It's Happy Thanksgiving: Yes, we can talk College Basketball now

College Basketball has been on, since early November, but as a big College Football fan ... it a little ahead of our natural sports clock.

Today is Thanksgiving, so we are thankful our two teams, #20/18 Creighton and #23 Iowa, tip-off with basketball games this evening. As the Thanksgiving arrives, the blending of both basketball with football is easier to enjoy.

Packers @ Lions to kickoff the Thanksgiving afternoon ... than the Hawkeyes and Bluejays in the evening on the hardwood!

It's time for a little business: College Basketball over the Thanksgiving holidays!

Creighton all-American, senior forward Doug McDermott,
an Iowa native, leads the Jays upward in the two College Basketball polls,
after jumping off to a 4-0 start in 2013-14.

The Creighton basketball team has a historic season in 2013-14, as coach Greg McDermott, along with all-American son, Doug, help transition the Jays from the MVC to the Big East Conference. The Jays have picked up back to back solid wins at St. Joseph's and vs. Tulsa, after two cupcakes to open the season at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha.

 Doug McDermott became Creighton's first player to open the season with four straight 20-point performances since Cyril Baptiste in 1969-70. Creighton is now 44-0 all-time in home games on or before Nov. 26th

Tonight on ESPN2 at 10 p.m., the undefeated Creighton Jays (4-0) will  play in The Wooden Legacy against the undefeated Arizona State Sun Devils (6-0) in a rematch of last year's Holiday week tournament in Las Vegas.

Iowa senior SG
Roy Devyn Marble
leads the Hawkeyes
against Xavier with a
6 p.m. tip off on NBC Sports.

Prior to Creighton-Arizona State, the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes (5-0) will square off with Xavier Musketeers (5-0) in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis from Paradise Island, The Bahamas on NBCSports (DirecTV 220) at 6 p.m.  Butler, Creighton and Xavier are all new members of the Big East Conference in 2013-14.

"We're playing very well, but we've beaten teams everybody expected us to beat," said Iowa coach Fran McCaffery of Iowa's 5-0 start. "Now we're playing teams that people aren't sure if we're going to beat. (I want us) to go out and play well against those teams and compete in a way that exemplifies our capability moving forward."

For the first time this season, Iowa will square off against competition that can match-up athletically and depth-wise. The Hawkeyes have 10 players averaging at least 15 minutes per game.

"This is a field where you have more teams like us in terms of they have 10 good players," said McCaffery. "It is going to be an interesting three days for us."

Below is a team-by-team rundown of the Battle 4 Atlantis field. Iowa will play Xavier today, UTEP or Tennessee on Friday and one team from the group of Kansas, Villanova, Wake Forest and Southern California on Saturday

"I am very excited," said sophomore transfer Jarrod Uthoff, who played at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. "It should be a great test for us, playing Xavier, Tennessee or UTEP, and if we win those two, probably Kansas."

Plenty of teams this week will be looking to move up into the polls.  Iowa, Kansas and Creighton all will seek to remain or stay at a high level.

Xavier (5-0)
Xavier is currently 5-0 after downing Abilene Christian, 93-65, on Nov. 25. The Muskateers are led by guard Semaj Christon, who averages 16.4 points and five assists per game. Christon was a 2012-13 Kyle Macy Freshman All-American. Matt Steinbrook averages 10.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and has 13 blocks. Xavier has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in seven of the last eight seasons, which includes three trips to the Sweet 16 and one Elite Eight appearance.

Tennessee (3-1)
The Volunteers have reeled off three-straight victories since falling to Xavier, 67-63, in their regular-season opener. Tennessee has three players averaging in double digits with Jordan McRae leading the team with a 21.5 scoring average. Jarnell Stokes (11.5 points, 8.3 rebounds) and Antonio Barton (10.8 points) also average 10+ points. The Vols have played in the postseason in each of the past eight years, which includes back-to-back appearances in the National Invitation Tournament under head coach Cuonzo Martin.

UTEP (3-2)
The Miners bring a 3-2 record to the Bahamas with both losses coming to New Mexico State. UTEP has four players averaging in double figures with McKenzie Moore leading the team with 14 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists, while Vince Hunter adds 10.2 points and 7.4 rebounds. The Miners are led by former Iowa State head coach Tim Floyd.

Kansas (4-0) - Ranked #2 nationally
The Jayhawks are currently ranked second in both the Coaches' and Associated Press polls and bring a 4-0 record into the Battle 4 Atlantis. Kansas defeated fourth-ranked Duke, 94-83, in the Champions Classic on Nov. 12. The Jayhawks are led by freshman Andrew Wiggins (16.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and sophomore Perry Ellis (16.8 points, seven rebounds). Kansas has made 24-straight NCAA Tournament appearances -- the longest streak nationally -- and won nine-straight Big 12 regular season titles.

Villanova (4-0)
The Wildcats bring a 4-0 record into the tournament following an 84-80 victory over Delaware on Nov. 22. Villanova has three players averaging in double figures with JayVaughn Pinkston pacing the team at 20.3 points per game. James Bell averages 18 points and seven rebounds, while Darrun Hilliard chips in 14 points to go along with a team-best 17 assists. The Wildcats have played in the NCAA Tournament in seven of the last eight seasons.

Wake Forest (5-0)
The Demon Deacons are 5-0 this season under fourth-year head coach Jeff Bzdelik. Wake Forest has four players averaging double digits with Codi Miller-McIntyre leading the way with 18.6 points and 24 assists. Big man Devin Thomas averages 14.4 points and an ACC-best 11.6 rebounds. The Demon Deacons haven't played in the NCAA Tournament since 2010.

Southern California (4-1)
The Trojans have reeled off four-straight victories since falling 78-65 to Utah State in their season debut. USC has three players averaging in double figures with Byron Wesley pacing the squad with 19.8 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Trojans are led by first-year head coach Andy Enfield, who led Florida Gulf Coast to the Sweet 16 last season.

Two Big East programs, Xavier and Villanova are among the Battle 4 Atlantis participants, so Creighton fans may want to take a sneak peak of two teams that will be coming to CenturyLink during the conference schedule in 2013.

Happy Thanksgiving, Black Friday and the holiday, shopping weekend!

