March 14, 2005
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- The NCAA Tournament
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IOWA CITY –
TOURNAMENT FACTS
Iowa (21-11, 7-9) will meet Cincinnati (24-7) in the Austin Region of the NCAA Tournament. Game time is Thursday, March 17 at approximately 2 p.m. CT, or 30 minutes following the Kentucky vs. Eastern Kentucky contest, at the RCA Dome (37,565) in Indianapolis, IN. Butler University and the Horizon League are serving as the site host. Iowa is seeded 10th in the region, while the Bearcats are the seventh seed. The winner of the Iowa vs. Cincinnati game will meet either Kentucky or Eastern Kentucky Friday evening, March 19, at a time to be determined.
Iowa has won five of its last six games. The Hawkeyes won two games in the Big Ten Conference Tournament before falling to Wisconsin (59-56) in the semi-finals. Cincinnati has won six of its last seven games, having a six-game losing streak stopped in an 80-68 loss to South Florida in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament.
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: CBS will televise all NCAA Tournament games.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,342 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,396-946 (.596). That includes an 871-306 (.740) record in home games, a 525-640 (.451) 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.
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 IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Iowa is participating in the NCAA Tournament for the 21st time, returning for the first time since 2001. Iowa, as a seven seed, advanced to the second round before losing to Kentucky in its last appearance. Iowa advanced to the Sweet 16 as a five seed in 1999, losing to eventual national champion Connecticut in the regional semi-final.
The Hawkeyes hold an overall record of 27-22 in the tournament, advancing to the Final Four in 1955 (fourth), 1956 (second) and 1980 (fourth). Iowa has advanced to at least the second round in its last 10 tournament appearances, last losing in the first round in 1986. Iowa reached the regional championship in 1987 and lost in the regional semi-final in 1988 and 1999.
IOWA IN INDY
Iowa is 5-8 all-time in Indianapolis, while playing in three different arenas. Iowa is 4-2 in Conseco Fieldhouse, 0-2 at Market Square Arena and 1-4 at Butler’s Hinkel Fieldhouse. Iowa has not played in the RCA Dome.
Along with the 2002 (3-1) and 2004 (0-1) Big Ten Conference Tournaments at Conseco, Iowa defeated Louisville (Wooden Tradition) early in the 2003-04 season.
Iowa took part in the 1980 Final Four at Market Square Arena, losing to Louisville (80-72) in the semi-finals and falling to Big Ten rival Purdue (75-58) in the consolation game.
Iowa lost four of five games at Hinkel Fieldhouse between 1937 and 1950.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYONE
No current Hawkeye players have played in the NCAA Tournament. However, seven players have participated in post-season play. The Hawkeyes have played in the National Invitational Tournament the previous three years.
IOWA VS. THE AUSTIN BRACKET
Iowa has faced nine other teams that are in the Austin bracket. Iowa is 48-55 vs. Michigan State (1-1 this season), 2-5 vs. Kentucky, 5-3 vs. Stanford, 3-2 vs. Oklahoma, 2-2 vs. Texas-El Paso, 2-0 vs. Syracuse, 2-0 vs. Mississippi State, 1-7 vs. Duke and 0-1 vs. Utah. Iowa and Stanford were both in the EA Sports Maui Invitational in November, but the two teams did not meet.
The Hawkeyes have never faced Eastern Kentucky, Niagra, Vermont, Old Dominion or Delaware State.
PLENTY OF CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
Five of the teams playing in the Austin bracket either won their conference regular season or tournament championship, while five teams won both titles. Teams that won both championships include Delaware State (MEAC), Old Dominion (Colonial), Vermont (America East), Utah (Mountain West) and Niagra (MAAC). Teams that won their conference regular season championship include Kentucky (SEC) and Oklahoma (Big 12). Teams that won their conference tournament include Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley), Duke (ACC) and UTEP (WAC).
AGAINST THE NCAA FIELD
Iowa posted a 7-7 record in 14 games against teams that are in the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Among the NCAA teams, Iowa was 1-0 against Texas, Louisville, Northern Iowa, Iowa State and Texas Tech. The Hawkeyes were 1-1 vs. Michigan State and Minnesota, 0-1 vs. North Carolina and 0-2 vs. Illinois and Wisconsin.
The Hawkeyes played just one team that is participating in the NIT, defeating Indiana 72-57 in Iowa City in the only meeting.
STATE OF IOWA IN THE TOURNAMENT
The state of Iowa has the third most teams in the 2005 NCAA Tournament, as Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa are all participating.
North Carolina leads the category with five teams (North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, Charlotte and North Carolina State). California has four schools in the tournament while Texas, Louisiana and Kentucky join Iowa with three.
