Hawk Talk Monthly — January | Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Fight For Iowa | Game Notes (PDF)
#24/25 RUTGERS (14-4, 5-2) at #19/19 IOWA (13-5, 4-3) |
DATE | Wednesday, Jan. 22 | 8:07 p.m. CT |
LOCATION | Iowa City, Iowa | Carver-Hawkeye Arena |
TICKETS | hawkeyesports.com/tickets |
RADIO | LISTEN | Hawkeye Radio Network | Hawkeye All-Access |
TV | BTN |
LIVE STATS | Sidearm |
LIVE UPDATES | @IowaHoops |
THE SETTING
No. 19/19 Iowa (13-5, 4-3), winners of seven of its last nine games, entertain No. 24/25 Rutgers (14-4, 5-2) on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 8:07 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,056). Tickets are available for purchase at hawkeyesports.com/tickets. Fans are encouraged to wear gold clothing for the annual “Gold Out.”
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.
TV: Wednesday night’s game will be televised nationally on BTN. Jeff Levering and Stephen Bardo will call the action.
COACHES VS. CANCER SUITS & SNEAKERS
Coach McCaffery and staff will wear Nikes on the sidelines during Wednesday’s game versus Rutgers. They are joining coaches from across the country who are taking part in Coaches vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers Week. Coaches vs. Cancer is a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and National Association of Basketball Coaches. The program empowers coaches, their teams and communities to join the fight against cancer by participating in awareness efforts, advocacy programs, and fundraising activities.
GAME #19 STORYLINES
• Iowa’s next two games will be one-plays beginning Wednesday versus Rutgers and the following Monday against Wisconsin.
• Wednesday will be the first-ever ranked matchup between Iowa and Rutgers. Iowa is ranked No. 19, while Rutgers is No. 24 in this week’s Associated Press Poll.
• Iowa is 8-1 at home, winning its last seven straight at Carver-Hawkeye Arena since its only setback to upstart DePaul on Nov. 11. Iowa’s next two contests will be at home: Rutgers (Wednesday) and Wisconsin (Jan. 27).
• Iowa swept this week’s Big Ten weekly honors; Luka Garza was named Big Ten Player of the Week, while CJ Fredrick earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
• Iowa has three true road wins this season and five victories away from Iowa City, tying Michigan State for the most in the Big Ten.
• Luka Garza (22.9) and Joe Wieskamp (14.8) combine to average 37.7 points per game, which is sixth best Division I scoring duo in the country.
• All-America candidate Luka Garza is one of only five players nationally to average better than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. Garza is first in the Big Ten in scoring (22.9 ppg), and second in double-doubles (10), and rebounding (10.2 rpg).
• Iowa leads the Big Ten in scoring offense (79.9); the Hawkeyes led the conference in scoring two of the last six previous seasons, including last year.
• Connor McCaffery is second in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.13).
• Iowa has missed only seven free throws over its last three games combined (52-of-59, .881). The Hawkeyes were 12-of-14 versus Maryland, 13-of-15 at Northwestern, and 27-of-30 against Michigan. Iowa is first in free throw accuracy in league games (.779).
• Luka Garza’s 412 points are the most points through the first 18 games for a Hawkeye since Fred Brown’s 513 in 1970-71. Garza is one of five Big Ten players to have multiple 30-point/10-rebound performances in the same year since 2010-11.
• The Hawkeyes have posted four Quad 1 wins (Maryland, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Michigan) and three Quad 2 victories (Minnesota, Cincinnati, Syracuse).
• Luka Garza amassed 77 points in two games against Michigan this season, the most points by any Big Ten player versus a single opponent in regular season conference play over the last 20 seasons. Garza tallied 44 points at Michigan — the most points scored by an Iowa big man in school history and most by a visiting player in Crisler Center history.
HAWKEYES BEAT MICHIGAN IN IOWA CITY
Trailing by six points with 7:44 remaining, Iowa used a 10-0 run and never relinquished the lead down the stretch in a 90-83 triumph over No. 19/20 Michigan Friday in Iowa City.
• For the first time since Iowa’s win over Illinois on Jan. 20, 2019 (Luka Garza, Joe Wieskamp, Isaiah Moss), the Hawkeyes had three players score 20 points or more in the same game. Big Ten leading scorer, Luka Garza, had 33 points, while CJ Fredrick tied a personal best with 21 and Joe Wieskamp netted 20.