• Creighton at The Wooden Legacy
• Iowa at the Battle 4 Atlantis
• Iowa @ Nebraska in the Heroes Game III on Friday at 11 a.m. on ABC for College Football

Big Ten and Iowa announce 2013-14 men's basketball schedules

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The Big Ten Conference announced the 2013-14 conference men's basketball schedule Wednesday. The conference season begins on New Year's Eve and culminates in March with the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (March 13-16).
Eight of Iowa's 18 Big Ten games will be televised on an ESPN Network, including six on either ESPN or ESPN2. Additionally, the Hawkeyes will have at least one CBS appearance (at Ohio State on Jan. 12). The Big Ten Network's television schedule will be released at a later date.

Iowa will open and close its Big Ten schedule in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where last year the Hawkeyes won a school-record 18 home games. The Hawkeyes will open the conference slate New Year's Eve against Nebraska (6 p.m.), while playing their home finale versus Illinois on March 8 or 9 (time TBD).

Iowa's schedule includes five Big Ten weekend home dates, including playing its final four home contests on a Saturday or Sunday.

The Hawkeyes open their season on Sunday, Nov. 3, in an exhibition contest against Augustana (Ill.) (3:30 p.m.), while the regular season tips off Friday, Nov. 8, versus UNC-Wilmington (8:30 p.m.).

The UI Ticket Office is accepting season ticket requests for the 2013-14 season. Fans can call 1-800-IA-HAWKS, hawkeyesports.com or stop by the ticket office at Carver-Hawkeye Arena to reserve their seat today.

•Iowa's opener against UNC-Wilmington on Nov. 8, will be the program's 500th game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

•Iowa's two "byes" come on weekdays (Jan. 13-16 and Feb. 11-14). Furthermore, the Hawkeyes will only play on Wednesday only once during the Big Ten schedule, and twice on Thursdays.

•From Jan. 28 to Feb. 22, 6-of-7 Iowa basketball games will be broadcast on an ESPN network (ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU).

•Three of Iowa's four weekday Big Ten home games have 6 p.m. (CT) starts.

•Iowa will play Purdue and Nebraska once during the regular season, both at home; while playing Indiana and Penn State one time, both on the road.

•Iowa's first five nonconference contests will be played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including a contest against Penn on Nov. 22. Head coach Fran McCaffery is a graduate of Penn; also freshman Peter Jok's older brother, Dau, is a senior for the Quakers.

•Iowa's exhibition against Augustana (Ill.) on Nov. 3 will be played the afternoon after the Hawkeye football team's home game versus Wisconsin. Also, Iowa's contest against Penn (Nov. 22) will be played the night before the Hawkeyes' football home finale against Michigan.

•Iowa's three games played at Atlantis in the Bahamas will be televised. The Hawkeyes' first game versus Xavier will air on NBC Sports Network, while its final two contests will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network or AXS TV, depending on results of first and second round games.

•There will be three women-men's basketball doubleheaders: Augustana (Nov. 3), UNC-Wilmington (Nov. 8), and Nebraska-Omaha (Nov. 10).

The 2012-13 College Basketball regular season kicks off on Friday, November 9th

The 2012-13 College Basketball season begins on Friday, November 9th in Ames, Iowa City, Omaha and across the country, with Top 25 games and plenty of programs opening up the season.  Some games of interest:

• Bryant University at (1) Indiana at 7 p.m. on the Big Ten Network
• Slippery Rock at (5) Michigan
• Indiana State at (13) UCLA
• (14) Michigan State vs Connecticut*
• North Texas at (16) Creighton at 7:05 p.m. at the CenturyLink Center Omaha
• Southern University at Iowa State
• Texas-Pan American at Iowa at 8:00 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Creighton, Iowa and Iowa  State each open the third season under each head coach in 2012-13 on Friday night at home.

• Greg McDermott for Creighton
• Fran McCaffery for Iowa
• Fred Hoiberg for Iowa State.

Junior forward Doug McDermott (#3 for the Jays) opens the season as a first-team preseason all-American.  Story.

Depth Will Be on Display in Opener

Hawkeyes host UT-Pan American Friday night

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- There was a familiar topic at UI head coach Fran McCaffery's press conference Wednesday: depth.

For the first time in recent memory, the Hawkeye men's basketball team is deep and can press its opponents as it desires. That depth was on display in last Sunday's 100-54 exhibition victory over Quincy. Iowa scored the game's first 22 points and notched 41 points off 31 turnovers.

"Most importantly, when you look at the pressure on Sunday, it was way more intense than anything we were able to do last year," said McCaffery as he met with reporters in the Media Room at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. "At the start of the game we were running around and getting up in them, and jumped them 22-0.

"Those guys came off the floor at the 16 minute mark, and the next group came in and did the same thing, and that's harder to play against. That was fun for me to watch, and hopefully it will stay that way."

The third-year head coach is getting a better feel for the rotation leading into the outset of the regular season.

"That second group is real close, and there are guys on that second group that want to be on the first group, and that's what makes everybody better," said McCaffery. "There's probably going to be times where you're really not sure who the first group and the second group is, and that's a good thing.

"For me, it'll be an interesting challenge all season long to make sure we manage these 10 players effectively.

If it works out like last Sunday, the rotation will work itself out.

"We're going to play 10, no question," he said. "We won't ever get in a situation where some guy is saying I should be playing more. They're going to be playing and they're going to be exhausted. Whenever I took anybody out on Sunday, nobody was upset. Everybody was tired when I took them out."

The depth has led to strong competition for playing time in practice. The head Hawkeye sees this as nothing but a positive.

"The practices are more competitive," said McCaffery. "In particular, when you look at Mike Gesell's development, Anthony Clemmons guards him every day in practice incredibly tough. He's coming after his job every day, and it keeps Mike at a point where he really has to focus and concentrate on everything he does at every moment that he's out there. And that's the only way you get ready to play point guard at this level."

The old adage is practice like you play, and vice-versa. Good competition in practice only improves chances of success on the game floor.

"If you're coasting through practice and putting up numbers, then all of a sudden you get in a game and you realize it's a lot harder," said McCaffery. "When you're challenged every day, it's not quite the same difference, and you see that across the board.

"Aaron White and Jared Uthoff were going at it yesterday, and it was one of the best one on one match ups I've seen since I've been here. They were just really testing each other. Both are talented, both are competitors, and it was good for both of them, and I think that's what we're talking about here, what's better for our team.

"The reality in life is you've got to keep working, you've got to keep preparing, and you've got to understand that every time you take the floor somebody is coming after you. If you're dealing with that every day, you'll be much better able to handle it twice a week."

The Hawkeyes play their first four regular-season contests on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa opens the 2012-13 campaign Friday night, hosting Texas-Pan American at 8 p.m.

