Scouting Notes: Iowa

Indiana basketball heads back home on Tuesday night against the Iowa Hawkeyes, looking to end a three-game skid.

The Hawkeyes are led by Fran McCaffery in his 14th season and enter Tuesday 12-8 overall and 4-5 in Big Ten play. Iowa is one of the most prolific offensive teams in the country, rated 21st overall with an efficiency rating of 118. Defensively, Iowa is ranked 113th with a rating of 102.9. Overall, the Hawkeyes are ranked 45th in the country in the KenPom ratings.

Here is a deep dive into some of the challenges Iowa could give the Indiana basketball program.

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Key Players

Tony Perkins headlines an evenly-distributed offensive attack for Iowa. The senior guard sees most of the offense run through him, whether it’s creating for himself or teammates. Perkins has a great frame and a terrific first step that he uses to his advantage. Perkins is a drive first player who does a good job getting defenders on his hip, allowing him multiple options when he gets into he middle of the defense. He is someone that will actively seek out contact, averaging 4.7 free throws per game — 7th in the Big Ten. While he doesn’t need a ball screen to create space, he has become a much better passer and decision maker in pick and roll action. Perkins averages 4.2 assists per game and has a 2.8 assist-to-turnover ratio. While he can score from the perimeter, he’s not a high volume shooter and typically much streakier than consistent. Defensively, he is terrific. With his length and athleticism, Perkins is always a leader in steals and deflections that leads Iowa out in the open floor for easy buckets in transition. He has 10 games with 2+ steals and has emerged as one of the top off-ball defenders in the league. The Indiana basketball guards must keep Perkins in front of them and force him into a shooter.

The leading scorer for the Hawkeyes is Ben Krikke. Krikke is a transfer from Valparaiso and has been a great addition in the front court. Krikke is a terrific floor spacer and is nearly automatic from 15 feet. Krikke is used heavily in ball screen action at the top of the key and does a good job of rolling right to the free throw line extended for an easy jumper. The lefty isn’t your typical play on the block forward and likes to use his versatility in space. Often times Krikke will receive the ball on the elbows extended and allow him to back down his defender from there, or face him up and go off of the dribble. This will likely be a terrific matchup with Malik Reneau, so his ability to defend without fouling will be on full display.

Payton Sandfort is on the wing and is a terrific shooter. Sandfort is a heavy perimeter player still at this stage, however, with 64.2 percent of his shots coming from three. While he used to be a spot up shooter, Sandfort has become more of a threat off of the dribble, especially if he’s in any ball screen action. He ranks first in the Big Ten in three-point attempts and second in both made 3s and three-point percentage. What Indiana needs to be aware of is his ability to move without the ball. Sandfort is terrific at relocating on the drive and finding the open spot on the floor. IU struggles with shooters like this. Sandfort has become more effective in the mid-range, but isn’t going to be someone attacking the basket off the dribble.

In the front court is the frontrunner for Freshman of the Year in the league. Owen Freeman has been fantastic this year. While he’s not overly athletic, Freeman has a lot of tools in his offensive skillset. Freeman is tremendous rolling to the basket and has really nice footwork and soft hands that allows him to finish through contact or around defenders. He stays low on post moves that allows him to get around defenders on the block. Freeman isn’t a threat from the outside. Coming into Tuesday he leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage. He is also a terrific offensive rebounder. Defensively, he does a good job at using his length and body without fouling, ranking fourth in block percentage.

Josh Dix rounds out the starters and is a complimentary piece to Perkins in the backcourt. Dix is a terrific shooter, connecting at 47.4 percent this season. But, he’s not a high volume shooter, only 18 made 3s on the year. He’s a fundamentally sound player who plays with high IQ and is used as a primary ball handler when looking for Perkins to play more off of the ball as a scorer. Dix does a great job making the right play, holding 20 assists to just six turnovers in his last six games.

Patrick McCaffery has moved to a bench role over the last few games. He’s averaging 9.2 points on the season but has struggled with his consistency and shot — making just 26.5 percent of his 3s. He has good size and length on the perimeter and could likely see some open looks. Indiana needs to limit his catch and shoot opportunities. In the backcourt are two dynamic and athletic guards in Brock Harding and Dasante Brown. Both are effective with the ball in their hands and continue to push the pace both in transition and the half court. Neither are great shooters and both like to attack the paint and either finish at the rim or create for teammates.

Key Tendencies

Iowa pushes the pace and loves to play fast, ranking 15th in tempo. While it plays fast, it does a great job at limiting turnovers, ranking 9th in turnover rate. Led by quick guards and versatile forwards, Iowa is an inside-out team. 57.1 percent of Iowa’s points come on 2s. Indiana is going to see a lot of pressure on its defense with Iowa’s ability to run the floor with multiple playmakers. Iowa ranks 5th in assists per game and also leads the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. Indiana needs to force Iowa to be an outside-oriented team as both of its front court players rank in the top-3 of the Big Ten in field goal percentage.

Defensively, Iowa’s guards set the tempo both on and off the ball. While they aren’t a terrific on-ball defensive team on the perimeter, the activity off the ball is tremendous. They average nearly eight steals per game and have a top-100 steal rate in the country — while Indiana ranks 285th in steal percentage offensively. The Hoosiers should be able to battle in the paint like they have all season, with Iowa ranking last in the Big Ten in 2pt field goal defense and ranking 13th in the league in block percentage. Another area that Iowa struggles is on the defensive glass. The Hawkeyes are giving up a rebound rate of 34 percent, also last in the conference.

Indiana basketball needs to pound the ball inside to its bigs — regardless of the status of Kel’el Ware (ankle). This matchup will be highlighted by the front court play but won’t be determined by it. Indiana’s guards need to outplay Iowa’s if the Hoosiers come out with a win. Xavier Johnson is coming off of his best performance in a few weeks and will be matched up with another quick and athletic guard in Tony Perkins.

Projected Starers

G – Tony Perkins (Senior; 6-4, 205)

Stats: 15.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.8 spg

G – Josh Dix (Sophomore; 6-5, 200)

Stats: 6.8 ppg, 2.0 apg, 47.4% 3pt

F – Payton Sandfort (Junior; 6-7, 215)

Stats: 14.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 39.3% 3pt

F – Ben Krikke (Senior; 6-9, 245)

Stats: 15.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.7 apg

F – Owen Freeman (Freshman; 6-10, 230)

Stats: 11.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.7 bpg, 64.3% FG

Key Notes

• Tony Perkins is currently the only player in the Big Ten (and one of eight nationally) with 300+ points, 80+ assists, 75+ rebounds and 35+ steals
• Iowa has scored at least 84 points in 13 games — averaging 94.3 points in wins and 71.6 points in losses
• Iowa leads the country with a 1.87 assist-to-turnover ratio
• The Hawkeyes rank second in the Big Ten and sixth nationally in assists per game (19.0)
• Indiana holds the all-time record against Iowa 106-82 but hasn’t defeated Iowa since Feb. 7, 2021