• Garza topped 30 points in a game for the fourth time this season, which ties for fourth best in the country. In two games against the Wolverines this season, Garza totaled 77 points. Garza’s 11 free throws made (13 attempted) is a career high.
• Iowa was a season-best 27-of-30 (.900) from the foul line, making its first 17 attempts. Michigan was 4-of-5 (.800) from the charity stripe.
• Joe Wieskamp’s consecutive free throw streak was snapped at 25 straight. He was 9-of-10 from the foul line, making his first nine attempts before missing his 10th attempt in the second half. Wieskamp eclisped the 20-point plateau for the fourth time this year.
• Connor McCaffery did not score, but grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds, to go along with five assists.
• Four Wolverines scored in double figures: Eli Brooks (25); Franz Wagner (18); Jon Teske (14); and David DeJulius (10).
IOWA SWEEPS BIG TEN WEEKLY HONORS
Luka Garza and CJ Fredrick swept Big Ten weekly honors after their efforts in Iowa’s two wins last week. The player of the week honor is the second of the season for Garza (Dec. 9), while Fredrick earned his first freshman of the week recognition. The last time Iowa swept Player and Freshman of the Week honors was on Dec. 12, 2016 (Peter Jok and Isaiah Moss).
Garza averaged 30 points, five rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in wins over Northwestern and No. 19 Michigan. In the two games combined, Garza was a white-hot 20-of-32 (.625) from the field, including 4-of-6 (.667) from 3-point range, and 16-of-19 (.842) from the foul line.
Garza poured in 33 points, including a career-high 11 free throws made, in a 90-83 triumph over the Wolverines last Friday. Garza torched Michigan for 77 points in two games this season, the most points by any Big Ten player versus a single opponent in regular season conference play over the last 20 seasons. Garza has four 30+ scoring games this year, the most by a Hawkeye since Peter Jok (5) in 2017. Garza’s four 30+ scoring games ranks fifth nationally and most by any player from a Power 5 Conference this year.
In Iowa’s win at Northwestern, Garza led all scorers with 27 points. He scored Iowa’s first 10 points of the game and netted 14 straight points in the second half. In five games against AP Top 25 teams this year, the Hawkeye junior averages 29.8 points and 10.4 rebounds.
Fredrick returned from a foot injury and averaged 16 points, four assists, and three rebounds in both games. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native shot a combined 52.6 percent from the field (10-of-19), including 54.5 percent (6-of-11) from 3-point range, and made all six free throw attempts.
At Northwestern, Fredrick tied personal bests in assists (5) and steals (2) to go along with his 11 points. In the win over the Wolverines, Fredrick tied a personal best with 21 points. The redshirt freshman netted 14 of his 21 points in the second half, including sinking two critical 3-pointers in the final minutes of the contest.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Wednesday will be the ninth meeting between Iowa and Rutgers. The Hawkeyes are 6-2 against the Scarlet Knights, including a 2-1 record in Iowa City.
The Scarlet Knights posted their first victory in Carver-Hawkeye Arena last season with an 86-72 win over Iowa on March 2, 2019.
SCOUTING RUTGERS
• Rutgers enters Wednesday’s game at Iowa winners of eight of its last nine, including home victories over Indiana and Minnesota last week. The Scarlet Knights are tied for second place in the Big Ten with a 5-2 record, its best start since joining the Big Ten, and first time they are three games over .500 in conference play since the start of the 1998-99 Big East season where Rutgers went 9-5.
• Rutgers is ranked No. 24 in this week’s Associated Press Poll. The last time the Scarlet Knights were ranked was the 1978-79 season.
• Rutgers has held eight straight opponents to 65 points or fewer, its longest streak since 1982.
• Rutgers boasts a 13-0 home record and is 1-4 away from Piscataway, including a 1-3 mark in true road contests. Rutgers has played seven of its last nine games at home.
• Four players netted double figures in Sunday’s 64-56 home win over Minnesota. The win handed head coach Steve Pikiell his 250th career head-coaching career win. Montez Mathis, Jacob Young, and Ron Harper Jr. each scored 11 points, while Caleb McConnell contributed 10 points. McConnell also snagged a game-best 12 rebounds.