2012-13 Iowa Hawkeyes non-conference men's basketball schedule announced

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The UI Department of Athletics and head coach Fran McCaffery have announced the 2012-13 nonconference men's basketball schedule. Iowa will play nine non-league regular-season contests on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, three neutral site games, and one true road contest.

Iowa will not face in-state rival Drake this season, with the creation of the Wells Fargo Arena Big 4 doubleheader with Drake, Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Ilinois.  Iowa will play UNI this year, while Iowa State will play Drake. Next year, the match ups will reverse for Iowa and Iowa State.

Iowa will hit the hardwood with three returning starters and five newcomers for the 2012-13 season.

Hawkeye fans will get their first glimpse of the new squad in the re-engineered "Black and Gold Blowout" on Oct. 19 and in an exhibition against Quincy on Nov. 4.Iowa's Big Ten schedule, game times and television information will be announced later this summer.

Nov. 9 vs. Texas-Pan American
Iowa opens its 2012 campaign against a team from the Great West Conference on a Friday night. The Hawkeyes are 3-0 all-time against the Broncs, with all wins coming in Iowa City and the last coming in 2006 (62-46). Iowa is 7-0 all-time against current Great West Conference members.

Nov. 12 vs. Central Michigan
The Hawkeyes will square off against the Chippewas for the first time. A familiar face will be returning with Central Michigan in former Drake head coach Keno Davis. Keno, who is the son of former Iowa head coach Tom Davis, enters his first season as head coach at Central Michigan.

Nov. 15 vs. Howard
The first of two Cancun Challenge preliminary games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It will mark the first time the Hawkeyes will have faced Howard. The Bison are a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, where the Hawkeyes boast a perfect 10-0 record against current members.

Nov. 17 vs. Gardner-Webb
The second preliminary game of the Cancun Challenge and Iowa's fourth game in nine days to open the season. Iowa has never faced Gardner-Webb, who is a member of the Big South Conference. The Hawkeyes have only played four previous contests against members from the Big South, winning three.

Nov. 20 vs. Western Kentucky (Cancun, Mexico)
Iowa's first game away from home comes in Cancun against an NCAA tournament team from a year ago. The Hilltoppers won four consecutive games in the Sun Belt Tournament and topped Mississippi Valley State in the First Four before falling to eventual national champion Kentucky in the round of 64 last spring. This will be another first-time opponent for the Black and Gold. The Hawkeyes are 16-2 all-time against teams from the Sun Belt. This also marks the UI men's basketball team's first-ever trip to Cancun.

Nov. 21 vs. DePaul/Wichita State (Cancun, Mexico)
Iowa will play DePaul or Wichita State in the championship or consolation game of the Cancun Challenge. The Hawkeyes are 4-4 all-time against the Shockers, having played them as recently as 2009 in Kansas City. Iowa and DePaul have only played three times, most recently in Moline, Ill., in the 1995 postseason NIT. Wichita State lost to VCU in the NCAA Round of 64 a year ago, while DePaul did not compete in a postseason tournament.

Nov. 27 at Virginia Tech 
Iowa will meet Virginia Tech in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge for the third time, most recently playing in Iowa City in 2009. The Hokies have defeated Iowa in both previous meetings. Iowa lost at Blacksburg in the Challenge in 2006 in its only visit to Virginia Tech. This is Iowa's first and only true road game of the nonconference schedule.

Dec. 1 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Iowa returns to Iowa City and will play its final six non-league contests in the state of Iowa, five coming on its home court. Iowa and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will meet for the first time. The Islanders are members of the Southland Conference, which the Hawkeyes are 4-1 against current league members.

Dec. 4 vs. South Dakota
The Hawkeyes will host South Dakota for the first time since 1964. Iowa is 10-0 all-time against the Coyotes. South Dakota is a member of The Summit League. The Hawkeyes are 28-3 against current members of The Summit League.

Dec. 7 vs. Iowa State (Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series)
Iowa and Iowa State renew their in-state rivalry for the 66th time; Iowa leads the all-time series 42-23. The Cyclones have won the last two meetings. Iowa is 26-6 against the Cyclones in Iowa City. This will be one of the events in the 2012 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series.

Dec. 15 vs. UNI (Des Moines, Iowa)
After a week of final exams, Iowa travels to Des Moines to play UNI in the inaugural Big Four Classic. This will mark the second straight year the Hawkeyes will have played in Wells Fargo Arena; Iowa played Creighton at the venue in November, 2011. Iowa leads the all-time series, 33-9, and has won three of the last four. This will be the first time this in-state match-up will be contested on a neutral court.

Dec. 19 vs. South Carolina State
Iowa returns home for two games in three days. First, the Hawkeyes host South Carolina State of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Hawkeyes last played the Bulldogs in 2009, winning 82-69.

Dec. 22 vs. Coppin State
The Hawkeyes' final nonconference game comes against their third opponent from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Iowa is 2-0 all-time against the Eagles, with the two teams previously playing in 1998 and 2006.

The 2012-13 season will be the third season under McCaffery.  Iowa is looking to compete for a shot at the NCAA Tournent.  Iowa hasn't danced over the past six seasons, so Hawkeye fans are hoping for a breakout season in 2012-13.

The First Semester and Finals have concluded; Back to College Basketball for Creighton and Iowa

The first semester of the 2011-12 College Basketball season has concluded for Creighton University and the University of Iowa. Both teams have opened 2011-12 in opposite directions. Both teams are lead by second year coaches, in Omaha and Iowa City, respectively. Greg McDermott has the Bluejays headed in a positive direction. Fran McCaffery has a Top 25 recruiting class signed for next season, but year two on the court has been ugly, so far.

The Creighton Bluejays opened the 2011-12 season with seven straight wins and a Top 25 ranking. However, last weekend was a rough weekend for Creighton sports. The men's soccer team lost a semi-final game in the College Cup, while the Bluejays' men's basketball team fell for the first time at St. Joseph's, 80-71.

On the flip side, the Iowa Hawkeyes are off to a rough start in 2011-12, with a 5-5 record. Two key players have opened the season out of sync. Sophomore forward Melsahn Basabe started the season out very slow. He has played better of late, but not to the level he played as true freshman last season. Senior point guard Bryce Cartwright's woes appear to be fueled by a groin injury. Cartwright has missed time on the court lately and his health is extremely important, as Iowa's only true point guard.

Creighton returns home to CenturyLink Center Omaha on Saturday night, when they host Houston Baptist (4-6) for a 7 p.m. tip-off. The Jays have won 14 straight at home, since last season. The Bluejays need to improve on the little things, especially defense and rebounding, as they get ready for two big games next week, at Tulsa on Monday night, followed by a rematch (last year's game, in Evanston) vs. Northwestern on Thursday night; before opening Missouri Valley Conference play, after Christmas.

