The Iowa Hawkeyes (11-2, 1-1) return to the Big Ten Conference to face the UCLA Bruins (10-3, 2-0). It was the Hawkeyes’ first power play game since Iowa State more than 20 days ago and officially kicked off the conference season. Since my last blog, the Eagles have won 3 buying games by a combined score of 275-152.
KenPom ($) has a quick summary of the advanced analytics for Iowa State, who started the season ranked No. 48 and ranked No. 18. Bart Torvik is No. 17 at Iowa State, up 21 spots from where he started the season. TeamRankings after the UMass Lowell win ranked Iowa State No. 21 with an 88% chance of making the tournament.
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Despite a similar 10-3 record this time last year, things aren’t quite as rosy and things are changing completely. KenPom led the Eagles to a 45th-place finish before a tough loss to Wisconsin on Jan. 3. NET ranks Iowa State at No. 12 (!!!). But as we know, Big Ten play can be unforgiving and the season can change in a flash.
As far as UCLA is concerned, they had just one “what the hell?” result: an 80-72 loss to Cal in San Francisco. They swept the early conference games — at Washington and at home against Oregon — and their two losses came to top-10 teams (Arizona and Gonzaga). They led Arizona with about 2:00 left in the game, and Arizona was undefeated so far, so this team could hang with the best.
UCLA Bruins (10-3, 2-0)
Los Angeles, California
Mick Cronin (148-67 UCLA, 513-238 overall)
How to watch
Today, 1/3: UCLA at Iowa State
5:00 PM CT, Peacock (game link) (Paul Burmeister and Jess Settles)
Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa
eagle eye radio network
Real-time statistics (StatBroadcast)
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Statistics package
KenPom ($): +19.87; No. 33 (120.6; No. 29 | 100.8; No. 53)
Bart Tovik: 29th (121.7; 22nd | 101.2; 60th)
Sports reference:
Points per game: 81.7 (99th) | 68.6 (86th)
Role-playing games: 33.1 | 31.9
Leader (from Sports-Ref)
PPG: Tyler Bilodeau (19.0), Skye Clark (14.2)
RPG: Eric Daley Jr. (5.6, 1.3% off), Bilodeau (5.2, 1.1% off)
APG: Donovan Dent (6.6), Trent Perry (2.5)
Field goal percentage (min. 10 MPG, 2 FGA/game): Xavier Booker (57.5%), Bilodeau (54.8%)
3P% (at least 1 3PA/game): Clark (49.3%), Bilodeau (46.7%)
Last 5 games
12/23: UW-Riverside: 97-65
12/19: UW vs Caltech: 108-87
12/17: W v. Arizona Street: 90-77
12/13: Left Wing vs Gonzaga (C): 82-72
12/6: Western Australia v Oregon: 74-63
While neither team has played many games in December, I’m curious to see how UCLA will fare after a 10-day break between games. Iowa ranked fourth. UCLA was inconsistent on the road last season, with three of their five wins coming in West Coast games. They went 2-5 elsewhere, recording wins only at Indiana and Northwestern. After a series of games against P5, it will be interesting to see the Hawkeyes take on a quality opponent. Let’s keep this good vibe going and win!