• Rutgers ranks first in the Big Ten in in scoring defense (58.7) and field goal percentage defense (.364); second in steals (7.0); third in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.292) and scoring margin (+12.3); and fourth in field goal percentage (.460) and rebounding margin (+8.6).
• Two Scarlet Knights average double figures in scoring: Ron Harper Jr. (11.8) and Geo Baker (10.8). Baker returned to action on Jan. 15, versus Indiana after missing three games with a non-shooting hand injury.
• Rutgers ranks sixth in the country in field goal percentage defense (.364); seventh in scoring defense (58.7); and eighth in rebounds per game (41.5).
• Steve Pikiell is in his 15th season as a head coach (250-214, .539) and his fourth season at Rutgers (58-58, .500).
LAST MEETING
Freshman Ron Harper Jr. scored a career-high 27 points to lift the Scarlet Knights to an 86-72 win over Iowa on March 2, 2019, in its home finale in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
• Senior Nicholas Baer led Iowa in scoring for the first time this season in his final home game as a Hawkeye. Baer netted a season-high 17 points, bolstered by equaling a personal high with four 3-pointers made. Baer also grabbed six rebounds.
• Freshman Joe Wieskamp led the team in blocks (2), assists (3), and rebounding (9) to go along with five points.
• Rutgers made 48 percent of its 3-point attempts, with Ron Harper Jr. and Issa Thiam making four triples each.
• Iowa held Rutgers’ top two leading scorers, Geo Baker and Eugene Omoruyi to a combined 11 points. In addition to Harper’s 27 points, Issa Thiam chipped in 13 points, Caleb McConnell tallied 11 points, while Montez Mathis had 10 points.
WIESKAMP’S HEROICS AT PISCATAWAY LAST YEAR
Joe Wieskamp made his first 3-pointer of the game on a banked 3-pointer from the baseline with 0.2 seconds left to propel the visiting Hawkeyes to a 71-69 win at Rutgers on Feb. 16, 2019. Iowa led the Scarlet Knights by two points (68-66) in the closing seconds before Geo Baker rattled home a 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds left to give Rutgers a one-point advantage (69-68) before Wieskamp’s heroics.
BUILT GARZA TOUGH
Luka Garza’s toughness has been on display in every game this season, but none more so than the Texas Tech and Iowa State games. Garza got hit in the mouth versus Texas Tech, received four stitches, then returned down the stretch to lead the Hawkeyes to victory. Against Iowa State, he got hit by an elbow near the basket, which jarred one of his front teeth loose.
ALL-AMERICA CANDIDATE LUKA GARZA
Earlier this month, Luka Garza was named a first-team midseason All-American by Sporting News and named to two national player of the year midseason watch lists (Wooden Award; Lute Olson Award).
Garza is one of only five players in the country (only two players from a Power 5 Conference) averaging better than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. He is tied for first nationally with seven 20-point/10-rebound games this season, 10th in double-doubles (10), third in points per 40 minutes played (29.4), sixth in scoring (22.9), and 24th rebounding (10.2). The native Washington, D.C., has totaled 412 so far this season, the most by a Hawkeye after the first 18 games of a season since Fred Brown’s 513 in 1970-71.
Garza was twice named Big Ten Player of the Week, Dec. 9 and Jan. 20. He averaged 33.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in road games at Syracuse and No. 4 Michigan in early December and averaged 30 points and five rebounds in wins over Northwestern and Michigan.
He is one of 14 Hawkeyes in school history with 1,200 points and 500 rebounds and one of only five Big Ten student-athletes since the 2010-11 season to register multiple 30-point/10-rebounds games in the same season.
Garza has scored 25 points or more in six games (44 at Michigan; 34 vs. Penn State; 30 vs. Oral Roberts; 29 vs. North Florida; 27 at Northwestern; 33 vs. Michigan) and has controlled eight rebounds or more in 16-of-18 contests, including 10 or more 10 times in 2019-20. He has grabbed 12 or more rebounds seven times this year (SIUE, North Florida, Texas Tech, Cincinnati, Penn State, Nebraska, Maryland). He snagged a career-best 18 boards at Nebraska (Jan. 7).
Garza registered 30 points and 10 rebounds against Oral Roberts, and 34 points and 12 boards versus Penn State. He is one of five Big Ten players to have multiple 30-point/10-rebound performances in the same season since the 2010-11 season (Wisconsin’s Ethan Happ, 2018-19; Illinois’ Malcolm Hill, 2015-16; Iowa’s Peter Jok, 2016-17; Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger, 2010-11).
