March 7, 2005
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IOWA CITY – THE SETTING
Iowa (19-10, 7-9) opens play in the 2005 Big Ten Conference Tournament Thursday, March 10, meeting Purdue (7-20, 3-13). The Hawkeyes are the seventh seed, while Purdue is the 10th seed. Game time is approximately 1:30 p.m. at the United Center (21,711) in Chicago.
The Hawkeyes defeated Michigan 74-72 in overtime Saturday in Ann Arbor to close the regular season with their third straight win.
Purdue fell by a 64-52 margin at Wisconsin Saturday. Iowa and Purdue split during the regular season, Iowa winning 71-57 Jan. 22 in Iowa City and Purdue winning 66-63 Feb. 16 in West Lafayette.
The winner of Thursday’s contest will meet Michigan State Friday at 5:40 p.m. in the quarter-finals.
ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play with color commentator Bob Hansen.
Television: ESPN will carry the game to a national cable audience. Brent Musburger, Steve Lavin and Erin Andrews will call the action.
IOWA EARNS SEVENTH SEED
Iowa ended the Big Ten Conference season with a 7-9 record (19-10 overall), earning a seventh place finish in the league standings. Iowa finished the second half of Big Ten play with a 4-4 record after losing its leading scorer for the final nine games of the season. The Hawkeyes enter the Big Ten Tournament on a three-game winning streak. Iowa posted a 12-1 record in non-conference action and was ranked for nine straight weeks during the middle of the season. The Hawkeyes were ranked as high as 14th in early January.
Iowa’s began the season with a second place finish at the EA Sports Maui Invitational, defeating Louisville and Texas before falling to North Carolina in the title game. Iowa’s non-conference slate also included wins over Northern Iowa, Iowa State, Texas Tech and Air Force.
HAWKEYES CLOSE FAST
Iowa closed the regular season with three straight wins, including road wins at Penn State and Michigan. This marks the first time since the 1997 season that Iowa has closed the regular schedule with three straight victories. It also marks the first time since 1987 in which Iowa closed the season with three straight wins, when two of the wins were on the road. Iowa had not won its final two road games of the season since 1991 when Iowa won at Indiana and at Northwestern in the final two road games.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,339 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,394-945 (.596). That includes an 871-306 (.740) record in home games, a 523-639 (.450) record in games away from Iowa City, a 664-654 (.504) mark in Big Ten games and a 277-80 (.776) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
BIG TEN NAMES HORNER PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Iowa guard Jeff Horner has been named co-Big Ten Conference Player of the Week after leading Iowa to wins last week over Ohio State and Michigan. The honor is the second of the season for Horner and the third of his career. Horner earned the award Nov. 29 after leading Iowa to a second place finish at the EA Sports Maui Invitational. Horner shares the honor this week with Alan Anderson of Michigan State.
Horner, a 6-3 junior from Mason City, led Iowa to a 74-72 home win over Ohio State and a 74-72 overtime victory at Michigan. Horner led Iowa with 25 points in the win over Ohio State, scoring a career-high in Big Ten play. Horner’s basket with 3.4 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner. He also collected eight rebounds and eight assists and had no turnovers.
Horner played 44 of 45 minutes in the overtime win at Michigan, scoring 15 points while collecting eight rebounds and six assists, with just two turnovers.
Horner’s first basket of the Ohio State game, a three-pointer early in the contest, moved him over 1,000 career points. Horner is the only Iowa player ever to collect over 1,000 points, 400 rebounds and 400 assists. His career totals include 1,039 points, 424 rebounds and 424 assists.
Horner this season is averaging 14 points a game, along with 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals. He is shooting 41.6% from the field, 41.3% from three-point range and 78.6% from the free throw line. His 74 three-point baskets this season tie as the third highest single-season total in school history. Horner in career statistics ranks fourth in three-point field goals, third in three-point attempts and fifth in assists.
Horner and his Hawkeyes teammates open play in the Big Ten Tournament Thursday, meeting Purdue at 1:30 p.m. at the United Center in Chicago.
IOWA IN THE BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
Iowa has posted an 8-6 record while playing 14 games in the seven previous Big Ten Tournaments. Iowa has played nine different teams in the event, having met each team except Illinois at least once. Four of the eight wins came on the way to the tournament title in 2001 and Iowa won three games while earning a return trip to the title game in 2002. The eight wins tie Michigan State for the second highest total among league teams, trailing Illinois’ 13 wins. Iowa’s .571 winning percentage trails only that of Illinois (.688) and Michigan State (.636).
Iowa lost in the first round in both 1998 and 1999 before winning its first game in the event in 2000. Iowa has been eliminated by the tournament champion in three of the seven tournaments, including Michigan in the 1998 quarter-finals, Michigan State in the 2000 quarter-finals and Ohio State in the 2002 title game. The Hawkeyes are one of four teams, along with Michigan State (2), Illinois (4) and Ohio State (2), to appear in more than one championship game. Iowa Coach Steve Alford, with an 8-4 record, is tied for the most wins among all Big Ten coaches. His .667 winning percentage is best among current coaches and ranks second for all league coaches in the tournament.
TOURNAMENT NOTES (NEEDS UPDATED)
The seventh-seeded team is 3-7 in the tournament. The seven seed lost its first game in the tournament in 1998 and 1999 before going 1-1 in 2000 and 2-1 in 2001. The seven seed has lost its first game in the tournament in each of the last three years.
The top-seeded team in the tournament has lost four times (1998, 2000, 2002, 2003) in the quarter-finals and holds a 6-6 record in the tournament. Michigan State in 1999 is the only top-seeded team to win the event. The Big Ten Tournament returns to Indianapolis in 2006.
