NCAA Picks and Tips: Iowa Hawkeyes vs Northwestern Huskies
Thursday, February 09, 2012
by Mike Stewart
Northwestern Huskies napped out of a January cold spell by winning its first two February games, including a 74-70 triumph at Illinois on Sunday. Iowa Hawkeyes is also off to a 2-0 start this month, earning home victories over Minnesota and Penn State. Both schools still rank at the bottom of the Big Ten, though, in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense. The Wildcats have won their last three meetings with the Hawkeyes and four of the last five, including a 90-71 rout in Iowa City last January.
- Iowa Hawkeyes @ Northwestern Huskies
When: 9:00 PM ET, Thursday, February 9, 2012
Where: Welsh-Ryan Arena, Evanston, Illinois
TV: ET, ESPNU
The Huskies have opened as 7-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NCAA Basketball Odds.
Iowa Hawkeyes (13-11): The Hawkeyes rank last in the Big Ten defensively, allowing 72.0 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting, but they have managed to stay afloat in league play thanks to a balanced and effective offense that averages 74.2 points. Eight different players average at least 6.0 points, led by senior guard Matt Gatens (13.9). Iowa is 2-5 in road games, losing three straight by an average of 18.3 points after opening conference play with victories at Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Hawkeyes average a league-leading 8.2 steals.
Northwestern Huskies (14-8): The Wildcats boast two of the Big Ten's top four scorers in senior forward John Shurna (first, 19.6 points) and junior guard Drew Crawford (fourth, 17.2), both of whom are shooting 43 percent from 3-point range. Northwestern leads the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (8.7) and ranks second in the nation in assist-turnover ratio (1.52), helping to make up for a lack of success in the post. The Wildcats are a distant last in the league in rebounding margin (minus-4.0) and 11th in scoring defense (67.2).
1. Iowa holds a 108-55 advantage in the overall series, which began in 1905, and the Hawkeyes are 44-38 all-time in Evanston.
2. Thursday's game features the reigning Big Ten co-Freshmen of the Week in Iowa forward Aaron White (10.0 points) and Northwestern's Dave Sobolewski (8.4).
3. The two schools will face off again in the last game of the regular season, March 3 in Iowa City.
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dave sobolewski - drew crawford - iowa hawkeyes - john shurna - matt gatens - northwestern huskies - welsh-ryan arena
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