Garza surpassed Kenyon Murray (1993-96) for 24th place on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart as a result of his 33-point outburst versus Michigan on Friday.
GET TO KNOW THE NAME — CJ FREDRICK
Redshirt freshman CJ Fredrick has made an impact on this team. Fredrick was named to the Las Vegas Invitational All-Tournament Team after averaging 13 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds. He equaled a personal-best 21 points in Iowa’s win over Cincinnati.
Fredrick was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Monday after averaging 16 points, four assists, and three rebounds in wins over Northwestern and Michigan.
The native of Cincinnati, Ohio, did not play at Syracuse due to a sore left quad and missed two and a half games (second half vs. Penn State; entire games vs. Nebraska and Maryland) due to a stress reaction in his left foot. He returned to the lineup in Iowa’s last two games (at Northwestern; vs. Michigan). Fredrick averegd 16 points, three rebounds, and three 3-pointers made. At Northwestern, he tied personal bests in assists (5) and steals (2). In the win over the Wolverines, Fredrick tied a personal best with 21 points.
Fredrick is third on the team in scoring (11.1), and first in the Big Ten in 3-point accuracy (.509, 29-of-57) and 14th in field goal percentage (.538, 57-of-106). He is 16-of-26 (.615) from 3-point range in eight home games this season.
Fredrick has led Iowa in scoring in four games (DePaul, Cal Poly, San Diego State, and Cincinnati).
GARZA NAMED NATIONAL, B1G PLAYER OF THE WEEK – DEC. 10
Junior Luka Garza made history by becoming the first Hawkeye in program history to earn the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week (Dec. 10) accolade for his efforts in road games at Syracuse and Michigan. The national honor is voted upon by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). Garza was also named Big Ten Player of the Week.
Garza averaged 33.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in road games at Syracuse and No. 4 Michigan. He reached 1,000 career points in the process of amassing a career-high 44 points in Ann Arbor — the most points scored in a game by an Iowa big man, third most in program history, most by an opposing player in Crisler Center history, and the most points scored by a Hawkeye since guard John Johnson poured in a school-record 49 points against Northwestern in 1970.
Garza’s 44 points are believed to be the most in a game by a Big Ten player since Purdue’s Glenn Robinson scored 44 against Kansas on March 24, 1994. Garza made 17 field goals versus Michigan, tying Bruce King (vs. Michigan on Jan. 31, 1976) for third most in a game in Iowa history. His 32 attempts tie three others (Fred Brown, Murray Wier and Charles Darling) for fourth most in a game in Iowa history.
Garza led Iowa to a Big Ten/ACC Challenge victory at Syracuse (68-54). The native of Washington, D.C., posted game bests in scoring (23) and rebounding (9).
LUKA GARZA MAKES HISTORY
• Luka Garza became the 49th Hawkeye to score No. 1,000 points, reaching the 1,000-point milestone after netting a career-high 44 points against the Wolverines on Dec. 6. Garza’s 44 points are the most by an Iowa big man, third most in a single-game in program history, and are the most scored by a Hawkeye in a single-game since guard John Johnson poured in a school-record 49 points against Northwestern on Feb. 24, 1970.
• Garza’s 44 points are the most scored by a visiting player in Crisler Center history, besting Ohio State’s Dennis Hopson’s 39 points on Jan. 8, 1987. The 44-point outburst is the second highest scoring output by any player in Crisler Center history (48 by Rudy Tomjanovich vs. Indiana on Jan. 7, 1969).
• Garza’s 44 points are believed to be the most in a game by a Big Ten player since Purdue’s Glenn Robinson scored 44 against Kansas on March 24, 1994.
• Garza made 17 field goals, tying Bruce King (vs. Michigan on Jan. 31, 1976) for third most in a game in Iowa history. Garza’s 32 attempts tie three others (Fred Brown, Murray Wier and Charles Darling) for fourth most in Iowa history.
• Garza’s 27 first-half points are the most by a Hawkeye in a half since Jarrod Uthoff had 30 at Iowa State (Dec. 10, 2015).
• Garza scored all 44 of his points against the Wolverines at the free throw line and inside the 3-point arc. Garza is the first Big Ten player to score 40 points or more without making a 3-pointer since Jared Sullinger had 40 points without a triple against IUPUI in 2010.
