Video: Drew Thelwell continues to impress in Iowa’s win over Rider
Drew Thelwell discusses a variety of topics after Iowa basketball’s win over Rider.
IOWA CITY — Without one of its regular starters, Iowa basketball didn’t trail for a single second en route to an 83-58 destruction of Rider on Tuesday.
Rider entered Tuesday at 3-1 overall — with a loss to UCLA and wins over San Diego, Coppin State and Navy. But the Broncs were no match for the Hawkeye men, even in the absence of Josh Dix.
Iowa put together another promising defensive effort. In a win over Washington State last week, the Hawkeyes held the Cougars to just 39% from the field and 18% from deep. On Tuesday, Iowa contained Rider to 43% from the field and 6% from deep. Rider also committed 20 turnovers.
“The main focus today was trying to keep the same intensity we had that Washington State game, bring it onto this game and just make that our identity,” sophomore Seydou Traore said. “Just tough, defensive team.”
It is still early, but Iowa’s defense continues to be an encouraging storyline this season. Through five games, Iowa has held each opponent under 49% from the field and 33% from deep. Tuesday was the third time this season Iowa has kept an opponent under 70 points.
Meanwhile, Iowa scored more than 80 for the fourth time in five games. Against Rider, the Hawkeyes shot 47% from the field and 36% from deep.
With Tuesday’s victory, Iowa improved to 5-0 this season.
Payton Sandfort has scored in double figures in each game this season. Against Rider, Sandfort scored 22 points on 9-of-16 from the field. He also added six rebounds and three assists.
After missing the South Dakota game due to an illness, Owen Freeman has put together consecutive strong performances. He notched his first double-double of the season against Washington State. On Tuesday, he finished with 19 points and five rebounds.
Off-season transfer-portal additions Drew Thelwell and Traore continue to make significant contributions off the bench. Thelwell had just two points but dished out seven assists and recorded five steals.
“His attitude, his positivity is just infectious,” Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said of Thelwell. “When you play defense like that, you obviously earn the respect of your teammates and I think the fans have responded to him. I love that kid. He’s special. And he’s going to keep getting better even.”
Video: Fran McCaffery reacts to Iowa basketball’s win over Rider
Fran McCaffery discusses a variety of topics after Iowa basketball’s win over Rider.
Meanwhile, Traore notched 12 points, five rebounds and one steal. The duo of Traore and Thelwell changes what Iowa is capable of defensively. They are particularly effective in Iowa’s press.
“They’re really athletic but they’ve got great instincts,” McCaffery said. “Obviously, Seydou has incredible length. But he’s got a knack for getting deflections. Same with Drew — and Drew will strip you. They can cover a lot of ground. The activity level was really good across the board from everybody with that. Pryce (Sandfort) has gotten really good at it, too.”
Tuesday was the second time this season Iowa has been without a member of its regular starting lineup. Pryce Sandfort scored eight points in his first career start last week when Freeman was out due to illness. On Tuesday, Dix was not available.
Dix, a junior, started the first four games of the season for the Hawkeyes, averaging 12.3 points and four assists per contest while shooting 44.4% from deep. Dix injured his wrist during Iowa’s win over Washington State on Friday in Moline, Ill. He tried playing through it but was largely ineffective and finished the game with just two points.
But just like they did without Freeman against South Dakota, the Hawkeyes handled business without Dix against Rider. Pryce Sandfort made his second career start, scoring 11 points and grabbing five rebounds.
Brock Harding chipped in six points and five assists. Ladji Dembele added four points and four rebounds.
Video: Seydou Traore delivers 12 points off the bench in win over Rider
Seydou Traore discusses a variety of topics after Iowa basketball’s win over Rider.
As for Dix’s status against Utah State on Friday in Kansas City, McCaffery said: “Day-to-day. Hopefully, he’ll play Friday. I can’t say for sure. It’ll be up to him.”
Freshman Chris Tadjo continued to be out due to injury. But McCaffery said Tuesday, “I think he’s pretty close.”
Iowa passed its first notable test this season by beating Washington State last week but will get another on Friday when it plays Utah State in Kansas City, Missouri. The Aggies will enter that matchup with a 4-0 overall record and haven’t scored less than 95 points in a game this season.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
