Fran McCaffery hints at officiating frustration vs. Illinois: 'I don't want to pay a fine'

In what has been a frustrating season at times, the Iowa Hawkeyes dropped a road game against the Illinois Fighting Illini by 20 points on Tuesday. After the game, head coach Fran McCaffery was clearly upset with the officiating, even if he didn’t want to directly say it.

McCaffery was asked in his press conference about his team’s offensive performance. In particular, how Illinois was able to slow down Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix. However, McCaffery wasn’t interested in answering the question, instead implying that if he were to do so he’d earn a fine for being critical of the officiating.

“I’d rather not answer that,” Fran McCaffery said after a long pause. “I don’t want to pay a fine.”

For the game, Illinois was called for 12 fouls while Iowa was called for 13. That sent the Illini to the free-throw line 12 times and they’d make eight of those shots. Iowa, for its part, made seven of nine free throws attempted, a higher percentage on three fewer shots.

The offense did prove to be an issue for Iowa. The Hawkeyes would should just 42.1 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range. Worse, Iowa turned the ball over 16 times and would be held to just 61 points as a result. It was the fewest points that Iowa has scored since they played Illinois in March of 2024.

Fran McCaffery often relies on Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix to provide a spark on offense. Against Illinois, Sandfort would have seven points and two turnovers, only shooting two free throws. That’s in a season where he’s averaging 16.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. Dix, meanwhile, had 11 points and two turnovers while only shooting one free throw, which he missed. He’s averaging 14.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists for the season.

It’s also worth pointing out that Fran McCaffery previously hinted at some issues he had in January with officials after another game where the Hawkeyes offense struggled.

“There are some things that I would like to say with regard to that question,” McCaffery said at the time. “But unless you’re ready to start a GoFundMe, I will refrain.”

With the loss, Iowa has moved to 15-13 and 6-11 in Big Ten play. That’s tied for 14th in the conference standings and is on the edge of not making the conference tournament. The Hawkeyes have lost three out of four games and, for McCaffery, frustration does seem to be setting in.

Next up, Iowa travels to Northwestern for a vital game as Iowa looks to get back on track and in position to make the Big Ten Tournament.