IOWA AT THE UNITED CENTER
Iowa holds a 6-5 overall record at the United Center. Iowa is 5-4 while taking part in all five Big Ten Tournaments held in Chicago. Iowa won four straight games to win the 2001 tournament, split two games in the 2000 event and lost its first game in the tournament in 1998, 1999 and 2003.
Iowa, in 2002, dropped an 80-62 decision to top-ranked Duke as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Earlier this season the Hawkeyes scored an 83-53 non-conference win over Texas Tech at the United Center.
IOWA AT NEUTRAL SITES
Iowa has played four neutral site games during the 2004-05 regular season, posting a 3-1 record. The Hawkeyes were 2-1 at the EA Sports Maui Invitational, defeating Louisville and Texas before falling to North Carolina in the title game. Iowa defeated Texas Tech at the United Center on Dec. 21.
In 13 games this season away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa has posted a 6-7 overall record.
IOWA IN TOURNAMENT PLAY
Iowa has faired well while taking part in regular-season tournaments over the past 23 years. In that time Iowa has won the Great Alaska Shootout (1986-87), the Cal-Irvine Anteater Classic (1986-87), the Maui Classic (1987-88), the San Juan Thanksgiving Shootout (1992-93), the San Juan Christmas Shootout (1997-98), the Big Ten Conference Tournament in 2001 and its own invitational 22 times.
In addition, Iowa was runner-up in the 1985-86 Far West Classic, the 1987-88 All-College Tournament, the 1988-89 Chaminade Classic, the 1991-92 Tampa Tribune Holiday Invitational, the 1994-95 Rainbow Classic, the 1995-96 Great Alaska Shootout, the 1999-00 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, the 2001-02 Guardians Classic, the 2002 Big Ten Conference Tournament and the 2004 Maui Invitational.
IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 277-80 (.776) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 132-67 (.663) in Big Ten games and 145-13 (.918) in non-Big Ten games. Iowa has drawn over five million fans for men’s basketball games since the arena opened in 1983. Iowa has posted a 69-25 (.734) home record under Coach Steve Alford, including a 42-4 (.913) mark in non-conference home games.
IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa was ranked for nine consecutive weeks this season, climbing as high as 14th in the Associated Press poll on Jan. 3. Iowa began the season receiving no votes in either poll. The Hawkeyes are 54th in the RPI rankings and 28th in the Sagarin Ratings.
IOWA SECURES FIVE IN A ROW
With 19 wins in the regular season, Iowa clinched a fifth straight winning season, a streak that matches the second longest consecutive winning seasons streak in Iowa basketball history.
The 19 wins mark the highest regular season victory total for Iowa under Steve Alford and the most for Iowa since 1998. Iowa won 18 regular season games in 2001 on the way to posting a 23-12 final record.
Iowa’s longest streak of consecutive winning seasons is seven, from 1950 through 1956. Pops Harrison, Bucky O’Connor and Rollie Williams all coached the Hawkeyes during those years. Only a 10-10 record in 1949 kept Iowa from 13 consecutive winning seasons (1944-56).
Lute Olson coached Iowa to five straight winning seasons from 1979-83, George Raveling and Tom Davis combined to coach Iowa to winning seasons from 1985-89 and Davis coached Iowa to winning seasons from 1995-99.
IOWA HAS FAST START
With 12 wins in its first 13 games, Iowa enjoyed its best start under Coach Steve Alford. Iowa, in 2001, posted a 10-1 mark to start the season and ended the year with a 23-12 overall record. Iowa began both the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons with a 13-1 record. The 19 wins marks the highest total for regular season victories for Iowa under Steve Alford. The Hawkeyes had 18 wins during the 2001 regular season when they posted an overall 23-12 record.
Iowa’s nine-game win streak during non-conference action matched the best streak for an Iowa team under Alford, as the Hawkeyes opened the 2000-01 season with nine straight wins. The Hawkeyes also had six-game win streaks in 2003-04 and 2001-02.
Iowa posted 12 non-conference wins (not including post-season) for the first time since 1988-89.
HALUSKA EARNS ACADEMIC HONOR
Sophomore guard Adam Haluska was selected to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine District VII academic all-America team.
Haluska is a finance major with a 3.46 grade point average. He is in his first season of action at Iowa after redshirting during the 2003-04 season.
Haluska (6-5, 210) is a native of Carroll, IA. He has started all 29 games, scoring in double figures in 23 games. He is averaging 14.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, shooting 48.7% from the field and 81.7% from the foul line.
HORNER ON COACHES DISTRICT TEAM
Junior guard Jeff Horner was named to the NABC District 12 second team. The National Association of Basketball Coaches selects 15 district teams, with District 12 including Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas. Horner has started 28 of 29 games, averaging 14 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
IOWA COACH Steve Alford
Steve Alford (pronounced ALL-ford) is in his sixth season as the head coach at the University of Iowa and his 14th season as a college head coach. Alford holds a career record of 264-158 (.626), including a 108-81 (.571) record at Iowa, a 78-29 (.729) record in four seasons (1992-95) at Div. III Manchester College and a four-year record (1996-99) of 78-48 (.619) at Southwest Missouri State. Alford ranks fifth among Iowa’s head basketball coaches in career wins and he is 41-55 (.427) in Big Ten games. Alford is 8-5 in the NCAA Tournament (3-2 in Div. I and 5-3 in Div. III) and 2-4 in the NIT.
Alford led Iowa to the 2001 Big Ten Conference Tournament title and into the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his second season with the Hawkeyes. Iowa earned a return trip to the title game of the Big Ten Conference Tournament in 2002 and advanced to the NIT in post-season play in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The Hawkeyes set a Big Ten Conference Tournament record with seven straight wins over two seasons (2001-2002) before a last-second loss in the first round of the 2003 tournament. Alford’s record in the event is 8-4 in his five seasons.
Alford led Southwest Missouri State to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1999 and in 1995 Manchester advanced to the NCAA championship game before suffering its first defeat of the season.
