After back-to-back wins, Iowa basketball returns to play tonight by playing host to the Northern Illinois Huskies (6-5) in the Hawkeyes’ Holiday Game from inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa (7-5, 0-2 Big Ten) toppled Florida A&M on Dec. 16, 88-52, in a game where freshman forward Owen Freeman recorded his first career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. That was part of the Hy-Vee Hawkeye Showcase in Des Moines.
Junior forward Payton Sandfort scored 13 points, senior guard Tony Perkins added 12 and freshman guard Brock Harding chipped in with 10 in the win over the Ramblers.
Then, on Dec. 20, Iowa raced away from UMBC, 103-81. The Hawkeyes were led by Perkins’ 23 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals. Four other Hawks finished in double-figures as Sandfort added 18 points, graduate forward Ben Krikke scored 17, redshirt senior forward Patrick McCaffery registered 14 and Harding tallied 10.
It was Harding’s first career double-double as the frosh also dished out 12 assists and came away with four steals.
Meanwhile, Northern Illinois enters tonight after a 76-63 loss versus Northern Iowa.
It’s the final game of 2023 for the Hawkeyes tonight! Let’s take a look at how Hawkeye fans can watch, stream and listen. Plus, a peek at both team’s probable starters and game notes.