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| PURDUE (15-14, 8-10) at #18/17 IOWA (20-9, 11-7) |
| DATE | Thursday, March 12 | 1:30 p.m. CT |
| LOCATION | Indianapolis, Indiana | Bankers Life Fieldhouse |
| RADIO | LISTEN | Hawkeye Radio Network | Hawkeye All-Access |
| TV | BTN |
| LIVE STATS | Sidearm |
| LIVE UPDATES | @IowaHoops |
THE SETTING
No. 5 seed Iowa (20-11, 11-9) will play either No. 12 seed Minnesota (14-16, 8-12) or 13th-seeded Northwestern (8-22, 3-17) in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tipoff is set for approximately 1:30 p.m. (CT).
Tickets are available at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse box office or at ticketmaster.com.
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: Thursday’s contest will be televised nationally on BTN. Kevin Kugler, Shon Morris, and Andy Katz will call the action.
ILLINOIS EDGES HAWKEYES IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE
No. 23 Illinois held on for a 78-76 victory over No. 18 Sunday night in the regular season finale at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.
• Sunday’s loss snapped a five-game win streak by the Hawkeyes over Illinois.
• National Player of the Year candidate Luka Garza poured in a game-best 28 points to lead the Hawkeyes. Garza scored 20+ points the last 16 games of the regular season to tie Fred Brown’s school record set in 1971 for most consecutive overall games with 20+ points. Garza’s 16-game streak of 20+ points against Big Ten competition is the longest by any player since Ohio State’s Dennis Hopson (16) in 1987. Garza topped 25 points the last three contests and 13 times this season.
• Iowa was a perfect 15-of-15 (1.000) from the free throw line. The last time the Hawkeyes went a perfect 15-of-15 from the charity stripe was March 27, 2013 at Virginia in the NIT Quarterfinals.
• Luka Garza (26.2 ppg) is Iowa’s first scoring leader in Big Ten games only since Adam Haluska (21.3 ppg) in 2007. Garza is the first player to average at least 26 points in Big Ten play since Purdue’s Glenn Robinson in 1994 (31.1 ppg).
• Connor McCaffery tied a career high with eight assists to go along with 10 points. The last time McCaffery had eight assists was versus Illinois on March 14, 2019.
• Freshman Joe Toussaint had 14 points, his highest point total since 14 against Rutgers on Jan. 22.
• Sunday was the fourth time in five games, and 12th time this season, that Iowa played a game against a ranked opponent.
• Four Illinois starters scored in double figures: Ayo Dosunmu (17), Andres Feliz (14), Kofi Cockburn (12), and Kipper Nichols (10).
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS VERSUS MINNESOTA
Minnesota holds a 106-97 advantage in the series. The 203 meetings are the most Iowa has played against any opponent. The Hawkeyes swept both regular season meetings this season: 72-52 on Dec. 9 in Iowa City and 58-55 on Feb. 16 in Minneapolis.
Iowa and Minnesota have played twice before in Big Ten Tournaments with Iowa winning both meetings (2006 in Indianapolis and 2000 in Chicago).
The two teams have split the last 10 contests, dating back to 2014.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS VERSUS NORTHWESTERN
Iowa holds a commanding 119-60 advantage over Northwestern in the series. The Hawkeyes have won 11 of the last 14 meetings, six of the last seven, and four straight. Iowa won this season’s only regular season meeting, 75-62, on Jan. 14, in Evanston.
Iowa and Northwestern have played three times before in Big Ten Tournaments. The Hawkeyes won 72-55 in Chicago in 2001 and 73-59 in Chicago in 2013. The Wildcats won 67-62 in Indianapolis in 2014.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
• Minnesota (43 NET Ranking) posted a 13-16 regular season record.
• Minnesota has had seven losses by five points or less, including five league games and four of its final six contests.
• A Minnesota-Iowa contest would showcase the top two scorers in the conference in Luka Garza (23.9 ppg) and Daniel Oturu (20.0 ppg). Oturu leads the Big Ten in rebounding (11.4 rpg), while Iowa’s Garza ranks fourth (9.8 rpg).
• Daniel Oturu was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team and was voted to the coaches five-player All-Defensive Team.
• Minnesota ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.308) and sixth in overall field goal accuracy (.408). The Gophers rank third in the league in assists (15.1), blocked shots (4.7), and 3-pointers per contest (8.2).
