NEW YORK – Iowa made nearly three dozen free throw to help sink Illinois in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, 96-87.
Iowa’s 34 free throws made are the third most by the Hawkeyes during the Fran McCaffery era and second most by Iowa in a Big Ten Tournament game.
Iowa is now 16-18 in the Big Ten Basketball Tournament. This is the first time that they have been seeded at No. 12 in the tournament (1-0).
Iowa is now 9-7 when playing as the higher seed in the tournament. The No. 12 seed is now 3-6 in the tournament.
Iowa improves to 2-1 against Illinois in the tournament.
Iowa is 1-1 against No. 13 seeds in the tournament.
With 61 points in the second half, Iowa has scored 50+ points in the second half for the fifth time in the last nine games and a total of eight times this season. This is the second time Iowa has scored more than 60 points in the second half.
Iowa outrebounded Illinois, 40-20.
Iowa had three players score in double figures for the 11th time this season.
Jordan Bohannon scored 25 points, his 21st game of the season and 38th of his career in double figures.
Bohannon’s 25 points give him his eighth game of the season and 20th of his career with 20+ points.
Bohannon has made 5+ 3-point field goals in nine games this season.
Luka Garza scored 20 points, his 18th game of the season and of his career scoring in double figures. This is his fourth game of his career with 20+ points.
Fran McCaffery, Iowa Head Coach, said the game was physical.
“It was a very physical game, and that’s what tournament play is,” McCaffery said. “Once you get to this point in the season, everybody’s fighting. I have a lot of respect for that team and Brad Underwood. It’s a very unique style that they play, and they make you make plays and force you into mistakes. You have to be tough. You have to be physical. I’m proud of my guys.”
McCaffery said getting Illinois into foul trouble started with ball movement.
“Well you’ve got to move the ball to the other driver. They’re denying on the wings, they’re denying everywhere and they’re up on the front, so you’ve got to move it around the back and be strong with it,” McCaffery said. “Also, you’ve got to make sure when you go, we get a good shot. ‘Do I have it or do I have to move it?’ I think we did a great job making those decisions except for that one little stretch in the first half.”
Iowa faces a hot Michigan team Thursday afternoon.
“They’re a great team,” McCaffery said. “The one guy that nobody talks about is Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman. I think that guy has had a good a year as anybody in our league. They’re all good. Duncan Robinson, the 6th man of the year, going to the bench as a senior tells you a lot about John Beilein and his program. You’ve got to play well to beat Michigan.”
He dropped a cool 25 at @TheGarden, and he got to ride the MSG Freight Elevator for a postgame interview with @TheAndyKatz.
It's @IowaHoops' @JordanBo_3. pic.twitter.com/U6PQxXkiJm
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 1, 2018
