MBB Game Notes: vs Maryland

GAME #18 STORYLINES

• Sunday will be the only regular season meeting between Maryland and Iowa.
• Sunday is Iowa’s annual “Lettermen’s Day.” Several former Hawkeyes will be in attendance and will be recognized at halftime.
• Iowa’s bench erupted for a season-high 42 points in Iowa’s overtime victory over Michigan on Thursday, 36 of which came from Payton Sandfort (26) and Josh Dix (10).
• Iowa is tops in the Big Ten and 20th nationally in scoring offense (82.1). The Hawkeyes have led the league in scoring five of the last nine seasons, including the last four.
• The Hawkeyes are the only team to have two players ranked in the top five in rebounds per game in the Big Ten: Kris Murray (fourth; 9.5) and Filip Rebraca (fifth; 8.9).
• Forward Kris Murray averages 25.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in home games this season. His 24.6 scoring average in conference play (five games) is tops in the league.
• Kris Murray has scored 30+ points four times this season (30 vs. Indiana; 32 at Penn State; 31 vs. Georgia Tech; 30 vs. Omaha). Murray is one of five players nationally with four 30-point performances and the only player from a Power 5 conference. He is one of four Hawkeyes to score 30+ at least four times in the Fran McCaffery era joining Luka Garza (13), Keegan Murray (5), Peter Jok (5).
• Filip Rebraca has reached double figures in scoring 11 straight games, including netting 15+ points in five of Iowa’s last seven. Over the last nine games, he is averaging 18.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 0.8 steals, while shooting a robust 61 percent (62-of-101) from the field. Rebraca pulled down career rebound No. 1,000 Thursday against Michigan.
• Iowa has made 69 more free throws (280) than their opponents have attempted (211).
• Iowa’s Filip Rebraca is one of 11 players nationally to average 14+ points, 8+ rebounds, 1+ blocks, while shooting 57 percent or better from the field.
• The Hawkeyes are 7-0 this season when making nine or more 3-pointers in a game.
• Iowa is third in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.67), ninth in fewest turnovers per game (10.1), 19th in assists per game (16.9), and 20th in fewest fouls per game (14.1).
• The Hawkeyes are in the middle of a stretch of four of five league home games.
• Connor McCaffery has only missed two free throws this season (29-of-31). He had his consecutive free throws made streak of 19 end at Penn State on Jan. 1, 2023.
• Fran McCaffery won his 500th game as a collegiate head coach on Dec. 8 and win No. 250 at Iowa on Dec. 17.
• Kris Murray was named the ESPN Men’s Basketball National Player of the Week and Big Ten Co-Player of the Week on Dec. 5. He amassed 31 points, 20 rebounds, four assists, four 3-pointers, and two blocks in Iowa’s win over Georgia Tech. He is the first Hawkeye to amass 30 points and 20 rebounds in the same game since Bruce King in 1977. Murray is also the only NBA, WNBA, or Division I men’s or women’s player in the last 20 years to total 30+ points, 20+ rebounds, 4+ assists, 4+ 3-pointers, and 2+ blocks in the same game.

