Melsahn Basabe finds motivation for final three games
Melsahn Basabe scored a total of 16 points, combined, in losses to Illinois at home, at Purdue and Michigan State at home. (Press-Citizen file photo)
Champaign, Ill. — The remainder of Iowa’s regular-season schedule resembles a Bermuda Triangle of Big Ten basketball for Melsahn Basabe.
The freshman forward scored a total of 16 points, combined, in losses to Illinois at home, at Purdue and a win against Michigan State at home, and made just five-of-16 field-goal attempts. Basabe is averaging 12.9 points in Big Ten play this season, and has scored more than 16 points in six different league games. His rebound take in those three games totaled eight. He’s had eight or more rebounds in eight Big Ten games to date.
“Those are three teams that can say they shut me down,’’ Basabe said. “I keep that stuff in the back of my head.’’
Iowa faces Illinois at 6 p.m. Saturday at Assembly Hall. Then comes a road game at Michigan State Wednesday and a home game against Purdue March 5.
Basabe had four points against the Illini in his first career Big Ten game Dec. 29. The thing he remembers most about that 87-77 loss is having his shot blocked by 7-foot Illinois center Mike Tisdale.
“Tisdale threw my shot into the stands,’’ Basabe said.
His welcome to the Big Ten moment?
“I guess you could say that,’’ Basabe said.
Iowa hasn’t had much success in the win column since Big Ten play began. The Hawkeyes enter Saturday’s game 3-12 in league play and 10-17 overall. But coach Fran McCaffery sees a more consistent effort from his team.
“Our scoring droughts are shorter,’’ McCaffery said. “I think we are making fewer mistakes and playing better defense. It’s unfortunate that it hasn’t been reflected in more wins. I have been pleased with the way the guys have remained focused, continued to work, and continued to believe in each other.’’
One of those scoring droughts occurred in the season’s first game with Illinois. The Illini used a 16-0 first-half run to take a 49-37 halftime lead. Illinois made its first seven 3-point attempts of the game and finished 13-of-18 from that distance for the game.
Now Illinois, 7-8 in the Big Ten and 17-11 overall, is fighting for its NCAA life after losing three of the last four games.
“They know that, so they have to take care of business,’’ McCaffery said. “We are walking into a very difficult situation.’’
McCaffery will be venturing into Assembly Hall for the first time as Iowa coach, a place where the Hawkeyes have lost 20 of their last 21 games. Iowa’s last victory was a 78-72 decision in the 1998-99 season, when Tom Davis was in his final season as coach.
============================
SATURDAY’S GAME
WHO: Iowa (10-17, 3-12 Big Ten) at Illinois (17-11, 7-8)
WHERE: Assembly Hall, Champaign, Ill.
TIPOFF: 6 p.m.
TV/RADIO: Big Ten Network/WHO-AM (1040), D.M.
STATISTICAL LEADERS: For Iowa — Matt Gatens 12.5 ppg, Melsahn Basabe 7.0 rpg, Bryce Cartwright 5.7 apg ; for Illinois — Demetri McCamey 14.5 ppg, Mike Davis 6.9 rpg, McCamey 6.2 apg.
ABOUT THE HAWKEYES: Cartwright leads the Big Ten in assists in league games at 6.7 per game. He is trying to become the first Iowa player to do that since Dean Oliver in 2001.
ABOUT THE ILLINI: McCamey needs one assist to join Michigan’s Gary Grant as the only Big Ten players to record 1,600 points and 700 assists.
WHAT TO WATCH: An Illinois victory would give it six straight over Iowa for the first time in series history.
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by DMRsports, Rob . Rob said: RT @DMRsports: [Hawkeyes blog] Melsahn Basabe finds motivation for final three games http://bit.ly/h5xYIc #hawkeyes [...]
Report this comment