NCAA Notes: Rebraca, C-Mac Swan Song

Iowa Super Seniors Need Wins to Keep College Careers Alive

Iowa's Filip Rebraca (0) during practice before the first round of NCAA Tournament at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., on March 15, 2023. (Jake Crandall/USA TODAY NETWORK)

The NCAA tournament will mark the last games of the college careers of Iowa forward Filip Rebraca and Connor McCaffery.

That’s why both hope to have a long stay.

The eighth-seeded Hawkeyes play No. 9 seed Auburn on Thursday night in Birmingham, Alabama, and Rebraca and McCaffery know they have to balance the emotions of a career coming to an end.

“I mean, it's definitely difficult,” Rebraca said. “It's emotional. Speaking for myself, it could be one of my last games as a Hawkeye, and one of the last games in my college career. I'm out here enjoying my time, and ‘veI got to still stay focused, because if we win I feel like we can make a run. So just executing the game plan and having a business-like approach, like you said, is key.”

McCaffery has already faced the end once. He wasn’t sure if last season’s NCAA tournament loss to Richmond would be his last game, but he chose to come back and use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It all hit me at once after last year because I didn't really think about that kind of stuff,” he said. “So it ended up not being great for me. This year I try to deal with it better, kind of look at the big picture throughout the entire season and handle it early on. As we wind down -- we only have a couple games, I think six possible games, left to go. My career is obviously coming to an end and you just kind of deal with that as it goes.”

Rebraca is averaging 14.1 points and 7.6 rebounds. McCaffery averages 6.5 points and four rebounds, and leads the nation with a 3.93 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said the two players were critical to the Hawkeyes’ success this season.

“Our league being as balanced as it is, it can feel really good one day and not so good the next day,” he said. “It's hard to win on the road in any league, but in our league it's really difficult. And the ability to stay the course and to remain professional and business-like in your approach every night in this league is not going to happen unless you have that kind of leadership. Especially with your young guys, when you need them to contribute the way that they have, it's the communication, not only on the court as it's happening in rea-ltime, but in the locker room, after a tough loss, on the bus, on the plane.

“Having those kinds of conversations from someone other than the coaching staff is what develops confidence. And that's the only way a young guy is going to produce at this level. So, you know, coaching is important, but leadership from your seniors from Connor and Filip, there's just no substitute for that.”

THE END FOR KRIS? This could also be the last run for Iowa forward Kris Murray, who tested the NBA draft process last season.

Murray, who has been named to the USBWA, Associated Press and Sporting News All-American teams this week, averages 20.4 points and 7.9 rebounds.

Murray, though, said he’s not focused on the future yet.

“I think it's something that I have to look at after the season,” he said. “So right now I'm focusing on my team, just trying to do whatever we can to win these few games. Obviously that could be in the future, but honestly, I take it game by game, enjoy this time with my teammates. We’ve got a couple guys, it will be the last time around for them. Just enjoy it with them and enjoy it with the whole team.”

CLOSE TO HOME: Auburn is the lower seed, but the Tigers are only a two-hour drive from their campus.

Asked if it makes a difference, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said, “Whether you get on a plane for an hour and a half or a bus for two and a half, it doesn't really make any difference. But I will tell you, driving to Birmingham on 280 was never so much fun as with a police escort. I am telling you. I mean, it was awesome. We went through every single red light and I tell you, we got here in about an hour and a half. Everybody knows what a ride that can be.”

Pearl pointed out how the Tigers have had to travel a long way in recent tournaments.

“In (2018) when we won the Championship of the SEC we went out to California,” he said. “In '19 when we won the tournament and got to the Final Four it was through Salt Lake City and Kansas. The pod system was going then, and it was just the way it worked out, we had to travel.

“And so now the fact that it's worked out that we're able to be a couple hours from campus is great. That's why the pod system was created. It's great for our students and great for our fans and those that can get into the game. It won't have a huge effect on the game much because it's a neutral site in every way. But we're happy to be here. We feel fortunate to be here.”