MBB Game Notes: at Indiana

GAME #30 STORYLINES

• Tuesday will be Iowa’s first visit to Assembly Hall in over two years. The Hawkeyes last visited Bloomington on Feb. 7, 2021.
• Iowa posted its third-largest comeback in school history when it rallied to beat then-No. 15 Indiana (91-89) on Jan. 5, 2023, in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes trailed by 21 points (28-7) early in the first half. Iowa took its first lead with 11:35 remaining in the second half.
• Iowa is 2-2 against AP ranked foes this season: 2-0 at home and 0-2 away from Iowa City.
• The Hawkeyes are seeking to beat Indiana four straight times since 2010-11.
• Iowa has 12 combined Quad 1 (4) and Quad 2 (8) wins on its resume, second most in the Big Ten behind Purdue (14).
• Fran McCaffery (125) is one win from tying Tom Davis (126) for the most regular season Big Ten victories in program history.
• Kris Murray and Trayce Jackson-Davis each netted 30 points in this year’s first meeting (Jan. 5).
• Iowa has won 10 or more Big Ten games eight of the last nine seasons.
• Iowa has one Indiana native on their roster: Tony Perkins (Indianapolis; Lawrence North HS)
• Entering this week, Iowa (35) has the fourth most Big Ten regular season wins over the last three seasons. Illinois (41) is first, followed by Purdue (40), and Michigan (36).
• Kris Murray and Drew Pember of UNC Asheville are the only Division I players in the country to average 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and have made 50+ 3-pointers this season. Murray surpassed 500 points this season in Iowa’s last game versus Michigan State on Saturday.
• Connor McCaffery has once again ascended to ranking first in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.21) this season. He also led the nation in the statistic in 2020, boasting a 4.6 ratio. McCaffery dished out a career-high 13 assists (zero turnovers) in the home win over Ohio State on Feb. 16. He has amassed 511 career assists, seventh most in program history. McCaffery is six assists from tying B.J. Armstrong (517) for sixth place.
• Iowa has made (442) more free throws than its foes have attempted (412). The Hawkeyes have only once before accomplished the feat over the last 25 years (2018-19 season).
• Filip Rebraca has reached double digits in scoring 21 of 23 games, including netting 15+ points in 11 of Iowa’s last 19. Rebraca is one of 11 players nationally to average 13.5+ points, 7.5+ rebounds, 1+ blocks, while shooting 57 percent or better from the field.
• Iowa is tops in the Big Ten and 20th nationally in scoring offense (80.4). The Hawkeyes have led the league in scoring five of the last nine seasons, including the last four.
• Forward Kris Murray’s 20.6 scoring average in conference play (17 games) is third in the league. Murray was tabbed midseason third team All-America by Sporting News and is on the Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 List. In home games that Murray has played this season, Iowa is 12-0, with Murray averaging 23.2 points in those 12 home contests.
• Iowa is third in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.66), 13th in fewest turnovers per game (10.0), 15th in assists per game (16.6), and 31st in fewest fouls per game (14.8).
• The Hawkeyes are 11-1 this season when making nine or more 3-pointers in a game.

SCOUTING INDIANA

• Indiana (18 NET Ranking) is 20-9 overall and 11-7 in conference play. The Hoosiers have alternated wins and losses over the last four games. Indiana won its last outing, at then-No. 5 Purdue, 79-71, on Saturday in West Lafayette.
• The Hoosiers are 14-1 overall and 7-1 in conference play at Assembly Hall this season.
• The Hoosiers lead the conference in field goal percentage (8th nationally, 49.2). Indiana is second in the Big Ten in four categories; assists per game (33rd nationally, 15.5), blocks per game (13th nationally, 5.1), and effective field goal percentage (36th nationally, .544).
• Senior forward Trayce Jackson-Davis leads the Big Ten in blocks (9th nationally, 74), blocks per game (6th nationally, 2.85), and defensive rebounds per game (4th nationally, 7.92). Jackson-Davis is fourth in the league in field goal percentage (57.2), and second in double doubles (8th nationally, 15).
• Freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino is seventh in the Big Ten in assists per game (3.9) and eighth in assists (101).
• The Hoosiers are shooting at 49.3 percent from the field, 38.2 percent in the 3-point range, and 71.3 percent from the free-throw line.
• Mike Woodson is in his second season as head coach of the Hoosiers. The former Hoosier All-American led the squad to a nine-win improvement and NCAA Tournament win last season. Woodson returns to Bloomington after playing in the NBA for 11 seasons and serving as a head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks for a combined nine years.

ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS

Indiana holds a 106-81 advantage in the series, dating back to 1909. The two teams have split the last 10 overall meetings, dating back to 2017. Iowa has won three straight over the Hoosiers, including this season’s earlier meeting in Iowa City on Jan. 5 (91-89).

Six of the last nine meetings between the two teams have been decided by two possessions or less, including four one-possession games during that span.

