Tag: Fran McCaffery

Head Hawk: 10 items that stood out from Fran McCaffery at Iowa Media Day

Fran McCaffery met with the press to preview the 2023-24 Iowa men’s college basketball season. Here’s 10 items that stood out.

As the calendar has shifted its way into October, that means the arrival of college basketball season is just around the corner.

Fresh off a fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance, Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery is set to embark upon a 14th season guiding the Hawkeyes.

Iowa finished last season 19-14 (11-9 Big Ten) and earned a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament, bowing out to ninth-seeded Auburn in the first round.

Gone are the team’s top two scorers and rebounders from last season in first-round NBA draft pick Kris Murray and in Filip Rebraca. Connor McCaffery, who started 88 games over his Hawkeye career, has moved on as well.

Now, Iowa turns to guards Tony Perkins and Payton Sandfort and forward Patrick McCaffery as its likely leading actors. Transfers Ben Krikke and Even Brauns come over to join the rotation alongside a talented cast of freshmen and rising sophomores Dasonte Bowen and Josh Dix.

With the team’s first exhibition set for Oct. 30 against Quincy in Iowa City, McCaffery met with the media to preview his team’s 2023-24 season.

Here’s 10 items that stood out from coach McCaffery at Iowa’s annual Media Day.

Everything Fran McCaffery said before Iowa’s 2023 overseas trip

As Iowa readies for its August overseas excursion, Fran McCaffery broke down his newcomers, veterans and what the trip means for his squad.

The Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team is about to embark on an important overseas excursion.

With six newcomers, including four true freshmen, it feels like the three-game set across Paris and Spain arrives for this team at the perfect time.

After a fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery looks to guide a retooled roster back into the Big Dance.

There was plenty to break down with the Hawkeyes’ head basketball coach last week. McCaffery discussed his newcomers, several of his veterans and what the overseas trip means for his squad.

Here’s everything coach McCaffery had to say about the 2023-24 Iowa men’s basketball team so far.

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USC Big Ten Tour: Hawkeyes Wire evaluates basketball coach Fran McCaffery

.@HawkeyesWire discusses the achievements and the frustrations of Iowa basketball under Fran McCaffery.

We are definitely focused on football right now at Trojans Wire, as we should be. However, we can certainly take a little time out of our weekend for some hoops, especially when a lot of basketball junkies are watching Victor Wembanyama in the NBA Summer League.

Our USC Big Ten Tour continues with Hawkeyes Wire. Iowa basketball has been an annual NCAA Tournament team under coach Fran McCaffery. That’s the good news for the Hawkeyes, who are regularly announced on Selection Sunday and have certainly made themselves relevant on a national level.

The limitation faced by Iowa hoops is not the NCAA Tournament itself, but being able to get through the first weekend of the Big Dance. Iowa has not been to the Sweet 16 this century. The last time the Hawkeyes reached the Sweet 16 in March Madness was in 1999, when the team lost to eventual national champion Connecticut.

What do Iowa basketball fans think about Fran McCaffery and the Iowa program at large? Get insights from Hawkeyes Wire editor Josh Helmer in the conversation below:

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Patrick McCaffery pushes back on Fran McCaffery retirement speculation

Patrick McCaffery said Jack McCaffery’s college decision has nothing to do with Fran McCaffery’s future coaching the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery’s youngest son, Jack, revealed yesterday with 247Sports that he doesn’t intend to attend the University of Iowa.

Naturally, that sent shockwaves through Hawkeye Nation. Jack is a four-star small forward recruit in the 2025 class at Iowa City West and many had already made the connection that he would follow his brothers and Dad to the Hawkeyes.

Instead, Jack is looking into interest from Notre Dame and Ohio State at the next level.

“I don’t think I will go there. I made that up in my mind a while ago. I want to get away from home. I talked to my parents and brothers about it and I think that’s the best thing for me,” Jack McCaffery told 247Sports.

It makes sense that Jack might be searching for something different to carve out his own legacy. All the same, it’s a legitimate recruiting miss for the Hawkeyes.

247Sports rates the 6-foot-8 small forward as a four-star recruit, as the nation’s No. 51 overall player in the 2025 class, as the No. 12 small forward and as the top player from Iowa. On3 also ranks McCaffery as a four-star recruit, as the No. 68 player nationally, as the No. 17 small forward and as the No. 1 player from the Hawkeye State.

As the news broke yesterday, it had Iowa fans scrambling to make sense of all of this. One of the prevailing thoughts from Hawkeye fans was that it might signal something about Fran McCaffery’s future at Iowa.