RYAN KRIENER TAKES THE NEXT STEP
Ryan Kriener is off to a good start in 2019-20 ranking fifth on the team in scoring (7.8) and fourth in rebounding (4.3). He is tops on the team in field goal accuracy, making 55 of his 87 attempts (.632) and is 23-of-30 (.767) from the charity stripe.
Kriener made 16 straight field goals over a span of three home games (Kennesaw State; Maryland; Michigan). He has had four games this year where he did not miss a field goal attempt (5-of-5 vs. DePaul; 3-of-3 vs. Cal Poly; 9-of-9 vs. Kennesaw State; 2-of-2 vs. Maryland).
Kriener had a career night against Kennesaw State (Dec. 29). The senior was a perfect 9-of-9 from the field, including sinking his only 3-point attempt, and making his only free throw attempt for a career-best 20 points. Kriener scored eight straight points in the first half, while also rejecting a personal-best three shots versus Penn State (Jan. 4).
Kriener netted double digits in Iowa’s last two games: 10 points at Northwestern on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, including one triple, and 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor, including a crucial 3-pointer with three minutes remaining, against Michigan.
The native of Spirit Lake, Iowa, registered single-season bests in nearly every statistical category as a junior last year.
FRESHMAN GAINING CONFIDENCE
Freshman Joe Toussaint is gaining confidence with each game. The native of New York has started Iowa’s last seven games after coming off the bench in Iowa’s first 11 contests.
Toussaint was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Jan. 6) for his efforts versus No. 21 Penn State (Jan. 4). He scored a personal-best 18 points to go along with team bests in assists (4) and steals (2). Toussaint netted 16 of his 18 points in the second half and tied a personal best sinking two 3-pointers.
Toussaint is second on the squad in assists (2.6) and is seventh in scoring (6.6). He started his first collegiate game on Dec. 21, versus Cincinnati. He posted personal bests in assists (7) and steals (5) against Kennesaw State (Dec. 29), while netting 18 points in the second half versus Penn State in Philadelphia.
Against North Florida, Toussaint shined, scoring seven of his 10 points and dishing out three of his four assists in highlight fashion over the final 20 minutes. The native of Bronx, New York, had 13 points, including sinking all nine free throw attempts, against San Diego State in Las Vegas (Nov. 29).
WIESKAMP NAMED PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN
Sophomore shooting guard Joe Wieskamp is one of 10 men’s basketball players selected to the 2019-20 Preseason All-Big Ten team as selected by a media voting panel.
Wieskamp was named to the five-player All-Big Ten Freshman Team a season ago, leading the team the team and finishing second in the Big Ten in 3-point field goal percentage (.424, 59-of-139). He ranked third on the team in scoring (11.1) and steals (32), and second in rebounding (4.9). The Muscatine, Iowa, native joins Ayo Dosunmu of Illinois and Maryland’s Jalen Smith as the only underclassmen recognized on the 10-player team. Wieskamp is the third Hawkeye in the last five seasons to be named Preseason All-Big Ten (Peter Jok, 2016; Jarrod Uthoff, 2015).
SHARING IS CARING
Iowa ranks fourth in the country in assists (18.3) and assists per field goals made (65%). The Hawkeyes were credited with a combined 46 assists on 53 field goals made in two games last week: 24-of-26 at Northwestern and 22-of-27 against Michigan — both Iowa victories.
2010-19 IS 3RD HIGHEST DECADE WIN TOTAL IN SCHOOL HISTORY
The Hawkeyes registered 189 wins over the last decade, the third highest winning decade in program history. Iowa won 207 games in the 1980’s and 194 in the 1990’s.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,826 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,662-1,162 (.588). Iowa’s 1,662 wins are 36th most among Division I programs. That includes a 1,061-371 (.741) record in home games, a 595-790 (.430) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 780-791 (.496) mark in Big Ten games and a 466-145 (.763) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
ROAD WARRIORS
Tuesday was Iowa’s ninth time away from home in 12 games. Iowa played games in three different time zones, seven different states, and traveled over 8,500 miles between Nov. 28-Jan. 7. Iowa’s next three contests will be at home inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hawkeyes played seven straight contests against teams in the Top 90 of the NCAA NET Ranking from Nov. 28 to Dec. 21 (Texas Tech, San Diego State, Syracuse, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa State, and Cincinnati).
