a team-best 13 blocks, rookie Jack Nunge leads the team in steals (10), and sophomore Jordan Bohannon has 38 assists.
• Iowa’s 40 shooting percentage from 3-point range is second-best in the Big Ten. Iowa shot 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from long distance versus UAB on Nov. 22, which is the best shooting performance of any Big Ten team this season.
• Both Ahmad Wagner and Ryan Kriener are 2-of-2 from 3-point range this season.
• Jordan Bohannon (30) and Tyler Cook (29) poured in career highs in scoring in Iowa’s 95-85 triumph over UAB on Nov. 22, at the Cayman Islands Classic.
• Tyler Cook had his consecutive field goals made streak of 22 straight snap on his first attempt in Iowa’s last outing against Alabama State (Nov. 12). The power forward’s streak spanned four games, dating back to the second half versus Indiana at the Big Ten Tournament on March 9, 2017.
• Fran McCaffery has 392 wins in 22 seasons as a head coach; he is eight victories from reaching the 400-win milestone.
• Iowa is 69-15 when scoring 80 points or more, the last eight seasons.
• Iowa ranked first in Big Ten steals (7.4) and scoring offense (80.5), and second in assists (17.7) a year ago.
IOWA EDGED BY PENN STATE IN BIG TEN OPENER
Penn State never trailed in a 77-73 win over Iowa inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Saturday in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
• All 77 of Penn State’s points were scored by their starting five, with Lamar Stevens netting a team-best 22 points.
• Tyler Cook posted his first career double-double on Saturday, registering game bests in scoring (23) and rebounding (12). He also dished out a career-best four assists.
• Iowa had the scoring edge around the basket outscoring the Nittany Lions, 42-26, however Penn State drained a season-best 12 triples while limiting Iowa to just four. Penn State made 52 percent of its 3-point attempts, a season best by an Iowa opponent.
• Nicholas Baer started his first game of the season. The redshirt junior had five rebounds, two blocked shots, and scored four points.
• Iowa shot 50.9 percent from the field, marking the fifth time in eight games that the Hawkeyes have shot the basketball better than 50 percent from the field.
ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS
Indiana holds a 101-76 advantage in the series that began with an 18-12 Hoosier win in 1909. The two teams have split the last 14 meetings, including last year’s two meetings. Iowa won the only regular season meeting between the two teams, 96-90 OT, a year ago in Iowa City on Feb. 21, while Indiana bounced the Hawkeyes from the 2017 Big Ten Tournament, 95-75, in Washington, D.C. on March 9.
Indiana holds a 59-29 advantage in games played at Bloomington. Iowa and Indiana have split the last two meetings at Assembly Hall; Iowa won 77-63 in 2015, while Indiana won 85-78 in 2016.
SCOUTING INDIANA
• Indiana lost its last two games to top-ranked Duke (91-81) and at Michigan (69-55).
• The Hoosiers fell behind at Michigan, 18-4, Saturday afternoon and ultimately fell by a 14-point margin, 69-55. Juwan Morgan was the only Indiana player who scored in double figures, pouring in a game-best 24 points. Michigan made 11 triples, compared to just two for the Hoosiers.
• Monday will be the fifth time in six games the Hoosiers will have played a home contest.
• Three Hoosiers average double figures: Juwan Morgan (13.6), Robert Johnson (13.1), and De’Ron Davis (11.0).
• Indiana is 4-2 at home this season, dropping its season opener to Indiana State (90-69) and to top-ranked Duke last Wednesday night (91-81).
• Only one of Indiana’s eight games have been decided by nine points or less, an 86-77 win over Howard on Nov. 12.
• Indiana ranks last in the Big Ten in scoring defense, yielding 75.1 point per game. The Hoosiers are 13th in free throw percentage (.652) and 3-pointers made per game (5.9). Individually, De-Ron Davis is first in the league in field goal percentage (.692). Robert Johnson is fifth among Big Ten players in minutes played per game (32.8).
• Archie Miller is in his first season as head coach at Indiana and seventh season overall as a collegiate head coach (143-66, .684). Miller last coached against the Hawkeyes on March 13, 2012. Miller’s Dayton Flyers dropped an 84-75 decision at Iowa in the first round of the NIT.
LAST MEETING
Indiana outscored Iowa, 52-33, in the second half, bouncing the Hawkeyes from the Big Ten Tournament in the second round on March 9, at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
• Iowa had its four-game winning streak snapped in the loss to Indiana. The streak began with a home win over Indiana (Feb. 21) and included two road wins over top-25 teams.