IOWA CONNECTIONS IN THE TOURNAMENT
Three teams in the NCAA Tournament have connections to the University of Iowa. Current Arizona Coach Lute Olson was head coach at Iowa from 1975-1983. Olson led Iowa to its third Final Four appearance in school history in 1980. Current Wisconsin-Milwaukee Coach Bruce Pearl served as an assistant at Iowa under Tom Davis for six seasons. Kirk Speraw, the head coach at Central Florida, lettered at Iowa in 1978 and 1979. Speraw coached under Olson for one season, helping the Hawkeyes advance to the 1980 Final Four.
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 266-159 (.626), including a 110-82 (.573) 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 10-5 in his six 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 0-1 vs. Cincinnati and Bearcat Coach Bob Huggins.
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 266-159. Alford is 110-82 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).
HAWKEYES CLOSE FAST
Iowa closed the regular season with three straight wins, including road wins at Penn State and Michigan, before defeating Purdue 71-52 and 10th-ranked Michigan State 71-69 in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa was knocked from the Big Ten event in a 59-56 last-second loss to Wisconsin in the semi-finals.
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.
THREE HAWKEYES EARN ALL-BIG TEN RECOGNITION
Sophomore forward Greg Brunner was named to the all-Big Ten second team for his play during the 2005 season, while junior guard Jeff Horner and sophomore forward Adam Haluska earned honorable mention recognition. Brunner earned second team recognition from both the Big Ten coaches and the media.
Brunner, a native of Charles City, received all-Big Ten honors for the first time in his career. He is averaging 14.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Brunner has scored in double figures in 27 games and has 10 or more rebounds in 11 games.
Brunner ranks second in the Big Ten in rebounding, for all games and in league play. He also ranks among Big Ten leaders in field goal percentage (51.7%), blocked shots (1.0) and steals (1.2). Brunner’s career totals include 1,015 points and 666 rebounds.
Horner, from Mason City, was a third team selection a year ago and also earned honorable mention honors as a freshman in 2003. He is averaging 14.1 points a game, along with 5.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per outing. He has scored in double figures in 26 games, including 27 in a win over Texas and 25 in a recent win over Ohio State. Horner is the only Hawkeye ever to total over 1,000 points, 400 rebounds and 400 assists. He has totaled over 200 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in each of his three seasons.
A native of Carroll, Haluska is in his first season at Iowa. He has started all 32 games, averaging 14.3 points and 3.9 rebounds while scoring in double figures in 26 games. Haluska earlier this season was named to the CoSIDA District VII academic all-America team.
Haluska has averaged 17.4 points and 4.7 rebounds over Iowa’s last 12 games, shooting 51% from the field. He ranks fifth in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (81.1%) and 10th in scoring (14.3) and three-point field goal percentage (40%).
IOWA AT NEUTRAL SITES
Iowa has played seven neutral site games in 2004-05, posting a 5-2 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 and posted a 2-1 record in the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center in Chicago.
In 16 games this season away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa has posted an 8-8 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 SECURES FIVE IN A ROW
With 21 wins, Iowa has enjoyed 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, STRONG FINISH
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 Alford. The Hawkeyes had 18 wins during the 2001 regular season when they posted an overall 23-12 record.
After struggling during the middle of the season, Iowa won its final three Big Ten games and increased the win streak to five games with a pair of wins in the Big Ten Tournament.
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 32 games, scoring in double figures in 26 games. He is averaging 14.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, shooting 48.5% from the field and 81.1% from the foul line.
Haluska earned all-Big Ten honorable mention recognition.
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 31 of 32 games, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Horner earned all-Big Ten honorable mention recognition.
BRUNNER NAMED TO USBWA DISTRICT TEAM
Junior forward Greg Brunner was named to the USBWA District Six all-District team. The United States Basketball Writers Association selects nine district teams before announcing its all-America selections. District Six includes Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Brunner has started 31 of 32 games, averaging 14.5 points and 8.3 rebounds. He ranks second in the Big Ten Conference in rebounding and earned second team all-Big Ten honors. Brunner has 1,015 career points and 666 rebounds.
CINCINNATI COACH BOB HUGGINS
Bob Huggins is in his 24th season as a college head coach, including 16 as the Cincinnati head coach. The Bearcats are competing in their 14th straight NCAA Tournament, which is the third longest active streak. Huggins holds a record of 398-126 (.760) at Cincinnati, making him the school’s winningest coach, in terms of wins and percentage.
