FYI, it looks like Iowa changed its starting line-up the last 2 games with Freeman out - and not just replacing Freeman. The last 2 games Harding has not started (sick, hurt or coach's decision, I do not know).
If Iowa starts the same 5 as they have the last 2 games, RU's matching up on defdnse would likely be:
Sommerville v Mulvey (6'11" red-shirt JR)
Williams on the 6'6" PG Dix, a 14 ppg scorer and good 3-point shooter (44%)
Grant on Sandfort (Iowa's leading scorer playing - Freeman was but he is out), and 6'8" and a shooter.
Bailey on Treore - Treore is 6'7" and does not shoot a lot of 3's - so Bailey defending him makes sense if RU wants Bailey to play the role of helping away from his man.
Harper on Thelwell. Thelwell is 6'3"and a good 3-point shooter.
That said, maybe Bailey goes on Sandfort, if he is considered a better deterrent of the 3-point shot than Grant? Sandfort takes 58% of his shots from 3 ... so who do you want away from the defensive backboard, Grant or Bailey, and who do you want to "help" away from his man, Grant or Bailey?
So ... 6'3" Thelwell is also out (has averaged 10.5 ppg and 2.4 reb/g. It turns out I DID hear correctly over the weekend on a broadcast that Iowa had someone else hurt.
I presume Harding goes back into the starting line-up - he was Iowa's starting PG until he did not start the last 2 games (for reasons unbeknownst to me). He was averaging 8.7 ppg, with 5.5 ass/g (very good) and a very solid 2.3 ass-TO ratio. If so ... Payton Sandfort, Dix, Mulvey (for Freeman), ... Traore (6'7" forward started the last 2 games) ... and ... Harding? Dembele?
So ... In Freeman's absence:
Mulvey, 6'11": Has played 13 games, started the last 2 ... In the last 3 games (1st, subbing for an injured Freeman, then 2 starts for Freeman): 11 minutes, 14 minutes, 9 minutes ... Totals of 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 blocked shot.
Dembele, 6'8" 250: Has played 23 games, starting 11, averaging 15 mpg, 3.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg ... Last 3 games: 5 minutes (previous 2 games before that was 4 and 2 minutes each game), 14 minutes, 24 minutes (big ramp up). Totals over those 3 games and 43 minutes: 7 points (all in the last game), 4 rebounds, 2 turnovers and 7 fouls (all 7 in the last 2 games).
Traore, 6'7": Has played 17 games, started the last 2 games, has averaged 17 mpg on the year, 6.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, with 13 blocked shots and 22 assists. In these 3 games he has had 20 minutes (after Freemen left the game), 11 minutes as starter, then 30 minutes in the last game. His totals are: 22 points (13, 0 and 9), 7-19 FG (4-13 in the last game), 1-5 3-pointers (1-4 in the last game), 7-10 FT - all in the game 3 games ago when he had 13 minutes), 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 turnovers (3 blocks).
It would seem 2 of Dembele, Traore and Harding would likely start - though I guess they could try a 6'7" Pryce Sandfort also (averages 8+ ppg off the bench mostly). We will see at game time. I have to figure it should be Harding - he is just 6'0", so maybe a defensive match-up issue? Weird. Can't figure it out in advance.