Alford is a 1987 graduate of Indiana, where he led the Hoosiers to the 1987 NCAA title. Alford was a member of the 1984 U. S. Olympic team that earned the Gold Medal and he was the 26th player selected in the NBA Draft following his senior season. Alford played four seasons in the NBA before beginning his coaching career.
At Indiana, Alford started 120 of 125 games in four seasons. He served as team captain in 1987 when the Hoosiers were 30-4. Steve concluded his college career as Indiana’s all-time scoring leader with 2,438 points and he holds the Indiana record for career steals with 178. He was a consensus first team All-American and the Big Ten MVP as a senior.
Alford is a member of the Manchester College M Association Hall of Fame and the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2001 he was named one of the “Top 50 Athletes” in the history of the state of Indiana and was selected as a member of the 15-man Indiana University all-Century team. A year ago he was one of five players selected to ESPN’s Big Ten Conference Silver Anniversary team, honoring Big Ten players from the past 25 seasons.
Alford is 6-5 against Purdue and Boilermaker Coach Gene Keady.
ALFORD REACHES 100 HAWKEYE WINS
Coach Steve Alford collected win No. 100 as Iowa’s head coach in the 73-63 victory over Air Force. Career victory No. 250 came in the 88-53 win over Centenary in early December. His career mark stands at 264-158. Alford is 108-81 at Iowa, moving into fifth place on the Iowa list for coaching victories. Iowa’s top four coaches in career wins include Tom Davis (269), Lute Olson (168), Rollie Williams (139) and Bucky O’Connor (114).
PURDUE COACH GENE KEADY
Coach Gene Keady, who will step down at the end of the season, is in his 25th season at Purdue and his 27th as a college head coach. Keady holds a career mark of 546-278 and his record at Purdue is 508-259. Keady posted a 38-19 record in two seasons at Western Kentucky before moving on to Purdue. Keady has guided Purdue to six Big Ten titles, including three straight from 1994-96. Keady has been national Coach of the Year six times and has earned Big Ten Conference Coach of the year recognition a league-record seven times. He is a member of the National Junior College Basketball Hall of Fame, the Kansas Basketball Hall of Fame and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Keady is 23-22 vs. Iowa and 5-6 vs. Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.
THE SERIES
Purdue holds a 75-67 advantage in the series that began with a 17-11 Boilermaker win in 1909. The Hawkeyes defeated Purdue 71-57 Jan. 22 in Iowa City before Purdue won 66-63 Feb. 16 in West Lafayette. Iowa won both meetings last season, 71-61 in Iowa City and 63-62 in West Lafayette. Purdue won the only meeting in 2003.
Iowa and Purdue have met twice at a neutral site, with both meetings taking place in Indianapolis. In addition to the meeting at Conseco Fieldhouse in the 2002 Big Ten Tournament, the Hawkeyes and Boilermakers both advanced to the 1980 Final Four at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, and both lost in the semi-finals. A consolation game was played at that time and Purdue defeated Iowa 75-58.
The Boilermakers hold a 51-20 advantage in games played in West Lafayette. Iowa scored a 63-62 win in 2004 and has won two of the last four meetings in Mackey Arena.
Iowa holds a 45-23 advantage in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have won six of the last eight meetings in Iowa City and hold a 12-8 advantage in games played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
IOWA, PURDUE NOTES
The Iowa roster includes Indiana native J.R. Angle, along with Coach Steve Alford, an Indiana native who played at Indiana, and Associate Head Coach Craig Neal, a native of Washington, IN who played at Georgia Tech. Purdue Coach Gene Keady is the only Big Ten coach who was coaching in the Big Ten when Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford was a player at Indiana from 1984-87. During Alford’s four-year career at Indiana, the Hoosiers won just three of eight meetings against in-state rival Purdue. Purdue assistant Coach Paul Lusk began his college career at Iowa. Lusk, who had followed his father’s footsteps to Iowa, suffered a broken leg early in his Iowa career and completed his career at Southern Illinois. Lusk scored over 1,000 points in his three seasons at Southern Illinois.
IOWA STOPPED PURDUE IN IOWA CITY
Iowa used a strong defensive effort and a boost from the bench in taking a 71-57 win over Purdue Jan. 22 in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes held Purdue to 30.4% shooting from the field in the first half, as the Boilermakers scored just 10 points in the first 17 minutes of the game. By that time, Iowa had built a 25-10 advantage on the way to a 38-20 halftime margin.
Iowa scored the first basket of the second half and was never threatened over the final 20 minutes. Iowa led 71-52 with 1:28 remaining before the Boilermakers scored the final five points to leave the final margin at 14 points, the closest Purdue came in the second half.
For the game, Iowa held Purdue to 40% shooting from the field, while the Hawkeyes shot 45%. Iowa won the rebounding battle by a 38-35 margin and collected 10 steals while forcing 19 turnovers. Iowa was guilty of just eight turnovers in the game and collected 20 assists on 27 field goals.
Junior Greg Brunner posted his fourth straight scoring and rebounding double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Reserve Doug Thomas matched his career scoring high with 14 points and added nine rebounds and Jeff Horner added 13 points.
Purdue was led by Carl Landry with 16 points and eight rebounds. David Teague added 11 points and Brandon McKnight added nine points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
BOILERS WON AT HOME
Purdue rallied in the final eight minutes to defeat Iowa 66-63 Feb. 16 in West Lafayette. The Hawkeyes led 55-48 with just under eight minutes remaining when Purdue scored nine straight points to take a 57-55 advantage with 3:49 to play. Greg Brunner made a free throw before Purdue scored on a three-point basket for a 60-56 lead with 1:49 remaining. Purdue scored its final six points from the foul line to hold on for the win. Adam Haluska cut the margin to two points (60-58), and after two Purdue free throws Brunner added a pair of free shots to make it 62-60 with 10 seconds remaining. Jeff Horner scored Iowa’s final points on a three-point basket with four seconds left to cut the deficit to 64-63. Iowa got off a desperation shot after two more Boilermaker free throws, but it was a hurried half court shot that was off the mark.