• Iowa’s Connor McCaffery (4.6) and Minnesota’s Marcus Carr (2.5) rank first and second, respectively, in the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio. Minnesota’s Gabe Kalscheur leads the Big Ten in 3-point field goals per game (2.5), while Iowa’s CJ Fredrick leads in 3-point accuracy (.461).
• Gabe Kalscheur (26 points) connected on 8-of-11 from long distance in Minnesota’s regular season finale versus Nebraska on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.
• Oturu ranks sixth nationally in double-doubles (18) and eighth in rebounds (11.4), while Marcus Carr is eighth in assists per game (6.7) and ninth in total assists (202).
• Richard Pitino is in his seventh season as head coach at Minnesota (126-108, .538). Pitino has led the Gophers to NCAA Tournaments two of the last three seasons.
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
• Northwestern (158 NET Ranking) enters the Big Ten Tournament 8-22 overall. The Wildcats had lost 12 consecutive contests between Jan. 14 and Feb. 27, before winning two of its final three regular season games.
• Northwestern ranks fifth in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (1.3).
• Northwestern’s Pat Spencer is fourth in the league in free throw percentage (.815), while Iowa’s Joe Wieskamp is the league-leader (.856).
• Miller Kopp leads the Wildcats in scoring (13.2 ppg), including 21 points in the 80-69 win over Penn State to close the regular season.
• Northwestern ranks ninth in the nation in fewest turnovers (317) and 10th in fewest turnovers per game (10.6).
• Freshman Boo Buie, who averages 10.5 points per game, did not play in the only regular season meeting between Iowa and Northwestern on Jan. 14 in Evanston, Illinois due to injury.
• Chris Collins is in his seventh season as a head coach, all at Northwestern (109-118, .480). Collins led the Wildcats to their first-ever NCAA Tournament in 2017.
LAST MEETING VERSUS MINNESOTA
Iowa closed the game on an 11-0 run over the final 5:24 to post a 58-55 win at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. It is the first season sweep by the Hawkeyes over the Golden Gophers in eight seasons and first win at Williams Arena since Jan. 15, 2015.
• Luka Garza scored a game-best 24 points. Connor McCaffery dished out a game-best seven assists with zero turnovers, to go along with six points and four rebounds.
• Iowa registered its sixth victory away from home despite scoring a season-low 58 points.
• Seven of the last eight meetings between the Hawkeyes and Gophers at Williams Arena have been decided by six points or less.
• For the second time this year, Luka Garza scored Iowa’s first 10 points of the game (at Northwestern on Jan. 14).
• Starting guard CJ Fredrick did not play due to injury (ankle). Ryan Kriener started his fourth game of the season, totaling 10 points, seven rebounds, and rejecting a personal-best four shots.
• Daniel Oturu led the Golden Gophers with 15 points, three blocked shots, and six rebounds. Gabe Kalscheur contributed 12 points in defeat.
LAST MEETING VERSUS NORTHWESTERN
Four Hawkeyes scored in double figures in a 75-62 victory over Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston.
• Iowa won its fourth straight game over Northwestern.
• Luka Garza led all scorers with 27 points. He scored Iowa’s first 10 points of the game and netted 14 straight points of the second half.
• Iowa recorded assists on 24 of its 26 field goals. Bakari Evelyn tied a career high with seven assists, while CJ Fredrick tied a personal best with five assists to go along with 11 points and two steals.
• Connor McCaffery led the Hawkeyes in rebounding for the first time in his career, controlling seven rebounds to go along with eight points.
• Two Wildcats scored in double figures: Miller Kopp (15 points) and Pete Nance (11). Nance also grabbed a game-best 10 rebounds.
IOWA IN THE BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
Iowa has posted a 17-20 record in Big Ten Tournament games. The Hawkeyes earned tournament titles in 2001 and 2006 and lost in the title game in 2002. Only Michigan State (32), Illinois (28), Ohio State (26), Wisconsin (25), and Michigan (24) have more wins and a higher winning percentage than the Hawkeyes. Michigan State has won six tournament titles, Ohio State has won four, Wisconsin has won three, while Iowa, Illinois, Michigan have two tournament titles (Ohio State was forced to vacate its 2002 title).
Iowa has played 10 different teams in the event, having met each team except Nebraska, Rutgers, and Maryland at least once (Rutgers and Maryland played in their first Big Ten Tournament in 2015). Iowa (2001 as a No. 6 seed) and Michigan (2017 as a No. 8 seed) are the only teams to claim the tournament title by winning four games in four days.
