CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The University of Dubuque Men's Basketball team knew expectations were going to be high after winning the 2015 Iowa Conference Tournament and bringing back IIAC MVP
Andre Norris. Things intensified when Norris was named Preseason All-American and the Spartans were picked to win the league title in the Preseason IIAC Coaches Poll. None of that mattered as the Spartans rolled to a 11-3 record in league play to win the championship by three games.
Despite bringing back only two starters from their NCAA Division III Tournament qualifying team, the Spartans were once again a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end of the court. For the fourth straight year under head coach Rob Sieverding, UD led the league in Scoring Defense (65.7 points per game). Defensively, the Spartans also led the league in field goal percentage (39.5%), three-point percentage (30.4%), and defensive rebound percentage (79.1). The combination of the leagues top defense and an offense in the top half of the league, UD easily led the IIAC in scoring margin (+10.0 points per game). The Dubuque margin was 7.2 points better than second place.
Norris, the favorite to earn MVP honors again this season, did it all for Dubuque. He led the Iowa Conference in points per game (22.4), rebounds per game (11.5), and minutes (35.9). He was also second in steals (25), fourth in blocks (12), and fifth in three-pointers made (28). Not one to miss an open look, Norris finished third in the league in field goal percentage at 53.1% while having more makes than one and two had attempts. Norris saved his best for the cross-town rival Duhawks with 34 points and 15 rebounds on KCRG 9.2 in the first matchup and 27 points and 17 rebounds at Loras. He finished the conference play with 10 double-doubles in 14 games. Overall, he led the league in 30+ point games (5), 20+ point games (14), 10+ rebounds games (17), and double-doubles (17). Heading into the tournament, he leads Division III in defensive rebounds per game (11.04), is fifth in rebounds per game (11.9), and 16th in points per game (23.1).
Aiding Norris on the offensive end of the court has been junior Kain Arthofer. The first year starter is averaging 14.4 points per game in league play. Providing a lift in the middle is another first year starter, Jake Weber. Weber is averaging 10.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game including a conference best 45 offensive rebounds.
Dubuque was ready to break through after finishing a game out of first place in 2014-15, 2013-14, and 2011-12. During that stretch, the Spartans won the Iowa Conference Tournament in 2013 and 2015.
The defending Iowa Conference Tournament Champions earned a first round bye in the upcoming tournament. Dubuque will face the winner of the Central/Loras game. Dubuque was 2-0 vs. Loras (81-66, 77-62) and 1-1 vs. Central (67-72, 67-57). The semifinal game will take place on Thursday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. A repeat trip to the conference tournament finals would take place on Saturday, February 27 on Jon Davison Court, should UD advance.
Be sure to follow the entire Iowa Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
HERE
