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THE SETTING
Iowa (11-7, 3-2) travels to Evanston, Illinois, to square off against Northwestern (14-4, 3-2) on Sunday night. Tipoff is set for 6:36 p.m. (CT) at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Both Iowa and Northwestern rallied from nine-point deficits in their respective games on Thursday.
Northwestern enters Sunday’s game winners of 11 of its last 13, while Iowa has won eight of its last ten.
ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, while Bob Hansen provides expert analysis. The network includes more than 40 stations that blanket the state of Iowa and portions of Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pregame show.
TV: Kevin Kugler and Jon Crispin will call the action Sunday on BTN (BTN2GO).
GAME #19 STORYLINES
• Sunday will be the only regular season meeting between Iowa and Northwestern.
• Iowa has overcome nine-point deficits in each of its last two games. The Hawkeyes trailed by nine points (51-42) with 10:12 remaining in the second half versus Rutgers (Jan. 8) and nine points at halftime (47-38) versus No. 17/19 Purdue on Thursday night.
• Iowa’s lineup of four freshmen (one redshirt) and one senior is its youngest consistent lineup in program history. Iowa’s 1943-44 squad started three freshmen, one sophomore, and one senior.
• Iowa’s last four games have been decided by six points or less, including two three-point contests decided in overtime.
• Peter Jok has scored 25+ points eight times this year, a total that ties for the second most nationally. Jok ranks sixth in country — tops among players from Power 5 conferences — in scoring per game (22.9). He also ranks 21st nationally in free throw accuracy (.908) and 23rd in 3-pointers made (3.2).
• Peter Jok totaled 29 points, six rebounds, and a career-best eight assists in Iowa’s victory over No. 17/19 Purdue on Thursday. Jok became just the third Big Ten player with at least 29 points, six rebounds, and eight assists in a game versus a ranked opponent in the last 20 years (Minnesota’s Nate Mason in 2017 and Denzel Valentine of Michigan State in 2016). Additionally, he is the first Hawkeye to post those numbers in any game since Adam Haluska had 31 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds versus Coppin State in 2006.
• Peter Jok is the first Big Ten player with four 30-point games before the month of February since Michigan’s Louis Bullock in 1998-99. Additionally, Jok is the first Hawkeye with four 30-point games in a season since Adam Haluska had five in 2006-07.
• Three of Iowa’s top four scorers this season are true freshmen. Tyler Cook is second (12.6), followed by Cordell Pemsl (9.7), and Jordan Bohannon (9.0).
• Peter Jok poured in 29 points in Iowa’s win over No. 17/19 Purdue on Thursday, boosting his career scoring total to 1,285 points. Jok currently sits in 20th, 13 points from Jarrod Uthoff for 19th.
• Freshmen Cordell Pemsl, who ranks first in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.648, 68-of-105), has scored in double figures in eight of 11 starts.
• In his last five games, point guard Jordan Bohannon is averaging 9.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, six assists, and only 1.6 turnovers. He boasts a 3.75 assist-to-turnover ratio in league play.
• Iowa made 56.7 percent (34-of-60) of its field goal attempts versus No. 17/19 Purdue on Thursday, its second-best shooting percentage in a game this season (.569 versus Delaware State).
NOT YOUR AVERAGE BAER
Redshirt sophomore reserve Nicholas Baer ranks first on the squad in blocks (1.3) and steals (1.4) and rebounding (6.4), and is fourth in assists (1.8). His 1.4 steals per game average ties for seventh best among Big Ten players, while his 1.3 blocks per game ties for 10th.
Iowa is 8-2 this season when Baer scores at least seven points in a game.
The native of Bettendorf, Iowa, has led the team in steals five times this year, being credited with three steals or more in a game a team-best five times.
Baer posted his first career double-double in Iowa’s win over Northern Iowa on Dec. 17, with 11 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. He has pulled down 10 or more rebounds in two of his last three games (11 at Nebraska and 10 versus Purdue).
IOWA RALLIES FOR SECOND STRAIGHT WIN, TOPS NATIONALLY-RANKED PURDUE
Iowa overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to upset No. 17/19 Purdue, 83-78, Thursday evening in Iowa City. The win was Iowa’s first in seven games this season when trailing at half.
• The game featured 12 ties and 20 lead changes. It was the most lead changes in an Iowa game since a 78-75 overtime win over Florida State on Dec. 2, 2016, had 21.
