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Iowa Basketball: Hawkeyes Named To Academic All-America Teams

By Dylan Burn

Feb 7, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) shoots over Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) during the second half at State Farm Center. Iowa beat Illinois 77 to 65. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) shoots over Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) during the second half at State Farm Center. Iowa beat Illinois 77 to 65. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /
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The University of Iowa did something no other University has been able to do on Wednesday.  They swept the award for Academic All-American of the year in mens and womens basketball.

The College Sports Information Directors of America decided on Wednesday that Jarrod Uthoff and Ally Disterhoft were Academic All-Americans of the year.  Uthoff on the men’s side, Disterhoft on the women’s side.

This marks the first time ever that a school has swept those two awards in the same year.  Uthoff has led the Hawkeyes to a 20-9 overall record and an 11-6 Big Ten conference record.  While this team is sliding right now, Uthoff is a great example of what you want your kids to be.  He posted a 4.0 G.P.A. in the fall semester and currently has a 3.42 overall G.P.A.  Clearly he is an outstanding student and it doesn’t stop there.  Uthoff has been a big reason why Iowa is where they are at, obviously.

He is averaging north of 18 points per game and leads the Big Ten in blocked shots.  Even though they are in the midst of a hiccup, Uthoff and Iowa still have a lot left to play for this year.

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Ally Disterhoft was the other half of that duo.  She posts a 4.03 G.P.A. and was the only sophomore dubbed an academic All-American last season, according to the University of Iowa’s official release.  As a junior, she averages 16 points per game and right around six rebounds.  Ally has been a big part of this season, she leads the team in scoring and scored 22 points in Iowa’s win over Michigan in the second round of the Big Ten tournament earlier this afternoon.

Disterhoft and the Hawkeyes will take on the fifth ranked Maryland Terrapins tomorrow at 11 a.m. CST looking for an upset.

Last, but certainly not least, Mike Gesell. He is the motor that makes this Hawkeye engine go.  He leads the team in assists and averages about seven points per contest.  Gesell posts a 3.93 G.P.A. while majoring in finance.  Gesell has been a four year starter for the Hawkeyes and is the first Hawkeye to earn this award since Adam Haluska garnered it back in 2007.

Gesell has always been known as one of the smarter players on this team and I’m glad he was finally rewarded with the All-American honor.  It’s always nice to have your point guard as one of the smartest players on the team.

Next: Weekly Big Ten Power Rankings

The Iowa men will be back in action on Saturday in Ann Arbor against the Michigan Wolverines.  And the women will look for an upset tomorrow morning when they take on Maryland in the Big Ten tournament.  If they play like they did today, they might just pull it off.

Stay locked into Dear Old Gold for constant coverage of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

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