Tom Crean

Iowa guard Mike Gesell (10) puts up a shot against Indiana forward Cody Zeller (40) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

Iowa wrap-up: Attendance soars, earning respect

With photo slideshow and post-game videos from Indiana's 69-65 win on Monday 2

IOWA CITY — Indiana Coach Tom Crean spent the first two minutes of his post-game news conference praising the direction of Iowa’s men’s basketball program under Fran McCaffery. Crean earned his first win at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Monday after four straight losses. But Crean’s No. 5 Hoosiers, who had led the nation in scoring at [...]

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Indiana guard Yogi Ferrell, left, shoots over Khyle Marshall in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. Butler defeated No. 1 Indiana 88-86 in overtime. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Iowa guards focus on containing IU’s Ferrell

Iowa (11-2) plays host to No. 5 Indiana (12-1) in Big Ten opener Monday

IOWA CITY — Indiana won 27 games, beat the eventual national champion and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen a year ago. But as effective as the Hoosiers were at virtually every position, there was room for improvement, especially at point guard. No. 5 Indiana (12-1) picked up top-flight Indianapolis point guard Yogi Ferrell, and the [...]

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Illinois's bench celebrates their lead over Gonzaga, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, in Spokane, Wash. Illinois beat Gonzaga 85-74. (AP Photo/Jed Conklin)

MSU’s Izzo: Big Ten ‘has to be the best in my era’

MSU's Tom Izzo has high praise for this year's basketball conference

IOWA CITY — Tom Izzo might have the Big Ten’s sixth-best basketball team, and his Michigan State Spartans rank 19th in both major polls. “This league, definitely, has to be the best in my era,” Izzo said Monday morning. Izzo has coached the Spartans since 1995 and taken the team to seven Final Fours and one [...]

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Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks to players during practice at Edward Jones Dome on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, in St. Louis. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

B1G media day: Big hopes for Big Ten hoops

From media day: Conference's basketball resurgence continues in 2012-13

CHICAGO — Six years ago, Big Ten basketball was perceived as too slow, too defensive and too boring, kind of like the current rhetoric surrounding its football counterpart. The league was in the midst of its annual crushing in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. But the Big Ten brought in new coaches with winning pedigrees and aggressive [...]

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Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo, right, shakes hands with forward Draymond Green shortly before Green left the game while playing Purdue in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind.  Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012. Michigan State won 76-62. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

My Big Ten Awards: Top players, coaches, freshmen

Scott Dochterman's end of the season ballot 1

No other league can match the Big Ten when it comes to competition from the league’s best to its last-place teams. For the first time since 1994, every Big Ten team won at least four league games. Every Big Ten team beat a ranked opponent, and seven Big Ten teams won at least three games [...]

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Iowa's Melsahn Basabe (1) puts up a shot against Indiana's Will Sheehey (10) during the first half of their Big Ten Conference college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.  (Brian Ray/ The Gazette-KCRG)

Iowa’s Melsahn Basabe makes a defensive difference against Indiana

His five blocked shots set the tone for the Hawkeyes

IOWA CITY — Melsahn Basabe deservedly stood in front of cameras and microphones Sunday night, but the Iowa sophomore spoke less about his performance in a 78-66 win against Indiana and more about those around him. Basabe touted Aaron White and Devyn Marble for their rebounding and Matt Gatens’ shooting performance. Basabe talked up walk-on [...]

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Iowa's Matt Gatens (5) pumps up the crowd during the second half of their Big Ten Conference college basketball game against Indiana Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Gatens lead all scorers with 30 points and Iowa won the game 78-66. (Brian Ray/ The Gazette-KCRG)

Matt Gatens’ clutch performance lifts Iowa past Indiana (with photo slideshow)

Iowa City native drains five 3-pointers to close the game for the second time in a row

IOWA CITY — Matt Gatens’ bobblehead night conveniently is scheduled for Thursday. After the way the Iowa senior played Sunday against No. 18 Indiana, one might wonder if a Gatens statue seems more appropriate. Gatens scored a personal-best 30 points in a 78-66 win against Indiana at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The point output was impressive, but [...]

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Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery shakes hands with Wisconsin Coach Bo Ryan before the start of their Big Ten Conference College Basketball Game Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.  (Brian Ray/ SourceMedia Group News)

A gigantic look at Iowa’s basketball opponents this year 2

IOWA CITY — Iowa’s men’s basketball schedule could have the team headed in a favorable direction next season. The Hawkeyes played a grueling schedule last year that included 12 postseason teams and eight ranked opponents. The Hawkeyes finished 11-20, the second-most losses in school history, but seven losses were by five points or less. Of [...]

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Iowa's Melsahn Basabe (1) attempts to block a shot by Indiana's Christian Watford (2) during the first half of their Big Ten Conference college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.  (Brian Ray/ SourceMedia Group News)

Scouting Iowa basketball’s double-plays: First batch 1

Iowa’s Big Ten opponent list is set for the upcoming season. The Hawkeyes know who and where they’re playing; they just won’t know when for a few more months. Until we get the dates and can dissect the Big Ten schedule in entirety, here’s a look at four opponents Iowa will face home-and-home in the [...]

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Indiana forward Will Sheehey, right, goes over Indiana guard Jordan Hulls for a slam dunk in the second half Saturday  in Bloomington, Ind. Iowa defeated Indiana 64-63. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Hawkeyes notes: Indiana Coach Tom Crean talks Iowa recruiting 3

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Iowa freshman Melsahn Basabe was “posterized” early in the second half on a dunk by Indiana freshman forward Will Sheehey. Sheehey took the ball near the free-throw line and went down the lane right at Basabe, who couldn’t get into position to block the shot. Sheehey blasted the ball through the hoop [...]

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