By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa men’s basketball team will play Utah on Saturday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but it’s uncertain if sophomore forward Seydou Traore will be available for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery met with the media on Thursday, and he was asked if Traore would be ready to go on Saturday.

“I don’t know,” Fran McCaffery said. “Not too optimistic.”

Traore injured his ankle against USC Upstate on Nov. 22, and since the injury occurred, he has only played in the loss to Iowa State, getting 14:07 minutes off the bench.

Asked if Traore had suffered a setback since the injury occurred, Fran McCaffery said:

“I guess.”

That would prove to be the end of the Traore discussion as Fran McCaffery had no further comment.

The 6-foot-7 Traore transferred to Iowa this past summer after playing his freshman season for Manhattan College, which is in his home town of New York City.

He is averaging 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Traore has been effective on the front of Iowa’s full-court press, using his athleticism to disrupt passing lanes and to cause turnovers.

This will be Iowa’s fourth game played at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, and the first since Dec. 18, 2021 — a 94-75 victory over Utah State.

Utah has played all but one of its games at home this season. The Utes played a neutral site game against Mississippi State on Nov. 17, falling 78-73.

Utah defeated Iowa in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament last season in Salt Lake City.

Utah (8-2) vs. Iowa (8-3)

When: Saturday, 5 p.m.

Where: Sioux Falls, S.D., Sanford Pentagon (3,250)

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network

The Hawkeyes are 2-1 in three games in Sioux Falls at the Sanford Pentagon since 2017.
12/22/17 Colorado W, 80-73
12/19/20 Gonzaga L, 88-99
12/18/21 Utah State W, 94-75