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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Iowa forward Keegan Murray dunks a ball during the 2022 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Championship between No. 5 Iowa and No. 3 Purdue at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sunday, March 13, 2022. Murray led the team in scoring with 19 points, getting awarded the Big Ten Tournament Most Valuable Player. The Hawkeyes defeated the Boilermakers, 75-66.

Former Iowa men’s basketball player Keegan Murray picked No. 4 overall by Sacramento Kings in 2022 NBA Draft

Chris Werner, Summer Sports Editor June 23, 2022

Former Iowa men’s basketball player Keegan Murray became Iowa’s highest NBA Draft pick in the modern era Thursday night. He was selected No. 4 overall by the Sacramento Kings.  Murray, who...

Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery yells during the 2022 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Championship between No. 5 Iowa and No. 3 Purdue at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Hawkeyes defeated the Boilermakers, 75-66.

Iowa men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery wins Daily Iowan Coach of the Year

Chris Werner, Summer Sports Editor June 23, 2022

Iowa men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery is The Daily Iowan’s pick for Coach of the Year. In his 12th season at the helm, McCaffery led a squad many believed to be an NCAA Tournament bubble...

Iowa men’s basketball wins 2021-22 Daily Iowan Men’s Team of the Year

Iowa men’s basketball wins 2021-22 Daily Iowan Men’s Team of the Year

Casey Anderson, Sports Reporter June 23, 2022

In 2021-22, the Iowa men’s basketball team put together a historic season. While their run in March Madness was cut short, the Hawkeyes still managed a very successful season that included cutting...

Iowa forward Keegan Murray shoots a layup during a men’s basketball game between No. 5 Iowa and No. 9 Indiana in the Big Ten Basketball Tournament Semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 12, 2022. The Hawkeyes defeated the Hoosiers, 80-77. Murray led the team in scoring with 32 points, going 11-17 from the field. (Dimia Burrell/The Daily Iowan)

Opinion | Breaking down former Iowa basketball player Keegan Murray’s potential NBA Draft fits

Grant Hall, Sports Reporter June 22, 2022

Keegan Murray was one of the most dominant college basketball players in the nation last season, averaging 23.5 points per game while shooting 55.4 percent from the field. The 6-foot-8 Cedar Rapids...

Iowa forward Keegan Murray fights through traffic for a score during a men’s basketball game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena between No. 25 Iowa and Michigan State on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. Murray shot 10-of-15 for 28 points. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans, 86-60.

Former Iowa men’s basketball player Keegan Murray wins Daily Iowan Male Athlete of the Year

Jake Olson, Sports Reporter June 21, 2022

Earlier this month, The Daily Iowan sports staff voted to determine its 2021-22 best of the year awards. Among the titles up for grabs was “Male Athlete of the Year.” In this category, former Hawkeye...

Iowa forward Kris Murray puts up a layup during an Iowa men’s basketball practice at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Murray averaged nearly 10 points per game last season and returned to the Hawkeyes after withdrawing from the NBA Draft process on the final day allowed to exit.

Photos: Iowa men’s basketball practice

Jerod Ringwald, Managing Editor June 21, 2022

Iowa men’s basketball hosted a practice in Carver-Hawkeye Arena which was available to media on Tuesday. The Hawkeyes answered questions about new players and more.  Iowa forward Patrick McCaffery...

Iowa assistant coach Matt Gatens answers questions from reporters during an Iowa men’s basketball practice at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Gatens discussed when he found out he got the job. “I remember when he called and told me,” Gatens said. “I think I was mowing the lawn and I think I didn't go in right away to tell my wife and I think I looked back out, most of my lines were all over the place. My head was just like running like I'm gonna get this done but my head somewhere else so yeah…”

New Iowa men’s basketball assistant coach Matt Gatens comes ‘full circle’ in return to Iowa City

Chris Werner, Summer Sports Editor June 15, 2022

When Iowa men’s basketball head coach Fran McCaffery called Matt Gatens to tell him he’d been hired as an assistant coach, Gatens, a former Hawkeye hooper, was doing a pretty mundane household...

Former Iowa assistant coach Kirk Speraw jokes with newly introduced assistant coach Matt Gatens during an Iowa men’s basketball practice at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Gatens filled the role Speraw’s retirement left open. During the interviews, reporters asked if Gatens would play a similar role to Speraw in working with shooters. “…naturally shooting is something that I kind of go to but I'm not gonna sit here and say I'm gonna try to replace whatever you know, Coach Speraw and what he did,” Gatens said. “But yeah, I like to enjoy helping guys get out there shooting. All parts of the game.” Gatens played collegiate basketball for the Hawkeyes and most recently coached for the Drake Bulldogs in Des Moines.

Photos: Iowa men’s basketball media availability with assistant coach Matt Gatens

Jerod Ringwald, Managing Editor June 15, 2022

The Iowa men’s basketball team held media availability in Carver-Hawkeye Arena for newly introduced assistant coach Matt Gatens on Wednesday. Iowa forwards Payton Sandfort and Kris Murray also spoke...

Iowa players celebrate after a basketball game between No. 2 Iowa and No. 5 Indiana during the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Championship Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Hawkeyes beat the Hoosiers, 74-67.

Daily Iowan sports section names 2021-22 best of the year award winners

Chris Werner, Summer Sports Editor June 14, 2022

In 2021-22, both the Iowa men’s and women’s basketball teams stood their tallest in March. While neither squad made a deep run in March Madness, both groups cut down the nets after making their...

Teams huddle during a timeout during a men's basketball game between Iowa and Wisconsin at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, March 7, 2021. The Hawkeyes, celebrating senior day, defeated the Badgers, 77-73.

Matt Gatens named Iowa men’s basketball assistant coach

Chris Werner, Summer Sports Editor June 9, 2022

Former Iowa men’s basketball player Matt Gatens was hired as an assistant men’s basketball coach Thursday.  He will replace Kirk Speraw, who announced his retirement last month.  “We...

Iowa forward Kris Murray goes up for a layup during a men’s basketball game between Iowa and Indiana at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. The Hawkeyes defeated the Hoosiers, 83-74. Murray shot 12-18 in field goals.

Kris Murray discusses NBA Draft process after returning to Iowa men’s basketball

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter June 2, 2022

Though Iowa men’s basketball forward Kris Murray removed his name from the 2022 NBA Draft on Wednesday,  Murray said he received valuable feedback on his game throughout the draft process when he...

Iowa forward Kris Murray goes up for a shot in the paint during a basketball game between Iowa and No. 6 Purdue at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. The Boilermakers defeated the Hawkeyes, 83-73. Murray shot 6-15 in the paint.

Kris Murray returning to Iowa men’s basketball for junior season

Chris Werner, Summer Sports Editor June 1, 2022

Iowa men’s basketball player Kris Murray announced that he will be returning for his junior season on Wednesday. Murray declared for the 2022 NBA Draft on April 14 but didn’t hire an agent which...