SCOUTING MARYLAND

• Maryland (39 NET Ranking) enters Sunday’s contest in Iowa City 11-5 overall, and 2-3 in conference play. The Terrapins’ most recent game was an 80-73 home victory over then-No. 24 Ohio State, 80-73 last Sunday.
• All three conference losses for Maryland have come on the road: at Wisconsin on Dec. 6 (64-59), at Michigan on Jan. 1 (81-46), and at Rutgers on Jan. 6 (64-50). The Terrapins’ other league win was over then-No. 16 Illinois on Dec. 2 (71-66) in College Park.
• The Terrapins are fourth in the conference in both free throw attempts (20.6) and free throws made per game (14.6). Maryland is fifth in the league in 3-point percentage defense (.299).
• Graduate student guard Jahmir Young, previously at Charlotte, leads the Terrapins in assists (45) and points (239). Young is third in the Big Ten in made free throws (59), seventh in field goal attempts (193), eighth in free throw attempts (74), and eighth in points (239). Young led the squad in their most recent defeat of Ohio State, putting up his first double-double at Maryland, (30 points and 11 rebounds).
• Sophomore forward Julian Reese is ranked ninth in the Big Ten in both free throw attempts (61) and offensive rebounds per game (2.33). He leads the Terrapins in offensive rebounds (35) and total rebounds (102). Reese has two double-doubles so far this season, both in nonconference games.
• Maryland, who won its first eight games of the season, is shooting at 44.9 percent from the field, 31.4 percent from 3-point territory, and 70.9 percent from the free-throw line.
• Kevin Willard is in his first season as head coach of the Terrapins. Willard was previously at Seton Hall and lead them to their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance. Willard last coached in Carver-Hawkeye Arena as head coach of Seton Hall on Nov. 17, 2016, when his Pirates beat the Hawkeyes (91-83) in the Gavitt Games.
• Iowa assistant coach Sherman Dillard began his coaching career at Maryland, spending six seasons (1979-85) as an assistant coach. Dillard helped coach the Terrapins to four 20-win seasons and five NCAA Tournaments. The 1980, 1984 and 1985 squads reached the Sweet 16, while the 1984 team won the ACC Tournament.

ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS

The series between Iowa and Maryland is tied, 7-7. The Hawkeyes have won four of the last five overall meetings, including both games last season.

Sunday will be Maryland’s sixth visit to Iowa City. Iowa holds a narrow 3-2 advantage in games played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes won in 2015, 2020 and 2022, while the Terrapins were victorious in 2017 and 2019.

LAST MEETING AGAINST MARYLAND

Keegan Murray and Jordan Bohannon combined for 60 points in a 110-87 win over Maryland on Feb. 10, 2022, at the Xfinity Center in College Park to complete the season sweep.

• Iowa’s 110 points were a season high, the most by either team in the 14-game series history and most by the Hawkeyes in a Big Ten game since 116 against Northwestern on Feb. 9, 1995.
• Jordan Bohannon drained a school-record 10 3-pointers, surpassing the school’s 28-year record previously set twice by Chris Kingsbury (9) in 1994. His 16 3-point attempts tied a personal high (16 versus North Carolina in 2020).
• Bohannon’s 10 triples are an Xfinity Center record and ties for second most by a Big Ten player. Bohannon’s previous high was eight 3-pointers (at Maryland in 2017 and vs Nebraska in 2021).
• Iowa is the first team in Big Ten history to have one player make 10 3’s (Jordan Bohannon) and another player score 30 points (Keegan Murray) in a single game.
• The Hawkeyes poured it on in the second half by virtue of an 18-0 scoring run.
• Jordan Bohannon equaled his career high (versus UAB on Nov. 22, 2017).
• Iowa made 19 3-pointers, which are the most by the Hawkeyes in a Big Ten game in program history, surpassing 16 made triples against the Terrapins on Feb. 25, 2017. The 19 triples were one shy of the school record and Big Ten record in a league game.
• Iowa outrebounded Maryland, 37-28.
• The Terrapins lost by 23 points despite shooting 53.8 percent from 3-point range (14-of-26). Fatts Russell led the Terrapins with 20 points and six assists.

IOWA RALLIES TO UPEND WOLVERINES IN OVERTIME

Iowa rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit to beat Michigan, 93-84 in overtime, in the only regular season meeting between the two teams on Thursday in Iowa City.

