University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, December 25
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Iowa
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Center
/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Gophers Set to Host Iowa Hawkeyes on Christmas
12/23/2020 9:23:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: BTN – Dave Revsine (Play-by-Play); Robbie Hummel (Analyst)
Tip Time: 7:07 p.m. CT
Radio: Learfield IMG College/1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM
Mike Grimm (Play-by-Play); Spencer Tollackson (Analyst)
Sirius XM: 372
SERIES INFORMATION
Series: 192nd Meeting (101-90)*
Series (Neutral): Fourth Meeting (0-3)*
Current Streak: L-2
Richard Pitino vs. Iowa: 5-6
Minnesota vs. Big Ten: 770-847*
Richard Pitino vs. Big Ten: 53-86
* - excludes vacated games
STARTING FIVE
• Minnesota returns to Big Ten action Christmas night when the No. 4 Iowa Hawkeyes come to town. The Golden Gophers and the Hawkeyes were scheduled to meet in the Big Ten Tournament on March 12, 2020, but due to COVID-19, that game and the remainder of the tournament was canceled.
• The last contest against the Hawkeyes dates back to Feb. 16, 2020 when Iowa defeated the Gophers, 58-55, also at Williams Arena. Daniel Oturu scored 15 points and Marcus Carr added 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Minnesota.
• The Friday contest marks the first time in school history a game will be played on Christmas. The closest prior to that dates back to Dec. 24, 1945 when Minnesota played at Michigan State. In fact, it's believed to be the first Christmas contest by any Gopher athletic team. Minnesota Football played in the Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. 26, 2018 in Detroit.
• Marcus Carr is approaching his 1,000th career point, now sitting at 989. The redshirt junior accomplished has accomplished 669 points with Minnesota and had 320 in his one year at Pittsburgh. Carr, who currently has 191 points this season, ranks seventh nationally averaging 23.9 points per game. He also ranks third nationally in total points (191) behind Sam Houston State's Zach Nutall (209 points) and Iowa's Luka Garza (205). Carr ranks 10th nationally in field goals made going 60-129 through eight games.
• Minnesota is coming off a 90-82 win over Saint Louis Sunday night, marking the end to nonconference action this season. It was the third time this year the Gophers scored 90 points in a game and second time it scored 34 from the charity stripe. Marcus Carr led the game with 32 points, his second 30-point game this season. Isaiah Ihnen recorded the team's first double double of the year and first of his career when he had 10 points and 10 rebounds. It was also his first double-digit point production of his collegiate career. In all, Minnesota had five players in double digit points (Carr -32, Ihnen and Robbins-10, Gach and Kalscheur-11).
SCOUTING THE HAWKEYES
• The Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off a win over Purdue, 70-55, last night in Iowa City, Iowa, and are now 7-1 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play. Luka Garza had a game-best 22 points, while Joe Wieskamp had 17 as the Hawkeyes had 12 three-pointers.
• Prior to their win over Purdue, the Hawkeyes suffered their first loss of the season to No. 1 Gonzaga, 99-88. Iowa went 6-1 in nonconference play, including a 93-80 win over North Carolina.
• All-American Luka Garza returns for his senior year and was named to the AP Preseason All America Team and the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. He averages 28.4 points per game this season, a nation's best. Following him is Joe Wieskamp, who averages 16.0 points per game.
• As a team, the Hawkeyes average 95.1 points per game, 41.5 rebounds per game and are 270-545 from the field.
FROM THE LINE
• Minnesota has made 34 free throws in a game twice this season. The first game against Kansas City when the Gophers went 34-44. The second time was against Saint Louis when Minnesota went 34-41 from the line. The 34 made marked a season-best by a Big Ten team, while the 44 attempted was the second most by a Big Ten team this season.
• Minnesota has made 187 free throws already this season in 254 attempts. The 187 free throws made and 254 attempts ranks first nationally.
UP NEXT
• Minnesota is back in action on Dec. 28 when Michigan State visits Williams Arena.
• Tip off is set for 7 p.m., on BTN while KFAN 100.3 FM will carry the Gopher Radio Network broadcast in the Twin Cities.
