PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – Seven University of Iowa wrestlers advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2019 NCAA Championships following second-round wins Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena.

Spencer Lee, Kaleb Young, and Alex Marinelli all moved on with major decisions. Austin DeSanto, Max Murin, Pat Lugo, and Sam Stoll each won by decision.

The Hawkeyes’ seven quarterfinalists are more than any other team. Iowa is in third place with 24 points, 8.5 points behind Penn State.

“Session two is in the books. We have a lot of work to do,” said Iowa head coach Tom Brands. “Session three starts tomorrow and we have two guys on the backside who will have two matches. Seven guys will be in the quarters. We have to be strong. Close matches have to go our way.”

Murin and Stoll advanced following a pair of upsets on Day 1. Murin, the No. 22 seed at 141 and an NCAA first-timer, defeated No. 6 Michael Carr, 3-2. Stoll, the No. 28 seed at 285, is in the quarterfinals for the first time in his career following a 1-0 win over No. 12 Conan Jennings.

“I didn’t even look at seeds,” Murin said. “One of my teammates told me about being the 22nd seed and I got excited. I told myself I’m going to be the dark horse of the tournament and it put a chip on my shoulder.”

Lee, the defending NCAA champion at 125 pounds and No. 3 seed in the tournament, outscored his opponents 28-1 on the opening day. Marinelli, the top seed at 165, moved on to the quarterfinals for the second straight year, winning Thursday night by 12-4 major decision.

Young, the No. 6 seed at 157, has outscored his opponents 30-3 in his first NCAA Championships.

“I feel loose and I’m getting scores in,” Young said.  “It’s good. I need to be relaxed.”

Lugo scored a takedown in the second sudden-victory period to advance a 4-2 winner. DeSanto scored five points in the third period to win 7-2 and advance to the quarterfinals for the second straight year.

The Hawkeyes were 16-2 overall on Day 1. Their two losses were both overtime decisions. Cash Wilcke lost, 6-4, at 184, and Jacob Warner fell, 4-2, at 197.

The championships continue Friday at 10 a.m. (CT). The championship round and consolation round will begin simultaneously on eight mats. ESPNU and WatchESPN are providing television and online coverage of Session III.

IOWA’S SECOND ROUND NCAA RESULTS

125 – #3 Spencer Lee (Iowa) major dec. #14 Sean Fausz (NCST), 12-3
133 – #7 Austin DeSanto (Iowa) dec. #10 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU), 7-2
141 – #22 Max Murin (Iowa) dec. #6 Michael Carr (ILL), 4-3
149 – #10 Pat Lugo (Iowa) dec. #26 Ryan Blees (VT), 4-2 SV1
157 – #6 Kaleb Young (Iowa) major dec. #11 Ke-Shawn Hayes (OSU), 14-2
165 – #1 Alex Marinelli (Iowa) major dec. #16 Thomas Bullard (NCST), 12-4
184 – #5 Max Dean (Cornell) dec. #12 Cash Wilcke (Iowa), 6-4 SV1
197 – #21 Thomas Lane (Cal-Poly) dec. #5 Jacob Warner (Iowa), 4-2 SV1
285 – #28 Sam Stoll (Iowa) dec. #12 Conan Jennings (NU), 1-0

QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS

125 – #3 Spencer Lee (Iowa) vs. #6 Sean Russell (MINN)
133 – #7 Austin DeSanto (Iowa) vs. #2 Stephan Micic (MICH)
141 – #22 Max Murin (Iowa) dec. #3 Nick Lee (PSU)
149 – #10 Pat Lugo (Iowa) vs. #2 Micah Jordan (OSU)
157 – #6 Kaleb Young (Iowa) major dec. #3 Ryan Deakin (NU)
165 – #1 Alex Marinelli (Iowa) vs. #8 Mekhi Lewis (VT)
285 – #28 Sam Stoll (Iowa) dec. #4 Jordan Wood (LEHIGH)

CONSOLATION MATCHUPS

184 – #12 Cash Wilcke (Iowa) vs. #22 Mason Reinhardt (WISC)
197 – #5 Jacob Warner (Iowa) vs. #27 Joshua Roetman (NAVY)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — University of Iowa junior Tyler Cook was named Thursday to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 7 Second Team.

Cook, who was also tabbed to the USBWA All-District Team and a second-team all-conference by the Big Ten media honoree earlier this month, ranks third in the league in free throws attempted per game (6.16), sixth in rebounding (7.9), 11th in field goal percentage (.528), and 12th in scoring (14.9). Cook (6-foot-9, 250 pounds) is one of only nine players in program history to total more than 1,200 points and 600 rebounds. The native of St. Louis, Missouri, has posted a team-best six double-doubles this season and is one of 15 players in Iowa history to record at least 15 career double-doubles. He recorded at least 15 points and five rebounds over a 10-game span from Nov. 30 to Jan. 12, becoming the first Hawkeye to accomplish the feat since James Winters 25 years ago (1993-94). The junior forward was named to the 2K Empire Classic All-Tournament Team, averaging 17.5 points and nine rebounds in wins over Oregon and Connecticut at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Joining Cook on the second team were Zavier Simpson (Michigan); Anthony Cowan (Maryland); Ignas Brazdeikis (Michigan); and Lamar Stevens (Penn State). First team honorees included Cassius Winston (Michigan State); Carsen Edwards (Purdue); Ethan Happ (Wisconsin); Bruno Fernando (Maryland); and Jordan Murphy (Minnesota).