2 HAWKEYES NAMED TO PRESEASON WATCH LISTS
Junior Luka Garza and sophomore Joe Wieskamp have been named to preseason watch lists.
Garza is one of 20 players named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List. The honor recognizes the top center in college basketball. Garza has been a force the first half of the 2019-20 season, leading the Big Ten in scoring (22.9) and ranking second in rebounding (10.2). He has scored 30+ points in four games this season (Oral Roberts, Michigan, Penn State, Michigan), which ties for fourth most in the country.
Wieskamp is one of 20 players named to the Jerry West Award Watch List. The honor recognizes the top shooting guard in college basketball. Wieskamp was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team last season. He ranks second on the team in scoring (14.8) and rebounding (6.1).
Both lists will be narrowed down to 10 in mid-February and then five finalists will be selected in March that will be presented to Abdul-Jabbar and West and the selection committees.
FRAN McCAFFERY SIGNS FIRST GRAD TRANSFER
Fran McCaffery, who is in his 10th season as Iowa’s head coach, signed his first graduate transfer last July. Bakari Evelyn, a native of Detroit, played the previous two seasons at Valparaiso (2017-18) and his freshman year at Nebraska (2016).
Last year at Valparaiso, Evelyn tied for first on the team in 3-pointers made (48), ranked second in assists (68) and fifth in scoring (8.4 ppg). He led the team in steals and assists in six games, and scoring three times.
As a sophomore, Evelyn was a Missouri Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team selection and was named co-MVP of the Savannah Invitational. He was the only Crusader to start all 32 games, ranking second on the team in scoring (12.6 ppg) and first in assists (93).
Evelyn saw limited action in 18 games as a freshman at Nebraska.
GARZA JOINS ELITE COMPANY
Luka Garza put up numbers that few Hawkeyes have done through their sophomore season. Garza joined Aaron White, Jess Settles, and Tyler Cook as the only Hawkeyes to total more than 800 points and 350 rebounds through their sophomore year.
Garza’s sophomore campaign started with surgery in early September to remove a benign cyst in his abdomen. The native of Washington, D.C., recovered in time to start the season opener and have another stellar season for the Hawkeyes. Garza was an honorable mention all-conference honoree and was voted the MVP of the 2K Empire Classic in New York City.
McCAFFERY’S JOIN LIST OF BROTHERS ON SAME TEAM
Redshirt sophomore Connor McCaffery and freshman Patrick McCaffery are one of 16 brothers nationally who are playing on the same Division I team this season. The McCaffery’s at Iowa join brothers playing at Oklahoma State, Ohio, Northwestern State, Vermont, Pepperdine, Eastern Washington, Mount St. Mary’s, Navy, Maryland, Coppin State, Boston College, Robert Morris, Ohio State, SIUE, and The Citadel.
Iowa is one of 13 father/coach and son/player duos in Division I in 2019-20 (Cal Poly, Central Connecticut State, Davidson, Detroit Mercy, Illinois, Oregon State, Portland, Syracuse, Texas Southern, UT Martin, Utah, and Wright State. Of the 13 schools, the McCaffery’s are the only program with a father/coach and two sons on the roster.
McCAFFERY’S JOIN LIST OF BROTHERS ON SAME TEAM
Redshirt sophomore Connor McCaffery and freshman Patrick McCaffery are one of 16 brothers nationally who are playing on the same Division I team this season. The McCaffery’s join brothers playing at Oklahoma State, Ohio, Northwestern State, Vermont, Pepperdine, Eastern Washington, Mount St. Mary’s, Navy, Maryland, Coppin State, Boston College, Robert Morris, Ohio State, SIUE, and The Citadel.
Iowa is one of 13 father/coach and son/player duos in Division I in 2019-20 (Cal Poly, Central Connecticut State, Davidson, Detroit Mercy, Illinois, Oregon State, Portland, Syracuse, Texas Southern, UT Martin, Utah, and Wright State. Of the 13 schools, the McCaffery’s are the only program with a father/coach and two sons on the roster.
HAWKEYE FASTBREAKS
• Luka Garza and CJ Fredrick were named to the 2019 Las Vegas Invitational All-Tournament Team.
