LATEST: Indiana men’s basketball: Three things to know about Iowa

On Tuesday, Indiana will host Iowa at Assembly Hall; both teams are currently going through difficult times.

Each’s scenario is different for a few reasons, but at this rate, when March Madness rolls around, both of them will probably be on the outside looking in.

Three things about the Hawkeyes are as follows:

Freshman center Owen Freeman

Owen Freeman is poised to be named the league’s Freshman of the Year, a recognition well-earned by his impactful contributions to the Hawkeyes.

Upon joining the Hawkeyes, Freeman quickly emerged as a key player, utilizing 21.9% of possessions, ranking third on the team, in an offense known for its ball distribution. With an impressive offensive rating of 124.1, he stands as the highest among the Hawkeyes’ starters and second overall on the team. Freeman not only draws double teams effectively but also exhibits intelligence in passing to open shooters.

In conference-only statistics, Freeman’s offensive rating rises to 131.7, the fourth-best in the league. His effective field goal and true shooting percentages of 67.2 and 69.1, respectively, rank second in the league.

The Hawkeyes employ various strategies to get Freeman the ball, utilizing tactics such as battling for position on the block, executing the pick and roll, and employing off-ball motion to create open opportunities. His length makes him a proficient offensive rebounder, posing a challenge for Indiana, especially on the glass.

Defensively, Freeman’s 6’10” frame presents challenges for opponents down low as he continues to adapt to the college game. Indiana would ideally have Kel’el Ware available for this matchup to provide a size and length advantage in the paint. In Ware’s absence, the responsibility of tracking Freeman may fall to Malik Reneau.

Indiana’s potential strategy could involve exploiting a common challenge faced by many freshman big men in the league – foul trouble. Targeting Freeman’s vulnerability to fouls might be Indiana’s best approach in this matchup.

The offensive/defensive balance

Under Fran McCaffery, Iowa has nearly always been an offensive-first team, with a defense that trails behind but possesses enough punch to keep them in games.

The availability of elite players like Luka Garza and the Murray brothers to shoulder a large portion of the workload in recent years has been beneficial. This year, Freeman is not in Iowa City as the go-to player; as he gains more experience, he will probably develop into that kind of player.

In terms of offensive efficiency and defensive efficiency, the Hawkeyes are ranked 113th and 21st respectively in the country by KenPom. In comparison, Iowa has been ranked in the top five the last several years, with the current rating of 21st being the lowest since 2018–19.

Although the defense is ranked higher than it was the previous season, it is still low for an Iowa team.

Senior guard Tony Perkins

Tony Perkins, a three-star guard from the class of 2020 out of Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, didn’t receive offers from any of the three high-major programs in Indiana, including those with a rich basketball history. Surprisingly, the only high-major offer he received was from Iowa, showcasing the Hawkeyes’ recognition of his potential when others may have overlooked it.

Fast forward to his senior year, and Perkins has become one of the standout guards in the Big Ten, assuming a leadership role for the Hawkeyes. He is a significant contributor, utilizing nearly 25% of Iowa’s possessions and boasting averages of 15.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

For Perkins, games against the two Big Ten programs in Indiana carry additional significance, perhaps fueled by the absence of offers from those high-profile in-state programs. Last year’s blowout loss in Assembly Hall likely adds extra motivation and importance to matchups against these teams.