Iowa’s biggest advantage in the game came with 3:42 left in the first half as the Hawkeyes held a 31-22 advantage, but Purdue rallied to take a 36-35 halftime advantage. Iowa shot 41% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range in the game, but just 62.5% from the foul line. The Hawkeyes held a 39-32 rebounding advantage, but committed 14 turnovers, compared to seven for the Boilermakers.
Brunner led Iowa with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Adam Haluska added 10 points and Jeff Horner and Mike Henderson each added 11. Landry led Purdue with 29 points and seven rebounds and Brandon McKnight added 16 points.
ALL IOWANS IN THE STARTING LINE-UP
Iowa’s starting line-up in games vs. Northwestern and Purdue consisted of five native Iowans, including Alex Thompson (Ames), Greg Brunner (Charles City), Adam Haluska (Carroll), Jeff Horner (Mason City) and Mike Henderson (Waterloo).
This season marks the first time that has occurred since 1997-98 when Ricky Davis (Davenport), Ryan Bowen (Ft. Madison), Dean Oliver (Mason City), Kent McCausland (Waterloo) and Kyle Galloway (Sioux City) started four games late in the regular season and the NIT loss to Georgia. That group won games against Ohio State, Purdue and Northwestern and lost at Illinois before the post-season loss to Georgia.
Both the 1998 line-up and the all-Iowa line-up this season included two players from Mason City (Jeff Horner and Dean Oliver were both coached at Mason City HS by Jeff’s father, Bob) and Waterloo (McCausland attended West HS and Henderson attended East HS). Both also include a first year Hawkeye. Davis and Oliver were true freshmen in 1997-98. Thompson is a true freshman and Haluska, a sophomore, is in his first season of action at Iowa.
RECOGNITION ON THE NET
Iowa’s basketball program was well recognized on the internet for its play during the non-conference portion of the season.
On espn.com, ESPN analyst Dick Vitale selected the Hawkeyes as his “Team of the Week” for their 83-53 win over Texas Tech. CollegeInsider.com selected sophomore guard Adam Haluska as its “Star of the Week” for his play in the win over Texas Tech. Haluska matched his career high with 21 points, hitting 7-9 field goals, 3-3 three-pointers and 4-5 free throws. CollegeInsider.com selected Coach Steve Alford for its “Mid Season” Jim Phelan Coach of the Year honor. The Jim Phelan Coach of the Year honor is awarded in March. Gregg Doyel, writing for cbssportline.com, featured the Iowa guard court as one of the best in the nation.
IOWA CLOSES WITH WIN AT MICHIGAN
Iowa outscored Michigan 11-9 in overtime to earn a 74-72 win in Ann Arbor to close the regular season. Iowa scored first in the extra period on a rebound basket by Doug Thomas, but Michigan took the lead on a three-pointer by Dion Harris. Greg Brunner made one of two free throws to tie the game before Thomas added another basket on an offensive rebound for a 68-66 lead. Brunner’s two free throws with 1:20 remaining gave Iowa a four point advantage and Jeff Horner added two free shots after a Wolverine basket to give Iowa a 71-68 advantage with 21 seconds remaining. Michigan closed to within two points with 10 seconds remaining before Mike Henderson scored on a break-away with four seconds left to seal the win.
Iowa led 35-34 at intermission after shooting 50% from the field in the opening half. The game was close throughout the second half, with Iowa leading by three, 61-58, with 3:22 remaining. Michigan took advantage of three Iowa turnovers to take a 63-61 advantage before Iowa tied the game on a lay-up by Adam Haluska with 45 seconds to play. Iowa forced a turnover and had the ball for a final shot, but Horner’s shot in the final seconds was off target.
Iowa shot 47.3% from the field and 72% from the free throw line and won the rebounding battle by a 38-33 margin. Brunner led Iowa with 24 points, while Haluska added 17 and Horner 15. Thomas and Horner each had eight rebounds, Horner added six assists and Mike Henderson added a career-best five steals.
PURDUE DOWN THE STRETCH
Purdue has lost five straight games since the 66-63 win over Iowa on Feb. 16. The Boilermakers have played their last three games without Carl Landry, who led the team in scoring (18.2 ppg) and rebounding (7.1 rpg). Landry suffered a knee injury Feb. 26 against Minnesota and is out for the season.
The Boilermakers dropped a 64-52 contest at Wisconsin in their final game of the regular season. Wisconsin controlled the contest from the beginning, shooting 51.9% from the field in building a 40-19 halftime advantage. Purdue shot just 32% from the field in the first half, making just eight field goal attempts. The Badgers also won the rebounding battle by a 35-20 margin. Guard David Teague had 17 points and eight rebounds to lead Purdue, while Gary Ware added 12 points.
LESS THAN FULL STRENGTH
Iowa and Purdue are two teams that have been forced to make changes due to the loss of their leading scorer. Iowa played the last nine games without Pierre Pierce, who averaged 17.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Through 20 games Pierce was leading the Big Ten in steals (49) and he ranked second on the Iowa team with 84 assists. Pierce had eight points and eight assists in his only game against Purdue.
Purdue lost forward Carl Landry late in the season due to a knee injury. In 25 games Landry averaged 18.2 points and 7.1 rebounds, shooting 61.8% from the field. Landry had 29 points and seven rebounds in Purdue’s win over Iowa and 16 points and eight rebounds in the loss in Iowa City.
