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FINAL IOWA HAWKEYE NOTES 2017-18
• Jordan Bohannon (media) and Tyler Cook (media and coaches) were named honorable mention all-Big Ten.
• The Hawkeyes registered their third largest comeback in school history, and second largest on the road, when they rallied from a 20-point deficit at Illinois on Jan. 11.
• Jordan Bohannon shares Iowa’s consecutive free throws made record with Chris Street (1993) at 34 straight. Bohannon had an opportunity to break the record in the regular season finale versus Northwestern but chose to miss, saying after the game, “it’s not my record to have.”
• Tyler Cook recorded seven double-doubles as a sophomore, a total that tied for ninth best in the Big Ten and ranked 123rd nationally. The seven double-doubles are the most in a season by a Hawkeye since Adam Woodbury recorded seven his senior season in 2016.
• Nine of Iowa’s 14 victories came at home inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, with four coming on neutral courts, and one on the road (Illinois).
• Jordan Bohannon is the only player in the country over the past 25 seasons to record 150+ assists and 80+ 3-pointers as a freshman (175 assists and 89 3-pointers) and sophomore (178 assists and 96 3-pointers).
• Iowa was 13-1 in 2017-18 when leading with five minutes remaining in the second half. The lone setback came to No. 4 Michigan State on Feb. 6 in Iowa City.
• Isaiah Moss scored 19 points in the final 1:36 at Minnesota on Feb. 21.
• Iowa’s top four scorers were underclassmen, with all four averaging double figures.
• Iowa scored 50 points or more in the second half in five of its last 11 games, including pouring in 63 second-half points at Minnesota on Feb. 21.
• Thirteen of Iowa’s 14 wins came when scoring 80 points or more. Iowa scored 93 points or more in three Big Ten regular season games (Illinois, Minnesota, and MSU) for the first time since 1994-95.
• Jordan Bohannon is one of only six Hawkeyes in program history to amass better than 400 points and 150 assists in a single-season.
• Luka Garza, a two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week honoree, registered four, the most by a Hawkeye freshman since Aaron White’s four in 2011-12.
• Tyler Cook had 60 dunks in 2017-18, including a season-best six in a win over Drake.
• Jordan Bohannon led the Big Ten in free throw shooting percentage (.904, 75-of-83).
• Iowa played only two games in 2017-18 with a full roster (Drake and Southern Utah).
• Jordan Bohannon has six 10+ assists games in his career, matching Cal Wulfsberg for the most by a Hawkeye in program history. Bohannon’s six career double-doubles — all in points and assists — are the most in program history.
• Nicholas Baer became the first Hawkeye to lead the team in steals in back-to-back seasons (1.3 spg in 2017 and 1.0 spg in 2018) since Jeff Horner in 2005 and 2006.
• Luka Garza’s 400 points, 55.7 field goal percentage, and 32 blocked shots rank fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively, for an Iowa freshman in program history.
• Tyler Cook’s 56.6 field goal percentage, 506 points, and 224 rebounds rank, second, sixth, and eighth, respectively, for an Iowa sophomore in program history. Jordan Bohannon’s 178 assists are second most by a Hawkeye sophomore.
• Only four Big Ten teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament (Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, and Ohio State). Nebraska and Penn State were invited to compete in the NIT.
• It was announced after the season that redshirt junior Brady Ellingson and junior Ahmad Wagner were granted a release from their men’s basketball scholarship. Ellingson will be a graduate transfer, while Wagner plans to explore football opportunities.
• Tyler Cook and Isaiah Moss announced after the season that they are testing the NBA Draft process. Cook and Moss have not hired an agent, leaving the door open for a possible return to Iowa for the 2018-19 season. Both have until May 30 to remain in or remove their names from the draft.
HAWKEYES SPLIT TWO GAMES AT BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
Iowa bounced Illinois (96-87) in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament before losing in overtime to eventual champion Michigan (77-71) in the second round. Michigan ultimately went on to become national runners-up in the NCAA Tournament.
• Iowa’s 96 points scored against Illinois are the most scored in a Big Ten Tournament game by the Hawkeyes, while its 61 second-half point production are the most points scored in a half by the Hawkeyes at the Big Ten Tournament.
• Two Hawkeyes netted 20 points or more in their victory over the Illini: Jordan Bohannon (25) and Luka Garza (20).
• The Hawkeyes outrebounded Illinois by 20 (40-20) and outscored the Illini, 20-9, in second chance opportunities.
• Iowa shot the basketball at a 56 percent clip from the field and even better, 57 percent, from 3-point range against the Illini.
• The Hawkeyes held the sharp-shooting Wolverines to 3-of-19 from 3-point range. Michigan missed its first 12 3-point attempts over the first 30 minutes.
• Four Hawkeyes scored in double figures against the Wolverines, led by reserve forward Ryan Kriener’s 14 points. Tyler Cook and Luka Garza each tallied 13 points, while Jordan Bohannon contributed 11. Bohannon was 3-of-11 from 3-point territory, including sinking a game-tying triple with 16 seconds remaining to ultimately send the game into overtime.
