Iowa men’s basketball: Illinois is first of Hawkeyes’ tough Big Ten tests
Iowa City, Ia. — First-year Iowa basketball coach Fran McCaffery faces a daunting task as he jumps into Big Ten Conference play Wednesday with an 8 p.m. game against No. 23 Illinois at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hawkeyes play ranked foes in five of their first six league games. Wednesday’s opener is followed by a home date against No. 2 Ohio State on Jan. 4 and a road game at No. 12 Purdue on Jan. 9. A home game against Northwestern Jan. 12 is followed by road games at No. 14 Minnesota on Jan. 16 and No. 2 Ohio State on Jan. 19.
“I think everyone knew coming into the season what the league schedule was going to be like,” said McCaffery, whose team is 7-5. “We’re going to face a lot of ranked teams, not only in the first six games but throughout the rest of the season.”
Sophomore Eric May, left, and the Iowa men’s basketball team begin Big Ten Conference play at 8 tonight against No. 23 Illinois at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. (Benjamin Roberts/Press Citizen file photo)
There also are two games against Michigan State, currently ranked 20th, and one against Wisconsin, No. 24 in the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll.
“Obviously, there are some good players and terrific coaches, but we have a year where (the league) has experienced, veteran players,” McCaffery said. “And those guys, over the long haul, are the ones that produce in close games.”
McCaffery inherits a program that has lost 18 consecutive games against ranked opponents, dating back to a 43-36 victory against No. 6 Michigan State on Jan. 12, 2008.
Illinois, 10-3, starts three seniors in point guard Demetri McCamey, forward Mike Davis and center Mike Tisdale. Iowa center Jarryd Cole is the only scholarship senior on the Iowa roster.
“When you watch them play, they play with a great deal of confidence,” McCaffery said of Illinois. “If they get behind, they don’t rattle. They make plays. That’s what upperclassmen do.”
McCamey is averaging a team-best 15.7 points and 7.1 assists and is fourth in the Big Ten in 3-point percentage (49.2) and assist-turnover ratio (2.71).
“He is as dangerous a guy as I’ve ever had to prepare for,’’ McCaffery said. “He just plays the game the right way.”
Three other Illini starters also average double figures. Tisdale is averaging 10.2 points and 7.5 rebounds. Davis is averaging 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds.
“It’s not like, OK, you go play Illinois, if we stop McCamey the game’s over,” McCaffery said. “It’s not that at all. That’s what makes it so challenging for us as we prepare for this game.”
McCaffery said his team is getting better but walks a fine line as Big Ten play begins.
“We don’t have a huge margin for error,” McCaffery said. “One of the things I’ve been impressed with about our team so far is that we’ve gotten better, individually and collectively.”
Defense and rebounding have been the strong suits of a team that still suffers through prolonged scoring droughts.
“We’re going to have to play even better defense, and take care of the ball, for us to beat the quality of teams in our league,” McCaffery said.
Quick facts
WHO: Illinois (10-3) at Iowa (7-5)
WHERE: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City
TIPOFF: 8 p.m. Wednesday
TV/RADIO: Big Ten Network/WHO-AM (1040)
TICKETS: $20, $10 (UI students and youth 18-under).
STATISTICAL LEADERS: Illinois — Demetri McCamey 15.7 ppg, Mike Tisdale 7.5 rpg, McCamey 7.1 apg; Iowa — Matt Gatens 11.7 ppg, Jarryd Cole 6.8 rpg, Bryce Cartwright 4.4 apg.
ABOUT THE ILLINI: McCamey is fourth nationally in assists.
ABOUT THE HAWKEYES: Iowa averaged 6.1 more points and allowed 4.5 fewer points in non-conference games compared to last season .
WHAT TO WATCH: Illinois has won four consecutive games against Iowa, and six of the last seven.
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball
go HAWKEYES
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