HOT SHOOTING FIRST HALF AT PSU
When Iowa made 20 of 31 field goal attempts in the first half of the 78-56 win at Penn State, the 64.5% shooting marked the seventh time this season the Hawkeyes have shot 60% or better from the field in a half. Iowa’s best shooting half of the season, 75% (15-20), came in the second half of a 73-63 win over Air Force. Iowa also shot 65.4% in the second half vs. North Carolina, 61.3% in the second half vs. Western Carolina, 60.9% in the first half vs. Indiana, 60% in the first half vs. Air Force and 60% in the first half vs. Centenary.
The Hawkeyes shot 58.3% in the second half of the 74-72 win over Ohio State and 50% from the field in the first half of the overtime win at Michigan and 60% in the overtime period.
Iowa ended the win over Penn State shooting 52.5% from the field. The Hawkeyes have made over 50% of their field goal attempts in nine games, posting an 8-1 mark in those games. The Hawkeyes have made at least 50% of their field goals in 23 of 58 halves this season.
FAST START, BIGGEST ADVANTAGE
With the fast start in the win at Penn State, Iowa held a 47-20 halftime advantage. The 27-point margin tied the largest halftime lead for Iowa in 189 games under Coach Steve Alford, and it marked Iowa’s biggest halftime lead since a 45-22 margin last season in a home win over the Nittany Lions. The 27-point halftime advantage equaled Iowa’s lead (45-18) in an 89-59 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Nov. 13, 2001.
NOT GETTING THE CLOSE ONES
During the regular season, 17 of Iowa’s 29 games were decided by 10 points or less, while Iowa was 1-2 in overtime games. Iowa is 10-7 in games decided by 10 points or less, with all seven losses coming in conference action.
In Big Ten play, Iowa lost two games in overtime, two road games by three points each and another by two points at home. The Hawkeyes lost to Michigan 65-63 to open Big Ten play and dropped a 72-69 decision at #20 Wisconsin and a 66-63 contest at Purdue. Iowa lost overtime games at top-ranked Illinois (73-68) and at Northwestern (75-74).
Five of Iowa’s seven conference wins came on the home court, with the Hawkeyes winning their final two road games at Penn State and Michigan. The five home wins came by margins of six, 14, 15, 10 and two points. Even with the 7-9 Big Ten record, Iowa outscored its league opponents by a 68.2-67.2 margin.
IOWA AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS
As a team, Iowa ranks 15th nationally in blocked shots per game (5.4) and 27th in three-point field goal percentage (.382). Individually, Erek Hansen is 12th in blocked shots per game (2.8).
LEADER ACROSS THE BOARD
Sophomore Adam Haluska led Iowa in the win over Northwestern, leading the Hawkeyes in points (20), rebounds (eight), assists (five) and steals (four), field goals (seven), three-point field goals (four) and free throws (two). Haluska hit 7-14 field goals, 4-6 treys and 2-3 free throws, while committing just one turnover and collecting no personal fouls.
Haluska’s performance marked the first time one player has led Iowa in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals in one game since the 2002-03 season. Jeff Horner, as a freshman, led Iowa to a 68-61 win over 8th-ranked Illinois in Iowa City, collecting 16 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals.
NO SECOND CHANCE FOR WILDCATS
In Iowa’s 64-54 win over Northwestern, the Hawkeyes did not allow the Wildcats to collect any offensive rebounds. Iowa won the rebounding battle by a 34-22 margin and all 22 of Northwestern’s rebounds came on Iowa missed shots. That game marks the only time in 189 games that a Steve Alford coached Iowa team did not allow an opponent an offensive rebound.
The previous low was by Wisconsin, as the Badgers had just one offensive rebound in Iowa’s 61-55 win in Madison on Jan. 29, 2000.
HAWKEYES BETTER ON THE BOARDS
Iowa has won the rebounding battle in six of its last seven games. Iowa held a 34-22 advantage in the home win over Northwestern, a 39-32 advantage in the loss at Purdue, a 36-21 advantage in the loss to Illinois, a 36-31 margin at Penn State, a 30-27 margin vs. Ohio State and a 38-33 margin at Michigan. In Iowa’s most recent loss, Minnesota held a 44-39 rebounding edge, including a 20-13 advantage in offensive rebounds.
Minnesota’s 20 offensive rebounds marked the eighth time this season Iowa’s opponent had 15 or more offensive rebounds, and Michigan had 18 offensive rebounds. The most offensive rebounds allowed, 21, came in non-conference action vs. North Carolina Greensboro.
For the season Iowa holds a 36.0-34.8 rebounding advantage, while Iowa’s margin was 34.8-33.6 in Big Ten games.
IOWA HAS FEWEST TURNOVER TOTAL
Iowa was guilty of just six turnovers in a loss at Wisconsin, a season-low and the lowest number for Iowa in 189 games under Coach Steve Alford. For the second straight game, the Hawkeyes had just one turnover in the second half. The Hawkeyes were guilty of just nine turnovers in the win over Ohio State.
The Hawkeyes are 7-8 in 15 games under Alford in which they commit less than 10 turnovers, with six of those games taking place this season.
HAWKEYES ADD TO THE ROSTER
Ryan Kennedy (6-7, 210) is a sophomore forward who joined the Iowa basketball team as a walk-on earlier this season. Kennedy attended Roosevelt High School in Des Moines as a prep.
Kennedy earned honorable mention all-conference recognition as a prep senior, serving as team captain and earning team MVP honors.