• The Hawkeyes trailed by seven points with 2:18 remaining in regulation. Sophomore Payton Sandfort scored Iowa’s final seven points of regulation (63 seconds), including a four-point play with 20 seconds remaining to force overtime.
• Junior Kris Murray led Iowa with 27 points, reaching 20+ points a team-best seventh time this season. Murray equaled his career high in 3-pointers made (4) and blocked shots (3).
• Payton Sandfort tallied 24 of his career-high 26 points in the second half and overtime, scoring 20+ points for the second straight game. Sandfort drained a career-high four 3-pointers for the second straight game (Rutgers).
• Freshman Josh Dix netted personal bests in scoring (10) and assists (5).
• Senior Filip Rebraca totaled 13 points and 12 rebounds to notch his team-best seventh double-double of the season and fourth in the last five Big Ten games.
• Iowa’s bench erupted for a season-high 42 points, 36 of which came from Payton Sandfort (26) and Josh Dix (10).
• Iowa matched its season high in 3-pointers made, sinking 12 for the second consecutive contest (Rutgers).
• The Hawkeyes scored the first eight points of the overtime period.
• Iowa improved to 7-0 this season when making nine or more 3-pointers.
• Iowa recorded its first overtime win since a 76-70 victory over Indiana on Feb. 22, 2019.
• Five of the last 12 games against Michigan in Iowa City have been extended to overtime.
  • Juniors Patrick McCaffery and Josh Ogundele did not play in Thursday’s contest for Iowa.
  • Jett Howard (34 points) and Hunter Dickinson (12 points, 13 rebounds) led the Wolverines. Howard scored Michigan’s first 11 points of the game and sank a game-best seven 3-pointers. Dug McDaniel and Kobe Bufkin each dished out a game-best seven assists.

PLAYING BIG

Fifth-year senior Filip Rebraca has taken his game to another level this season. Rebraca is one of nine players nationally on a college men’s basketball roster over the age of 25. He ranks first on the squad in blocks (25) and field goal percentage (.576), and second in rebounds (8.9) and points per game (14.4). He is pulling down 3.35 offensive boards per outing, second best in the Big Ten and 25th nationally. His field goal percentage (.576) ranks 43rd in the country.

Rebraca netted career point No. 1,500 against Eastern Illinois (Dec. 21). He has scored 453 points the last two seasons as a Hawkeye (53 games) and 1,129 points in three seasons at North Dakota. He grabbed career rebound No. 1,000 in Iowa’s win over Michigan.

The under-sized center (6-foot-9) has netted double figures a team-best 14 times this year and posted a team-best seven double-doubles, tying for second most in the league. Rebraca has scored in double figures 11 straight games and netted 15+ points in five of Iowa’s last seven. He has rejected multiple shots six times this season and his 1.47 blocks per game ranks sixth in the conference.

Rebraca earned Big Ten Player of the Week accolades after his career night against Southeast Missouri State (Dec. 17). The fifth-year senior posted career bests in points (30) and assists (6), while also snagging a game-best nine rebounds. He only missed one field goal attempt (12-of-13).

Rebraca had another stellar outing versus Eastern Illinois. He tallied a game-best 24 points, collected a career-high five steals, and snagged eight rebounds. He totaled 16 points and grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds at Nebraska, and amassed 19 points and 10 rebounds in Iowa’s triumph over then-No. 15 Indiana. Rebraca posted double-double No. 7 in Thursday’s overtime win over Michigan (13 points, 12 rebounds).

MIDSEASON RALLY

Payton Sandfort had a sluggish start to the 2022-23 Big Ten season. The sophomore guard was 0-for-19 from the field, including 0-for-10 from 3-point range, over Iowa’s first three Big Ten games (Wisconsin, Nebraska, Penn State).

Over the last three games –all of which Iowa has won — Sandfort is averaging 19.7 points and 5.3 rebounds, shooting 56 percent (19-of-34) from the field and 50 percent (9-of-18) from long distance. He made a career-best four 3-pointers in each of the last two games: Rutgers (4-of-5) and Michigan (4-of-9). Sandfort has netted double figures in five of the last seven games, including three in a row. Iowa is 5-1 when Sandfort makes multiple triples in a game.

MURRAY NAMED TO WATCH LISTS

Junior Kris Murray has been named to the Big Ten Preseason All-Big Ten Team, the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25, and the Karl Malone Award Watch List.