The Hoosiers hold a 62-30 advantage in games played at Bloomington. Iowa’s last victory in Assembly Hall came on Feb. 7, 2019 (77-72).

LAST MEETING AGAINST INDIANA

Iowa erased a 21-point first-half deficit and snapped a three-game losing streak with a 91-89 win over No. 15 Indiana on Jan. 5, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.

• Iowa posted its third-largest comeback in school history (23-point comeback versus Gardner-Webb on Nov. 17, 2012; 22-point comeback at Illinois on Jan. 14, 1987).
• Iowa extended its win streak to three over the Hoosiers, dating back to last season.
• Junior Kris Murray netted a team-best 30 points and cleared 10 rebounds. Murray played all 40 minutes.
• Senior Filip Rebraca tallied 19 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds.
• After trailing by as many as 21 points in the first half (28-7), Iowa took its first lead with 11:35 remaining in the second half.
• Junior Patrick McCaffery did not play for Iowa, while Race Thompson was injured in the first half of the game and did not return for the second half.
• The Hoosiers shot 54 percent from the field, including 53 percent from 3-point range. Trayce Jackson-Davis (30 points; 9 rebounds) and Jalen Hood-Schifino (21 points; 9 assists) led the Hoosiers.

HAWKEYES RALLY TO UPEND SPARTANS IN OVERTIME

Iowa trailed Michigan State by 11 points with 55 seconds remaining in regulation and ultimately win 112-106 in overtime on Saturday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.

• Iowa is the fourth team to ever win when down 11+ with less than one minute remaining. Texas A&M (down 12 with 33 seconds left vs. UNI in 2016), UNLV (down 11 with 59 seconds left vs. SDSU in 2005), Nevada (down 11 with 59 seconds left vs. New Mexico in 2017).
• Iowa extended its home win streak to seven and won its 14th home contest of the season. The Hawkeyes have won 14+ home games each of the last five years.
• Iowa has won its last three home games against Michigan State, its longest win streak against the Spartans in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since 1991-93.
• Saturday was the highest scoring game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena history (218 points) and was the highest scoring contest in series history, dating back to 1937.
• Iowa made five of its last six 3-point attempts, including four straight, over the last 39 seconds to force overtime.
• Iowa’s 112 points equaled a season high (112 versus North Carolina A&T on Nov. 11).
• Kris Murray scored a team-best 26 points, reaching 20+ points a team-best 13 times this season. Murray also had eight rebounds and three steals.Payton Sandfort tallied 22 points, draining a personal-best six 3-pointers made (6-of-10), including the game-tying triple with three seconds remaining to force overtime.
• Filip Rebraca netted 18 points. He reached double figures in scoring 9:34 into the game, making his first five field goal attempts. Rebraca was credited with five assists, his highest total against a Big Ten opponent the last two seasons.
• Tony Perkins made a career-high four 3-pointers. He finished the contest with 24 points, a season-high nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
• Iowa’s 17 3-pointers made were a season high and the most MSU has allowed this season.
• Iowa scored 59 second-half points, its second highest second half total of the season (60 vs. North Carolina A&T).
• The game featured 13 lead changes, the same number of lead changes in the Iowa-Michigan State in East Lansing on Jan. 26, 2023.

LEADER OF THE PACK

Connor McCaffery is Iowa’s career leader in assist-to-turnover ratio, amassing a 3.62 ratio in 162 career games (511 assists; 141 turnovers), a full point above second-place Andre Banks (2.53). His career ratio is second best in NCAA history behind Iowa State’s Monte Morris (4.65).

His 4.2 assist-to-turnover ratio this season is tops in the nation by a wide margin. Moe Odum of Pacific ranks second (3.39).

McCaffery’s assist-to-turnover ratio last year was 5.0 (did not qualify for national rankings due to not meeting assists per game minimum), while he ranked fourth nationally in 2021 with a 3.73 ratio. In 2020, he led the country with a 4.6 ratio.

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 (31) and field goal percentage (.577), and second in rebounds (7.6) and points per game (13.9). He is pulling down 2.8 offensive boards per outing, fifth best in the Big Ten and 63rd nationally. His field goal percentage (.577) ranks 35th in the country.

Rebraca netted career point No. 1,500 against Eastern Illinois (Dec. 21). He has scored 612 points the last two seasons as a Hawkeye (65 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 6-foot-9 center has netted double figures a team-best 24 times this year and posted a team-best nine double-doubles, fifth most in the league. Rebraca has scored in double digits 21 of the last 23 games and netted 15+ points in 11 of the last 19. His 1.1 blocks per game rates 12th 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 the overtime win over Michigan (13 points, 12 rebounds).

MIDSEASON RALLY

Payton Sandfort had a sluggish start to the 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 games (Wisconsin, Nebraska, Penn State).