Creighton forward Doug McDermott has lived up to the preseason expectations of all-MVC and All-America hype. He leads the MVC in scoring (24.0) and rebounding (9.1) this year, and is the first Bluejay since Rodney Buford (in 1997) with seven straight games of 20 or more points.

Senior guard Antoine Young (11.1 ppg., 4.5 apg.) and junior center Gregory Echenique (8.1 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 1.1 bpg.), are honorable-mention preseason all-Valley selections as well. The Bluejays are expected to be a strong program in The Valley, as well as a team to watch in the Field of 68 for the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

Like Creighton, the University of Iowa returns to action, after finals week on Saturday night. The Hawkeyes tip-off on the Big Ten Network at 8 p.m., with a game vs. in-state Drake (6-3).

Iowa is coming off back to back road losses at UNI and at Iowa State, before finals week.

Two of Iowa's underclassmen -- sophomores Roy Devyn Marble and Melsahn Basabe -- had their best games of the season at Iowa State on December 9Th. Marble had career highs in points (21) and assists (five), while Basabe made 7-of-12 shot attempts en route to 18 points to go along with nine rebounds.

"We want to try to get better. Defensively, we haven't been as good as
we need to be. We want to execute a little better, we had been executing better,
but it's not good enough." - Iowa coach Fran McCaffery

Like the Bluejays, the Hawkeyes will play two additional non-conference games, before opening conference play, after Christmas. The Hawkeyes will play Drake on Saturday night at home, as they begin a four game home swing, including the Big Ten opener on December 28Th vs. Purdue.

It's time to take my black & gold hat off for Iowa vs. Creighton

From 1974 to 1982, my loyalty was often to the Iowa Hawkeyes, in college basketball. But, in 1982, I enrolled at Creighton University, so on Sunday, November 20Th at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, its Creighton University (3-0) vs. the Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0).

It doesn't happen very often. The last time it happened was over ten years ago, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, with Iowa advancing that day with a 69-56 win. Iowa played the previous two seasons in a home and home vs. Creighton, with the Jays winning both of those games by two and nine points. An earlier game was played in the 1990 non-conference in the old Amana-Hawkeye Classic championship game in Iowa City, losing by six.

Now, it's time for Game 5, since my years at Creighton. It's another neutral court.

Iowa has played three home games. Creighton won on the road at UAB on Wednesday night, 70-60, in the Blazers season opener. It was the first loss at home in the non-conference for UAB, since the 2005 season.

Creighton played at Wells Fargo Arena last season. The Bluejays lost at the buzzer to Iowa State.
This will be the first of three non-conference games vs. Big Ten opponents for the Bluejays this season. First up is Iowa on a neutral court. Creighton will play @ Nebraska and vs. Northwestern at CenturyLink Arena, as well.

Scoring:
Creighton is lead by sophomore Doug McDermott at 20.3 ppg, while Iowa is lead by three year captain, senior Matt Gatens at 16.3 ppg.

Rebounds:
Creighton is lead by junior Gregory Echenique at 6.7 rpg, while Iowa is currently lead by a true freshman off the bench in Aaron White at 6.0 rpg.

Assists:
Creighton is lead by a former Linn-Mar prep, in Gonzaga transfer, junior Grant Gibbs, who is averaging 4.7 apg. Iowa is lead by senior co-captain Bryce Cartwright at 6.3 apg. Cartwright was very solid in assists last season in the Big Ten.

Head coaches:
Both programs are headed by second year coaches. Creighton hired former UNI and ISU coach Greg McDermott, an Iowa native, took replace sixteen year coach Dana Altman, who is now at Oregon. Altman and McDermott squared off to close out the 2011 postseason last year. Former Siena Coach Fran McCaffery took over Todd Lickliter at Iowa last season. McDermott is 5-4 lifetime as a head coach vs. Iowa. This is the first time he has faced McCaffery head to head.

It should be an interesting game. Both teams are playing better than last season, with a deeper roster for each. It will be Iowa's first real test. Creighton passed its first test at UAB on Saturday night, but Iowa is even bigger, since it is a neighboring state and both teams are looking to keep a win streak going.

Some of the players have faced each other before. Iowa's Gatens and Creighton's Gibbs both played against one another in high school in Iowa.

A Creighton win over Iowa would be a great start in Year 2 for coach Greg McDermott. The same can be said for Coach Fran McCaffery. Go Jays! On Iowa!

Good College Football Game on Thursday and Good Recruiting News in College Basketball

Thursday, September 15Th
#3 LSU at Mississippi State, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3

• It would be a big upset in the SEC West for the Tigers to fall to MSU ...


• Other upcoming College Football action

The University of Iowa basketball program on Wednesday received outstanding news, when all-state center Adam Woodbury of Sioux City North selected Fran McCaffery and Iowa over Roy Williams and North Carolina.

Preps C Adam Woodbury commits to Iowa, spurning Williams and North ...‎ - Washington Post
Sioux City East center Adam Woodbury says he'll play for Iowa next season instead of the Tar Heels. Woodbury, who's 7-foot-1, is widely considered one of ...
Highly Cited: Woodbury choice: Hawkeyes‎ - Sioux City Journal
Local: Woodbury plans to revive Iowa basketball‎ - SW Iowa News
Basketball recruit Adam Woodbury picks Iowa over North Carolina - USA Today

Virginia JUCO commits to Iowa Basketball and Fran McCaffery for 2011-12 season

The University of Iowa have received a commitment on Easter Saturday from junior college all-American Anthony Hubbard, a 6-5 athlete. Hubbard becomes the third member of the Class of 2011 for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The Iowa Hawkeyes were 11-20 in coach Fran McCaffery's first season at the helm. The Hawkeyes finished tenth in the Big Ten in 2011. The Big Ten will add Nebraska for 2011-12. Nebraska was the other finalist for Hubbard's services.

The Gazette Iowa basketball reporter Scott Dochterman reported on twitter:

• Anthony Hubbard picks Iowa: Iowa picked up its third recruit for the 2011 class when junior-college All-American... http://bit.ly/fXaFGH


• Iowa did its due diligence on Hubbard, talked to multiple people in high places at the UI and got the OK to pursue him

Iowa has two more scholarships to give for the Class of 2011. However, Fran McCaffery in Cedar Rapids on Thursday reported that Iowa may sign 1, 2 or 3 more for this class. Iowa signed two players in the Fall signing period. Hubbard joins 6-6 wing Josh Ogelsby from Cedar Rapids Washington and 6-8 forward Aaron White from Strongville, Ohio.

peace

Iowa knocks off #6 Purdue 67-65 on Senior Day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena!

