Tag: Drew Thelwell

Three stars from Iowa basketball nail-biter vs. Penn State

Three stars from Iowa basketball’s 76-75 thriller vs. Penn State.

After three straight losses, Iowa basketball (13-7, 4-5 Big Ten) got back in the win column Friday night with a 76-75 victory vs. Penn State (13-7, 3-6 Big Ten) from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The Hawkeyes led for most of the night behind an impressive 28-for-56 (50%) shooting night from the floor, including 11-for-23 (47.8%) from beyond the arc.

The game’s finish was a bit too close for comfort as Iowa’s missed opportunities at the free-throw line gave the Nittany Lions late life that thankfully was not capitalized. Iowa finished 9-for-15 (60%) from the charity stripe.

Iowa forced ten Penn State turnovers that included five steals and five blocks, which the Hawkeyes were able to convert into ten points.

With the Hawkeyes short two-game homestand complete, here are the three stars from their nail-biting finish against Penn State.

Drew Thelwell

Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Thelwell finished tied for the team-lead in points Friday night with 16 points off of 6-for-10 (60%) from the floor, 3-for-5 (60%) from deep, and 1-for-2 (50%) from the charity stripe. He also registered five rebounds, four assists, and two steals in his 33 minutes of actions.

Thelwell’s performance also included a career milestone as he eclipsed 1,000 career points, which Iowa hopes the senior can inspire further confidence as the Big Ten regular season continues.

Owen Freeman

Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Freeman also finished the game tied for the team-lead in points with 16 points off of 5-for-9 (55.6%) from the field and 6-for-8 (75%) from the charity stripe. The sophomore star also registered nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks to close out his 33 minutes.

For Freeman, the performace against Penn State is a continuation of his stellar play so far this season and one Iowa is happy to see improving almost every game.

Josh Dix

Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Dix finished with 11 points off 4-for-10 (40%) from the floor, 1-for-5 (20%) from deep, and 2-for-2 (100%) from the free-throw line, but also recorded a career-high eight assists to accompany two rebound, one steal, and one block to close out his 37 minutes.

While his shooting night was a bit under par, his ability to facilitate the basketball to other members of the offense is truly what helped Iowa to a stellar offensive night from a shooting persepective.

Iowa will hit the road for the next game as they travel to Columbus, OH, for a Monday night clash vs. Ohio State (11-8, 3-5 Big Ten) from Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center. The game will be broadcast on FS1 and has a scheduled tip-off of 7 p.m. CT.

Monday Morning Rewind: Three stars during Iowa basketball dominance of Indiana

Three stars from Iowa basketball’s dominant win over the weekend against Indiana.

Iowa men’s basketball (12-4, 3-2 Big Ten) steamrolled their way to an emphatic 85-60 win vs. Indiana (13-4, 4-2 Big Ten) in front of a packed Carver-Hawkeye Arena crowd on Saturday night.

Offensively, Iowa kept their foot on the gas for most of the contest by shooting an efficient 32-for-59 (54.2%) from the floor, 11-for-24 (45.8%) from deep, and 10-for-18 (55.6%) from the charity stripe.

Even as the “points in the paint” scoring and overall rebounding margin favored Iowa, the true offensive weapon was the Hawkeyes’ ability to get timely three-point baskets kept the Hoosiers out of reach.

On the defensive side of the ball, Iowa forced 16 turnovers in addition to an astonishing 11 steals and six blocks. While the offensive rebounding was equal, at nine a piece, the Hoosiers were primarily a “one-and-done” offense, which was crucial in Iowa’s ability to go on stretch scoring runs.

With another victory under the belt, here are three stars that helped Iowa the most on Saturday.

Payton Sandfort

After erupting in the second half of Tuesday’s win over Nebraska, Sandfort followed up with a complete performance vs. Indiana by scoring a team-leading 23 points off 7-of-12 (58.3%) from the floor, 4-of-9 (44.4%) from deep, and 5-of-5 (100%) from the charity stripe.

Sandfort also recorded six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in his 31 minutes of game action.

For Sandfort and Iowa’s sake, this performance is a relief as the senior forward had been uncharacteristically quiet in the two games prior to his second-half burst against the Cornhuskers.

Sandfort will need to keep this trend going as the team heads out West for its California road trip.

Owen Freeman

Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Freeman was a force again vs. Indiana on Saturday by scoring 16 points on 8-of-13 (61.5%) from the floor to pair with 12 rebounds, four blocks, three steals, and two assists to round out 27 minutes of action.

The performance is Freeman’s third double-double of the season and eighth of his career. His four blocks also gives him 18 total rejections over the past three games.