Iowa has been eliminated by the tournament champion five times, including Michigan in the 1998 quarterfinals and 2018 first round, Michigan State in the 2000 quarterfinals and 2012 quarterfinals, and Ohio State in the 2002 title game.
Iowa was the 12 seed in the 2018 tournament in New York. The Hawkeyes opened the tournament with a 96-87 win over Illinois, before dropping a 77-71 overtime decision to Michigan, the eventual tournament champion. This year marks the first time since 2016 that the Bankers Life Fieldhouse will host the tournament.
IOWA BY SEEDING
Iowa is 0-5 as the No. 5 seed in the tournament. Iowa’s most recent game as the fifth seed was 2016 in Indianapolis; Iowa was edged by Illinois (68-66).
COOL HAND LUKA
Luka Garza is looking to become the sixth Hawkeye to average 22+ points per game and first in 49 years since Fred Brown averaged 27.6 points per game in 1971. He is seeking to become the fourth Big Ten player since 1993 to average at least 23 points per game (Glenn Robinson, Shawn Respert, and Carsen Edwards).
Garza finished the 20-game conference schedule averaging 26.2 points per game to become Iowa’s first scoring leader in Big Ten games only since Adam Haluska (21.3 ppg) in 2007. Garza is the first player to average at least 26 points in Big Ten play since Purdue’s Glenn Robinson in 1994 (31.1 ppg) and highest Big Ten scoring average by a true center since Minnesota’s Tom Kondla (28.3 ppg) in 1967.
Garza tallied 38 points at Indiana (Feb. 13). The 38 points were two points shy of matching the Assembly Hall single-game record by an opponent. Garza has the two highest single-game point totals in the Big Ten this year: 44 at Michigan & 38 at Indiana.
Garza is the first Hawkeye in program history to score 700 points in a season.
ALL-AMERICA CANDIDATE LUKA GARZA
Luka Garza earned some major postseason awards this week: Big Ten Player of the Year, National Player of the Year (Sporting News; Bleacher Report; Seth Davis/The Athletic), and USBWA District VI Player of the Year. He is on five late season watch lists: Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, Oscar Robertson Trophy, Lute Olson Award, and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award.
Garza is one of only two players in the nation (only player from a Power 5 Conference) averaging 23 points and nine rebounds per game. He ranks first nationally with 12 20-point/10-rebound games this season, fifth in scoring (23.9), 19th in double-doubles (15), third in points per 40 minutes played (29.9), and 34th rebounding (9.9). His 15 double-doubles are the most by a Hawkeye in a single season since Reggie Evans’ 18 during the 2001-02 season.
The native Washington, D.C., has totaled a school single-season record 740 points, breaking John Johnson’s 50-year old record of 699 established in 1970. Garza has netted 20+ points in 16 straight Big Ten games, breaking the school’s 49-yard old record established by Fred Brown in 1971. Furthermore, he is the first Big Ten player since Ohio State’s Dennis Hopson (16 straight in 1987) to accomplish the feat. Garza has scored 20+ points in 11 straight games against AP Top-25 competition — the longest streak by any player in the country in the last 15 seasons — averaging 26.7 points and 11.1 rebounds in 12 contests against ranked opponents this season.
Garza has scored 25 points or more 13 times this year (fifth nationally). He has controlled 10 rebounds or more in 14 games. He has grabbed 12 or more rebounds 10 times. He snagged a career-best 18 boards twice this year (at Nebraska and versus Wisconsin).
Garza is the only Big Ten player to have seven or more 25-point/10-rebound performances over the past 17 seasons. His 25 games of 20+ points or more are third most in the country and most by a Hawkeye in a single-season in program history.
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 six Hawkeyes in school history with 1,550 points and 650 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, who is 12th on Iowa’s career scoring chart with 1,559 points, will likely become just the fourth Hawkeye over the last four decades to average better than 20 points per game.
Garza amassed 77 points in two games against Michigan, the most points by any Big Ten player versus a single opponent in regular season conference play over the last 20 seasons.
TOUSSAINT SHINING AS POINT GUARD IN FRESHMAN SEASON
Freshman Joe Toussaint has started Iowa’s last 20 games after coming off the bench in Iowa’s first 11 contests. He is first on the squad in steals per game (1.15), second in assists (2.9) and is fifth among active players in scoring (6.5).
