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Big Ten Basketball: Biggest winners and losers from Week 1 of 2023-24 season

By Jerran Anderson

Michigan Wolverines guard Dug McDaniel (0) drives to the basket during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Rutgers Scarlet Knights won 62-50.Ruum030923 Am9069
Michigan Wolverines guard Dug McDaniel (0) drives to the basket during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Rutgers Scarlet Knights won 62-50.Ruum030923 Am9069 /
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Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Winners: Iowa Hawkeyes

The Iowa Hawkeyes are on an offensive tear through two games already as they’re averaging 104.0 ppg through their first two victories. It will be interesting to see if head coach Fran McCaffery’s group can keep up the scoring load for the entire season.

The Hawkeyes put up 110 points in their season-opening victory against North Dakota. Payton Sandfort led the way with 21 points along with nine rebounds on 7-of-13 shooting from the field and 3-of-7 shooting from deep. All five starters finished scoring in double figures. Ben Krikke was right behind Sandfort with 18 points while freshman forward Owen Freeman finished with 14 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting night from the floor.

In their second victory of the week over Alabama State, the Hawkeyes nearly eclipsed 100 points once again, finishing with 98 points. They were led in scoring by Patrick McCaffery’s 22 points though Payton Sandfort posted a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds along with four assists.

Iowa has shown that on any given night, anybody can get hot for them and that could be a good thing. Freshman Owen Freeman has proven to be one to watch as well. He’s averaging 11.0 ppg and 3.0 rpg on 66.7 percent shooting from the field heading into their matchup with the Creighton Bluejays on Tuesday.

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