After all, Iowa will soon have a new athletics director, Fran is entering his 14th season leading the Hawkeyes at the age of 64, and none of his sons would still be playing at Iowa the following season.

One of Jack’s two older brothers and current Hawkeye, Patrick McCaffery, pushed back against the idea that Fran’s future had anything to do with Jack’s college decision, though.

“10 toes down w my baby brother ALWAYS! this is a decision he made for himself. has nothing to do w my father retiring or going anywhere else,” Patrick McCaffery wrote on social media.

This is encouraging news for Iowa fans that were connecting the dots between Jack’s upcoming college decision and what it might mean for Fran’s future in Iowa City. Fran McCaffery has built Iowa basketball into one of the Big Ten’s best programs.

In the 2021-22 men’s basketball season, Iowa won four games in four consecutive days to capture the Big Ten Tournament. Then, this past season, Iowa tracked down its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament bid. The Hawkeyes are one of just 10 programs nationally that can boast that feat.

Individually, Fran McCaffery is nearing some Hawkeye history. Entering this season, Fran McCaffery holds an overall mark of 261-176 leading Iowa.

It also means Fran is 10 wins shy of tying Iowa’s all-time head coaching wins mark of 271. Eleven wins in 2023-24 and Fran would surpass former Hawkeye coach Tom Davis for the most wins in program history.

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Kirk Ferentz, Fran McCaffery release statements on Gary Barta’s retirement

Kirk Ferentz and Fran McCaffery released statements regarding Gary Barta’s upcoming August retirement.

After 17 years at the helm, Gary Barta revealed this morning that he would be stepping away as Iowa’s athletics director come Aug. 1.

Under Barta’s watch, the Iowa Hawkeyes captured four wrestling national championships, 27 Big Ten team titles, saw more than 160 student-athletes recognized as first-team All-Big Ten selections, and had multiple National Player of the Year athletes.

Naturally, those that worked closely with Barta wanted to make sure to share their thoughts on his nearing retirement. The Gazette‘s John Steppe shared statements from Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz and Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes enjoyed a mark of 137-79 (83-59 Big Ten). Iowa won a pair of Big Ten West division crowns in 2015 and 2021. The Hawkeyes earned 15 bowl game trips and won seven of those contests.

Ferentz shared his thoughts on Barta’s decision to retire.

“I was surprised to learn that Gary is retiring today. I valued our working relationship as he led our athletic department over the past 17 years. I certainly understand and respect his decision to walk away and wish he and Connie the very best in their new chapter,” Ferentz said in a statement.

The Hawkeyes are arguably enjoying their best period of sustained men’s basketball success. Iowa has made four consecutive NCAA Tournaments and seven overall under the guidance of Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery.

McCaffery has compiled an overall record of 261-176 (126-118 Big Ten) and is just 10 wins shy of tying and 11 wins shy of surpassing Tom Davis and the Hawkeyes’ all-time wins record.

“Gary Barta was phenomenal to work with. One of the things that attracted me to the University of Iowa 13 years ago was his unwavering support of our staff and student-athletes, his commitment to doing things the right way, and always maintaining the integrity of our institution.

“Gary is loyal, and he was committed to constantly making us better. His diligence has helped our program succeed in the most competitive conference in college athletics. A lot of the success of our program has had is a direct result of Gary’s vision to improve Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The addition of the practice facility, and upgrades to the weight room and locker rooms were game changers for both men’s and women’s basketball, not to mention a number of other facility improvements for other teams.

“On a personal note, he has always been incredibly supportive of my family, including when my son Patrick was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2014. That speaks volumes about his character,” McCaffery said of Barta.

Of course, Barta released a statement earlier today on why he felt this is the right time to move on from the University of Iowa.

“The success enjoyed by our student-athletes and coaches during my entire tenure, and especially the past several years, has been impressive and record breaking on so many levels.

“My wife, Connie, and I were blessed to be able to raise our two kids (Luke and Madi) in this wonderful community. The four of us will be Hawkeyes for life. I’ve made incredible friendships within the athletic department, across campus, throughout the greater Iowa City community, and across the State.

“This decision didn’t come suddenly, nor did it come without significant thought, discussion, and prayer. As I’ve reflected, I came to the conclusion there’s never a good time to step away…because there’s always more to be done. That said, I’m confident this is the right time for me and for my family,” Barta said of his decision to retire.

Barta came to the University of Iowa in August of 2006 after serving as the Wyoming athletic director from 2003-06.

In Iowa’s press release of Barta’s upcoming retirement, the University revealed that an interim athletics director would be announced next week.

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Iowa’s startling comeback over Michigan State featured Fran McCaffery’s bizarre referee stare-down

Dramatic comebacks! A referee staredown! What more can you ask for?

