Iowa will try to extend its three-game winning streak and spring an upset when it travels to No. 1 Purdue on Thursday night. The Hawkeyes have won seven of their last nine games, moving into a six-way tie for second place in the Big Ten standings. Purdue had its nine-game winning streak snapped in a 79-74 loss at then-No. 21 Indiana on Saturday.
Iowa went through a rough patch from the end of November to the beginning of January, losing six games in a nine-game stretch. The Hawkeyes bounced back with a four-game winning streak before losing two road games at Ohio State and Michigan State. They returned with a successful three-game homestand last week, beating Rutgers, Northwestern and Illinois. Iowa covered the 4-point spread in its 93-82 win against Rutgers and covered the 6.5-point spread against Northwestern in an 86-70 final. The Hawkeyes narrowly failed to cover the 3-point spread in their 81-79 win over Illinois, as Tony Perkins scored 25 of his career-high 32 points in the second half.
The Rivalry Rewind ? #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/WE1ijoroOE
— Iowa Men's Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 8, 2023
Perkins knocked down 8 of 11 from the floor and 15 of 16 free throw attempts—he scored 17 of the team’s final 28 points. Leading scorer Kris Murray had 19 points and seven rebounds, a tick lower than his season average of 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds. The Hawkeyes rank second in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings, featuring the ninth-lowest turnover rate in the country. They are shooting 35.2% from 3-point range and 52.1% from inside the arc. Iowa is facing a Purdue defense that is No. 22 in adjusted efficiency. The Boilermakers rarely force turnovers, listed at No. 327 in that category.
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