Tag: Kris Murray

‘His teammates will love playing with him’: Fran McCaffery on Sacramento Kings’ Keegan Murray

Iowa’s Fran McCaffery raved about Keegan Murray’s fit with Sacramento, saying “his teammates will love playing with him.”

Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery was telling anybody who would listen that Keegan Murray would take a backseat to no player in this recent 2022 NBA draft class.

What others passed up was the Sacramento Kings’ gain with the No. 4 overall selection. Jacob Keppen immediately broke down why Murray was a great fit with the Kings from day one, and his 2022 NBA Summer League performances have done nothing to disappoint those proclamations.

Over three games in the 2022 California Classic Summer League, Murray averaged a league-best 19.7 points per game, shot 51.1% from the floor and 43.8% from 3-point range and grabbed eight rebounds per contest.

Through his first two games in the NBA 2K23 Summer League from Las Vegas, Murray averaged 21.5 points per game, shot 44.4% from the floor and 40.0% from 3-point distance and grabbed six rebounds per game.

Those numbers are set to go up after Murray dazzled in his most recent game with 29 points, seven rebounds and four steals in an 86-80 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Of course, that matchup featured Murray against No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren. In one Summer League game, it wasn’t close who the better player was on this particular night.

In short, he’s been as advertised. It’s no surprise to McCaffery who caught up with Jason Ross of Sactown Sports 1140.

Here’s everything McCaffery had to say about Murray’s Summer League showings so far.

Iowa set to play Seton Hall, full 2022 Gavitt Tipoff Games schedule released

Per CBS Sports Jon Rothstein, Iowa is headed to Seton Hall in the 2022 Gavitt Games. Plus, a look at the entire 2022 Gavitt Games slate.

While official dates and times are still to be determined, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported that the matchups for the 2022 Gavitt Tipoff Games are officially set.

The annual inter-conference challenge between the Big Ten and the Big East features eight games. Introduced in the 2015-16 men’s college basketball season, Iowa is set for its fourth appearance in the Gavitt Tipoff Games.

The Hawkeyes will reportedly travel to take on Seton Hall. Iowa owns a 1-2 mark in the Gavitt Tipoff Games, beating Marquette in 2015, 89-61, losing to Seton Hall in Iowa City in 2016, 91-83, and falling to DePaul in 2019, 93-78.

In Iowa’s 2015 win over Marquette, the Hawkeyes were paced by guard Peter Jok’s 20 points and 4-of-6 made 3-pointers. Jarrod Uthoff, Anthony Clemmons, Mike Gesell, and Adam Woodbury all added double-figure scoring for Iowa in the win over the Golden Eagles.

In 2016 against Seton Hall, Jok had another monster night, registering 30 points and 10 rebounds. Tyler Cook added 24 points for the Hawkeyes, but it wasn’t enough as Seton Hall shot 47.1% from 3-point range, 50.8% from the floor and had three different 20-plus scorers that night. The Pirates’ Myles Powell scored 26, Desi Rodriguez added 25 and Khadeen Carrington chipped in with 20 points.

The Hawkeyes will be looking to exact some revenge for that setback in 2016 and have a chance to regain the all-time series lead over Seton Hall as well as even their mark in the Gavitt Tipoff Games. Iowa and Seton Hall have met just twice. The first meeting took place in late December of 1982 when Iowa routed Seton Hall, 85-63.

Here’s a look at all of the 2022 Gavitt Tipoff Games matchups with last season’s overall and conference records attached.

Iowa guard Payton Sandfort pegged for breakout season by CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein

CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein feels Payton Sandfort can emerge as one of Iowa men’s basketball’s best players in the 2022-23 season.

Is there a young Iowa guard flying under the radar?

While, yes, most of the attention for next year’s men’s basketball team is firmly placed on Kris Murray, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein tweeted out about another potential breakout star for the Hawkeyes.

That breakout candidate is sophomore-to-be Payton Sandfort. The 6-foot-7 wing out of Waukee High School in Iowa earned praise from Rothstein following an inaugural campaign where he averaged five points and 1.9 rebounds per game in just 10.5 minutes of average floor time.

