Iowa notes: Gesell earns award, Hawkeyes move up in rankings

IOWA CITY — Iowa guard Mike Gesell was named the Big Ten's player of the week after collecting his first career double-double against Nebraska.

Gesell, a 6-foot-2 senior from South Sioux City, Neb., scored 22 points and dished 10 assists in the Hawkeyes' 77-66 win against the Cornhuskers last Tuesday. He made 11 of 13 free throws and scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half. Gesell has three 10-plus assist games this season.

'He's a good player,' Nebraska Coach Tim Miles said after the game. 'He reminds me of (Northwestern's) Tre Demps, only a point guard instead of a scorer. He'll create for himself like he did (Tuesday). He got fouled, made shots, tough shots, too. Made two tough ones at the end, then he goes out and gets 10 assists, too. Mike's a really good player.'

The award was Gesell's first, and he was the second Hawkeye to earn the weekly honor this year. Jarrod Uthoff was named player of the week on Dec. 15 after scoring 32 points at Iowa State.

RANKING GAME

Iowa moved up three spots to No. 16 in the latest Associated Press poll and up to No. 19 from 23rd in the USA Today/Coaches poll.

TIMES AND NETWORK

ESPN will televise Iowa's game at Michigan State. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. Thursday.

BTN shifted Sunday's Iowa-Michigan time to 3:30 p.m. The time was undetermined until last week.

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