Sharing is Caring for Iowa Basketball

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Taking part in at a quick tempo and scoring numerous factors whereas hardly ever turning the ball over appears to defy basketball logic. However Iowa has adopted that script whereas successful 48 video games over the past two seasons. And it’s a blueprint the group will observe as soon as once more this season.

Coach Fran McCaffery’s 2021-22 group was fifth nationally in scoring at 83.2 factors a sport. That’s the best scoring common for a Large Ten group since Indiana (86.1) in 1992-93. However the Hawkeyes have been additionally fourth nationally in fewest turnovers per sport at 9.2.

Sharing the ball has been one other energy the previous two seasons, even on groups that had Nationwide Participant of the 12 months Luka Garza after which consensus all-American Keegan Murray on the ground as go-to guys. Iowa has led the nation the final two seasons in assist-to-turnover ratio.

“That’s one thing we actually stress,” McCaffery mentioned. “We play quick, however we don’t play nuts. We’re not driving into packs of individuals and charging and falling down, or throwing it out-of-bounds or throwing a nasty alley-oop move and blaming the opposite man. We’re drawing the protection and kicking it and taking pictures the open 3. So we’re enjoying quick however generally we’ll rating early, and generally we’ll rating late within the possession. However we’re not enjoying quick to take unhealthy pictures.”

Iowa’s 2022-23 group made its first public look Monday evening with a 118-72 exhibition victory in opposition to Truman State. The Hawkeyes performed at a quick tempo. In addition they shared the ball. Iowa had 24 assists to eight turnovers.

One play stood out. Connor McCaffery was an ideal four-for-four from 3 within the first half, and had an open look from the highest of the important thing for a fifth. However he handed the ball to Tony Perkins on the appropriate wing. Perkins nailed the triple, then pointed to McCaffery to acknowledge the unselfishness.

“That’s simply how we play,” mentioned junior ahead Kris Murray, who led the Hawkeyes with 24 factors in 24 minutes. “We have now numerous guys who can rating and have large video games. I believe that’s after we’re most threatening, after we share the ball rather a lot and get it shifting.”

McCaffery introduced a repute as an up-tempo coach with him when he arrived earlier than the 2010-11 season. However sharing the ball has been one other of his bedrock philosophies.

“I believe that needs to be the energy of any successful group,” he mentioned. “You’ve received to know when to maneuver it, when to share it. And that’s whether or not you could have a Luka Garza or not, or a Keegan Murray or not. We’re going to maneuver the basketball.”

Iowa made 14 of 25 3-pointers in opposition to Truman State, and confirmed numerous potential from distance. Six gamers – McCaffery, Perkins, Murray, Payton Sandfort, Josh Dix and Carter Kingsbury – all made not less than two triples. That record didn’t embody Patrick McCaffery, anticipated to be one of many group’s prime perimeter threats this season.

“If you happen to’re operating transition and operating movement, and shifting the ball and no person can shoot, all people on protection goes to be again within the paint,” Coach McCaffery mentioned.

However Iowa can’t be guarded that means.

“So that they must be up on us,” McCaffery mentioned. “So we are able to drive or kick, or set a flare display screen or curl and again lower. So long as we’re unselfish, which we’re, then you definately’re going to get open 3s.”

Unselfishness and good determination making will go a good distance in making this a profitable season for the Hawkeyes.

“Your capacity to win or lose is predicated on the selections you make,” McCaffery mentioned. “And what makes basketball so totally different from baseball or soccer is that you simply’re making numerous selections in a matter of seconds. And your capacity to try this efficiently as a gaggle goes to find out whether or not or not you’re going to lose.”

Iowa has completed fifth nationally in scoring the final two seasons, and has led the Large Ten in scoring in every of the final 4 seasons. However simply as vital is the truth that they’ve been first first and seventh nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio the previous three years.

“Minimize, transfer and area the ground,” Murray mentioned. “That’s how we play.”