As demonstrated by Rothstein, Sandfort didn’t play a ton of minutes in the 2021-22 season. When on the court for extended periods of time, he looked like a guy Iowa could count on in the future. As Rothstein noted, Sandfort averaged 11.7 points per game in contests where he logged 15 or more minutes of floor time.

Hawkeye fans saw early in the season Sandfort’s potential against some tuneup opponents in early November. Sandfort scored a career-high 21 points against SWAC opponent Alabama State. He then dropped 19 the following game against Western Michigan, sinking five of his seven 3-point attempts.

His performance under the bright lights of the Big Ten Tournament was encouraging as well. In his 15 minutes of action against Northwestern in the tournament’s opening round, Sandfort scored 13 points and added three buckets from long range. Against Purdue in the conference championship game, he scored 10 points off the bench and didn’t miss a single shot.

There is a lot of hope for a big sophomore breakout from Sandfort this upcoming year, and it would really boost Iowa’s chances of repeating as Big Ten Tournament champions. Iowa lost some key contributors this offseason. Recent No. 4 overall 2023 NBA draft selection Keegan Murray is the obvious one, but Jordan Bohannon started for about a half-decade.

The hope is that Kris Murray can follow in the footsteps of his twin brother, Patrick McCaffery can live up to some of the preseason love he’s garnered and then Iowa can find production in other places as well.

Sandfort showed a lot of potential as a shooter coming off the bench his freshman year, and those key performances in the Big Ten Tournament are very exciting. If he can take his game to another level, his partnership with Murray alongside a returning Patrick McCaffrey and Filip Rebraca could take Iowa back into the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

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Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery refutes Keegan Murray’s low ceiling label

Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery pushed back against the notion that former Hawkeye star Keegan Murray has a low ceiling.

Many saw Iowa forward Keegan Murray as the high-floor, low-ceiling type of prospect. Just don’t let Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery hear that, though.

“Anybody who would bring that up is not worth listening to because they clearly don’t know anything about the game,” McCaffery said in a recent interview with Locked on Kings.

McCaffery didn’t mince words one bit defending his former star against anyone that would downplay Murray’s potential.

“It’s as idiotic of a statement as I’ve ever heard. Clearly, you are making a statement about who you are talking about. Because, if you do your homework, you would know that’s not the case,” McCaffery said.

There was a mixed reaction from fans on social media after Murray went No. 4 overall in the 2023 NBA draft to the Sacramento Kings. Many saw Purdue guard Jaden Ivey as a better prospect with a higher ceiling.

Ivey’s an extremely athletic guard in the mold of a Ja Morant. While he might not have the greatest floor with his 3-point shot still needing development and his turnovers remain a bit of a problem, many viewed his ceiling being as high as anyone’s in this draft and better than Murray’s.

McCaffery would not put down now-Detroit Piston Jaden Ivey to prop up Murray.

“I’m a big Jaden Ivey fan. I’ve coached against him for two years. I know his mother well. We were at Notre Dame together. I was an assistant coach, she was playing and coaching. I think the world of him,” McCaffery said.

He did say Murray was most likely a better fit for the Kings’ current roster, a point Hawkeyes Wire explored on draft night. With point guard De’Aaron Fox there, Ivey would have been an extremely similar player. He’s not a carbon copy at all, but both are explosive guards who can drive to the hoop. The Kings needed a secondary scorer from the wing who could shoot and play defense.

“He plays both ends, he doesn’t make mistakes, he makes plays for his teammates, he fits with his teammates, and he consistently performs. I think the hardest part for any general manager is to try and predict just how consistently a guy will be able to perform for 82 games. That is so incredibly hard to do. But I can promise you, Keegan Murray will be able to consistently perform for over 100 games,” McCaffery said.

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Full 2022 ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchups released, Iowa Hawkeyes set to host Georgia Tech

Iowa is set to host Georgia Tech in the 2022 ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Here’s a look at all of next season’s matchups.

First reported by CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, the Iowa men’s basketball team will host Georgia Tech on Tuesday, Nov. 29, in the 2022 ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Hawkeyes have won seven of their past nine Challenge games, including their last four.