While this type of performance is nothing out of the ordinary for Freeman, his presence on the defensive side of the ball has allowed for a ferocious Hawkeyes defense to flourish as of late.

Drew Thelwell

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After missing the previous game with an injury sustained through warmups, Thelwell rejuvenated the Hawkeyes spirit with six steals, three rebounds, and three assists to pair with a 12-point performance on 4-of-7 (57.1%) from the floor and 4-of-9 (44.4%) from the free-throw line.

His six steals are the most by a Hawkeye since Joe Toussaint in 2021 and are tied for the second-most in a game under head coach Fran McCaffery.

The Hawkeyes will fly westward for their next matchup on Tuesday vs. USC (10-6, 2-3 Big Ten) from the Galen Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

The game will tip off at 9:30 p.m. CT and air on FS1. Fans can also tune in to the Hawkeyes Radio Network for the game’s radio transcription.

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Fran McCaffery comments on Drew Thelwell’s injury status before Indiana tilt

Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery commented on Drew Thelwell’s injury status ahead of the Hawkeyes’ tilt vs. Indiana.

It sounds like good news for graduate guard Drew Thelwell’s injury status entering tonight against Indiana.

Thelwell reportedly tweaked something during warmups ahead of Iowa’s 97-87 overtime win over Nebraska on Tuesday night.

Speaking with reporters on Thursday, McCaffery was optimistic that Thelwell could give it a go tonight against the Hoosiers.

“I do, but I really have no basis to say that from a medical standpoint. It’s really depending on how he feels. We’ll just be really smart with how we use him these next two days and try to get him ready,” McCaffery said.

In a radio appearance with KCJJ on Wednesday, Thelwell said he will be good to go tonight versus Indiana.

That’s good news for the Hawkeyes. With Thelwell out of the equation, junior guard Josh Dix, sophomore guard Brock Harding and sophomore forward played 45, 39 and 35 minutes against the Huskers, respectively.

With the way Dix was shooting the basketball against Nebraska, that was no problem. But, in the long-term, Thelwell’s presence takes some of the load off the shoulders of both Harding and Dix.

“He’s really important, because we survived the other night with Brock and Josh playing so many minutes. That’s problematic over the course of a season. We have Pryce who can play the point and can swing. He’s been terrific, so we can survive it.

“But, you need Drew’s versatility, both defensively and he can play the off guard position and he can take over and run the point. Brock can get rest. Josh doesn’t have to play the point, but he can. So, it just changes things if he’s out in a big way,” McCaffery said of Thelwell.

Iowa (11-4, 2-2 Big Ten) welcomes Indiana (13-3, 4-1 Big Ten) into Carver-Hawkeye Arena tonight for a 7 p.m. tipoff. The game will be televised on Fox.

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Three thoughts following Iowa basketball’s disastrous 116-85 loss vs. Wisconsin.

Unpacking Iowa’s blowout loss at Wisconsin with some next-day thoughts.

Iowa basketball (10-4, 1-2 Big Ten) suffered an eye-opening blowout defeat vs. Wisconsin (11-3, 1-2 Big Ten) on Friday night from the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.

Iowa’s 116-85 loss saw the Badgers bury the Hawkeyes behind a 3-point barrage.

While Iowa only trailed 54-43 at halftime, the Badgers’ continuous onslaught from the 3-point line widened the lead to a point from which the Hawkeyes’ offense could not recover.

The Hawkeyes finished the game shooting 32-of-66 (48.6%) from the field, 9-of-24 (37.5%) from deep, and 12-for-18 (66.7%) from the charity stripe.

But, defensively, Iowa had no answers.

Before the focus shifts to the Hawkeyes’ Tuesday night matchup vs. Nebraska, here are three thoughts gathered from Iowa’s loss to Wisconsin.

Lack of rebounding led to Iowa’s demise

John Fisher/Getty Images

Wisconsin’s ability to outrebound the Hawkeyes 37-21 by the end of the game greatly contributed to Iowa’s inability to recoup missed offensive opportunities.

Specifically, when it came to defensive rebounds, the Badgers collected 29 boards compared to the Hawkeyes’ 14, which forced Iowa’s offense into one-and-done possessions for much of the game.

With a conference as rugged and physical as the Big Ten, Iowa will certainly need to improve its rebounding to be of any threat to its opponents this season.

3-point avalanche

John Fisher/Getty Images

Wisconsin caught fire from beyond the arc throughout Friday’s contest, hitting a program-record 21 3-point shots on 31 attempts (64.5%), with sophomore guard John Blackwell shooting 6-of-10 from long range en route to a 32-point performance.

