Hawkeyes Star challenge with huge performance against Michigan State

The Hawkeyes got into major foul trouble early on Tuesday night against Michigan State. Star freshman Owen Freeman picked up two in three minutes while freshman Ladji Dembele had three first-half fouls. That’s when fifth-year forward Ben Krikke embraced Fran McCaffery’s challenge.

Ben Krikke responds to Fran McCaffery's challenge with huge performance against Michigan State

IOWA CITY, Iowa– The Hawkeyes got into major foul trouble early on Tuesday night against Michigan State. Star freshman Owen Freeman picked up two in three minutes while freshman Ladji Dembele had three first-half fouls. That’s when fifth-year forward Ben Krikke embraced Fran McCaffery’s challenge.

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Teams have to rebound well when they face a Tom Izzo coached basketball team. The Spartans have always been a scrappy aggressive bunch that prides themselves on hustle and rebounding. Six days prior to Tuesday’s game, Krikke only had one rebound in 34 minutes against Maryland. McCaffery approached Krikke and said that it wasn’t acceptable.

“(Ben) was huge. He’s a terrific player. He’s a big-time scorer. I’ve been challenging him to rebound better. He gets 14. So, I’m really proud of him,” McCaffery said. He did a good job Saturday also against Wisconsin. So that makes a big difference in our team when he’s rebounding like that. Like you said, especially with Owen on the bench.”

Krikke hadn’t had more than five rebounds in a game since January 6– when he had 10 against Rutgers. Over the last five games, Krikke had only combined for 15 rebounds in 150 total minutes. When Iowa is able to put up 78 points with only hitting four three-pointers– it shows how much more capable their offense is. Krikke finished with 18 points (7-of-11 shooting), 14 rebounds (second-most of career) and two assists. He also didn’t record a foul or a turnover in 38 minutes.

“I thought we were moving the ball well. We got really good shots. Typically, our teams move and share the ball pretty well. It’s not always easy against Michigan State. The way they defend, their physical, their quick, their tough. So, you have to screen, you have to cut, and you have to work harder. You’ve got to work harder and not turn it over. Cause they are pretty good at turning you over. So really proud of the guys in that stretch that we played.”

The Hawkeyes are officially back on the bubble according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. As of Wednesday morning, Iowa is listed as the ninth-team out. They’ll have plenty more quad-1 opportunities over the next couple of weeks. It will start on Saturday when they travel to Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini.

McCaffery’s crew overcame early adversity to string together a tough road win. Iowa has had several leads on the road over the past month, but haven’t been able to close all of them out. After Tuesday, Iowa’s starting to play some of its most confident basketball of the season. And it couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I think a great deal [of confidence]. Because of the respect we have for the two programs you just mentioned (Wisconsin and Michigan State). Not a lot of teams come in here and win. Not a lot of teams beat those teams either place,” McCaffery said. “So, the fact that we were able to fight through an overtime victory against Wisconsin who was ranked. Then another quad one win for us here on the road. Obviously on the road it’s always going to be harder, and I think in many ways more indicative of your team’s ability to compete. But now we got to do it again. We have to go on the road at Illinois. One of the best teams in the country.”