Over the past eight years, Iowa has developed a habit of showcasing top players nationally. This his 2022-23 men’s college basketball season is no different.
Like his twin brother before him, Chris Murray is one of the country’s finest. After his four 30-point performances already, Murray was named in his top 25 midseason at the John R. Wooden Awards.
The 6-foot-8-inch, 220-pound forward is currently averaging 21.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. Murray has scored 51.5% from the floor and 38.2% from his 3-point range in his 11 appearances and starts this season.
He averaged 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in the 2021-22 season, so he’s certainly making the most of court time, which has surged from 17.9 minutes per game to 33.4 minutes per game this year.
Murray will join his twin brother, Keegan Murray, to continue the Hawkeyes’ Midseason Wooden Award Top 25 member winning streak. In each of the last four seasons, Iowa has won a midseason award.
Joining Keegan and Chris Murray for the past two seasons, Luca Garza won the 2021 John R. Wooden Award and was a 2020 finalist. Jarrod Yousof was his 2016 semi-finalist. Midseason wooden award winner.
𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐓𝐨𝐩-𝟐𝟓😤@KrisMurray24 X @Wood Awards #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/kuzLc8pf9g
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) January 4, 2023
“I’m really proud of him, because I think it’s safe to say that if he was in the league, he could probably do a two-way deal. I’m betting he’ll come back and be a first round pick.I have a lot of respect for people who do that.It was his choice.He didn’t play with his brother. It’s the first time in his career.Of course, on any team, I’ve seen two guys grow since senior year, when they’re the same age as my son Patrick.They’ve been on the same team all their lives.It’s not the case now.
“We are excited for Keegan, but we are also excited for Chris. Chris is going to have a great season. He’s getting stronger, he shoots the ball with confidence, he gets more posts, he drives the ball, he’s always been a good defender with length, he’s always been a good rebounder and he’s been doing it must be done.
Chris Murray was great the last time he hit the floor. He dropped his 30 points and hooked 10 boards at once. historic rally 91-89 victory over Indiana. Murray connected on his goals on his tries 11 of 18 times on the field, including his 3/6 from his range from three-pointer. He also had a game-saving block in the final seconds to keep the win, and also added two steals.
The game against Indiana was Murray’s fourth game of the season to cross the 30-point plateau. Others include his 32 of his. Pennsylvaniahis 31 against Georgia Tech, and the 30 points he scored against Omaha.
He is one of five Hawkeyes players to score 30 or more points under Fran McCaffery, along with Luca Garza (13), Keegan Murray (5), Peter Joke (5) and Devin.・Continue to Marble (3).
Iowa returns to play on Sunday Rutgers 11:00 am (CT).
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