It marks the fourth straight season that one or more Hawkeyes have been selected to the preseason all-conference squad, voted upon by a selected panel of media. Joe Wieskamp was selected in 2019 and 2020, Luka Garza was tabbed the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year in 2020, while Kris’ twin brother Keegan was recognized in 2021. Keegan was also the recipient of the 2022 Karl Malone Award.

Murray is averaging a team-best 21.4 points and 9.5 rebounds per outing. Murray has increased his scoring average by 12.7 points per game this season compared to last year. Murray did not play in four contests in December (Iowa State; Wisconsin; Southeast Missouri State; Eastern Illinois) due to a lower body injury.

Murray returned to the lineup on Dec. 29 at Nebraska, registering game bests in points (17) and blocks (3), while also clearing eight rebounds. He scored 22 of his game and career-best 32 points in the second half at Penn State on Jan. 1. Murray reached 30 points for a second straight game, totaling 30 points and 10 rebounds in Iowa’s victory over No. 15 Indiana on Jan. 5. He amassed 17 points and seven rebounds in Iowa’s road triumph at Rutgers last Sunday. Murray played all 45 minutes in Iowa’s overtime triumph over Michigan on Thursday, amassing 27 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, three assists, and a steal.

He was Iowa’s leading scorer (9.7) and rebounder (4.3) off the bench last season. The native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was second on the team in 3-point percentage (.397), blocks per game (0.9) and field goals made (124), third in offensive (1.6) and defensive (2.7) rebounds per contest, and fourth in steals (0.8) per game. Murray made at least one 3-pointer in a team-best 17 consecutive games (Jan. 22-March 13). His 31 blocks and 43 triples rank seventh and eighth, respectively, by a Hawkeye sophomore.

MISSING HAWKEYES

Iowa has had a number of players miss games this season due health reasons. Below is the list of players and games missed.

Tony Perkins: Omaha (thigh)
Riley Mulvey: Georgia Tech, Duke (illness)
Kris Murray: Iowa State, Wisconsin, SEMO, Eastern Illinois (lower body)
Ahron Ulis: Wisconsin (hip contusion)
Connor McCaffery: Eastern Illinois (wrist)
Josh Ogundele: Penn State, Indiana, Rutgers, Michigan (knee)
Patrick McCaffery: Indiana, Rutgers, Michigan (anxiety)

COMEBACK HAWKEYES

Iowa posted its third-largest comeback in school history when it rallied to beat No. 15 Indiana (91-89) on Jan. 5, in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes trailed by 21 points (28-7) early in the first half. Iowa caught the Hoosiers and took their first lead with 11:35 remaining in the second half.

Iowa’s two largest comebacks were 23 points against Gardner-Webb on Nov. 17, 2022, and 22 points at Illinois on Jan. 14, 1987.

The Hawkeyes rallied from a 10-point second half deficit, including trailing by seven with under two minutes left in regulation, to upend Michigan in overtime on Jan. 12 in Iowa City.

HAWKEYES WELCOME NEWCOMERS

Iowa welcomes four new faces to the 2022-23 roster: Dasonte Bowen, Josh Dix, Dante Eldridge, and Amarion Nimmers.

Bowen and Dix are true freshman, hailing from Boston and Council Bluffs, respectively. Eldridge and Nimmers are non-scholarship student-athletes. Eldridge, a junior, is the son of assistant coach Courtney Eldridge. Nimmers is redshirting this season.

ANOTHER SIXTH-YEAR PLAYER

Connor McCaffery decided to utilize his COVID bonus year and return for his sixth season with the Hawkeyes.