On Senior Day, Iowa lone senior player, Jarryd Cole finishes with a double-double, with 16 points and 10 rebounds to help spark the Hawkeyes upset of #6 Purdue. It is Iowa's first win over a Top 25 team in 25 games. Iowa's last win over a Top 25 program was in January 2008 over #6 Michigan State.

Fran McCaffery used duck tape much of the game, when Bryce Cartwright went out of the game early in the second half, with what appeared to be a muscle cramp behind his knee. Melsahn Basabe came alive in the second half, with a throw down dunk to open his second half scoring. Cole was Mister Consistent throughout the game basically doubling his typical scoring and rebounding totals.

Iowa lost the lead briefly in the second half, but pulled away keeping it between two and five points much of the way. But, various players stepped up ...

• Roy Devyn Marble played the most at PG as Cartwright went to the locker room in the second half


• Melsahn Basabe struggled in the first half only to get it going in the second, after the dunk


• Jarryd Cole was Mr. Consistent and showed he was the heart of the team for Iowa


• Matt Gatens drove to the hoop, when his outside shot continued to struggle


• Eric May rebounded, defended, passed and drove


• Zach McCabe provided relief off the bench as a freshman


• Andrew Brommer made a huge dunk off a Cartwright pass in the first half


• Devon Archie came in for Brommer, when he picked up back to back fouls and made a huge bucket, after being MIA for about a month, due to an injury


• But, Bryce Cartwright came back in for the final minutes to handle the ball and even provide the final burst of offense to help Cole & Company get the win over #6

Iowa will be the tenth seed in the Big Ten Conference Tournament, after Indiana fell @ Illinois earlier today. With the upset over Purdue, Iowa leaves the cellar of the Big Ten on the final regular season game of the season.

peace

Iowa Basketball 2011: Senior Day and Next Year

The Iowa Hawkeyes will host Senior Day for Jarryd Cole on Saturday with an ESPN audience at 3 p.m. central time, as the #6 ranked Purdue Boilermakers travel to Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the final regular season game. Cole has served as team captain the past three seasons for Iowa. Cole has been an outstanding representative for the Hawkeyes, despite the hard times for the Hawkeye program the past five seasons.

"There's nothing else I can give above loyalty. When I committed to the
University of Iowa, I committed to more than just a coach and a couple guys -- I
committed to a community, a state and its fans. The fans have invested in us,
and I wanted to show them that I invested in them. I've appreciated everything
the fans have done. They've been great." - Jarryd Cole

A win over Purdue will assure the Hawkeyes a ten seed in next week's Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. (Note: a loss by Indiana @ Illinois will give Iowa the ten seed). Iowa and Indiana are currently in the basement of the Big Ten. Iowa owns the tie-breaker, after sweeping the series again this season over the Hooisers.

Iowa has lost 25 straight games to nationally-ranked opponents. The Hawkeyes' last victory over a ranked foe came against sixth-ranked Michigan State (43-36) in Iowa City on Jan. 12, 2008.

Wins have been difficult again for the Hawkeyes in 2010-11. It was in Todd Lickliter's third and final season as head coach at Iowa last year. However, most who follow Big Ten basketball would suggest progress has been made.

"I think we have progressed. I think I had hoped we would progress
more. I didn't have a win total in my head as far as what I thought this team
could accomplish. All I wanted to do was prepare for the next game and try to
get better. I think we've done that." - Fran McCaffery

Iowa's new coach Fran McCaffery on Friday talked about progress being made, however, woeful the record this season as been, the Hawkeyes look to finish strong. McCaffery has assembled a very strong coaching staff. The three true freshman this season have been among Iowa's best, since the 1972-73 season for Iowa. Iowa's four newcomers have played very strong roles for Iowa, but winning with youth is a tall order in the Big Ten. Iowa's lone senior has improved as any Hawkeye player this year.

Experience usually is a key element to success at Iowa, as former coaches Dr. Tom Davis and Steve Alford can attest. Davis lead Iowa regularly to the NCAA Tournment in his 13 seasons at Iowa. Iowa's last win in the NCAA Tournament came ten years ago under Alford. Look around the rosters of Big Ten, the teams enjoying success this season also have there share of senior experience. Yes, it is a numbers game.

The Lickliter era was highlighted for players leaving. Cole is the only player remaining from Lickliter's first class. Last season, Iowa only played with one senior, who was a former juco transfer and role player. Iowa is making progress under McCaffery, but building a roster with experience will take time and there is no magic formula for immediate success.

Iowa has been without a second true point guard, when sophomore Cully Payne fell to injury early in the non-conference season. Iowa elevated Juco transfer Bryce Cartwright to Payne's PG position and he has responded well as a top player for the Hawkeyes, but true freshman Roy Devyn Marble has had to play the reserve role at point guard. Marble's true position is on the wing and he is now starting lineup on the wing.

Youth has brought excitement back into the Iowa basketball program. Iowa is starting right now three players, who had zero Big Ten experience heading into the season. A fourth is playing key minutes in reserve off the bench. Other than Cole, Iowa's returning players have had up and down seasons adjusting to McCaffery's style of play, which was a sharp contrast to Lickliter's slow-down game.

What can we expect in 2011-12 for Iowa?

As the Big Ten analyst Jim Jackson said about Iowa during the Big Ten season, it will likely take five years for McCaffery. Some Iowa fans are expecting a NCAA Dance invite next season, if the right players are signed this Spring.

The truth is likely some where in between, if Coach McCaffery and the Iowa staff can continue the progress. Look at Michigan right now. They are the youngest team in the Big Ten right now. But, talent alone has only made them a bubble team. If they had the experience, as compared to other Big Ten teams, they would likely be a NCAA lock right now.

Iowa likely will not have as much talent as the Wolverines, but they will have more experience for 2011-12. Will it be enough? Never say never, but it may take more than one year for McCaffery, his staff and an updated roster to reach that breakout season and return to the NCAA Tournament.

Iowa has two signees for the Class of 2011 and they are looking to sign two, maybe three more, assuming a player opts out. The loss of Jarrayd Cole will be felt in leadership first and inside in the post second next season. Typically, it takes more time developing strong post play, than any other position.