• Iowa improves to 4-1 in the last five games against ranked opponents in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, dating back to last season.
• Peter Jok netted a game-best 29 points topping the 20-point plateau for the 10th time this season and 21st time in his career. Jok also dished out a career-best eight assists.
• Jordan Bohannon had a personal-best nine assists to go along with 12 points. The Hawkeye freshman has totaled 17 assists the last two games.
• Tyler Cook scored 16 points, the most by the Hawkeye freshman since scoring 17 versus Memphis (Nov. 26).
• Purdue had five players in double figures, led by Caleb Swanigan’s 17 points.
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
• Northwestern enters Sunday’s game 40th in the RPI. The Wildcats are 9-1 at home this season, with their only blemish coming against Minnesota (70-66) on Jan. 5.
• Northwestern overcame a nine-point deficit in posting a 69-60 win over Rutgers Thursday evening in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Wildcats were only 3-of-20 (.150) from 3-point range, but were a blistering 18-of-20 (.900) at the free throw line. Vic Law paced Northwestern with 23 points and eight rebounds.
• Northwestern is 3-1 in conference road games, becoming the first league team to win three Big Ten road games this season.
• Three Wildcats average double figures: Scottie Lindsey (15.5), Vic Law (14.3), and Bryant McIntosh (11.9).
• Northwestern has three players who have made 20 or more 3-pointers: Scottie Lindsey (38-102, .373), Vic Law (35-of-78, .449), and Nathan Taphorn (22-of-46, .478).
• Northwestern ranks sixth nationally in blocked shots per game (6.5), 11th in free throw accuracy (.772) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.56), 15th in field goal percentage defense (.385), 20th in fewest turnovers per game (10.9), and 34th in scoring defense (64.4). Individually, Scottie Lindsey ranks 33rd in the country in free throw percentage (.882) and Gavin Skelly is 63rd in rejections per contest (1.78).
• Chris Collins is in his fourth season as a head coach, all at Northwestern (63-52, .548).
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa holds a 115-59 advantage over Northwestern in the series. The Hawkeyes have won seven of the last nine meetings, including an 85-71 victory over the Wildcats in the only meeting a year ago in Iowa City.
Iowa holds a 46-40 edge in games played in Evanston. Sunday will be Iowa’s first visit to Evanston, Illinois, since a 66-61 overtime loss on Feb. 15, 2015. The two teams have split the last four meetings in Evanston, dating back to 2012.
LAST MEETING
• Iowa led by as many as 29 points in the second half in an 85-71 triumph over Northwestern on Jan. 31, 2016 in Iowa City.
• Peter Jok led the Hawkeyes with 26 points, scoring 22 of Iowa’s first 25 points of the second half. Jok made four triples and converted 10-of-12 free throw attempts (.833).
• Jarrod Uthoff scored 23 points and collected six rebounds and rejected three shots.
• The Hawkeyes went 28-of-36 from the free throw line. The Wildcats were only 8-of-14 from the foul line.
• Iowa’s 12 steals were the most by the Hawkeyes in Big Ten play last season. The Hawkeye defense forced 16 turnovers, scoring 24 points off turnovers.
• Adam Woodbury pulled down a game-high nine rebounds in only 14 minutes of action.
• Northwestern’s Tre Demps led all scorers with 30 points, while Scottie Lindsey chipped in 15 points off the bench.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK — 40
In its last game against No. 17/19 Purdue, the Hawkeyes outscored the Boilermakers 40-20 in the paint. Also, Iowa’s freshmen Cordell Pemsl, Isaiah Moss, Jordan Bohannon, Ryan Kriener, and Tyler Cook combined to score 40 of Iowa’s 83 points in the five-point victory.
ROOKIE FLOOR GENERAL
After having two veteran point guards graduate last spring (Mike Gesell and Anthony Clemmons), Jordan Bohannon has done a fantastic job directing the Hawkeye offense as a freshman. Bohannon ranks first on the team in assists (5.0), second in minutes played (27.7), free throw accuracy (.893) and 3-pointers made (35), and fourth in scoring (9.0). He has netted 17 or more points in four games, led the squad in assists a team-best 14 times, and turned the ball over only eight times in four conference games. His 3.75 assist-to-turnover ratio in league play ranks third.