OPPONENTS HITTING FREE THROWS
Iowa attempted more free throws than its opponent in its first 15 games of the season. Over the last 14 games, Iowa’s opponents attempted more free throws in nine games, with the free throw attempts being equal in two games. In the loss at Wisconsin, the Badgers converted 27-35 attempts, compared to 7-14 for Iowa. Against Michigan State, Iowa made 32-42 free throw attempts, compared to 23-29 for MSU. In a win over Northwestern, the Wildcats had an 18-10 advantage in attempts, with both teams shooting just 50%. Purdue made 15-20 free throws compared to Iowa’s 10-16, Minnesota held an 18-13 advantage in attempts and Penn State a 20-11 margin. In Iowa’s two overtime losses on the road, the Hawkeyes did not attempt a free throw in the opening half. In the overtime win at Michigan, Iowa was 18-25 (72%) from the foul line, compared to 64.7% (11-17) for Michigan.
HAWKEYES COLLECTING BLOCKED SHOTS
Iowa has totaled 157 blocked shots in 29 games, a total that ranks as the third highest season total in school history. The Iowa record for a season is 165, set in 1993. The Hawkeyes blocked 161 shots in 1992 and 153 in 1991. With 11 blocked shots in the loss at Minnesota, Iowa nearly tied the single-game record for blocks. Iowa has established its single-game record of 12 blocked shots in three games this season, collecting 12 blocks vs. North Carolina, North Carolina-Greensboro and Saint Louis. The previous record of 11 blocked shots was set in an 80-65 win at Drake on Jan. 4, 1993.
IOWA SETS FREE THROW MARK
Iowa set school and Carver-Hawkeye Arena records in its opening win over Western Illinois by making all 20 of its free throw attempts. Six Hawkeyes contributed to the record, with Pierre Pierce and Erek Hansen each making four. The previous best for a perfect free throw percentage (18-18) came in a win at Indiana in 1979. The previous record for Carver-Hawkeye Arena was 94.7%, when Iowa made 18-19 attempts vs. Wisconsin in 2001.
Along with the record-setting performance against Western Illinois, Iowa has made over 80% of its free throw attempts in three other games. Iowa shot 85% (17-20 in both games) against Ohio State and shot 80.8% (21-26) in a home loss to Illinois.
NEW FACES MAKE CONTRIBUTION
Several new faces have been big contributors this season. The newcomers are averaging 23.9 points and 12.0 rebounds per outing.
Sophomore Adam Haluska has scored in double figures in 23 of 29 games, including a career-high 24 points vs. Michigan State. He added 22 points at Penn State and in the home win over Ohio State. He had 21 vs. Drake and Texas Tech and he added 20 points in home wins over Iowa State and Northwestern and the home loss to Illinois. Junior college transfer Doug Thomas scored 14 points and led Iowa with nine rebounds in the opening win over Western Illinois, and he added 10 rebounds vs. UNC Greensboro and Northwestern. Thomas added eight points and five rebounds vs. North Carolina, six rebounds in the win over Texas and five rebounds at Illinois. In the win over Purdue, Thomas matched his scoring high with 14 points and added nine rebounds, and he had eight rebounds vs. Michigan State. At Penn State he contributed nine points and five rebounds and he had seven points in the win over Ohio State, including a three-point play in the final minute. Thomas scored four points in the overtime session at Michigan and ended the game with six points and eight rebounds.
In the win at Drake, freshman Carlton Reed scored 14 points, while freshman Alex Thompson added five rebounds in the win over Texas Tech and nine rebounds in a loss at Minnesota. Seth Gorney played a key defensive role and had five rebounds in a win over Minnesota and he added six points at Penn State and five vs. Ohio State. Reed had a career-best five assists in the win over Purdue and added eight points at Northwestern.
Newcomers contributed 39 points and 15 rebounds vs. Drake, 37 points and 11 rebounds vs. North Carolina, 37 points and 12 rebounds at Penn State, 36 points in the win over Ohio State and 31 points and 13 rebounds vs. Western Illinois.
ANOTHER STRONG SCHEDULE
As has been the case in recent years, Iowa’s 2005 schedule was very demanding. Eight of Iowa’s 13 non-conference games were against teams that advanced to post-season play a year ago. Iowa is 9-7 against teams that were in post-season play a year ago, including a 5-5 record vs. teams that were in the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Iowa took part in the EA Sports Maui Invitational early in the season, defeating #11 Louisville and #13 Texas, while falling to #11 North Carolina. The Hawkeyes lost twice to top-ranked Illinois (once in overtime), lost to 10th-ranked Michigan State 75-64 and dropped a 72-69 decision at #20 Wisconsin.
The non-conference slate also included Northern Iowa, Iowa State, Texas Tech, Air Force and Saint Louis, teams that participated in post-season play a year ago. Iowa played 16 games against teams that advanced to post-season play last season.
Iowa’s 13 non-conference opponents posted an overall record of 209-167 (.556), with eight of the 13 winning at least 17 games and four winning 20 games or more.
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE STRENGTH
According to the February issue of Basketball Times, Iowa’s non-conference schedule ranked as the 18th-strongest in the nation. Among Big Ten teams, only Indiana (7th), Wisconsin (8th) and Purdue (12th) played stronger non-conference schedules. The remaining Big Ten teams and their ratings included Illinois (66), Michigan (106), Michigan State (142), Minnesota (148), Ohio State (159), Northwestern (214) and Penn State (276).
At the time the ratings were compiled, Iowa was one of eight teams ranked in the top 25 that also had a top 25 non-conference strength of schedule. The other teams on that list included Wake Forest, Kansas, North Carolina, Arizona, Georgia Tech and Wisconsin.
TWO STRAIGHT OVER RANKED TEAMS
Iowa’s back-to-back wins over Louisville and Texas marks the second time Iowa has won consecutive games against ranked opponents under Coach Steve Alford. The Hawkeyes, during the 2002-03 season, defeated 20th-ranked Michigan State 68-64 and 8th-ranked Illinois 68-61.