TV: BTN – Dave Revsine (Play-by-Play); Robbie Hummel (Analyst)
Tip Time: 7:07 p.m. CT
Radio: Learfield IMG College/1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM
Mike Grimm (Play-by-Play); Spencer Tollackson (Analyst)
Sirius XM: 372
SERIES INFORMATION
Series: 192nd Meeting (101-90)*
Series (Neutral): Fourth Meeting (0-3)*
Current Streak: L-2
Richard Pitino vs. Iowa: 5-6
Minnesota vs. Big Ten: 770-847*
Richard Pitino vs. Big Ten: 53-86
* - excludes vacated games
STARTING FIVE
• Minnesota returns to Big Ten action Christmas night when the No. 4 Iowa Hawkeyes come to town. The Golden Gophers and the Hawkeyes were scheduled to meet in the Big Ten Tournament on March 12, 2020, but due to COVID-19, that game and the remainder of the tournament was canceled.
• The last contest against the Hawkeyes dates back to Feb. 16, 2020 when Iowa defeated the Gophers, 58-55, also at Williams Arena. Daniel Oturu scored 15 points and Marcus Carr added 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Minnesota.
• The Friday contest marks the first time in school history a game will be played on Christmas. The closest prior to that dates back to Dec. 24, 1945 when Minnesota played at Michigan State. In fact, it's believed to be the first Christmas contest by any Gopher athletic team. Minnesota Football played in the Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. 26, 2018 in Detroit.
• Marcus Carr is approaching his 1,000th career point, now sitting at 989. The redshirt junior accomplished has accomplished 669 points with Minnesota and had 320 in his one year at Pittsburgh. Carr, who currently has 191 points this season, ranks seventh nationally averaging 23.9 points per game. He also ranks third nationally in total points (191) behind Sam Houston State's Zach Nutall (209 points) and Iowa's Luka Garza (205). Carr ranks 10th nationally in field goals made going 60-129 through eight games.
• Minnesota is coming off a 90-82 win over Saint Louis Sunday night, marking the end to nonconference action this season. It was the third time this year the Gophers scored 90 points in a game and second time it scored 34 from the charity stripe. Marcus Carr led the game with 32 points, his second 30-point game this season. Isaiah Ihnen recorded the team's first double double of the year and first of his career when he had 10 points and 10 rebounds. It was also his first double-digit point production of his collegiate career. In all, Minnesota had five players in double digit points (Carr -32, Ihnen and Robbins-10, Gach and Kalscheur-11).
SCOUTING THE HAWKEYES
• The Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off a win over Purdue, 70-55, last night in Iowa City, Iowa, and are now 7-1 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play. Luka Garza had a game-best 22 points, while Joe Wieskamp had 17 as the Hawkeyes had 12 three-pointers.
• Prior to their win over Purdue, the Hawkeyes suffered their first loss of the season to No. 1 Gonzaga, 99-88. Iowa went 6-1 in nonconference play, including a 93-80 win over North Carolina.
• All-American Luka Garza returns for his senior year and was named to the AP Preseason All America Team and the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. He averages 28.4 points per game this season, a nation's best. Following him is Joe Wieskamp, who averages 16.0 points per game.
• As a team, the Hawkeyes average 95.1 points per game, 41.5 rebounds per game and are 270-545 from the field.
FROM THE LINE
• Minnesota has made 34 free throws in a game twice this season. The first game against Kansas City when the Gophers went 34-44. The second time was against Saint Louis when Minnesota went 34-41 from the line. The 34 made marked a season-best by a Big Ten team, while the 44 attempted was the second most by a Big Ten team this season.
• Minnesota has made 187 free throws already this season in 254 attempts. The 187 free throws made and 254 attempts ranks first nationally.
UP NEXT
• Minnesota is back in action on Dec. 28 when Michigan State visits Williams Arena.
• Tip off is set for 7 p.m., on BTN while KFAN 100.3 FM will carry the Gopher Radio Network broadcast in the Twin Cities.
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