After last season’s thrilling 75-74 road triumph at Virginia, Iowa now owns a 9-12 overall mark in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Former Hawkeye guard Joe Toussaint banked home the game-winner with eight seconds remaining to propel Iowa past the Cavaliers that night inside John Paul Jones Arena.

Jordan Bohannon knocked down 6-of-9 3-pointers and scored 20 points and Keegan Murray added 18 points and nine rebounds to lead the Hawks.

During its four-game winning streak in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Iowa also topped Pittsburgh in 2018, 69-68, Syracuse in 2019, 68-54, and North Carolina in 2020, 93-80.

Six of Iowa’s nine Challenge wins have come inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including each of the past four Challenge games at home. In addition to the aforementioned wins over Pittsburgh and North Carolina in 2018 and 2020, respectively, Iowa also beat Notre Dame in 2013 and Florida State in 2015 at home.

The contest against Georgia Tech represents the third all-time meeting between the two programs. In 2000, Iowa rolled Georgia Tech in the second year of the Challenge inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, 85-67. Then, in the second round of the 2003 NIT in Iowa City, the Yellow Jackets just clipped the Hawkeyes, 79-78.

Iowa returns three of its starters from last season, forward Patrick McCaffery, forward Kris Murray and forward Filip Rebraca. Last season, McCaffery averaged 10.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, Murray added 9.7 points and 4.3 boards per night and Rebraca chipped in with 5.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Across the board, the Hawkeyes return five of its top seven scorers. Iowa ended the 2021-22 season as Big Ten Tournament champions and with an overall record of 26-10.

Meanwhile, Georgia Tech is led by seventh-year head coach Josh Pastner and the Yellow Jackets finished last season with an overall mark of 12-20. Georgia Tech does return a pair of starters from last year’s squad, guard Kyle Sturdivant and center Rodney Howard. Sturdivant averaged 7.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, while Howard added 6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Game times and television information will be announced at a later date. ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU will combine to televise all 14 games of the three-day event matching top college basketball programs playing for conference supremacy and the Commissioner’s Cup. The Big Ten won last season’s Challenge, 8-6.

Here’s a look at the full list of ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchups.

An early look at the Iowa Hawkeyes’ nonconference basketball matchups in 2022-23

A challenging nonconference slate should have the Iowa Hawkeyes ready for Big Ten play in the 2022-23 men’s college basketball season.

The 2021-22 season was a dream for Iowa up until the NCAA Tournament. Led by sophomore forward Keegan Murray, a likely 2022 NBA draft lottery pick, the Hawkeyes took home the Big Ten Tournament crown over Purdue.

Sadly, all of that momentum came to a screeching halt immediately in the first round of the tournament as 12th-seeded Richmond sent Iowa packing. Despite having one of the better seasons in recent memory for the program and delivering hardware back to Iowa City, the shame is that some will just remember the 2021-22 season for its disappointing end.

There will be some changes for the Hawkeyes heading into next year. Keegan Murray is off to the NBA and longtime starter Jordan Bohannon has graduated.

Iowa did receive a massive boost as Keegan’s twin brother, Kris Murray, announced his return. Patrick McCaffery is a capable player. If Iowa wants to improve upon its anticlimactic end to 2021-22, there are a big set of challenges already loaded up on the Hawkeyes’ nonconference 2022-23 schedule.

Let’s take a look at all of the important nonconference dates that have been finalized for Iowa below.

‘Happy with the decision I chose’: 5 things Iowa Hawkeyes forward Kris Murray said on his return

Kris Murray’s return is a big lift for Iowa men’s basketball entering the 2022-23 season. Here’s five things he said at the Hawkeyes’ camp.

After exploring the 2022 NBA draft process, Iowa forward Kris Murray made the decision to return to Iowa City. It’s huge news for the Hawkeyes entering the 2022-23 men’s college basketball season.

Now, with Murray officially back in the fold, Iowa appears well positioned to contend in the Big Ten once more and to be right back in the mix for a 2023 NCAA Tournament berth.

The 6-foot-8, 225 pound junior from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was the Hawkeyes’ leading scorer and rebounder off the bench last season. Murray averaged 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 38.7% from 3-point range.