Bohannon netted 12 of his 17 points in the second half and overtime in Iowa’s triumph over Michigan on New Year’s Day. He also had six assists and no turnovers. The native of Marion, Iowa, nearly had his first double-double Thursday vs. No. 17/19 Purdue with 12 points and a personal-best nine assists.
PEMSL MAKING THE MOST OF HIGH PERCENTAGE SHOTS
Freshman Cordell Pemsl has had a great start to his collegiate career. The native of Dubuque, Iowa, has started 11 games, while coming off the bench seven times. In 18 total games, Pemsl has scored in double digits 10 times and is averaging 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds, while shooting a Big Ten-best 65 percent (68-of-105) from the field. He has scored in double figures in eight of the 11 starts.
PETER JOK SCORCHING THE NETS
After averaging 7.0 points per game as a sophomore, Peter Jok averaged 16.1 points last year as a junior (+9.1), and is averaging a Big Ten-best 22.9 points this season as a senior (+6.8). The +9.1 improvement last year was tops among Big Ten players.
Jok was named to the preseason All-Big Ten first team, while also being named to the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, Naismith Trophy and John Wooden Award watch lists, and a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award. Jok has scored 25 points or more six times this season, including scorching the nets for 42 points against Memphis and 33 against Omaha on Dec. 3. Jok nearly had a triple-double against Stetson (15 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) and a double-double against No. 25/25 Iowa State (23 points and nine rebounds).
Jok, who has led the Hawkeyes in scoring each of the last six games, has been recognized as the Big Ten Player of the Week twice this season (Nov. 21 and Dec. 12). He averaged 28.5 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two assists against Seton Hall and UTRGV for the Nov. 21 award. Jok averaged a team-best 19 points, 8.5 rebounds, and five assists in contests versus Stetson and No. 25 Iowa State for the Dec. 12 distinction.
Jok, who scored career point No. 1,000 against Memphis, made his first 24 free throw attempts this season before misfiring on his first attempt at Notre Dame. Jok has had free throw streaks of 27 and 26 the last two seasons. The school record for consecutive free throws made is 34 set by Chris Street (Jan. 2-Jan. 16, 1993).
Jok ranks seventh sixth in points per game (22.9), 21st in free throw accuracy (.908), and 23rd in 3-pointers per contest (3.2). His 22.9 scoring average is tops among players from Power 5 conferences and sixth overall. Jok has scored 25 points or more eight times this year, which ties for second nationally.
Jok has made 190 career 3-pointers, which are the seventh most in program history. He is three triples from tying Brody Boyd (2001-04) for sixth place with 193.
KRIENER, WILLIAMS STEP UP VERSUS PURDUE
Iowa got 10 crucial points against the Boilermakers on Thursday out of two reserves, whose game minutes in recently have been minimal. Freshman forward Ryan Kriener tallied six points and grabbed two rebounds in eight minutes of second-half action. Sophomore Christian Williams scored two buckets in a span of 28 seconds in the first half. Williams’ two field goals are the most by the guard in a game since making four against Delaware State in Iowa’s nonconference finale on Dec. 22, 2016.
RECENT GRADUATES PLAYING PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL
A number of recent Iowa basketball graduates are playing professionally: Melsahn Basabe (Greece), Anthony Clemmons (Austria), Mike Gesell (Denmark), Jarryd Cole (France), Matt Gatens (NBA D-League: Iowa Energy — injured), Devyn Marble (Greece), Gabriel Olaseni (Italy), Darius Stokes (Australia), Jarrod Uthoff (NBA D-League: Raptors 905), Aaron White (Russia), and Adam Woodbury (NBA D-League: Fort Wayne Mad Ants).
NICHOLAS BAER PLAYED OVERSEAS IN AUGUST
Nicholas Baer averaged 8.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and two steals in four games (3-1) overseas on the USA East Coast All-Star Team.
This marked the sixth consecutive year that a Hawkeye traveled overseas with the USA East Coast basketball team. In 2011, Matt Gatens and Bryce Cartwright traveled overseas; Zach McCabe went in 2012; Jarrod Uthoff was on the roster in 2013; Mike Gesell and Adam Woodbury competed in 2014; while Dom Uhl traveled with the team in 2015.
HAWKEYE FASTBREAKS
• Iowa is 6-0 this year when allowing fewer than 70 points.
• Ten of the 14 Big Ten teams have one or two losses in conference play entering this weekend’s competition.