• Michigan was 18-of-32 from the foul line, including making seven of its 14 attempts in overtime, while Iowa was 10-of-18 from the charity stripe for the game.
MAKING THE GRADE
Five Hawkeyes were named to the Fall Semester Dean’s List: Nicholas Baer, Brady Ellingson, Connor McCaffery, Jack Nunge, and Charlie Rose. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, students must receive a 3.5 or higher grade-point average (GPA) on at least 12 graded semester hours. It was the first time that each student-athlete earned Dean’s List distinction.
BIG SECOND HALVES FOR THE HAWKEYES
Iowa scored 50 or more second-half points eight times in 2017-18, including five of its last 11 games (50 at Nebraska, 57 versus Minnesota, 51 versus No. 4 Michigan State, 63 at Minnesota, and 61 versus Illinois). The 63 second-half points at the Golden Gophers on Feb. 21 are the most by the Hawkeyes in a half of a Big Ten game since scoring 63 at Michigan on March 4, 1989.
The last time Iowa scored 63 or more points in the second half of a Big Ten game, The Cosby Show was the No. 1 rated television show, Major League and Field of Dreams were released in the movie theaters, gas was $0.97/gallon, and minimum wage was $3.80.
Other Iowa games in 2017-18 netting 50 points or more include Louisiana (54), Southern (50), and Drake (50).
DIRECTING THE HAWKEYE OFFENSE
Jordan Bohannon, an honorable mention all-Big Ten honoree, had a solid sophomore campaign, dishing out a team-best 178 assists, and averaging 13.5 points. He averaged 2.9 3-pointers made per game, which ranked second in the league and 41st in the country. His 3-point percentage (.430) also ranked 22nd nationally. He made five 3-pointers or more in a game nine times, with seven of the nine times coming in games played away from home.
The native of Marion, Iowa, has six 10+ assists games in his career (Indiana, South Dakota, TCU, Ohio State, and Wisconsin), which ties Cal Wulfsberg for the most by a Hawkeye in program history. His six career double-doubles — all in points and assists — are the most in program history.
Bohannon is one of three players from a major conference with 300+ assists and 150+ made 3-pointers through their sophomore season in the last two decades joining Duke’s Jay Williams (2000-01) and Chris Thomas of Notre Dame (2002-03). Additionally, he is the only player nationally over the past 25 years to register 150+ assists and 80+ 3-pointers as a freshman and sophomore.
BOHANNON TIES CHRIS STREET’S CONSECUTIVE FT MADE RECORD
Jordan Bohannon made 34 consecutive free throws from Jan. 4-Feb. 25 to tie Chris Street’s school record for consecutive makes in 1993. Bohannon had an opportunity to break the 25-year old record in the final minutes against Northwestern on Feb. 25.
The Hawkeye sophomore chose to miss on purpose to preserve Street’s name in the record books. After the game Bohannon said, “it was not my record to have; life is bigger than basketball.”
The legendary Chris Street owned the consecutive free throws made school record, making 34 straight over a span of six games (Jan. 2-16, 1993). Street’s streak ended when he was killed in an auto accident on Jan. 19, 1993.
Bohannon’s overall season percentage (.904) ranked first in the Big Ten. Bohannon was 37-of-39 from the charity stripe in 18 Big Ten contests, missing at Indiana (Dec. 4) and versus Northwestern (Feb. 25). Since the purposely missed free throw on Feb. 25, Bohannon finished the season making his final 12 attempts.
GARZA SHINES IN FRESHMAN CAMPAIGN
Freshman Luka Garza led the team in blocked shots (1.0), and was second in rebounding (6.4), double-doubles (4), free throws made (92) and attempts (135), and was third in field goal accuracy (.557) and scoring (12.1). His 6.4 rebounding average and 55.7 shooting percentage ranked first and third, respectively, among Big Ten freshmen.
Garza made 76 of his last 96 free throws (.792), including a stretch of making 14 straight free throws, after starting the season 16-of-39 (.410) from the charity stripe. He posted a team-high 19 and 17 points against No. 3 Purdue and Wisconsin, respectively. He also snagged 16 boards to register his fourth double-double in the victory over Wisconsin; the 16 rebounds are the most by a Hawkeye in a single game since Adam Woodbury had 18 against the Badgers on Feb. 24, 2016.
Garza netted double figures in 15 of Iowa’s last 23 games. He poured in a game-best 22 points (10-of-16 FG, 2-2 FT) at No. 22/21 Michigan. Garza netted 17 of his 19 points in the second half and overtime and snagged 11 rebounds for his third double-double in Iowa’s come-from-behind-victory at Illinois on Jan. 11. He was a perfect 9-of-9 from the foul line against the Fighting Illini.
Garza had a stellar effort against Northern Illinois, going 8-of-8 from the field, including making all three 3-pointers, and going 6-of-8 from the charity stripe, scoring a personal-best 25 points. He also denied a season-best five shots. His performance earned the forward Big Ten Freshman of the Week laurels.
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 garnered the forward Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades.
15 DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Iowa players posted 15 double-doubles in 2017-18, led by sophomore Tyler Cook’s seven. Luka Garza had four, followed by Jordan Bohannon (3), and Nicholas Baer (1).