Toussaint has made his last 17 free throw attempts, dating back to Jan. 27, and is six of his last 10 from 3-point range (.600) over the last six games.
The New York native 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.
KRIENER FINISHING HIS COLLEGIATE CAREER STRONG
Ryan Kriener has been playing at a high level in his final season as a Hawkeye. Kriener ranks fifth on the team in scoring (7.7) and fourth in rebounding (4.1). He leads the team in field goal accuracy (.544). Kriener is second on the team in scoring (9.8) and fourth in rebounding (4.0) over the last five games.
Kriener has posted double digits in three of Iowa’s last six outings: versus No. 25 Ohio State (12 points and four rebounds); at Minnesota (10 points, seven rebounds, and rejected a game and personal-best four shots) and at No. 24 Michigan State (18 points and seven rebounds). The Hawkeyes are 4-2 this season in games that Kriener starts.
He 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).
CONNOR McCAFFERY VALUING THE BASKETBALL
Sophomore Connor McCaffery is one of the nation’s best in taking care of the basketball. He is the only player in the country with 120+ assists and less than 30 turnovers. He is the national leader in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.6) and is only player in the country averaging at least six points, four rebounds, four assists, and fewer than one turnover per game.
McCaffery has registered 33 assists and only four turnovers over the last six games (197 minutes). In the last 10 games, he has had three seven-assist/0-turnover efforts, boasting a 6.85 assist-to-turnover ratio (48 assists; seven turnovers in a combined 322 minutes).
McCaffery, who has had to play multiple positions this season due to lack of depth (1-4), has more steals (35) than turnovers (27).
McCaffery, a finance major, was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team, last week, posting a 3.5 GPA.
CJ FREDRICK MAKING IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Freshman CJ Fredrick has made an impact on this team. He is third on the team in scoring (10.2), and first in the Big Ten in 3-point accuracy (.461, 47-of-102) and 14th in field goal percentage (.483, 87-of-180). His 10.2 points per game ranks third highest among Big Ten freshmen.
Fredrick has missed six full games this season and two second halves dating back to early December due to sustaining different injuries (quad, ankle, stress reaction in foot).
Fredrick was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Jan. 20, after averaging 16 points, four assists, and three rebounds in wins over Northwestern and Michigan.
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 has led Iowa in scoring four times (DePaul, Cal Poly, San Diego State, and Cincinnati).
GARZA NAMED NATIONAL, B1G PLAYER OF THE WEEK – DEC. 10
Luka Garza made history by becoming the first Hawkeye in program history to be named Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week (Dec. 10) for his efforts in road games at Syracuse and Michigan. The national honor is voted upon by the USBWA. Garza was also named Big Ten Player of the Week.
Garza averaged 33.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in the two road games. 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).
HAWKEYES EARN POSTSEASON HONORS
In addition to Luka Garza being named Big Ten Men’s Basketball Player of the Year, Garza was also a unanimous first-team all-conference selection by both the media and coaches. Sophomore Joe Wieskamp was a third-team all-conference honoree, while CJ Fredrick was selected to the five-player All-Freshman Team. Redshirt sophomore Connor McCaffery is the recipient of Iowa’s Big Ten Men’s Basketball Sportsmanship Award.
Head Coach Fran McCaffery has coached a first-team All-Big Ten honoree five of the last seven seasons, the most over a seven-year span since 1956-62. Garza joins Devyn Marble (2014), Aaron White (2015), Jarrod Uthoff (2016), and Peter Jok (2017) as first team selections.
Fredrick is the ninth Hawkeye to be voted to the five-player All-Freshman Team since the honor was first introduced in 2003. Fredrick is the seventh rookie to be recognized on the All-Freshman Team under Fran McCaffery and the fourth in four years (Jordan Bohannon and Tyler Cook in 2017; Joe Wieskamp in 2019).
Garza was also voted the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) District VI Player of the Year on Tuesday, as well as the all-district team. Joining Garza on the 10-player all-district squad is teammate Joe Wieskamp.
Garza and Wieskamp’s honor marks the sixth time in seven seasons that a Hawkeye has garnered all-district recognition (Devyn Marble in 2014; Aaron White in 2015; Jarrod Uthoff and Peter Jok in 2016; Jok in 2017; Cook in 2019; Luka Garza and Joe Wieskamp in 2020).