Over the last 15 games, Sandfort is averaging 11.9 points and 4.5 rebounds, shooting 45 percent from the field and 44 percent from long distance. He sank four or more 3-pointers in three games: Rutgers (4-of-5), Michigan (4-of-9), Northwestern (5-of-6), and Michigan State (6-of-10). Sandfort has netted double figures in 10 of the last 19 games. Iowa is 10-3 when Sandfort makes multiple triples in a game.

Sandfort makes a positive impact when he is on the floor. The sophomore guard has had positive double digit +/- in five of the last seven home games: +21 (Illinois); +18 (Northwestern); +14 (Rutgers); +12 Maryland; +16 (Michigan).

Sandfort was instrumental in Iowa’s overtime victory over the Wolverines on Jan. 12. He scored Iowa’s final seven points of regulation (63 seconds), including a four-point play with 20 seconds remaining to force overtime. Sandfort tallied 24 of his career-high 26 points in the second half and overtime. He totaled seven points and matched a personal best with eight rebounds in Iowa’s home win over Rutgers. Sandfort was a team-best +18 in Iowa’s victory over the Wildcats, scoring 20 points, bolstered by making 5-of-7 from long distance. He led all players with a +21, scoring nine points and grabbing six rebounds, in Iowa’s two-point home triumph over Illinois.

Off the court, Sandfort excels in the classroom earning 2023 Academic All-District honors and Fall Semester Dean’s List distinction in 2022.

MURRAY NAMED TO WATCH LISTS

Junior Kris Murray has been named to the Wooden Award Late Season Top 20, Oscar Robertson Midseason Watch List, Naismith POY Midseason Team, a Karl Malone Award semifinalist, midseason third team All-America by Sporting News, and the Big Ten Preseason All-Big Ten Team.

It marks the fourth straight season that one or more Hawkeyes have been selected to the preseason all-conference squad. 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.

Kris Murray and Drew Pember of UNC Asheville are the only Division I players in the country to average 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and have made 50+ 3-pointers this season.

Murray is averaging a team-best 20.2 points and eight rebounds per outing. Murray has increased his scoring average by 11.5 points per game this season compared to last year. His 20.2 points per contest ranks 22nd nationally. Murray did not play in four contests in December (Iowa State; Wisconsin; Southeast Missouri State; Eastern Illinois) due to a lower body injury.
He has scored 30+ points four times this season (30 vs. Indiana; 32 at Penn State; 31 vs. Georgia Tech; 30 vs. Omaha). He is one of 27 players nationally with four or more 30-point performances. Murray is one of four Hawkeyes to score 30+ at least four times in the Fran McCaffery era joining Luka Garza (13), Keegan Murray (5), and Peter Jok (5).

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.

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 a career-best 32 points at Penn State on Jan. 1. Murray totaled 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. Murray played all 45 minutes in Iowa’s triumph over Michigan, amassing 27 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, three assists, and a steal. He netted 17 of his 19 points in the second half in the win over Maryland. Murray netted a game-best 24 points in the home win over Rutgers and game bests in points (28) and rebounds (14) at Minnesota this past Sunday.

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: PSU, IND, RUT, MICH, UMD, OSU, MSU, RUT, NW, ILL (knee)
Patrick McCaffery: Indiana, Rutgers, Michigan, Maryland, Ohio State, Michigan State (anxiety)

COMEBACK HAWKEYES

Iowa became just the fourth team in Division I history to trail by 11+ points and win with under one minute remaining in the game when it rallied from 11 points with 55 seconds left to upend Michigan State in overtime (112-106) on Feb. 25 in Iowa City. Texas A&M (down 12 with 33 seconds left vs. UNI in 2016), UNLV (down 11 with 59 seconds left vs. SDSU in 2005), Nevada (down 11 with 59 seconds left vs. New Mexico in 2017).

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 took its 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.

20-POINT CLUB

Iowa has had a player average 20+ points per game each of the last three seasons, which is a program best. Luka Garza averaged 23.9 in 2020 and 24.1 in 2021, while Keegan Murray averaged 23.5 in 2022.

Kris Murray, twin brother of Keegan, is currently averaging 20.2 points per game. If he continues his scoring pace, the Hawkeyes will have a player average 20+ four consecutive years.

ANOTHER SIXTH-YEAR PLAYER

Connor McCaffery returned for his COVID bonus year and sixth season. He has played in 162 career games, second to only Jordan Bohannon (179) in program history. McCaffery has played in 110 games in which Iowa has won, second most in school history behind Jordan Bohannon (111).

McCaffery is averaging 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. 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). McCaffery dished out eight assists (only one turnover) in Iowa’s win at Rutgers. He tied a season high with 10 rebounds in the win at Minnesota, and followed up that performance with seven points, six rebounds, and a career-high 13 assists (zero turnovers) in Iowa’s double-digit win over Ohio State.

He is tops in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.2). McCaffery has had zero turnovers in five of Iowa’s last nine outings.

McCaffery has only missed five free throws this season (40-of-45). 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.

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).