Iowa (22-11) will open play in the NCAA Tournament on Friday against No. 22/24 Cincinnati (28-6). Game time is set for 11:15 a.m. (CT) at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior Marial Shayok has been named to the All-District 8 First Team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Shayok leads Iowa State (23-11) and ranks second among Big 12 averaging 18.6 points per game. The Ottawa, Ontario native is shooting 49.4 percent from the field, 38.9 percent behind the arc and 88.3 percent at the free-throw line.

Shayok was recently named the Big 12 Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after averaging 18.0 points in leading the Cyclones to their fourth conference tournament title in the last six seasons. He has also earned All-Big 12 First Team accolades and is a finalist for the Julius Erving Award.

Shayok and the Cyclones open NCAA Tournament play Friday at approximately 8:50 p.m. against Ohio State. The game will be televised on TBS.

District 8

First Team

Dedric Lawson, Kansas
Marial Shayok, Iowa State
Barry Brown, Kansas State
Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech
Makai Mason, Baylor

Second Team

Dean Wade, Kansas State
Alex Robinson, TCU
Kerwin Roach, Texas
Christian James, Oklahoma
Jaxson Hayes, Texas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder has been named one of four finalists for the 2019 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Thursday.

North Carolina State’s Wes Moore, Baylor’s Kim Mulkey, and Mississippi State’s Vic Shaefer round out the four finalists.

Bluder has led the Hawkeyes to a 26-6 overall record. Iowa captured its first Big Ten Tournament Title since 2001 on March 10, and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. It marks Iowa’s highest seed since 1996.

In 19 years at the helm, Bluder has led the Hawkeyes to 12, 20-win seasons. The Hawkeyes have won 20 or more games in 10 of the last 12 years.

Iowa is ranked No. 8 in both major polls, marking the highest ranking for the program since 1996. Iowa ranks in the top-10 nationally in five categories. The Hawkeyes lead the country in field goal percentage (51.9), rank second in assists per game (21.9), third in assists (702), fourth in assist/turnover ratio (1.61), and ninth in free throw percentage (77.7).

This year, Bluder has guided senior center Megan Gustafson to national prominence. The ESPNW Player of the Year ranks in the top-four nationally in eight categories.  She leads the country in field goal percentage (69.6), points per game (28.0), total points (897), and field goals made (369), ranks second in double-doubles (30) and defensive rebounds per game (10), third in total rebounds (424), and fourth in rebounds per game (13.3).

Bluder looks to become the second Hawkeye head coach to win the Werner Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Award. C. Vivian Stringer won the award in 1993.

Beginning March 22, 2019, fans will be able to support their favorite finalist by visiting naismithfanvote.com until April 3, to cast their ballot. The fan vote will account for five percent of the overall final vote. The 2019 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year will be announced on April 6, and the winner will be honored at their school at a later date.

The Hawkeyes open NCAA Tournament action Friday, hosting Mercer at 1 p.m. (CT) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

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UNDATED (AP) — For all that Iowa star Megan Gustafson has accomplished, she has yet to win an NCAA Tournament game with the Hawkeyes. Expect that to change. Gustafson and the second-seeded Hawkeyes will open tournament play when they host 15th-seeded Mercer. Iowa, which won the Big Ten tournament, hasn’t won in the NCAAs since making a Sweet Sixteen run in 2015 _ before Gustafson arrived on campus.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Cassius Winston scored 26 points and second-seeded Michigan State held off Bradley 76-65 in the opening round of the East Region. Xavier Tillman had 16 points with 11 boards for the Spartans (29-6), who’ll face Big Ten rival Minnesota in search of its first trip to the Sweet 16 in four years. Bradley gave the Big Ten champions all they could handle though.