At the Hawkeyes’ recent basketball camp, Murray met with reporters for the first time since making his decision to withdraw from the 2022 NBA draft and return to Iowa. His comments ranged from his experience going through the process, why he is back in Iowa City, what his expectations are for the 2022-23 season and more.

Let’s take a look at everything Murray had to say with reporters below.

247Sports lists Iowa Hawkeyes’ Kris Murray as 2022-23 Big Ten Player of the Year candidate

Kris Murray returning was huge for Iowa. Now the leader of the Hawkeyes, can Murray contend for the Big Ten Player of the Year award?

The 2021-22 season was quite the year for Iowa basketball. Not only did they win the Big Ten Tournament championship, but they saw the emergence of star forward Keegan Murray. In 2022, we might see the emergence of another Murray into the conversation for Big Ten Player of the Year.

Keegan Murray was sadly unable to make it three Hawkeyes in a row to win the award, somehow losing out to Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis. Murray at least was able to win Big Ten Tournament Player of the Year, but his younger brother Kris looks every bit of a contender to bring the award back to the Hawkeye State.

In 247Sports’ Isaac Trotter’s predictions for each Power Six conference’s Player of the Year in the 2022-23 season, Kris Murray was listed as “strongly in the mix” for the award.

Murray and Edey are two returners who were really good role players last year but are itching to be the top option. Murray should put up video-game numbers in Iowa’s friendly offensive system. – Trotter, 247Sports.

Murray is definitely more of a projection than some of the other contenders. Michigan center Hunter Dickinson, Trotter’s pick to win it, is already an established star. Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis has been a longtime stalwart of the Big Ten, earning multiple All-Big Ten awards.

While Murray might not have reached their status yet, all the signs point to a breakout season in 2022-23. In limited time as a role player, Murray averaged nearly ten points on efficient scoring and was the Hawkeyes’ leading scorer and rebounder off its bench.

His 29 points off the bench against Indiana show just how dominant of a scorer he can be in his third year. There’s a reason he considered staying in the 2022 NBA draft. Murray’s talent is greater than his numbers were.

The Hawkeyes will be Murray’s team in 2022-23. Both his brother Keegan and longtime starter Jordan Bohannon are gone. The Hawkeyes will rely on him to bring them back to the NCAA Tournament next year. We know he has the talent, but can he be a Big Ten Player of the Year caliber player with the spotlight brightly shining on him?

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5 things to know after Iowa basketball hires Matt Gatens as assistant coach

Here’s five things to know about a familiar face in new Iowa men’s basketball assistant coach Matt Gatens.

After a pair of changes with his assistant coaching staff this offseason, Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery has officially filled out his coaching staff with the addition of former Drake assistant Matt Gatens.

Let’s take a look at five things fans should know about Gatens entering his stint as one of Iowa’s new assistant coaches.

Best photos of former Hawkeye, new Iowa basketball assistant coach Matt Gatens

Iowa announced Matt Gatens as its newest assistant coach. Take a look back at his time with the Hawkeyes with these stunning still photos.

Iowa has its newest assistant coach and it’s a familiar face. Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery tabbed Matt Gatens as the Hawkeyes’ second new assistant coach, filling the void left by former longtime assistant Kirk Speraw’s decision to retire.

McCaffery and Iowa also recently elevated Courtney Eldridge after Billy Taylor left to become the new head men’s basketball coach at Elon University.

Gatens was a four-year starter for Iowa during the 2009-12 seasons and his final two seasons coincided with the first two years of McCaffery’s tenure in Iowa City. McCaffery raved about the latest addition to his coaching staff.

“We are excited to have Matt Gatens rejoin our program as an assistant coach. Matt was a respected leader on my first two teams as Iowa’s head coach. I could tell right away that he exhibited all the necessary attributes to be a successful coach. Since transitioning to the coaching profession, Matt has gained valuable experience working on the staffs at Auburn and Drake. He will have an immediate impact on our program,” McCaffery said.

Gatens spent the past four seasons with the Drake Bulldogs. The first two he served as the program’s director of operations and then each of the past two seasons he was one of the Bulldogs’ assistant coaches.

Take a look back at Gatens playing career with the Hawkeyes through these stunning still photos.