Leadership will have to step up in 2011-12 for Iowa. McCaffery has suggested Matt Gatens, Cartwright, Melsahn Basabe and Eric May as those key players. It would be nice to see another senior step up his game. McCaffery has likely put Cartwright's name and Basabe's name in ink as key players for the 2011-12 season for the Hawkeyes. There development during the off season is still very important. They can't settle for where they are now, but they are the first two pieces at this point for McCaffery and his staff.

The roles of everyone else will have to be better defined by off-season development and maturity. Yes, I have Gatens off that list. Gatens up and down three-point shooting is the reason. I believe May's role for the Hawkeyes will be just as important.

• Bryce Cartwright is one of only two Hawkeyes to ever dish out eight assists or more in four straight games. The junior collected eight or more at Penn State (8), at Michigan (9), vs. Michigan State (10) and at Indiana (8). The only other Hawkeye to record eight assists or more in four-straight contests was Andre Woolridge during the 1994-95 season. Woolridge was credited with eight helpers vs. Hawaii, nine vs. Arkansas, nine vs. Indiana and nine against Michigan State.


• Melsahn Basabe is etching his name in several Iowa freshman historical statistical categories. Basabe has scored 325 points (11.2 avg.), pulled down 200 rebounds (6.9 avg.) and blocked 40 shots (1.4 avg.). The 325 points rank ninth, while his 11.2 average ranks eighth in Iowa rookie annals. His 200 rebounds rank third and is only four from taking over the top spot. His 40 rejections rank third.


• Eric May averages 11 points (13-18, .727 FG and 7-10, .700 FT) and 2.7 rebounds in Iowa's three Big Ten wins. Conversely, May averages 4.4 points (19-66, .288 FG and 9-16, .563 FT) and 1.5 boards in Iowa's 14 conference defeats.


• Matt Gatens ranks fourth among Big Ten juniors in career scoring. Northwestern's John Shurna ranks first, followed by Ohio State's William Buford and Indiana's Verdell Jones III.


• Iowa freshmen Melsahn Basabe, Zach McCabe and Roy Devyn Marble average 12.2 rebounds per game, which is the best rebounding average by a Hawkeye freshman class.


• Andrew Brommer will be a senior post next season. Where will his game elevate for 2011-12, especially with Cole's departure? Brommer and Gatens are the only two four year players at Iowa heading into next season. Brommer is shorter than former Iowa center Seth Gorney, who provided some quality time during his junior and senior seasons at Iowa.


• Will Devon Archie be back as a reserve for 2011-12. He may be dressed for the Purdue game. He has been out of the rotation for the most part, since a head injury at Indiana, Feb. 5, in Iowa's lone Big Ten road win (64-63) this season. Archie is another former JC transfer, who is a project, but did provide an occasional burst of quality minutes during the season.

The 2011-12 season will have to wait. Iowa has Senior Day ahead, then the 2011 Big Ten Basketball Tournament. Recruiting is occurring, with a key prospect attending this weekend and rumors of a second prospect out there. It has been a bitter-sweet season for Iowa. There is more excitement, but close wins and coming up with a "L" in the record column is still a common occurrence in Iowa City.

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Fran McCaffery and Iowa moving forward, despite record not loaded with many wins

What a big difference the 2010 Big Ten season and the 2011 Big Ten season are for Iowa. Record is not one of the major differences, but conversations are when you listen to the Big Ten Network announcers or simply the Iowa fan base. While Iowa isn't picking up too many wins yet, they are gaining respect in how they are competing and making opponents work.

Iowa took both Wisconsin and Michigan to OT in February, only to lose on the last shot. Iowa didn't win on Saturday at Illinois, but they competed and played hard for forty minutes. The difference in the Illini's senior leadership vs. Iowa's sole senior, #50 Jarrayd Cole, really showed the contrast between the two programs.

Iowa is young. Though, so is Michigan and the Wolverines aren't where they need to be yet either. Experience is a big factor, when it comes to success in the Big Ten. Next year, both Iowa and Michigan should be interesting to watch, since they are both very young.

Iowa's best win to date was at home vs. Michigan State, who are aiming for another NCAA date in 2011. Iowa's final two Big Ten games are at Michigan State on Wednesday night, then Senior Day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena vs. Purdue on the weekend.

Will Iowa make a major move in 2011-12 in the Big Ten?

Iowa's last NCAA Tournament win came ten years ago, when Iowa was a #7 seed and beat Creighton in the First Round only to fall to Kentucky in the Second Round. Iowa was coached by Steve Alford, now at New Mexico, who was in his second season as head coach at Iowa. Alford lead Iowa to two more NCAA Tournaments, but no wins.

Fran McCaffery should enter season two with all, but one major contributor back. Cole has been a captain for three seasons at Iowa and is playing very well as the sole senior on the 2010-11 squad. Cole's leadership will be missed, along with his post defense and hard work inside and with a mid-range jump shot, which has improved as a senior.

Experience is extremely important in Big Ten basketball ...

MINUTES PLAYED
## Player-Team Cl G Minutes Avg/G
-------------------------------------------------
1.Battle, Talor-PSU................. SR 16 622 38.88
2.Thompson, Michael-NU...... SR 16 612 38.25
3.Diebler,Jon-OSU.................. SR 15 569 37.93
4.Taylor, Jordan-WIS............ JR 15 564 37.60
5.Johnson, JaJuan-PUR........ SR 15 541 36.07
6.Hoffarber, Blake-MINN..... SR 16 574 35.88
7.Novak, Zack-MICH............. JR 17 605 35.59
8.Lucas, Kalin-MSU............... SR 15 531 35.40
9.Sullinger,Jared-OSU........... FR 15 530 35.33
10.Gatens, Matt-IOWA......... JR 16 565 35.31
11.Morris, Darius-MICH....... SO 17 600 35.29
12.Leuer, Jon-WIS................. SR 15 529 35.27
13.Davis, Mike-ILL................ SR 16 557 34.81
14.Moore, E'Twaun-PUR...... SR 15 522 34.80
15.Cartwright, Bryce-IOWA.. JR 16 552 34.50

It has been a long time, since Iowa had much senior leadership to draw upon, like the majority of Big Ten programs this season. Next season, three seniors should be key contributors, along with Iowa's mix of young talent that Coach McCaffery will have to draw from.

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Iowa wins on the road at IU to win second straight Big Ten basketball game in a row!

A big victory for first year coach Fran McCaffery as the Iowa Hawkeyes win their second straight game in the Big Ten this season, sweep the IU series and win their second in a row in Bloomington over the Indiana Hoosiers. Iowa battles back down ten, after the eight minute mark of the second half to pull off a 64-63 win on a Bryce Cartright bucket with over a minute left.