Iowa men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery got into a bizarre stare-down with an official during the Hawkeye’s home tilt with Michigan State on Saturday afternoon.

It seemed to have helped, because his Iowa team completed a major comeback win over the Spartans.

Iowa trailed by 13 with 1:34 to play, but would outscore MSU 23-10 over the rest of regulation to tie things at 101-101 on a Payton Sandfort made three with three seconds left. The Hawkeyes would go on to win the game, 112-106 after five extra minutes.

It was an all-time comeback win for a Big 10 hoops team.

Right before that roaring rebuttal, as the Hawkeyes trailed by 10, McCaffery shared a strange moment with one of the three referees.

Michigan State’s win probability was nearly 100 percent before Iowa’s remarkable turnaround with seconds remaining.

Talk about a dramatic way to start the Saturday hoops schedule.

The Hawkeyes picked up a key Big 10 victory ahead of the conference tournament, and McCaffery made himself available to the internet for possible memes. It’s a wild reminder that even late-regular season college basketball can be really exciting.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN.

WATCH: Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery stares down ref in Michigan State game

WATCH: Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery stares down ref in Michigan State game

One of the most uncomfortable moments of the college basketball season just happened in Michigan State’s game against Iowa on Saturday, when Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery stared down a referee.

Watch the bizarre moment below:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

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Iowa receiving votes in inaugural 2022-23 USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll

The Iowa Hawkeyes are in the receiving votes category in the preseason USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.

It’s going to be a new-look Iowa men’s basketball team. That much is obvious after Keegan Murray was selected No. 4 overall by the Sacramento Kings and Jordan Bohannon has officially moved on.

There’s been some transfers away from the Hawkeyes, too, but Iowa still has a strong corps of players returning. That group is led by forwards Patrick McCaffery and Kris Murray.

Patrick McCaffery returns after averaging 10.5 points per game in 24.2 minutes per game on 42.2% shooting, including 33.0% 3-point shooting. Kris Murray averaged 9.7 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game off the bench. The 6-foot-8, 220 pound forward from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, netted 47.9% of his field goal attempts and 38.7% from 3-point distance.

That duo headlines a group that has Iowa in the receiving votes category of the preseason USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll. In all, three Big Ten teams were ranked ahead of the season: No. 14 Indiana, No. 22 Michigan and No. 23 Illinois. Fellow Big Ten teams Purdue, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Rutgers also found themselves in the receiving votes category.

The No. 1 team in the preseason Coaches Poll is last season’s national runner-up in the North Carolina Tar Heels. After UNC, the top five looks like this: No. 2 Gonzaga, No. 3 Houston, No. 4 Kentucky and No. 5 Kansas. The rest of the preseason top-10 teams includes No. 6 Baylor, No. 7 UCLA, No. 8 Duke, No. 9 Creighton and No. 10 Arkansas.

The rest of the Hawkeyes’ nucleus includes guards Ahron Ulis, Josh Dix, Dasonte Bowen, Payton Sandfort, Connor McCaffery, Amarion Nimmers and Tony Perkins. Iowa also has bigs Josh Ogundele, Riley Mulvey and Filip Rebraca.

Perkins averaged 7.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game last season, while Rebraca added 5.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Sandfort averaged 5.0 points per game while connecting on 36.6% of his 3-pointers. Ulis delivered 3.1 points per game, while Connor McCaffery chipped in with 2.5 points per game and Ogundele added 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

“As far as our team, I’m excited about this team. I think everybody that stands there at this time says the same thing. I said this last year. I didn’t know what we had. Everybody last year was in a new role. I had never coached a team before where everybody on that team was in a new role. We ended up doing really well.

“This is a different team. We’re not as big as we’ve been, but I think we’re every bit as deep and versatile. I’m really excited about the blend of youth and experience we have. We have three starters returning. We put together, without question, the most difficult schedule that I’ve ever put in front of our team. So obviously I feel like they can handle it. I’m excited for the challenge,” Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery said of his group at Big Ten Media Days.

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Iowa Hawkeyes ranked No. 21 in 247Sports’ preseason college basketball rankings

It’s almost time to tip off the 2022-23 men’s college basketball season. According to 247Sports, Iowa starts as the nation’s No. 21 team.

You can tell a season is right around the corner when the market becomes flooded with preseason rankings. Everyone loves a good set of rankings, especially as they try to get a gauge on teams before they step on the court. Nothing boosts your self worth quite like correctly predicting who the top teams will be in advance!

247Sports’ Kevin Flaherty and Isaac Trotter recently took their hand at predicting the field, releasing their college basketball preseason rankings. Coming in as the 21st ranked team in the country is the reigning Big Ten Tournament champion in Iowa.