McCaffery is averaging 7.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, and has made 21-of-57 (.368) from 3-point range this season. He posted 14 points, bolstered by shooting a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line, in his first start of the season against the Cyclones. He registered his first career double-double versus Georgia Tech (10 points; 10 rebounds) and notched his second double-double versus Wisconsin (17 points, 10 rebounds). He did not play in Iowa’s nonconference finale on Dec. 21 (Eastern Illinois) due to a wrist sprain. McCaffery dished out a season-best eight assists (only one turnover) in Iowa’s win at Rutgers last Sunday. He was a +10 in Iowa’s overtime win against Michigan.

McCaffery has only missed two free throws this season (29-of-31). He made 19 consecutive free throws from Nov. 29 to Dec. 29, before missing his first and only attempt at Penn State on Jan. 1, 2023.

FRAN MCCAFFERY CONTINUES TO WIN

• With Iowa’s Big Ten Tournament win last March, McCaffery joined Hall of Fame coaches Rick Pitino, Bob Huggins, Eddie Sutton and Lefty Driesell as the only Division I coaches to lead teams to conference tournament titles in four or more different leagues.
• Fran McCaffery has guided Iowa to 20 wins or more in eight of the last 10 seasons. He has led Iowa to Big Ten upper division finishes nine of the last 10 years. Iowa, Michigan State, and Wisconsin have each recorded a Big Ten-best nine first division finishes since 2013.
• Fran McCaffery has coached a first-team All-Big Ten honoree seven of the last nine seasons. He has guided Iowa to 20+ wins seven of the last nine seasons and fifth place or better finishes in the Big Ten six of the last eight years.

STAFF CHANGES

Fran McCaffery has a couple changes to his staff following last season. Assistant Coach Kirk Speraw retired and Assistant Coach Billy Taylor left for a head coaching position at Elon. Replacing Speraw and Taylor are Courtney Eldridge and Matt Gatens. Eldridge was on staff the previous six seasons, most recently as director of player development and recruiting director. Gatens is a former Hawkeye and most recently was an assistant coach at Drake.

Tristan Spurlock, who played basketball at UCF, is the new Director of Player Development. Al Seibert’s title changed to Chief of Staff, while Kyle Denning is now the team’s Director of Operations.

PATRICK MCCAFFERY TO TAKE MENTAL PAUSE

Redshirt junior Patrick McCaffery announced on Jan. 3, that he will be taking an indefinite leave to address anxiety.

“I have been battling anxiety for a while, and recently it has peaked, which has inhibited my preparation and performance on the court, said Patrick. It’s not fair to myself or teammates to be on the court when I am not myself. The anxiety has affected my sleep, appetite, and stamina, which has resulted in not having the energy level necessary to compete at my full capabilities. My struggle with anxiety affects every aspect of my well-being and makes it incredibly difficult to function normally. This is what I am battling right now. For this reason, I am taking an indefinite leave to address my situation. It might be two games, it may be four games, it may be more, but I will return when I feel like myself. My leave of absence is not related to my past battle with cancer.”

“Patrick is one of the millions of people who battle through anxiety on a daily basis,” Fran McCaffery said. “It has become more noticeable on and off the court over the past couple weeks. Patrick has the full support of his family, coaches, teammates, and administration as he fights through this. All of us admire his courage and willingness to be open about this struggle and we hope others know that they are not alone. We will be with him every step of the way.”

Patrick is averaging 12.8 points and 4.8 rebounds this season. He has netted double figures 10 times. His free throw percentage of 80.7 percent ranks sixth best in the conference.

PROFESSIONAL HAWKEYES

A number of recent Iowa basketball graduates are playing professionally: Keegan Murray (NBA Sacramento Kings), Luka Garza (G League Iowa Wolves), Jordan Bohannon (G League Iowa Wolves), Joe Wieskamp (NBA Toronto Raptors), Jarrod Uthoff (Japan), Devyn Marble (Poland), Tyler Cook (G League Salt Lake City Stars), Anthony Clemmons (Turkey), Gabriel Olaseni (Turkey), Ryan Kriener (Matsuyama), Melsahn Basabe (Nicaragua), and Aaron White (Serbia).