IOWA VS. RANKED FOES
Steve Alford has posted a 17-28 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including a 2-5 mark in 2004-05. Iowa, this season, has defeated 11th-ranked Louisville 76-71 and 13th-ranked Texas 82-80, with losses to 11th-ranked North Carolina (92-106), at No. 1 ranked Illinois (68-73), in overtime, to 10th-ranked Michigan State (64-75) at home, at #20 Wisconsin, 72-69 and 75-65 to top-ranked Illinois in Iowa City.
Alford’s Hawkeye teams are 5-12 when playing teams ranked in the top 10, including wins over top-ranked Connecticut (70-68 in 1999-00), 2nd-ranked Missouri (83-65 in 2001-02), 5th-ranked Ohio State (67-64 in 1999-00), 7th-ranked Illinois (78-62 in 2000-01) and 8th-ranked Illinois (68-61 in 2002-03).
The 12 losses to top 10 teams have been three times to No. 1 (Duke, 2001-02 and Illinois twice in 2004-05), once to 3rd-ranked (Illinois, 2000-01), twice to 4th-ranked (Michigan State, 1999-00 and 2000-01), twice to 5th-ranked (Tennessee, 2000-01 and Missouri, 2001-02), once to 9th-ranked (Kentucky, 2000-01) and three times to 10th-ranked (Michigan State, 2000, Illinois, 2002 and Michigan State, 2005).
In the 45 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 6-9 in home games, 8-8 at neutral sites and 3-11 when playing ranked teams in their home arena.
HORNER SURPASSES 1,000 POINTS
Junior guard Jeff Horner has become the 37th member of Iowa’s 1,000-Point Club. A three-point basket early in the win over Ohio State put Horner over 1,000 points. Horner has become the only player in Iowa history with over 1,000 points, over 400 rebounds and over 400 assists as his current numbers include 1,039 points, 424 rebounds and 424 assists. He is tied for 34th in career scoring and he is the only player in Iowa history to collect over 200 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in three different seasons. Horner is averaging 14 points per game, along with 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Horner had a career-high 27 points in the win over Texas and he led the Maui Invitational in scoring with 63 points in three games. Horner made 15-23 three-point attempts in the three games in Hawaii, moving into Iowa’s top 10 in both three-pointers and three-point attempts. His 74 made three-point baskets this season tie as the third-best single season total and he had 65 three-pointers a year ago. Horner was named Big Ten Player of the Week for his play in Maui. The honor is the second of Horner’s career, as he earned it Feb. 9, 2004 after leading Iowa to a double-overtime win at Indiana. Horner had 25 points, including the game-winning basket with 3.4 seconds remaining, in the win over Ohio State, a career-high in Big Ten games. He played all 40 minutes against the Buckeyes with no turnovers, while collecting eight rebounds and eight assists. He added 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists while playing 44 minutes in the overtime win at Michigan. Horner played 40 of 45 minutes at Northwestern, collecting seven points and six assists, with no turnovers, and he added 16 points, nine assists and just one turnover in the home win over Indiana. Against Michigan State he had 13 points with just one turnover, he had 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and no turnovers at Wisconsin and 19 points and five assists at Penn State. He is shooting 41.6% from the field, 41.3% from three-point range and 78.6% from the free throw line. Horner was named to the all-tournament team at the Maui Invitational and he was co-MVP of Iowa’s Gazette Hawkeye Challenge. Horner, who is averaging 36.5 minutes per game, has committed one or no turnovers in 11 of 29 games and he is averaging one turnover every 15.1 minutes of action.
BRUNNER WORKING THE BOARDS
Junior forward Greg Brunner is leading Iowa in rebounding for the second straight season. He is averaging 8.3 rebounds for the season and 8.9 in conference games, ranking second in the Big Ten for league games and all games. Brunner is second among current Big Ten players with 10 scoring and rebounding doubles-doubles this season and he is tied for first with 19 in his career. In Big Ten games only, Brunner ranks second in rebounds (8.9), ninth in scoring (15.9), eighth in steals (1.4), ninth in blocked shots (0.8) and 15th in FG% (.495).
Brunner had a career-high 28 points at Northwestern, hitting 11-17 field goals and 6-8 free throws, and he also had three blocked shots. Brunner has raised his career total to 80 blocks, moving in to 10th on Iowa’s list of career leaders. At Wisconsin he had 27 points (12-21 FGs) and seven rebounds and he added 16 points and a solid defensive effort in the home win over Northwestern. At Purdue he collected 19 points and 10 rebounds and he added 15 points and nine rebounds in a home loss to Illinois. Brunner matched his career-best with 14 rebounds at Penn State, adding 14 points and equaling a career-best with five assists. Brunner led Iowa with 24 points in the overtime win at Michigan.
Brunner was named Big Ten Player of the Week for his play against Wisconsin and Northwestern. Brunner earned the recognition for the second time in his career, as he was honored early in the 2004 season after leading Iowa to wins over Drake and Louisville.
Brunner had 13 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Minnesota, 16 points and 11 rebounds in the overtime loss at Illinois and 13 points and nine rebounds vs. Indiana. Brunner had 13 rebounds in the win over Iowa State and he has 10 rebounds or more in 10 additional games.
Brunner has scored in double figures in 26 games. His career totals include 971 points and 643 rebounds. He is shooting 51.7% from the field and 68.7% from the foul line. He was named to the all-tournament team of Iowa’s Gazette Hawkeye Challenge.
HALUSKA HEATS UP
Sophomore Adam Haluska has increased his overall production over Iowa’s last nine games. In those games he is averaging 19.1 points and 4.7 rebounds, shooting 52.2% from the field, 38.1% from three-point range and 83.7% from the free throw line.
Haluska scored a career-high 24 points in the loss to Michigan State, including 9-11 free throws, and he added six rebounds. He added 16 points in a loss at Wisconsin and led Iowa with 20 points and eight rebounds in a home win over Northwestern. At Purdue, he added 12 points and five rebounds and he had 20 points and seven rebounds in a home loss to Illinois. He led Iowa with 19 points in the loss at Minnesota and he added five rebounds. At Penn State, he hit 10-14 field goals, collecting 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. He scored 22 points in the win over Ohio State and added 17 points, three rebounds and three assists in the win at Michigan.
