The Iowa Hawkeyes are facing a tough situation. Just a day after the women’s basketball team celebrated a significant victory over USC and honored Iowa legend No. 22 Caitlin Clark by retiring her jersey, the men’s basketball team has received some disappointing news.
Iowa has already struggled recently, losing four out of their last five games, and now they will be without their top scorer for the remainder of the season. Star forward Owen Freeman has been sidelined due to an injury to his finger that requires surgery on his right hand, as announced by Iowa on social media earlier today.
HC Fran McCaffery announced today that Owen Freeman will miss the remainder of the season with a finger injury.
Here’s to a speedy recovery, 32! 🖤 pic.twitter.com/xxXrrPSkpb
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 3, 2025
This is a significant blow for the Hawkeyes, as Freeman was not only their top scorer but also the team’s leader in rebounds and blocks. He averaged 16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, with an impressive shooting percentage of 63.8%, the highest among all starters and players who have participated in every game this season.
Fans are hoping for a quick recovery for Freeman so he can return to the Hawkeyes next season, but there’s uncertainty about whether he will continue playing under head coach Fran McCaffery.
McCaffery is under pressure after the team missed the NCAA Tournament last year and currently holds a 13-8 record this season. With their leading scorer now out for the rest of the year, it seems unlikely that Iowa will make it to March Madness this time.
There was considerable speculation about McCaffery’s future last season, but with the current streak of five losses in their last six games—against teams not in the highest competitive bracket—McCaffery’s position is definitely feeling precarious.
Here’s hoping Freeman experiences a smooth recovery without any setbacks, as he shows great promise, especially being just a sophomore. If he can return healthy and improved next season, Iowa could become a formidable contender in the Big Ten.
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