Iowa 64, Indiana 63 ‎ - ESPN
Iowa forward Eric May, left, shoots over Indiana guard Matt Roth, center, and forward Derek Elston in the first... Associated Press BLOOMINGTON ...

ESPN2 audience enjoys entertaining Big Ten battle between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday afternoon. Iowa will host Wisconsin on Wednesday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

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The Iowa Hawkeyes (6-5) heading into the final OOC tune up in basketball before the Big Ten season opens next week vs. Illinois

The Fran McCaffery era will soon open up Big Ten Conference play next week. The Hawkeyes (6-5) final OOC tune up will take place at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Tuesday night, when Iowa hosts Louisiana Tech (9-4). It's Bobblehead Night featuring Iowa coach Fran McCaffery live from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where the first 3,000 in attendance will receive a bobblehead of Iowa's head coach.

The Hawkeyes are very young, with only one senior and two juniors, with previous Big Ten experience on the Iowa roster. They could have picked up a couple more victories, but they came up short @ Wake Forest (6-5) in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and the Hawkeyes missed an opportunity at home vs. in-state rival, Iowa State (10-2).

A YOUNG SQUAD - U of I Athletics
Iowa's roster of 15 players includes six freshmen, two sophomores, five
juniors and two seniors. The freshmen are Melsahn Basabe (6-7, 225), Cody Cox (6-4, 190), Roy Devyn Marble (6-5,190), Zach McCabe (6-7, 225), Darius Stokes (6-7,190) and Branden Stubbs (6-2, 170). The sophomores are Eric May and Cully
Payne. In addition, juniors Bryce Cartwright (6-1, 180) and Jordan Stoermer (6-2,185) are in their first year at Iowa. Cartwright played as a rookie at Fresno State and Paris JC (Texas) his sophomore campaign. Stoermer played his first two seasons at Kirkwood CC (Iowa).

The play of Iowa's three freshmen (pictured is 1 Melsahn Basabe) and Juco transfer have made Iowa basketball exciting none the less. The Big Ten will be very challenging, but it should be more interesting as Iowa seeks to become relevant again in college basketball.

December 21, 2010 - Live Blogging From Carver-Hawkeye Arena - U of Iowa Athletics
December 21, 2010 - A Year Older, A Year Wiser - U of Iowa Athletics

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Coach Fran McCaffery hires 2Nd assistant at Iowa: former Central Florida head coach Kirk Speraw returns to alma mater

On Friday, April 24, 2010, the University of Iowa announced that ...

IOWA CITY, IA - - University of Iowa Head Basketball Coach Fran McCaffery has named former Hawkeye Kirk Speraw an assistant coach on his basketball staff. The hiring of Speraw was announced today and becomes effective immediately.

"I'm excited and honored for the opportunity to return to the University
of Iowa and reconnect with friends and fans of the Hawkeye basketball program,"
said Speraw. "My family and I are extremely appreciative of Coach McCaffery for
this opportunity. I'm eager to help and hit the ground running. I'm very
impressed with Coach McCaffery and his vision for the program."

"I'm ecstatic to have KirkSperaw join our staff," said McCaffery. "I have known Kirk a long time and have tremendous respect for his knowledge, character and reputation. When I was at the Final Four, Lute Olson recommended him very highly, as has everyone else I have spoken to about him. Kirk is very well known and liked in the state of Iowa and it is great to have a Hawkeye on the staff."

Speraw, who is a Sioux City, IA native has over three decades of basketball coaching experience. He is a two-time Hawkeye letterman (1978-79) who played for Head Coach Lute Olson. He was a member of the 1978-79 squad that won 20 contests and a Big Ten title. As a senior, he was named the team's most inspirational player.

As both an assistant and head coach, Speraw has mentored dozens of players who have played professionally, including Hawkeyes Ronnie Lester, Steve Krafcisin, Vince Brookins, Steve Waite, Kenny Arnold, Kevin Boyle, Mark Gannon and Bobby Hansen.

Speraw began his coaching career with the Hawkeyes, serving as a graduate assistant with Iowa's 1979-80 team that advanced to the Final Four. The Hawkeyes went 23-8 that season. Speraw then moved to Denver University, where he was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for two years (1980-82).

Speraw joins the Hawkeyes after serving 17 years as head coach at the University of Central Florida (1993-2010). Speraw is the school's winningest coach with a 279-233 record. During his tenure, 18 of his players received all-league honors, including four first team honorees. Additionally, since the start of the 1993-94 season, 54 of Speraw's student-athletes earned academic all-conference recognition.

His tenure included four NCAA Tournament berths (1994, '96, '04 and `05). In 2006-07, he was recognized as Conference USA Coach of the Year after guiding the Knights to 22 victories and a second place league finish. His most successful season at UCF was in 2003-04, when the Knights finished 25-6, received votes in the top 25 and won the Atlantic Sun championship, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Prior to his head coaching job at UCF, he served as an assistant coach at the University of Florida for three seasons (1990-93) under Head Coach Lon Kruger. While on the Florida staff, the Gators participated in two NIT's, including advancing to the semifinals in 1992.
Prior to his three years in Gainesville, Speraw was the head coach at Pensacola Junior College (PJC) from 1987-90. At PJC, he led the Pirates to an 82-21 record and three consecutive Panhandle Conference titles. His 1989-90 team won 31 games and finished fifth nationally. The team's success that year earned Speraw national recognition. He was tabbed the NABC/Kodak National Junior College Coach of the Year, as well as the state's Coach of the Year.

Speraw also had a coaching stop at Florida Southern, serving as an assistant from 1982-87. The Moccasins posted a 100-46 record and made four appearances in the Division II NCAA Tournament, including a third-place finish in 1986.

Speraw and his wife, Tracy (an Iowa City native), have two sons, Drew and Dustin, and two daughters, Brooke and Bailey. Drew played for his dad at Central Florida for four years, completing his eligibility this past season. Brooke is currently a University of Iowa student.

SPERAW COACHING CHART

• Iowa Graduate Assistant 1979-80


• Denver Assistant Coach 1980-82


• Florida Southern Assistant Coach 1983-87


• Pensacola Junior College Head Coach 1987-90


• Florida Assistant Coach 1990-93


• Central Florida Head Coach 1993-2010

What others reported on Kirk Speraw hire by Iowa coach Fran McCaffery:

Iowa hires former UCF coach Speraw as assistant ‎- SI.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa coach Fran McCaffery has hired former Central Florida coach Kirk Speraw as an assistant. Speraw was recently fired after 17 ...

