Fran McCaffery details importance of offensive rebounding

Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery detailed the importance of offensive rebounding in the Hawkeyes’ 68-56 win over Minnesota.

Iowa had two players with double digit rebounds in total, so there’s no doubt it aided the Hawkeyes’ efforts. Kris Murry and Connor McCaffery pulled in 14 and 10, respectively.

Fran McCaffery opened up postgame shy it was big for Iowa in the road win over the Gophers.

“It’s critical, when we found that out last game,” McCaffery said. “We were 1-for-10 in the first half from three and didn’t nearly get enough back. Purdue was the best rebounding team in the country, but you have to go back and get some. 

“If your offense is sputtering a bit, because we didn’t make three’s for the longest time. Kris [Murray] and Connor hit two big ones late, that was huge. You have to establish and go back and get it, especially when they have a downshifted lineup.”

Murray actually struggled a bit during the game. He missed 10 total shots, but McCaffery detailed his bounce back to end with 28 points and 14 rebounds.

“I was really proud of him because he missed 10 shots, which he normally doesn’t do in the first half,” the head coach said. “The ball was spinning out on him, alley-oops, offensive rebounds, putbacks, isolation layup at the end of the half, those shots usually go in. For him to come back and finish it off with 28 and 14, that’s really impressive to me. That says a lot about him.”

It was a stark contrast for Iowa after the team lost to No. 1 Purdue last week.

“I think that’s an accurate assessment,” McCaffery said of it being a mature win. “You look at Minnesota, it beat Ohio State on the road, it had Indiana beat here along with Michigan, but those teams did what they needed to do in the last minute, you have to give them credit. They just keep fighting and you know they’re going to keep fighting. You know what every game in this league is. 

“There are no easy victories and there never is on the road, no matter who you’re playing. This team has speed, athleticism, they got a really good point guard and one of the best players in the league in (Jamison) Battle. We’re thrilled to be able to come out of here with W.”

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the On3 YouTube channel today for all of the latest news on college football, recruiting, NIL, more! 

Iowa (16-9) returns to the court Thursday against Ohio State at home at 9:00 p.m. ET.