After an impressive 110-68 blowout win over North Dakota to get their 2023-24 season underway, the Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) return to play tonight against the Alabama State Hornets (0-1).
Led by Owen Freeman’s 14 points, Iowa’s freshmen put on a show and demonstrated why the Hawkeyes feel it’s one of their most talented group of newcomers in some time. Fellow frosh big Ladji Dembele impressed as well, connecting on a pair of 3-pointers to add eight points.
Junior forward Payton Sandfort got off to a splendid start as well, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers and scoring 10 points in the game’s first four minutes and change. Sandfort finished with a team-high 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting.
Valparaiso grad transfer Ben Krikke chipped in with 18 points and six rebounds in his first action as a Hawkeye. Sophomore guard Dasonte Bowen with 12 points, redshirt senior forward Patrick McCaffery with 11 points and senior guard Tony Perkins with 10 rounded out Iowa’s double-figure scorers.
As a team, Iowa shot 53.3% from the floor and 50% from 3-point distance. The Hawkeyes out rebounded North Dakota 44-38 and turned the basketball over just seven times.
Meanwhile, North Dakota committed 19 turnovers, shot just 40.3% from the field and only 16% from beyond the arc.
In its season opener at Ole Miss, a trio of Hornets finished with double-figure scoring. Junior guards CJ Hines and TJ Madlock each had 12 points and redshirt freshman guard Amarr Knox added 11, but it was the Ole Miss Rebels that came away with the 69-59 victory.
As Iowa returns to play tonight, let’s take a look at how fans can watch and follow along. Plus, some of the game notes entering this evening.