Cook’s seven double-doubles are the seventh most among Big Ten athletes and the most by a Hawkeye in a single season since Adam Woodbury had seven as a senior in 2015-16. Garza’s four double-doubles are the most by a Hawkeye freshman since Aaron White had four in 2011-12.
COOKIN’ WITH TYLER
Tyler Cook, an honorable mention all-Big Ten selection, ranked first on the team in scoring (15.3), rebounding (6.8), and free throws made (121) and attempted (183).
He had the best game of his career versus UAB (29 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field and 13-of-16 from the free throw line). Cook’s 28-point performance against Indiana on Feb. 17, was the most points scored by the forward against a Big Ten team in his two years as a Hawkeye.
Cook registered 60 dunks this season (1.8 per game), including a season-best six in Iowa’s win over Drake on Dec. 16.
Cook ranked sixth in the league in field goal accuracy (.566) and 11th in rebounding (6.8). The native of St. Louis had a team-best seven double-doubles to his credit this season (Penn State, Illinois, Rutgers, Nebraska, Minnesota, Indiana, and Northwestern). Cook registered six double-doubles in the last 15 contests.
MISSING IN ACTION
Iowa played two games in 2017-18 with a full active roster of 16 (Drake and Southern Utah).
• Connor McCaffery: 29 games (combination of ankle, mono, tonsils)
• Nicholas Baer: first six games (finger)
• Ahmad Wagner: three games (shoulder, ankle, and illness)
• Ryan Kriener: six games (concussions)
• Cordell Pemsl: one game (leg laceration)
• Brady Ellingson: four games (concussion)
HAWKEYE FASTBREAKS
• Fran McCaffery (151) is one victory from tying Steve Alford (152) for third most wins as head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes. McCaffery’s next game will be his 700th career game as a collegiate head coach.
• Iowa is 77-19 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.
• Iowa trailed Illinois, 49-29, with 3:53 left in the first half and ultimately prevailed in overtime. The 20-point comeback is its third largest in school history and second largest on the road. Iowa had a 22-point comeback, also at Illinois, in 1987. The largest comeback in program history is 23 points against Gardner-Webb in 2012 in Iowa City.
• Iowa scored 63 second-half points after scoring only 19 points in the first stanza at Minnesota on Feb. 21. The 44-point differential per half is the second largest in the country this season (46 by Maine vs. Albany). Furthermore, the Hawkeyes netted 22 points in the final 96 seconds of the second half. Isaiah Moss scored 19 of Iowa’s 22 points during that span.
• Iowa and Michigan State combined for 189 points in the Spartans’ 96-93 win in Iowa City on Feb. 6. It was the highest scoring game played between the two teams since 1988 (103-87 Iowa win in East Lansing).
• Iowa had six players score in double figures in two games: Chicago State (Nov. 11) and Minnesota (Jan. 30).
• Isaiah Moss netted 32 points at Minnesota on Feb. 21, which ties for the sixth highest point total in a single game during the Fran McCaffery era.
• Iowa’s 104 points are the most it has ever scored against Illinois in the 109-year series history. Iowa’s 104 points are the most it has scored in a Big Ten game since 1995 against Northwestern (W, 116-77). Iowa topped 100 points in a Big Ten road game for the first time since beating Michigan State, 103-87, on March 3, 1998.
• Iowa’s 18-point victory is over Wisconsin on Jan. 23 (85-67), is its largest margin of victory since beating the Badgers by 25 points (78-53) on Jan. 11, 1997.
• Iowa was credited with 34 assists on 36 field goals in its nonconference finale against Northern Illinois. The 34 assists tie the school single-game record previously set on Dec. 1, 1984 against George Mason and are the most by a Big Ten team this season.
• Iowa was one of three teams (Michigan State and Wisconsin) to post a Big Ten record of .500 or better between 2013-17.
• Iowa is 6-2 in regular season finales under Fran McCaffery.
• Iowa has won 51 of its last 55 nonconference home games, dating back to 2012.
• Fran McCaffery and his coaching staff are the first in program history to win 18 games or more in six straight seasons (2013-18).
• Fran McCaffery has guided Iowa to upper division finishes in the Big Ten in five of the last six seasons. McCaffery has accumulated 17 first division finishes in 22 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.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,773 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,626-1,147 (.586). Iowa’s 1,626 wins are 38th most among Division I programs. That includes a 1,039-366 (.739) record in home games, a 583-778 (.428) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 766-778 (.496) mark in Big Ten games and a 444-140 (.760) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
FRAN McCAFFERY 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 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.
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), Josh Oglesby (NAPB: Rochester RazorSharks); Adam Woodbury (NBA G League: Westchester Knicks), and Aaron White (Lithuania).
RETURN TRIP TO MSG IN NOVEMBER
Iowa will return to the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, Nov. 15-16, when it competes in the 2K Classic benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project. Joining the Hawkeyes in New York will be Syracuse, Oregon and Connecticut.
Tickets for the 2K Classic Championship Rounds go on sale Feb. 28, and may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 866-448-7849 or online at ticketmaster.com.