His career mark stands at 566-198 (.741). His teams have won 20 or more games in all but four of his 24 campaigns. Huggins coached Bearcat teams have reached the NCAA Elite Eight three times (1992, 1993 and 1996) and the Final Four once (1992). He is a three-time Conference USA Coach of the Year honoree (1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-00). Huggins has not coached against Iowa and he is 1-0 vs. Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford. The Bearcats downed Alford’s Southwest Missouri State team 101-60 on 1/1/97 in the San Juan Shootout.
THE SERIES
Cincinnati holds a 5-2 advantage in the series that began with a 96-83 Bearcat win in 1959. Iowa’s last win in the series came by a 69-64 (OT) margin in 1980 when the teams last met. Two of the previous meetings also came at neutral sites.
THE LAST MEETING
Iowa defeated Cincinnati 69-64 at the Fiesta Classic in Tempe, AZ during the 1980-81 season. Iowa shot 41% from the field and won the rebounding battle, 31-20. Five Hawkeyes scored in double figures. Vince Brookins led Iowa with 15 points. Kenny Arnold scored 13, Steve Carfino added 12, Kevin Boyle scored 11 and Mark Gannon finished with 10 points.
IOWA, BEARCAT NOTES
Iowa holds a 35-24 record vs. current members of Conference USA. Cincinnati is the third Conference USA team the Hawkeyes will face this season. Iowa defeated Louisville 76-71 at the Maui Invitational and Saint Louis 67-58 on New Year’s Eve in Iowa City.
Cincinnati was 1-1 vs. the Big Ten during the regular season, taking a 79-59 win over Purdue and falling to Illinois, 67-45. Both of those games were played at neutral sites.
COMMON FOES
Iowa and Cincinnati played five common opponents this season. Iowa defeated Louisville, Northern Iowa and Saint Louis, and won two of three games vs. Purdue. The Hawkeyes lost twice to Illinois. Cincinnati defeated Northern Iowa in double overtime, along with defeating Purdue and Saint Louis. The Bearcats lost to Illinois and were defeated twice by Louisville.
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.
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 64 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 192 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
Nineteen of Iowa’s 32 games have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa is 11-8 in games decided by 10 points or less, with seven of the losses coming in overtime. Iowa is 1-2 in overtime games.
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). Iowa closed the regular season with a two-point home win over Ohio State and an overtime win at Michigan. In the Big Ten Tournament, the Hawkeyes defeated Michigan State by two points and lost to Wisconsin (59-56) on a three-point shot at the buzzer.
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 is tied for 12th nationally in blocked shots per game (5.4). Individually, Erek Hansen is 11th in blocked shots per game (2.7) and Jeff Horner is 26th in three-point field goal percentage (.410).
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 192 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 eight of its last 10 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, a 38-33 margin at Michigan, a 39-38 advantage over Michigan State and a 32-31 margin over Wisconsin. In a loss at Minnesota, the Gophers 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 36.1-34.9 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 192 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 in 2005.
OPPONENTS HITTING FREE THROWS
Iowa attempted more free throws than its opponent in its first 15 games of the season. Over the last 17 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. In a home loss to 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.
In the Big Ten Tournament, Iowa attempted more free throws than its opponent in all three games.
IOWA SETS BLOCKED SHOT RECORD
Iowa has established a single season record with 173 blocked shots in 32 games. The previous record of 165 blocks was set in 32 games 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 at least 80% of its free throw attempts in four additional games. Iowa shot 85% (17-20 in both games) against Ohio State, shot 80.8% (21-26) in a home loss to Illinois and shot 80% (12-15) in the loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament.
NEW FACES MAKE CONTRIBUTION
Several new faces have been big contributors this season. The newcomers are averaging 23.3 points and 12.1 rebounds per outing.
Sophomore Adam Haluska has scored in double figures in 26 of 32 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. He added seven points and 11 points in the win over Michigan State, including two critical free throws with 38 seconds remaining.
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 11-8 against teams that were in post-season play a year ago, including a 6-6 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. In the Big Ten Tournament, Iowa defeated 10th-ranked Michigan State before falling to No. 22 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 19 games against teams that advanced to post-season play last season.
Iowa’s 13 non-conference opponents posted an overall record of 202-172 (.540), 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 an 18-29 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including a 3-6 mark in 2004-05. Iowa, this season, has defeated 11th-ranked Louisville (76-71), 13th-ranked Texas (82-80) and 10th-ranked Michigan State (71-69), 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), 75-65 to top-ranked Illinois in Iowa City and 59-56 to #22 Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament.
Alford’s Hawkeye teams are 6-12 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), 8th-ranked Illinois (68-61 in 2002-03) and 10th-ranked Michigan State (71-69 in 2005).
