Fran McCaffery’s rage and Peter Jok’s free throws highlight Iowa’s overtime victory against Indiana
By Pat Harty
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Fran McCaffery losing his temper and Peter Jok making free throws at an incredibly high percentage are two things that are almost certain to happen during an Iowa basketball game.
Both happened in an abundance on Tuesday as Iowa overcame a 13-point deficit in the first half to defeat Indiana 96-90 in overtime at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
McCaffery spent much of the first half screaming at his players, at the officials and at the person or persons operating the score clock because he was upset with all of them, but especially his players.
Indiana scored the first nine points in the game and led 17-4 before Iowa finally started to mount a comeback. McCaffery was so upset that he benched all five of his starters barely one minute into the game.
However, by the time the game ended well after 10 p.m., Iowa senior Peter Jok had scored 35 points and set a UI single-game record by making 22 free throws in 23 attempts. Iowa also had ended a three-game losing streak, improving to 15-13 overall and 7-8 in the Big Ten, while the Hoosiers fell to 15-13 and 5-10 in the conference..
"We needed some energy," McCaffery said of why he benched his starters. "We didn't have the necessary energy at the start of that game, and that's disappointing, quite frankly. To (Indiana's) credit, they were putting it on the deck and driving to the basket, moving the ball. We just didn't answer the bell.
"So that next group came in and played with great energy and cohesion and got the crowd involved. Then the other guys came in and picked us up after that."
Sophomore point guard Christian Williams led the charge off the bench by scoring 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field. He also had a nifty assist in which he threw an ally-oop pass to freshman forward Tyler Cook for a dunk in the second half.
"I just felt Christian's energy level and his defense were both spectacular tonight," McCaffery said. "From the opening tip, he was great in both halves. And the pass he threw to Tyler Cook in transition was really something."
Iowa had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Cook missed a left-handed jump hook shot in the paint at the buzzer.
Some fans and media memebers were wondering on social media why Jok didn't touch the ball on the final possession in regulation, which is a fair question.
But on the other hand, Cook had a decent look at the basket. His just missed the shot while being harrassed by an Indiana defender.
"Tyler got it to the front of the rim," McCaffery said. "So anytime we get that shot, we're going to be happy."
McCaffery is also happy anytime the 6-foot-6 Jok steps to the free throw line. Jok broke Don Nelson's record of 21 free throws in a game that was set in 1962 and also against Indiana.
"I don't really care about all that stuff," Jok said. "I'm just glad we got the win tonight. We needed a win."
Jok told his teammates heading into overtime to get him the ball because he felt he had a mistmatch. The strategy worked to near perfection as Jok scored 15 points during the extra five-minute session.
"During that stretch, I just wanted to get to the free throw line as much as I could," Jok said.
Jok also made a key steal near mid-court in overtime that helped to secure the much-needed victory.
"He was really, really special tonight," McCaffery said of Jok.
McCaffery had several fits of rage in the first half as he watched his team stumble out of the gate. In addition to benching his five starters, McCaffery almost emptied his bench less than five minutes into game, desperately looking for a spark.
McCaffery took out his frustration on somebody at the scorer's table after the shot clock wasn't reset in the first half. He was screaming as he charged towards the scorer's table, his face almost as red as Indiana’s travel uniforms.
By halftime, though, McCaffery had calmed down and Iowa had trimmed a double-digit deficit to just one point at 33-32.
Members of the Iowa football team then entertained the fans at halftime by joining with the UI cheerleaders for a short dance routine.
Indiana led for over 35 minutes in the game, including by eight points in the second half, but Iowa wouldn't be denied.
The same Iowa team that unraveled down the stretch in a 70-66 loss to Illinois last Saturday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena caused Indiana to do the same on Tuesday.
Jok scored more than one-third of Iowa's points, but he was hardly a solo act. Iowa had nine players who scored at least two points and eight players who grabbed at least two rebounds.
Sophomore forward Nicholas Baer stuffed the stat sheet as usual with 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. He also drew maybe the loudest ovation when he rushed to the basket and dunked a missed shot near the rim.
Cook also made a significant contribution with 14 points and five rebounds. He only made 3-of-11 field-goal attempts but compensated by making 8-of-11 free throws.
Iowa made 39-of-47 free throws as a team, while Indiana was called for 35 fouls after not being called for a foul in the first 11 minutes of the game.
As for Williams, he spoke with McCaffery before the game and was told to be aggressive.
"I said to him today, I want you to attack," McCaffery said. 'I want you to go right through them and he did."
Williams said he was motivated after speaking with McCaffery.
"He talked to me at shoot-around and he said, let's attack these guys," Williams said. "And I said, yes sir."
Williams has played a more prominent role as the backup point guard in the last three games. There also were times in Tuesday's game when Williams and starting point guard Jordan Bohannon were on the floor together.
That rarely has happened this season.
"Actually, Jordan when we got out there he passed the ball to me for a fastbreak and he actually said it's about time we're playing together," Williams said. "It was kind of rewarding to hear that because we've got two point guards out there on the floor."
Iowa will hit the road again on Saturday for a game at Maryland, which defeated the Hawkeyes 84-76 on Jan. 19 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
"Another step, another opportunity to improve and gain confidence," McCaffery said.
That's exacty what Tuesday's victory over Indiana proved to be. Iowa improved and gained confidence in a season that has been filled with peaks and valleys.
Iowa's start to the game left much to be desired, but the Hawkeyes finished in spectacular fashion.
It just took a lot of yelling from McCaffery and a lot of free throws from Jok to make it happen.
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