While sometimes you have to “tip your cap” to an offense that gets hot, the inability to slow down the Badgers’ attack from beyond the arc eventually became nauseating as Wisconsin poured it on late in the game.

Iowa’s offense was effective

John Fisher/Getty Images

While it is difficult to say an offense played competitively in a 31-point loss, Iowa’s shooting performance was fairly decent, considering the team’s opportunities.

Leading the team in scoring was senior guard Drew Thelwell, who scored 25 points off 9-for-14 (64.3%) shooting from the floor, 3-for-5 (60%) from deep, and a perfect 4-for-4 night from the charity stripe.

Outside of Thelwell, Iowa got 40 points on 19-of-35 (54.3%) from the floor and 7-for-9 (77.8%) at the free-throw line from a combination of Pryce Sandfort, Brock Harding, Josh Dix, and Owen Freeman.

The only major downside to Iowa’s offensive performance was the game from Payton Sandfort, who finished with a season-low two points on 1-of-9 (11.1%) shooting and 0-for-5 from 3-point distance.

Even though the final score was ugly, Iowa’s offense played well in order to be competitive on most nights in the Big Ten. Unfortunately, Iowa could not match Wisconsin’s red-hot 3-point shooting that never cooled down.

Iowa’s next matchup will see the team return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on January 7 vs. Nebraska (11-2, 1-1 Big Ten) with a scheduled tip-off for 7 p.m. CT and be broadcast on Peacock. As always, the game will be available on the airwaves through the Hawkeyes Radio Network.

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Three stars for Iowa basketball vs. Utah

Iowa basketball picked up a key win over Utah from the Sanford Pentagon. Three stars for the Hawkeyes in the 95-88 win.

Iowa men’s basketball (9-3, 1-1 Big Ten) secured a 95-88 win vs. Utah (8-2) on Saturday from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., giving the Hawkeyes their first win over the Utes in program history.

During the neutral-site matchup, Iowa was able to shoot consistently through a 34-for-64 (53.1%) night from the floor, 9-of-20 (45%) effort from beyond the arc, and 18-for-24 (75%) performance from the free throw line.

Defensively, both teams finished with 12 total forced turnovers, with Iowa also registering eight steals and five blocks throughout the contest. Due to the high-scoring affair, the Hawkeyes’ ability to contest Utah’s shot attempts contributed to the eventual victory.

With win No. 9 secured for Iowa, here are three Hawkeyes that stood out the most Saturday night.

Payton Sandfort

Payton Sandfort led the Hawkeyes in scoring Saturday with 24 points off 8-for-14 (57.1%) shooting from the floor, 2-for-5 (40%) from 3-point distance, and a perfect 6-for-6 night from the charity stripe. The senior forward also contributed eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal in his 36 minutes of action.

As has been the case for most of the season so far, Sandfort is the driver of the Hawkeyes’ offense.

Josh Dix

Josh Dix had an eventful night, finishing with 15 points on 7-of-10 (70%) shooting from the field in 33 minutes. The sophomore forward also led the Hawkeyes in assists (4) while contributing three rebounds, two steals, and a block to Iowa’s defensive effort.

Dix has shown he is a reliable tertiary scoring option for the Hawkeyes outside of Owen Freeman and Payton Sandfort, which has allowed him to thrive in recent games. Saturday night’s output also extends his streak of double-digit scoring performances to six games.

Drew Thelwell

Thelwell finished with 15 points but did so in an extremely efficient manner as he converted on 3-of-5 (60%) attempts from the field, 2-of-3 (66.6%) from deep, and 7-of-8 (87.5%) from the charity stripe in 29 minutes off the bench. The senior guard also provided Iowa with two rebounds, two assists, and one steal throughout the night.

Iowa returns to action from Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Monday, Dec. 30, vs. New Hampshire (2-11, 0-0 America East) at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network and on the Hawkeyes Radio Network.

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Three stars in Iowa basketball’s romp over Rider

Three stars from Iowa basketball’s romp over Rider.

Following a lopsided 83-58 victory versus Rider (3-2) on Tuesday night from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa men’s basketball improved its overall record to 5-0 on the campaign.

The Hawkeyes established a dominant defensive presence and efficient scoring from the opening tip, which led to a comfortable 40-26 halftime lead. Iowa’s tenacious defense forced 10 turnovers by the Broncs, leading to 13 points off those takeaways in the opening half.

The second half continued Iowa’s smothering control of the game as the Hawkeyes would add 43 more points off 16-of-33 shooting from the field, including 5-for-9 from 3-point territory. The Hawkeyes would again force 10 Broncs turnovers, leading to seven more points off takeaways.