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.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Sunday will be Iowa’s 12th contest against a ranked opponent this season and fourth time in five games to close the regular season.
The Hawkeyes are 7-5 against ranked opponents, posting wins over No. 12 Texas Tech, No. 12 Maryland, No. 19 Michigan, No. 24 Rutgers, No. 19 Illinois, No. 25 Ohio State, and No. 16 Penn State. Iowa’s seven wins over ranked opponents are the most in a single-season since 2006 (8) and the most by any team nationally this year.
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, he tied for first on the team in 3-pointers (48), ranked second in assists (68) and fifth in scoring (8.4 ppg).
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.
McCAFFERY RECORDS WIN NO. 20
Fran McCaffery and the Iowa Hawkeyes have reached the 20-win plateau for the sixth time in eight 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.
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
• Iowa posted a 4-2 record in Big Ten one-plays this season. The Hawkeyes beat Ohio State, Northwestern, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. Iowa lost at Indiana and at No. 24 Michigan State.
• Iowa posted a 14-2 record at home in 2019-20, winning 13 straight contests between Nov. 15 and Feb. 29. The 13-game home winning streak was the second longest in a single-season in Carver-Hawkeye Arena history (17 in 2006). Iowa was the last team to win a loose a Big Ten home game in 2019-20.
• Iowa is 13-0 this season when holding opponents to 69 points or fewer. The Hawkeyes are 14-4 when outrebounding their opponents this season.
• Iowa was 3-3 against the top four teams (Michigan State, Wisconsin, Maryland, and Illinois in the Big Ten this season. The three wins tie Rutgers (3-3) and Maryland (3-2) for second most behind Michigan State (4-2).
• Iowa and Maryland are the only Big Ten schools to have both men’s and women’s basketball teams ranked in the AP Poll this week.
• Iowa has been nationally ranked in the AP Poll each of the last eight weeks and in the Coaches Poll nine straight weeks.
• Iowa won five straight Big Ten games during the month of January, marking the fourth time in the last six seasons that the Hawkeyes have won at least five consecutive Big Ten games (2019-20; 2018-19; 2015-16; 2014-15).
• 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 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.
• Luka Garza and CJ Fredrick were named to the 2019 Las Vegas Invitational All-Tournament Team.
• Iowa was one of eight schools nationally that had both a male (Luka Garza) and a female (Kathleen Doyle) on the Naismith Trophy Midseason team.
• 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.
• Iowa’s 85 points are the most Rutgers has allowed this season (Jan. 22). The Hawkeyes were also the first Rutgers opponent to shoot better than 50 percent from the field this season.
• 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.
• 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’s 96 points against Nebraska on Feb. 8 (96-72) in Iowa City is a season high and most points scored against Nebraska in the 34-game series history. The 24-point win is Iowa’s third largest margin of victory over Nebraska in the series.
• Iowa registered its first season sweep over Minnesota in eight seasons and posted its first win at Williams Arena in five years.
• 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.
• 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 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 96-23 when scoring 80 points or more, the last 10 seasons. The Hawkeyes are 78-2 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.
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 year, Bohannon was credited with a team-best 118 assists, becoming just the seventh Hawkeye to register three 100-assist seasons. He 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).
Bohannon became the seventh Hawkeye to register three 100-assist seasons (Dean Oliver, Jeff Horner, B.J. Armstrong, Andre Woolridge, Mike Gesell, Devyn Marble).
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.
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 last November. 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. Olson went on to coach at the University of Arizona for 25 years.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Fran McCaffery has the most experienced coaching staffs in the country. The Iowa men’s basketball staff has 72 years of combined collegiate head coaching experience and more than 125 years of collegiate coaching under their belts.
Iowa is one of two programs nationwide who have four current/former Division I head coaches on their active coaching staffs (Pitt).
RECENT GRADUATES PLAYING PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL
A number of recent Iowa basketball graduates are playing professionally: Jarrod Uthoff (NBA: Memphis Grizzlies), Nicholas Baer (NBA G League; Raptors 905), Devyn Marble (Italy), 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).
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,838 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,668-1,168 (.588). Iowa’s 1,668 wins are 38th most among Division I programs. That includes a 1,066-372 (.741) record in home games, a 596-795 (.428) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 786-797 (.496) mark in Big Ten games and a 471-146 (.763) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
