Iowa basketball takeaways from Hawkeyes' win vs. Washington: Bench play delivers

Iowa basketball takeaways from Hawkeyes’ win vs. Washington: Bench play delivers

Posted by author February 22, 2025 Basketball

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IOWA CITY — Iowa basketball did not take its first lead until less than nine minutes remained in Saturday’s contest against Washington.

The Hawkeyes trailed by as many as 12 points. And though Washington led for nearly 30 minutes, it was Iowa that came out on top.

Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix combined for 31 points in the second half to help the Hawkeyes come away with the 85-79 victory. Sandfort finished the game with 27 points. But Iowa’s bench also played a crucial role in the victory.

The victory was an important step in Iowa potentially earning a berth in the Big Ten Tournament. The new format of the event means only 15 of the league’s 18 teams earn a berth. The Hawkeyes have not yet secured a spot. But beating Washington, which is also near the basement of the standings, helps Iowa move in the right direction.

Iowa is now 15-12 overall, including 6-10 in the Big Ten.

In the bigger picture, Iowa has still lost eight of its last 11 games. But the Hawkeyes have at least pulled out some wins recently. Iowa is now 2-2 in its last four — with wins over Rutgers and Washington.

“We’ve been with each other through all the tough losses, all the injuries, all the guys that have been out,” Sandfort said. “It’s hard. I want these guys to see success. I think a lot of these guys deserve it. I’ve seen it here at Iowa. But all I’ve ever wanted for the last two years was just for some of these younger guys, like Pryce and them, just see success. Have fun with this. Because it’s a fun journey. It’s been hard. But that’s what makes days like this rewarding.”

Supporting cast came through

Iowa has needed to dig deep this season because of its injury situation. The Hawkeyes got strong contributions from its reserves on Saturday.

Iowa outscored Washington 36-20 in bench points.

Here is a breakdown of Iowa’s bench production:

Brock Harding: 11 points, four rebounds and five assists
Even Brauns: Five points
Riley Mulvey: Nine points
Pryce Sandfort: Eight points, two assists
Carter Kingsbury: Three points, one rebound and two assists

“I’ll give a shoutout to all those guys off the bench,” Payton Sandfort said. “Brock, Carter, Even, Pryce, Riley, I mean they were huge. They’ve been great teammates. They’ve been in and out of the lineups.”

Ladji Dembele, who was in Iowa’s starting lineup, also delivered a very good stat line, scoring seven points and grabbing eight rebounds.

More on Carter Kingsbury

Kingsbury was the first player off Iowa’s bench on Saturday.

Kingsbury has family ties to the Iowa program. His father, Chris, played for the Hawkeyes before embarking on a professional career. Carter Kingsbury has followed in his footsteps as a member of the Hawkeye men’s basketball program.

After three seasons in the program, including one redshirt, Kingsbury was put on scholarship prior to this season.

Video: Riley Mulvey, Carter Kingsbury provide contributions off bench

Riley Mulvey and Carter Kingsbury discuss Iowa’s 85-79 win over Washington

Kingsbury hadn’t played many big minutes for Iowa this season. He did give Iowa a solid but limited stretch in a win over Rutgers earlier this month.

He was inserted into Saturday’s game early for Seydou Traore. Kingsbury guarded Washington leading scorer Great Osobor. Kingsbury logged a career-high minutes in the first half alone.

Osobor finished the game with 15 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and four turnovers.

“He had been practicing really well,” Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said of Kingsbury. “I think he’s a good fit for Osobor. Osobor’s a handful … He’s really strong. He’s got a good back-down game. I just thought Carter’s strength, physicality would be effective. And it was.”

Free-throw shooting, turnovers

Iowa’s free-throw shooting has not been a strength this season, which is uncharacteristic under McCaffery. But the Hawkeyes shot a high percentage on Saturday, and it was a deciding factor on the game.

Iowa went 23-of-26 (88%) from the charity stripe on Saturday. Meanwhile, Washington was 16-of-22 (73%).

Payton Sandfort was 12-of-13 from the line.

Video: Payton Sandfort scores 20 2nd half points in Iowa win

Payton Sandfort discusses Iowa’s 85-79 win over Washington on Saturday.

Turnovers were also a key part of Saturday’s outcome. Washington turned the ball over 11 times, which Iowa turned into 19 points off turnovers. Meanwhile, Iowa turned the ball over just seven times.

Those little details were winning numbers for the Hawkeyes.

Notes on Drew Thelwell, Seydou Traore

In his second game since returning from an ankle injury, Drew Thelwell again did not look like himself. Thelwell started against Oregon and Washington but has held scoreless in both games.

McCaffery said Thelwell reaggravated the injury on Friday.

“He hurt it (Friday),” McCaffery said. “I wasn’t even going to play him. He said, ‘I’m ready to go.’ So I gave him a shot. He didn’t have it the other night. He didn’t have it today. I feel so bad for that kid. He wants it bad. He’s a phenomenal leader, a phenomenal person, awesome in the locker room and we need him. But others are stepping up thankfully.”

Saturday was the sixth consecutive game that Seydou Traore has started. But after being subbed out with roughly three minutes gone, Traore did not return for the remainder of the game. McCaffery confirmed after the game that Traore’s limited playing time was a coach’s decision, not due to injury.

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com