• Nine different Hawkeyes have reached double figures in scoring this season.
• Iowa is 58-11 when scoring 80 points or more, the last seven seasons. The Hawkeyes are 63-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points, the last seven years.
• As a team, Iowa ranks 26th nationally in scoring offense (83.0), 22nd in assists per game (17.4), and 77th in 3-pointers made (8.7).
• Iowa has scored 90 points or more six times this season.
• Iowa was credited with 22 assists in its home win over No. 17/19 Purdue on Thursday, the most in a game since dishing out 22 against Delaware State on Dec. 22, 2016.
• Peter Jok poured in 42 points against Memphis on Nov. 26. The 42 points are the most by a Hawkeye in 40 years and tie for the fourth most in a single-game in program history, tying Bruce King’s 42 points against Pittsburgh in 1976.
• Jordan Bohannon was 7-of-15 from long distance at Notre Dame on Nov. 29; the 15 attempts tied Justin Jackson for the second most 3-point attempts in a single-game in Iowa history.
• After scoring in double figures once in 27 games last year, Brady Ellingson has netted double digits four times this season.
• Peter Jok tied a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record against Omaha, making all 12 free throw attempts. The perfect 12-of-12 mark tied Luke Recker (2001 vs. Kansas State), Val Barnes (1992 vs. Ohio State), and Roy Marble (1988 vs. Northern Iowa).
• Iowa played in back-to-back overtime games (Michigan and Nebraska) for the first time since Dec. 25 and Dec. 27, 1984.
• Iowa surpassed the century mark for the 97th time in program history with a 116-84 win over Savannah State on Nov. 13. The 116 points equal the seventh most points in a game in school history and are the most points by a Big Ten team this season.
• Iowa posted school records in 3-pointers made (18) and attempted (43) in its victory over Savannah State on Nov. 13.
• Iowa made all 13 of its free throw attempts at No. 15 Purdue on Dec. 28. The last time a Hawkeye team made all of its free throws (min. 10 attempts) was at Virginia (15-of-15) in the NIT quarterfinals on March 27, 2013.
• Isaiah Moss was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Dec. 12. It marked the first time a rookie Hawkeye was honored by the conference office since Nicholas Baer on Dec. 21, 2015.
• Peter Jok joined Reggie Evans (twice) and Aaron Fuller as the only Hawkeyes to post 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in a single game the last 20 years. Jok totaled 30 points and 11 rebounds against Seton Hall (Nov. 17). His efforts earned the team captain Big Ten Player of the Week honors on Nov. 21.
• Peter Jok scored 27 points in Iowa’s opener vs. Kennesaw State. The 27 points are the most by a Hawkeye in a season opener since Adam Haluska poured in 29 against The Citadel in 2006.
• Freshman Tyler Cook (10) joined Aaron White as the only two players to grab 10 or more rebounds in their first game as a Hawkeye in the past 20 years.
• The 183 points in the Iowa-Nebraska double overtime game on Jan. 5 are the most points scored in the 28-game series history.
• Iowa athletic teams swept Iowa State in four competitions Dec. 7-10 (women’s basketball, men’s basketball, women’s swimming, and wrestling). The Hawkeyes lead the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, 14-7. With only three athletic events remaining, Iowa has clinched the series for 2016-17.
• Iowa has won 44 of its last 47 nonconference home games, dating back to 2012.
• The Hawkeyes won 22 games, tied for third in the Big Ten, and won an NCAA Tournament game each of the last two seasons.
• Iowa has competed in postseason play the last five years (NCAA 2014-16; NIT 2012-13).
• Iowa has won 20 or more games in four consecutive seasons — its longest streak in 15 years
• Fran McCaffery has guided Iowa to upper division finishes in the Big Ten in each of the last four seasons. McCaffery, who is one of just 12 Division I head coaches to take four different programs to the NCAA Tournament, has accumulated 16 first division finishes in 20 years as a head coach. McCaffery has posted 10 seasons of 20 or more wins as a head coach.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,724 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,604-1,120 (.589). Iowa’s 1,604 wins are 39th most among Division I programs. That includes a 1,025-357 (.742) record in home games, a 575-760 (.431) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 755-759 (.498) mark in Big Ten games and a 430-131 (.766) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HAWKEYES SWEPT BIG TEN WEEKLY HONORS
Senior Peter Jok and redshirt freshman Isaiah Moss were named Big Ten Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week, respectively, on Dec. 12. It marked the first time Iowa swept the weekly men’s basketball accolades (weekly freshman honors began in 2010).