This could be one of Fran McCaffery’s better defensive teams, and if Kris Murray makes the expected leap to All-Big Ten caliber player, the scoring will be there as well. Patrick McCaffery, Tony Perkins and Payton Sandfort can all put the ball in the basket. – 247Sports.

Iowa is one of only three Big Ten schools featured on the list, Illinois ranked 15th with Indiana a place behind.

The Associated Press also only ranked three Big Ten teams in their initial top 25, notably leaving Iowa on the outside looking in. According to the AP voters, Indiana is the highest-ranked Big Ten team at No. 13, followed by No. 22 Michigan and No. 23 Illinois.

It will once again be a tough competition for the conference crown, but it seems the national media is not expecting a national champion to come from the Big Ten this season.

There is a lot of projection in regards to Iowa this upcoming season, making it understandable why they are a bubble top-25 team heading into the season. Of course, the notable departure is All-American forward Keegan Murray. The fourth overall pick by the Sacramento Kings, Murray would’ve been a National Player of the Year most other seasons.

A lot of pundits are projecting twin brother Kris Murray to fill his brother’s shoes as the star of the team, but, of course, that is still just a projection for now. Murray is following a similar career arc to his brother Keegan, performing really well when given a chance at extended playing time last season. We will have to see if he can handle the limelight as the true No. 1 option for Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery.

The other biggest projection, as Kevin Flaherty breaks down for Hawkeye Insider and 247Sports, is the team’s defense.

Fran McCaffery’s bunch lost All-American Keegan Murray, who likely would have been National Player of the Year in a number of other seasons. But he brings back an experienced roster from a team that appeared to figure things out defensively as the season went on, something that could make this 2022-23 bunch better than its predecessors.

Iowa has not had a top 70 defense in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency since the 2015-16 season, and if the Hawkeyes can find a way to keep the offensive train rolling while buffing up on the defensive end, Iowa could compete for a Big Ten title. Iowa certainly appears to boast plenty of firepower. – Flaherty, 247Sports.

That progression on the defensive side of the court is probably the biggest key for Iowa in 2022. While the team loses Keegan Murray, they still return a lot of experienced players who can put the ball in the hoop. Fourth-year forward Patrick McCaffery averaged a hair over 10 points per game last year, and is getting some breakout buzz in his own right ahead of the season.

Payton Sandfort showed a lot of scoring potential off the bench last year, especially as a shooter hitting 36% of his 3-point attempts. You can go down the roster list and find potential breakout candidates: Kris Murray, Patrick McCaffery, Dasonte Bowen, etcetera.

There are a lot of things to be excited about with this team, but a ton to prove as well. They’ll have plenty of opportunities to show why they’re a top team right away, with Seton Hall, Clemson, and Duke scheduled early in the season.

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Andy Katz pegs Iowa forward Kris Murray as top breakout star for 2022-23 season

According to Andy Katz, Iowa once again has the next breakout star in college basketball.

Another breakout star in Iowa City? Yessir, If men’s college basketball analyst Andy Katz is to be believed!

Basketball analyst for NCAA.com and just overall respected basketball mind Andy Katz recently released his list of the Top 15 Men’s College Basketball Breakout Stars, and he is projecting another Iowa Hawkeye to be this year’s big breakout star.

1. Kris Murray, Iowa: His twin brother is with the Sacramento Kings. Kris Murray is the go-to guy now with the Hawkeyes. – Katz, NCAA.com.

Short and to the point, we love it!

Keegan Murray was, of course, the big breakout star in college hoops last year. After a fairly quiet freshman campaign, Murray rose to superstardom in his sophomore year. Leading the Hawkeyes to their third conference tournament championship, Murray averaged 23.5 points per game and was named the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year.

He probably should have won the Big Ten Player of the Year award, but hey, sometimes you have to give it to the player who was inferior in pretty much every statistical category including efficiency! He was a consensus first-team All-American before being drafted fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings in this recent draft.

There were many fears that his twin brother Kris would join him in pursuit of the league this offseason, Murray at one point declaring for the draft. While he did (thankfully) opt to return, it is obvious there is buzz around the junior forward. He showed great flashes, especially against Big Ten competition. He scored over 20 points against Indiana and Purdue, dropping 19 against Michigan as well.

With the success of his brother, there is an increased spotlight on the junior forward to deliver this year. A lot of publications are pegging him as the next breakout player as well. There is a ton of hype around coach Fran McCaffery’s team heading into the year, and the leader spot of this team is open for the taking.

All eyes will be on Murray for 2022-23.

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