UNDATED (AP) — The spotlight of the NCAA Tournament shifts to Zion Williamson and No. 1 overall seed Duke. Along with the other 31 teams playing in first-round games Friday. But there won’t be more attention on anybody than the Blue Devils’ star freshman, who gets to open against North Dakota State in his home state of South Carolina.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Dedric Lawson had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Kansas dominated inside for an 87-53 rout over Northeastern in the opening round of the Midwest Region. The fourth-seeded Jayhawks had a notable size advantage inside and used it, outscoring the Huskies 50-16 in the paint while grabbing 17 more rebounds. Kansas shot 56 percent and advanced to Saturday’s second round against fifth-seeded Auburn.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Utah State and Washington are making their first NCAA Tournament appearances since 2011. The two teams are back and play each other in a first-round game on Friday. Utah State made it for the 21st time, but they haven’t won a game since 2001. Washington, the No. 9 seed, has been here 17 times and advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2006 and 2010.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — The blue bloods have plenty of competition in this year’s NCAA Tournament. Texas Tech and Buffalo are building powerful programs in under-the-radar outposts. Houston is a budding mid-major in a large city. Kansas State, which fights in Kansas’ shadow, tied Texas Tech for the Big 12 title. Tennessee and Virginia Tech are better known for football. All have the talent to make a run in the tournament.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Many of the 1,000 players on NCAA Tournament’s teams know what it’s like to be on the pencil end of a bracket, trying to pick the most probable upsets. Now they’re on the other side, filling the brackets instead of guessing how they’ll turn out.

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Isaiah Roby had a career-high 28 points as Nebraska edged past Butler 80-76 in the NIT first round. James Palmer Jr. added 23 points for the Cornhuskers.

UNDATED (AP) — Reigning national champion Villanova will be in action along with Michigan, the runner-up from last year, while Belmont and Murray State open the NCAA Tournament as trendy upset picks as things get going with a full slate of games. Also in action are perennial powers Kansas and Michigan, along with Ja Morant and Murray State.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Kentucky heads into the NCAA Tournament with its usual high expectations but some questions about its top player. Sophomore PJ Washington is hobbled by a sore foot and didn’t take part in the team’s final shoot-around before the Midwest Region opener against Abilene Christian. Coach John Calipari says it’s nothing serious and Washington is expected to play Thursday.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Markis McDuffie had 20 points as Wichita State topped Furman 76-70 in the first round of the NIT. Jaime Echenique had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Wichita State (20-14).

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nick Collison’s No. 4 jersey has been retired by the Oklahoma City Thunder during a ceremony before their game against the Toronto Raptors. It’s the first number the Thunder have retired since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Penn State is poised to send out another senior class as four-time national champions and cement its status as the college powerhouse of the past decade. The Nittany Lions (14-0) are the prohibitive favorites to claim the team title at the NCAA Championships for the eighth time in nine years and for the fourth straight year. They might also be the most talented team that coach Cael Sanderson has assembled.

(Radio Iowa) — It appears a bill that would legalize and tax sports betting in Iowa may ban bets on games involving college and university teams FROM IOWA. Representative Vicki Lensing of Iowa City says there were concerns some athletes might be pressured to miss a free throw or drop a pass in order to secure certain outcome. “I’m not assuming that young athletes would be swayed, but we want to take away that temptation,” Lensing says.

A House committee endorsed the proposal to ban bets on the performance of athletes in games or matches involving Iowa college teams today (Wednesday). Another panel in the House also has voted to tack the concept onto the sports betting bill. Lensing says she’d prefer to ban bets on ANY college sport, but she’s pleased there’s momentum for at least banning bets on Iowa college and university teams.

“They are playing for the sport of the game and not to be influenced by money or anything else that might change how they play the game,” Lensing says. Members of the House and Senate are considering a plan that would let the state-licensed casinos offer an “app” for placing bets on professional and college sports. Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton is the House Republican who’s been assigned the task of rounding up “yes” votes for legalized sports betting.

“Historically, gambling bills are not partisan,” Kaufmann said during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting today. “This isn’t going to pass without bipartisan votes and so I commit today to work with all of you to ensure that we have the conversation that can make this palatable for everyone.”

The proposal calls for imposing a state tax on the bets placed on sporting events. Bill backers warn it won’t yield millions in extra revenue for the state, but will police, regulate and tax a currently illegal activity.

The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team is on to the Elite Eight after winning the NCAA Division II Central Region Final on Tuesday over Missouri Southern State 82-70.

The Bearcats struggled a bit early but Atlantic alum Ryan Hawkins helped Northwest keep pace by scoring the team’s first 13 points of the game. The Bear cats came alive when Joey Witthus hit a three with more than 11 minutes gone in the game to give the Bearcats the lead. Ryan Welty hit three straight long balls to spark a 17-4 run that put the Bearcats up by 9 at half.

Northwest was strong from the foul line in the second half to secure the win. Ryan Hawkins led all-scorers with 28 points. Freshman Trevor Hudgins finished with 22 and was 12-12 from the free throw line.

Kinzer Lambert had 27 points and 11 rebounds for Missouri Southern State as they finished the season 25-8.

Northwest improved to 35-0 on the season and will now head to Evansville, Indiana for the NCAA Division II Elite Eight March 27-30. The Bearcats will be the top seed in the Elite Eight and will face Mercyhurst in the Quarterfinal round at 2:30pm on Wednesday the 27th.

Ryan Hawkins and Joey Witthus were both named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team.