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 47 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 6-9 in home games, 9-9 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 1,083 points, 436 rebounds and 442 assists. He ranks 30th 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 14.1 points per game, along with 5.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 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 84 made three-point baskets this season rank 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 and he earned the award again in the final week of the season after leading Iowa to wins over Ohio State and Michigan. Horner has earned the award three times, 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 is shooting 41% from the field and from three-point range, and 78.3% 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 36.6 minutes per game, has committed one or no turnovers in 12 of 32 games and he is averaging one turnover every 14.6 minutes of action.
HORNER AMONG IOWA LEADERS
Junior guard Jeff Horner has moved into Iowa’s top five lists in three-point field goals, three-point attempts and assists. Horner ranks fourth on the list for career three-pointers and his 84 treys this season rank as third best for a single season.
BRUNNER SURPASSES 1,000 POINTS
Junior forward Greg Brunner is leading Iowa in rebounding for the second straight season and he became the most recent member of Iowa’s 1,000-Point Club in Iowa’s most recent outing. He is averaging 8.3 rebounds for the season and he averaged 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 ranked 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). His career totals include 1,015 points and 666 rebounds.
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 84 blocks, moving in to ninth place 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. At the Big Ten Tournament, Brunner had 17 points and seven rebounds in a win over Michigan State and 18 points and seven rebounds in the loss to Wisconsin.
Brunner was named Big Ten Player of the Week for his play against Wisconsin and Northwestern in early February. 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 28 games. He is shooting 51.7% from the field and 68.3% from the foul line.
HALUSKA HEATS UP
Sophomore Adam Haluska has increased his overall production over Iowa’s last 12 games. In those games he is averaging 17.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, shooting 51.1% from the field, 38.6% from three-point range and 82% 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 26 of 32 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 48.5% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 81.1% from the free throw line while averaging 14.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
HANSEN ON BLOCKS CHART
Junior center Erek Hansen has collected 83 blocked shots in 31 games, moving among Iowa’s leaders in blocks for a season and career. A year ago Hansen blocked 40 shots in 22 games. The 83 blocks rank fourth best for a single season and his 123 career blocks rank fourth 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 5.0 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 44.1% from the field and 72.2% 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. Hansen collected nine points, six rebounds and three blocked shots vs. Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament after having seven points and six rebounds in an opening round win over Purdue.
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 4.6 per game. Thomas led all players with 11 rebounds in the Big Ten Tournament win over Michigan State, and he added seven points, including two key free throws with 38 seconds remaining.
He had nine rebounds and 14 points in a home 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 4.5 points while shooting 54% 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 11 games. Henderson collected a career-high 17 points in the win over Michigan State in the quarter-finals of the Big Ten Tournament, hitting 6-10 field goals and 5-6 free throws. He also scored 11 points in the opening win over Purdue and sparked a second half rally vs. Wisconsin with seven points and five rebounds.
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 1,098-992 in the first half and 1,223-1,127 in the second half, and the Hawkeyes have been outscored 26-22 in three overtime periods. Iowa has led at halftime in 19 of 32 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 17-1 when scoring between 70-89 points and 9-1 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points. Iowa is 14-4 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 15-3 when having fewer turnovers and 15-4 when collecting most steals than the opponent. Iowa has had four players or more score in double figures in 14 of 32 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, 9-3 when four reach double figures, 7-6 with three in double figures and 3-2 when two are in double figures. Iowa has three players averaging between 14.1 and 14.5 points per game and four players averaging between 3.9 and 8.3 rebounds per outing. Iowa is 17-2 when leading at halftime, 4-8 when trailing at intermission and 0-1 when tied at halftime. Iowa is 12-5 when controlling the opening tip and 9-6 when not controlling the tip. Iowa is 11-8 in games decided by 10 points or less, 6-6 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.
CAPTAINS NAMED FOR 2005
Iowa’s captains are juniors Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner. Brunner, a native of Charles City, has started 31 of 32 games and he is averaging 14.5 points and 8.3 rebounds. His 8.2 rebounds per game last season were a team best and ranked second in the Big Ten. Horner, a Mason City native, has started 91 of 92 career games over the past three seasons. He has led the team in assists in each of the last three seasons while also averaging 14.1 points and 4.5 rebounds this season.
IOWA ON THE TUBE
Every Iowa game throughout the 2004-05 season has been televised. Iowa appeared on national cable television (ESPN and ESPN2) in three games in the Maui Invitational and in games vs. Texas Tech (ESPN2), twice vs. Illinois (ESPN) and vs. Purdue (ESPN) in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa’s contest vs. Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament marked Iowa’s first appearance of the season on CBS.
Iowa games not selected for national coverage are televised regionally by ESPN Plus, while several conference games were carried throughout the Big Ten Conference viewing area as part of the Big Ten regional network agreement with ESPN Plus.