Kirk Speraw Named to Fran McCaffery's Staff at Iowa ‎ - Bleacher Report

Hawkeye basketball: Kirk Speraw joins McCaffery's staff ‎ - DesMoinesRegister.com

Kirk Speraw joins Iowa's men's basketball staff – this seems like ... ‎ - Gazette Online (blog)

In closing, Kirk Speraw was one of my first "fan" favorites, when he was a basketball player under coach Lute Olson in the 1970s. Coach McCaffery has announced two of his three assistants for the Iowa Basketball program. Speculation is high about a couple of other former Iowa players filling the third assistant position, as well as the graduate assistant position.

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Iowa's new basketball coach Fran McCaffery hires first assistant coach: Andrew Francis

IOWA CITY, IA - - University of Iowa Head Basketball Coach Fran McCaffery has named Andrew Francis an assistant coach on his basketball staff. The hiring of Francis was announced Thursday and becomes effective immediately.

"I am very happy to have Andrew be part of the Hawkeye basketball family," said McCaffery.

"I've worked closely with Andrew for three years and he is the complete package. He's a tremendous coach and excellent recruiter. His scouting reports are incredibly thorough and his on-the-court teaching is spectacular."

"I'm excited and honored to have this opportunity at a great institution like the University of Iowa," said Francis. "I have met so many wonderful people during the interview process. It's been a calming and welcoming feeling that I have received from everybody since arriving on campus. I felt welcome even before I got here. Being able to coach in such an incredible league like the Big Ten is exciting."

Francis served the last three years on McCaffery's staff as an assistant coach at Siena. While on the Saints' coaching staff, he helped guide Siena to three straight conference titles and NCAA Tournament berths, and four consecutive 20-plus win seasons. Francis helped coach six all-conference student-athletes, two Player of the Year honorees and the league's Sixth Man of the Year.

He arrived at the Siena program after a two year stint at Villanova University, where he served as an administrative assistant/video coordinator on Jay Wright's staff.

While at Siena, Francis assisted in all aspects of the program, including: recruiting, player development and scouting.

A Brooklyn, NY, native, Francis joined the Wildcats' staff in August, 2005. He assisted the program in a variety of roles while directing the video operations of the basketball office.
Francis is a 1992 graduate of Brooklyn's Abraham Lincoln High School. He played basketball at Fulton Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, NY, before completing his college career under Coach Sidney Green at Long Island University-Southampton. Francis graduated in 1998 with a degree in marketing and management.

After a knee injury ended his professional playing career, Francis became a volunteer assistant coach at Concordia College. From 2003-05, he served as the head women's coach at Mt. St. Vincent College, compiling a 26-27 record. In addition, he served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Westchester Wildfire of the United States Basketball League.

Press Release from the University of Iowa

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Iowa welcomes the Fran McCaffery era of Hawkeye Basketball for 2010-11

Athletic director Gary Barta introduced Siena head coach Fran McCaffery as the new head coach of the Iowa Hawkeye basketball program. Video of today's media conference introducing the new coach.

Talk about a 'good fit' for Iowa basketball in the introduction of Fran McCaffery. He received a six year contract starting at $1.1 million that will move to $1.35 million, with incentives and escalation clauses.

He has more experience recruiting in the State of Iowa and playing at Carver-Hawkeye Arena than his two predecessors had entering the Iowa job.

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It's Great to be a Hawkeye: Iowa City will soon welcome Fran McCaffery to Iowa Basketball

News is that Gary Barta, Iowa's AD, has extended the Iowa basketball position to Fran McCaffery, who has been head coach the past five seasons at Siena College, a Jesuit university.

Who will be the next Hawkeye basketball coach? - The Gazette
Several media reports confirm Siena Coach Fran McCaffery has accepted the Iowa coaching job ...

Report: McCaffery to Iowa ‎- WNYT
Iowa is expected to announce the move Monday in Iowa City, Iowa. McCaffery will replace Todd Lickliter, who was fired two weeks ago after the Hawkeyes' ...

Like Dr. Tom Davis, who coached at Iowa for 13 years, McCaffery brings a strong East Coast resume to Iowa City. Like Dr. Tom, McCaffery has been a head coach previously at three other schools. McCaffery has eleven years of coaching in the Midwest, as an 11 year assistant at Notre Dame. McCaffery lead Lehigh, UNC-Greensboro and Siena all to the NCAA Tournament, including three straight trips at Siena.

He may not have the doctorate, like Dr. Tom, but he has an Ivy League education on his resume, from Penn. We would imagine that Fran McCaffery knows a little about teaching young men the game of basketball and about life. Always an important skill for an Iowa head basketball coach. Always important at the 28 Jesuit universities found the USA.

Dr. Tom and Coach Fran were head coaches at Jesuit universities. Dr. Tom at Boston College, while McCaffery has been the past five seasons at Siena. Jesuit universities have great history in college basketball, from Georgetown to Gonzaga. Creighton is the closest Jesuit university to Iowa City.

Ironically, Iowa could have hired a Jesuit coach from Creighton (Dana Altman) three years ago, but settled for Butler's Todd Lickliter. Iowa's two previous coaches, Licklter and Steve Alford, had only coached at one Division I university previous to becoming the head coach at Iowa.

Coach Fran, like Dr. Tom, has coached at three universities in the past prior to coming to Iowa City. Of course, nothing is official yet, but multiple sources from The Gazette's article have confirmed, 'Fran is the Man' for the University of Iowa's basketball position.

We are excited about the choice, after reports that Dayton's Brian Gregory were heard. It appears that Iowa's AD Gary Barta didn't want to lose on the opportunity to hire Fran McCaffery, who was mentioned for other jobs opening in 2010, as the two articles below highlight.

Coaching carousel chatter ‎ESPN (blog) - Andy Katz
Iowa was extremely interested in Gregory, so this move is odd for them if he's truly the top choice. Iowa has talked to McCaffery and he remains a finalist ...

Skinner to St. John's in a holding pattern ‎Boston Globe
McCaffery, meanwhile, may be out as a possibility at St. John's since he has emerged as the leading candidate for the opening at the University of Iowa, ...

We look forward to the official announcement on Monday that Fran McCaffery will be the University of Iowa's next head men's basketball coach. The rebuilding job will be McCaffery's who brings a strong resume to the table for the Hawkeyes men's program. Official announcement with Media is Monday.

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