Jok (6-6, 205 pounds) collected the third Big Ten weekly honor of his career and second this season. Jok helped lead the Hawkeyes to a pair of victories over Stetson (95-68) and No. 25 Iowa State (78-64). He averaged a team-best 19 points, 8.5 rebounds, and five assists in the two contests.
In Iowa’s upset over 25th-ranked Iowa State on Dec. 8, Jok lead all scorers and rebounders with 23 points and nine rebounds. Against Stetson, the team captain flirted with a triple-double recording 15 points, eight rebounds, and dishing out a career-high seven assists without committing a turnover.
Moss (6-5, 205 pounds) earned his first conference weekly recognition after averaging 17.5 points and five rebounds in Iowa’s two victories. The native of Chicago scored nine of his 14 points in the second half to help Iowa upend the 25th-ranked Cyclones.
Moss tallied personal bests in scoring (21), steals (2), and rebounds (6) in the Hawkeyes’ triumph over Stetson on Dec. 5. The shooting guard shot at a 50 percent clip from 3-point range in the two games (6-of-12), including going 5-of-8 (62.5 percent) from long distance against the Hatters.
2 HAWKEYES SIDELINED DUE TO INJURIES
Dale Jones and Tyler Cook have missed time due to hand injuries suffered in November.
Cook fractured his right index finger during a practice on Thanksgiving at the Emerald Coast Classic. He missed seven games before returning to action on Dec. 28 against No. 15 Purdue. Cook, who started the first six games of his collegiate career, ranks second on the team in scoring (12.6 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (5.2 rpg).
Jones suffered a fracture in his right wrist in Iowa’s game against Seton Hall (Nov. 17) and is expected to miss another 3-4 weeks. The senior sustained the injury minutes after making his season debut. Jones, who transferred to Iowa in 2015 after three years at Tyler Junior College, has played limited minutes in only seven games during his Hawkeye career.
CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA ENHANCEMENTS
The Iowa Athletic Department upgraded Carver-Hawkeye Arena’s video boards, sound system, lighting, digital scorestable displays, and playing surface this past summer.
A new four-sided centerhung video system is the centerpiece of the installation. The two main centerhung displays measure approximately 14.5 feet high by 26 feet wide and the other two centerhung displays measure 9.5 feet high by 16.5 feet wide. The project also upgraded the auxiliary displays located near the ceiling at each side of the arena.
BAER NOMINATED FOR GOOD WORKS TEAM
Nicholas Baer is a nominee for the 2017 Allstate NABC Good Works Team.
This prestigious community service award recognizes a distinguished group of student-athletes who have demonstrated a commitment to enriching the lives of others and contributing to the greater good in their communities.
College sports information directors and basketball coaches across the country nominated players who exhibit exceptional leadership skills and an unwavering commitment to volunteerism.
VOTE FOR McCAFFERY IN THE CHARITY COACHES CHALLENGE
Iowa’s Fran McCaffery is one of 48 collegiate coaches taking part in the annual Coaches Charity Challenge. Fan participation determines the ultimate winner over an eight-week period. The tournament is divided into four rounds.
The coaches with the most votes will advance to the next round and earn more money for their charity. Visit Iowa’s social media sites @IowaHoops on Twitter and /hawkeyehoops on Facebook for more information on how to vote for McCaffery and Coaches vs. Cancer.
ALL-SESSION BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE
All-session tickets for the 2017 Big Ten Basketball Tournament are on sale. The Big Ten Basketball Tournament will take place at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C., March 8-12.
Lower level tickets may be purchased through the UI Ticket Office. General public tickets may be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
All-session tickets for the lower level at the Verizon Center are available for $400 through the Big Ten university ticket offices only. All-session tickets general public tickets are available for $200 or $250 (depending on seat location) through Ticketmaster or the Verizon Center box office only. Orders will be limited to eight all-session tickets.
The tournament features a discounted student ticket program. Students of Big Ten universities are able to purchase tickets for $20, good for only the session or sessions featuring their school. All students must have a valid student ID for entry. Student section seating are available in balcony sections.
ON THE HORIZON
Iowa will return home to host Maryland on Thursday (6 p.m. CT). Tickets are available for that contest: hawkeyesports.com/tickets.