As a team, the Hawkeyes shot 30-of-64 (46.9%) from the field, including 8-of-22 (36.4%) from beyond the arc. Iowa also converted on 15-of-21 (71.4%) free throw attempts.

With another dominant performance, below are the three stars whose efforts guided the Hawkeyes to victory.

Payton Sandfort

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Senior forward Payton Sandfort emerged in the second half to help widen the already comfortable lead for the Hawkeyes by finishing the night with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 2-of-7 from deep. He also had six rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal in the contest.

While this level of production from Sandfort is somewhat expected, considering the senior is regarded as one of the primary offensive drivers of the team, it is still very well appreciated no matter the opponent.

Owen Freeman

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Owen Freeman once again had an impressive showing on Tuesday night as he made 7-of-11 field goals en route to 19 points. The sophomore forward also had five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks to add to his stat line. 

Freeman’s ability to dominate in the paint is clearly paying dividends for the Hawkeyes as 44 of Iowa’s 83 total points were generated from that area.

With conference play looming, Freeman’s recent play is exactly what head coach Fran McCaffery is looking for from the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Drew Thelwell

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Coming off a clutch late-game performance against Washington State, Thelwell continued his impactful play off the bench on Tuesday night by recording seven assists and five steals in his 27 minutes of game time.

His stellar play defensively and as a facilitator for the offense allowed the Hawkeyes to establish their control of the game from start to finish.

Even though Thelwell scored only two points off 1-of-3 shooting from the field, his versatility in a sixth-man role has proven vital to the Hawkeyes’ recent success.

Iowa returns to action on Nov. 22, when the team travels to Kansas City, Mo., for the NABC Hall of Fame Classic game against Utah State (4-0).

The game will begin at 7 p.m. CT from the T-Mobile Center. It will be televised on the Big Ten Network and on the Hawkeye Radio Network.\

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Three stars of Iowa men’s basketball’s gritty 76-66 win vs. Washington State

Three stars from Iowa basketball’s Friday night win over Wazzu.

The Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball team (4-0) won their first true challenge of the season on Friday vs. Washington State (3-1) when they defeated the Cougars 76-66 from Moline, Ill., as part of the John Deere Quad Cities Hoops Showdown at Vibrant Arena.

While the game ended with a 10-point differential, most of the game was highly contested as both sides displayed spirited efforts on the court.

Both Iowa and Washington State had a relatively poor shooting night as the Hawkeyes shot 25-for-60 (41.7%) from the field and 8-for-25 from deep, which was only slightly higher than the Cougars’ 26-for-66 (39.4%) and 5-for-28 3-point mark.

For Iowa, the Hawkeyes’ tenacious defense truly willed the team to victory vs. Washington State by forcing a total of ten steals and five blocks, many of which came during critical junctures of the game.

Considering the total team effort from Iowa, below are the three stars that allowed the Hawkeyes to improve to 4-0 on the campaign.

Owen Freeman

Friday’s game was not only a homecoming for the Moline, Ill., native, but also a birthday celebration as the sophomore celebrated his 20th birthday by leading the team with 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field while collecting 11 rebounds. Freeman’s double-double is also the sixth of his career at Iowa.

Freeman, who won an Illinois High School Association (IHSA) basketball title alongside teammate Brock Harding in 2023, was able to be a spark plug for the Hawkeyes in his 29 minutes for what was an otherwise difficult shooting night for the team.

Drew Thelwell

While not a large part of the scoresheet with only seven points on 2-of-4 shooting in 19 minutes, Thewell’s two clutch 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter jumpstarted a 16-7 Hawkeyes run in the final 3:55.

Thelwell also contributed to the Hawkeyes’ defensive effort by adding three steals and one block to the team’s total.

The performance of the graduate transfer from Morehead State is exactly what head coach Fran McCaffery will need moving forward from his bench, especially with conference play starting later this month.

Iowa Fans

Considering Friday’s game was the first time Iowa has played in Moline since 1998, the large contingent of Hawkeye fans that packed Vibrant Arena truly spurred the team to victory, especially late in the game.

With Moline roughly 61 miles from Iowa City, Iowa fans flocking to watch the Hawkeyes made the game almost feel like a second home court.

As the Western Illinois area has proved to be a valuable recruiting ground for Iowa recently, the turnout of 8,488 also aids the Hawkeyes’ efforts on the recruiting trail.

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa’s next game will be Nov. 19, when the Hawkeyes return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena for a 7 p.m. CT tipoff vs. the Rider Broncs (3-1).

The game will be broadcast on BTN+ (paid subscription required) and will also be available on radio through the Hawkeyes Radio Network.

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