• Iowa recorded an 84-68 win over Iowa State in Ames on Dec. 12. The win snapped Iowa State’s eight-game win streak over the Hawkeyes in Hilton Coliseum. The Hawkeye victory is Iowa’s first over the Cyclones in Ames since March 21, 2003.
• Iowa visited The Palestra in Philadelphia on Jan. 4, for a Big Ten game against Penn State. It marked the Hawkeyes’ first visit to the historic building since 1961. Fran McCaffery played in The Palestra for three years while a guard at Penn (1980-82).
• Iowa held Maryland to 49 points on Jan. 10 in Iowa City, its fewest point total against the Hawkeyes in the 10-game series and the fewest the Terrapins have scored in a league game since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15.
• Iowa finished runners-up at the Las Vegas Invitational, beating No. 12 Texas Tech in the semifinals and falling to undefeated San Diego State in the championship game.
• Jordan Bohannon dished out a season-high 10 assists (zero turnovers) against Minnesota (Dec. 9), marking the seventh time in his career that the senior was credited with 10 assists or more.
• Luka Garza netted a career-high 30 points, bolstered by sinking 12 field goals against Oral Roberts (Nov. 15). The 12 field goals made ties four former Hawkeyes for most in a single-game in the Fran McCaffery era (Peter Jok, Jarrod Uthoff, Matt Gatens, and Isaiah Moss). Garza is the seventh Hawkeye to score 30 or more points in a single game in the McCaffery era. Garza is the first Hawkeye to total 29 or more points in back-to-back games (Oral Roberts, North Florida) since Matt Gatens in 2011-12.
• Iowa held the Minnesota to 52 points on Dec. 9, the fewest in the series since 2007 (49). The Hawkeyes held Maryland to 49 points on Jan. 10, its lowest point total in a league game since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15.
• Iowa will play three straight Big Ten home games for the first time since 2003. The Hawkeyes will host Michigan on Jan. 17; Rutgers on Jan. 22; Wisconsin on Jan. 27.
• Luka Garza netted a career-high 30 points, making 12 field goals, including two 3-pointers, and four free throws. The 12 field goals made ties four former Hawkeyes for most in a single-game in the Fran McCaffery era (Peter Jok, Jarrod Uthoff, Matt Gatens, and Isaiah Moss). Garza is the seventh Hawkeye to score 30 or more points in a single game in the McCaffery era.
• Iowa won 21 games in the 2018-19 regular season, matching the highest total in 13 seasons (2015 and 2016).
• Iowa has qualified for four NCAA tournaments over the last six years (2014, 2015, 2016, 2019) and seven postseason tournaments over the last eight seasons (4 NCAA; 3 NIT).
• Iowa posted five victories over nationally-ranked opponents in 2018-19, equaling Iowa’s highest total in the Fran McCaffery era and the most since 2006 (8).
• Iowa has won 64 of its last 69 nonconference home games, dating back to 2012.
• Iowa is 93-23 when scoring 80 points or more, the last 10 seasons. The Hawkeyes are 77-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points, the last 10 years.
• Fran McCaffery has guided Iowa to upper division finishes in the Big Ten in six of the last seven seasons. McCaffery has accumulated 18 first division finishes in 23 years as a head coach.
• Fran McCaffery has guided Iowa to 20 wins or more in five of the last seven seasons and upper division finishes in the Big Ten six of the last seven seasons. Only Michigan State (7) has more first division finishes than Iowa (6) and Wisconsin (6) since the 2013 season.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
The Hawkeyes are 3-2 against ranked opponents. Iowa beat No. 12 Texas Tech in Las Vegas (72-61), No. 12 Maryland (67-49) in Iowa City, and No. 19 Michigan (90-83). The Hawkeyes lost to No. 4 Michigan (103-91) in Ann Arbor and to No. 21 Penn State in Philadelphia (89-86).
BOHANNON UNDERGOES SEASON-ENDING SURGERY
Senior Jordan Bohannon underwent season-ending hip surgery (left) on Dec. 19, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Recovery from this procedure is typically 6-9 months.
The Hawkeye guard had the same procedure successfully performed on his right hip this past May and played in 10 games this season (8.8 ppg and 3.3 apg). During the course of the last couple months, pain developed in his left hip that ultimately resulted in the decision for additional surgery.
