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Iowa Preview - Five Things To Know

Nov. 28, 2016

ND Game Notes Iowa Get Acrobat Reader

Iowa Game Notes ND Get Acrobat Reader

WHO: Notre Dame vs. Iowa

WHAT: ACC/Big Ten Challenge

WHEN: Tuesday, November 29, 2016 | 9:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center

TICKETS: und.com/buyticketsVIDEO BROADCAST INFORMATION: ESPN2 with Bob Wischusen (play-by-play) and LaPhonso Ellis (analyst).

AUDIO BROADCAST INFORMATION: Notre Dame Basketball Radio Network, with Jack Nolan (play-by-play) and Zach Hillesland (analyst).

How To Listen/Watch The Irish

Here are Five Things To Know about the Notre Dame – Iowa matchup Tuesday night –

NOTRE DAME vs. IOWA SERIES HISTORY:

Notre Dame and Iowa will be meeting for the 18th time on Tuesday evening – and the second time in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

The most recent meeting came at the 2015 AdvoCare Invitational at Disney’s Wide World of Sports last November, a 68-62 victory for the Irish. V.J. Bechem led the Irish with 16 points in the game, while Matt Ryan scored 11 points off the bench.

The Irish traveled to Iowa City in 2013 for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, falling to #23/24 Iowa 98-93 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery was an assistant coach at Notre Dame for 11 seasons from 1988-99 under both Digger Phelps and John MacLeod, helping the Irish advance to the NCAA Tournament in 1989 and 1990. McCaffery’s wife, the former Margaret Nowlin, played basketball at Notre Dame (1988-92) and was a team captain with the Irish. She also served on head coach Muffet McGraw’s staff after her graduation from Notre Dame.

NOTRE DAME ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE HISTORY:

Notre Dame boasts a 2-1 record in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge with an opportunity to avenge its only loss in the event on Tuesday night, a five-point setback at Iowa in 2013.

The Irish will be hosting the event for just the second time at Purcell Pavilion Tuesday, with their other two victories coming last season at Illinois, where the Irish spoiled the dedication game of the State Farm Center with a victory over the Illini and at home in 2014 over #19/18 Michigan State in overtime.

NATIONAL LEADERS:

As of November 28, Notre Dame leads the nation in turnovers-per-game average with just 7.5 give aways per contest. The Irish also lead the nation in assist/turnover ratio (2.47) and is fourth in free throw percentage (82.6).

Junior Matt Farrell also is currently tied with nine other players across the nation in free throw percentage. Farrell has converted all 15 of his free throw opportunities this season.

BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK DOUBLE-DOUBLES:

Junior Bonzie Colson continued his great start to the 2016-17 season at the Legends Classic semifinal and final at the Barclays Center, posting the first back-to-back double-double performances of his career. He then followed up with his third consecutive double-double against Chicago State.

In the Legends Classic semifinal victory over Colorado, Colson led the Irish with 22 points and 12 rebounds – while also shooting 9-of-9 at the free throw line and collecting two steals.

He followed up with 13 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game victory over Northwestern while playing a team-high 38 minutes.

The double-doubles are the fifth, sixth and seventh of Colson’s career, while the 20-point performance against Colorado was the fourth of his career and second this season.

IRISH OFF TO THIRD-BEST START OF THE BREY ERA:

Notre Dame enters the game against Iowa with a 6-0 record, the third time in the Mike Brey era (since 2000-01) the Irish have started the year with six consecutive wins.

The 2010-11 team won its first eight games (also the most recent season the Irish won an in-season tournament – the 2010 Old Spice Classic), while the 2001-02 team won its first seven games.

For much more on the Notre Dame – Iowa matchup, download the Game Notes at the top of the page.