• Jordan Bohannon tied an Iowa record with six 3-point field goals in a Big Ten Tournament game (Jeff Horner vs. Minnesota, 2006). Bohannon also distributed 10 assists, which tied Iowa’s Big Ten Tournament record (Horner, 2006 vs. Ohio State).
• Isaiah Moss had a career-best five steals. The five steals were the most by a Hawkeye in 34 games last season and tied an Iowa record in the Big Ten Tournament (Luke Recker, 2002 and Horner, 2006). Moss added 11 points.
• Cordell Pemsl (14 points, 11 boards) and Jordan Bohannon (24 points, 10 assists) both recorded their first career double-doubles.
• Indiana shot 60 percent (35-of-58) from the field, including 60 percent from 3-point range (12-of-20). The Hoosiers made 75 percent (6-of-8) of their 3-point attempts in the second stanza.
• Four Hoosiers scored in double figures: James Blackmon (23), De’Ron Davis (15), Thomas Bryant (11), and Devonte Green (10).
HAWKEYES SHOOTING THE BALL WITH ACCURACY
Other than games against Louisiana (.367) and Virginia Tech (.333), the Hawkeyes have shot the basketball well. The Hawkeyes have shot 50 percent or better in five of their eight games, including shooting a white-hot 60 percent against UAB on Nov. 22. The Hawkeyes shot 59.6 percent against Chicago State, 54.3 percent versus Grambling State, 50.9 percent in a loss to South Dakota State and 50.9 percent in Saturday’s setback to Penn State. Iowa is shooting 48.2 percent from the field.
GARZA SHINES IN EARLY SEASON GAMES
Freshman Luka Garza ranks second on the team in rebounding (7.0), first in blocked shots (1.6), second in free throw attempts (35), and fourth in scoring (8.5).
Garza became just 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.
MOSS ELEVATING HIS GAME
Last year as a redshirt freshman playing alongside honorable mention All-American Peter Jok, Isaiah Moss averaged 6.5 points per game. Through eight games his sophomore campaign, the native of Chicago is averaging 13.8 points per contest, a +7.3 points per game improvement.
Moss has netted double figures in seven of eight games this season. He is shooting 45 percent from the field and has missed only one free throw in 18 attempts.
COOKIN’ WITH TYLER
Tyler Cook is having a solid start to his sophomore campaign. Cook ranks first in scoring (15.3) and rebounding (7.3). Cook has made a team-best 58 percent of his field goal attempts (minimum 50 attempts). The native of St. Louis has grabbed six or more rebounds in all eight games, including a career-best 12 in Iowa’s last game against Penn State on Saturday. 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).
Cook ranks 10th in league scoring (15.3) and 11th in rebounding (7.3). He has one double-double 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 23rd nationally in free throw attempts (60) and 37th in free throw makes (44).
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 5.8 points and 5.9 rebounds after eight contests this season. The native of Dubuque, Iowa, 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 reached double figures for the second time this season in Iowa’s last outing against Penn State on Saturday.
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.
BOHANNON NAMED CANDIDATE FOR BOB COUSY AWARD
Iowa sophomore Jordan Bohannon has been named to 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 38 assists, and averaging 13.4 points. He is shooting 49 percent (24-of-49) from 3-point range and 87.5 percent (21-of-24) from the free throw line. His is averaging three 3-pointers made per game, which ties for first in the league.
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.
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 has been off to a slow start. After playing in Iowa’s two exhibition games, McCaffery missed Iowa’s first eight regular season games. McCaffery sat out the first two games due to a sprained ankle, while he missed Iowa’s last six outings due to illness (mono).
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).
LOTS RETURNING
Iowa is one of 16 teams in the country, including one of two Big Ten teams, returning 70%+ of points, rebounds, and assists.
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.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,748 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,616-1,132 (.588). Iowa’s 1,616 wins are 39th most among Division I programs. That includes a 1,033-361 (.741) record in home games, a 579-768 (.430) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 762-766 (.499) mark in Big Ten games and a 438-135 (.764) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
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 three of their four victories.
• 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 has won 48 of its last 52 nonconference home games, dating back to 2012.
• Iowa is 69-15 when scoring 80 points or more, the last eight seasons. The Hawkeyes are 66-2 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.
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
The Hawkeyes will travel to Ames, Iowa, for a Thursday game at Iowa State. The Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series contest will tipoff at 7 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum. Thursday will conclude a stretch of playing six of seven games away from Iowa City for the Hawkeyes.