A third-team All-Big Ten performer last season, Bohannon was credited with a team-best 118 assists, becoming just the seventh Hawkeye to register three 100-assist seasons. The native of Marion, Iowa, is one of 10 Division I basketball players since 1992, to total at least 79 3-pointers and 118 assists in each of his first three seasons. As a junior, Bohannon ranked third on the team in scoring (11.6 ppg) and led the Big Ten in free throw accuracy during league play. Bohannon is Iowa’s all-time leader in 3-point field goals made (284). Last season, Bohannon netted 85 points over the final two minutes of regulation and two minutes of overtime to rank among the nation’s best.
Bohannon became the seventh Hawkeye to register three 100-assist seasons (Dean Oliver, Jeff Horner, B.J. Armstrong, Andre Woolridge, Mike Gesell, Devyn Marble).
3 HAWKEYES RETURN AFTER REDSHIRT YEAR
Forwards Jack Nunge and Cordell Pemsl, along with guard CJ Fredrick are on this season’s roster after redshirting a year ago.
Nunge saw action in all 33 games as a freshman, ranking second on the team in blocked shots (25), fourth in steals (21), and fifth in scoring (5.7). However, Nunge will miss the remainder of the 2019-20 season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee in Iowa’s fifth contest of the season. Pemsl played in two nonconference games before undergoing a procedure to remove hardware near his knee last December.
Fredrick was the 2018 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year his senior year at Covington Catholic High School.
Joining the three redshirts on the roster this season will be newcomers: Bakari Evelyn, Joe Toussaint, Patrick McCaffery, and Aidan Vanderloo. Evelyn is a graduate transfer from Valparaiso, while Toussaint, McCaffery and Vanderloo (walk-on) are true freshmen.
NUNGE SUFFERS TORN ACL
Sophomore Jack Nunge suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of his right knee on Nov. 24, against Cal Poly. The injury occurred late in the first half as Nunge was driving to the basket.
Nunge (6-foot-11, 245 pounds) started Iowa’s first five games, averaging six points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. The native of Newburgh, Indiana, redshirted last season.
“HAWK TALK WITH FRAN MCCAFFERY”
Iowa basketball fans may join Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery, and radio announcers Gary Dolphin and Bob Hansen for the “Hawk Talk with Fran McCaffery” radio show. The next show will take place Monday (Jan. 20) at Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher, Iowa, from 7-8:30 p.m. (CT). Fans can submit their questions for Coach McCaffery via Twitter by using the hashtag #HawkTalk.
LUTE OLSON ENSHRINED IN HALL OF FAME
Former Iowa head men’s basketball coach Lute Olson was enshrined in the College Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City on Nov. 24. Olson coached Iowa for nine seasons (1974-83), taking the Hawkeyes to five straight NCAA Tournaments, including the 1980 Final Four. He left as the Hawkeyes’ winningest coach — his 165 wins now rank third most in school history. Olson was instrumental in the vision and construction of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which opened on Jan. 5, 1983. Olson went on to coach at the University of Arizona for 25 years (1983-2008).
RECENT GRADUATES PLAYING PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL
A number of recent Iowa basketball graduates are playing professionally: Jarrod Uthoff (NBA G League: Memphis Hustle), Nicholas Baer (NBA G League; Raptors 905), Devyn Marble (NBA G League; Santa Cruz Warriors), Tyler Cook (NBA G League; Canton Charge), Adam Woodbury (NBA G League: Grand Rapids Drive), Anthony Clemmons (Monaco), Gabriel Olaseni (Turkey), Melsahn Basabe (Slovakia), Peter Jok (France), and Aaron White (Spain).
McCAFFERY RECORDS WIN NO. 20
Last season, Fran McCaffery and the Iowa Hawkeyes reached the 20-win plateau for the fifth time in seven seasons. McCaffery joins Lute Olson (6) and Tom Davis (10) as the only Iowa head coaches to win 20 or more games in at least five seasons.
McCaffery has taken Iowa to the NCAA Tournament four times. Among Iowa’s head basketball coaches, McCaffery ranks third in tournament appearances behind Davis (9) and Olson (5). Davis is Iowa’s all-time winningest coach, while McCaffery is second.
ON THE HORIZON
The Hawkeyes will conclude their three-game home stand on Monday, Jan. 27, against Wisconsin (7:30 p.m. CT). Tickets are available for all remaining home games at hawkeyesports.com/tickets.