Haluska has scored in double figures in 23 of 29 games, including 21 in wins over Texas Tech and Drake. Playing against his former school, he added 20 points in a win over Iowa State, hitting 4-8 treys. Haluska had 19 points in the loss to North Carolina and 17 points vs. UNC Greensboro. He had career-bests of five assists and four steals in the win over Northwestern.
In his first season at Iowa, Haluska is shooting 48.7% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 81.7% from the free throw line while averaging 14.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
HANSEN ON BLOCKS CHART
Junior center Erek Hansen has collected 78 blocked shots in 28 games, moving among Iowa’s leaders in blocks for a season and career. A year ago Hansen blocked 40 shots in 22 games. The 78 blocks rank fifth best for a single season and his 118 career blocks ranks fifth among Iowa’s career leaders. Hansen had a career-best seven blocked shots vs. Iowa State and Saint Louis and he had six blocks in a win over Texas Tech and a loss to Michigan.
He has blocked five or more shots in eight games, and he is averaging 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 44% from the field and 72.1% from the free throw line. He had a career-high 14 points vs. Northern Iowa, he had 11 points and six rebounds vs. Texas and he had nine points at Minnesota.
THOMAS HELPS ON THE GLASS
Junior Doug Thomas is making a major contribution to Iowa’s rebounding efforts, as he is third on the team with an average of 4.5 per game. He had nine rebounds and 14 points in a win over Purdue, eight rebounds vs. Michigan State and nine points and five rebounds at Penn State. He added seven points in the win over Ohio State, including a three-point play in the final minute that gave Iowa a three point lead. At Michigan, Thomas scored four points in the overtime period and ended the game with six points and eight rebounds.
Thomas had nine rebounds in his first game as a Hawkeye and added 10 in a win over UNC Greensboro. Thomas had six points and six rebounds in the win over Texas Tech, he had five rebounds in the overtime loss at Illinois and he had eight points vs. Indiana. The 14 points vs. Purdue matched his season high. Thomas is averaging 4.7 points while shooting 56% from the field.
HENDERSON SETTLES IN
Sophomore Mike Henderson is getting settled as a member of the starting line-up, playing well in Iowa’s last eight games. Henderson collected a career-high 11 points at Purdue, he had eight points in the win over Northwestern and he had five rebounds in games vs. Northwestern, Wisconsin and Illinois. At Minnesota he added eight points and five rebounds, he had six points and three assists at Penn State, six points in the home win over Ohio State and seven points in the win at Michigan.
Henderson is a solid defensive player as well. At Michigan he collected a career-best five steals, and in the second half played a key role in the defensive effort of guarding Dion Harris. Harris did not score a point in the final 11 minutes of regulation and he had just three points in overtime. In Iowa’s win over Northwestern, Henderson played a key roll in holding Wildcat guard T.J. Parker to just two points on four field goal attempts.
SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 1,005-912 in the first half and 1,118-1,027 in the second half, and the Hawkeyes have been outscored 26-22 in three overtime periods. Iowa has led at halftime in 17 of 29 games and the Hawkeyes have outscored their opponent in the second half in 16 games.
HAWKEYE TIDBITS
Iowa has played three overtime games, losing in single overtime at Illinois and at Northwestern and winning at Michigan. Iowa was 2-0 in overtime games a year ago, defeating Louisville in single overtime on a neutral court and winning at Indiana in two overtimes. Iowa’s contest at Drake was the only true road game for the Hawkeyes in non-conference play. Iowa played three neutral site games at the EA Sports Maui Invitational and played Texas Tech at the United Center in Chicago. In the 70-63 win over Iowa State, Iowa held the Cyclones without a three-point basket as ISU missed all six of its attempts. That marks the first time an Iowa opponent did not make at least one three-point basket since early in the 2001-02 season, when Iowa State missed all eight of its three-point attempts in a 78-53 loss to Iowa in Ames. As a team, Iowa set two Gazette Hawkeye Challenge tournament records and tied a third, in a win over UNC Greensboro. The Hawkeyes set a tournament record and tied their own school record with 12 blocked shots. That record was set earlier this season in a loss to North Carolina. Iowa also shot 57.9% (11-19) from three-point range to set a tournament record and the 11 three-point field goals tied a tournament mark. Iowa is 15-1 when scoring between 70-89 points and 8-0 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points. Iowa is 13-4 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 14-3 when having fewer turnovers and 13-4 when collecting most steals than the opponent. Iowa has had four players or more score in double figures in 13 of 29 games, with a season-best six players in the win over Western Illinois. Iowa is 1-0 when six players score in double figures, 1-0 when five players score 10 points or more, 8-3 when four reach double figures, 6-5 with three in double figures and 3-2 when two are in double figures. Iowa has three players averaging between 14 and 14.5 points per game and four players averaging between 3.9 and 8.3 rebounds per outing. Iowa is 15-2 when leading at halftime, 4-7 when trailing at intermission and 0-1 when tied at halftime. Iowa is 11-5 when controlling the opening tip and 8-5 when not controlling the tip. Iowa is 10-7 in games decided by 10 points or less, 5-5 in games decided by five points or less and 1-2 in overtime. Under Steve Alford, Iowa is 33-6 when shooting at least 50% from the field, including 8-1 this season. North Carolina, Northern Iowa, Northwestern (second meeting) and Ohio State (second meeting) are the only Iowa opponents to shoot at least 50% from the field this season, and Iowa is 3-1 in those games. Last season, Iowa was 0-5 when its opponent shot at least 50% from the field.