Iowa Men Return to Action by Hosting Arizona State

Dec. 14, 2005

• Purchase your Iowa Basketball tickets!
• Listen to the Hawkeyes on XM Radio
• Watch and Listen to Steve, the Hawkeyes

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

THE SETTING
Iowa (7-3) returns to action after an eight-day layoff for finals, hosting Arizona State (4-2) Saturday, Dec. 17. Game time is 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) as the Hawkeyes return home after two straight road games. Iowa lost its second straight game Dec. 9 with a 72-60 defeat at Iowa State. The Sun Devils, playing their first road game of the season, are 4-2 after a 75-71 home loss to Utah Valley State on Dec. 10.

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. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pre-game show. Television: ESPN Regional will carry the game to a network of stations that includes KGAN Cedar Rapids, KDSM Des Moines, KWQC Quad Cities and KYOU Ottumwa, along with cable systems in Mason City, Sioux City, Omaha/Council Bluffs, New York, NY, Kansas City, MO, Memphis, TN and Providence, RI. Larry Morgan and Mac McCausland will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,353 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,403-950 (.596). That includes an 877-306 (.741) record in home games, a 525-644 (.449) record in games away from Iowa City, a 664-653 (.504) mark in Big Ten games and a 283-80 (.780) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 283-80 (.780) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 132-67 (.663) in Big Ten games and 151-13 (.921) 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 75-25 (.750) home record under Coach Steve Alford, including a 48-4 (.923) mark in non-conference home games. Iowa’s current streak of 20 consecutive non-conference home wins ranks 16th-longest among Division I programs.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked 22nd by the Associated Press and 23rd in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. Iowa has ranked as high as 12th this season (AP, 12/5/05), its highest ranking since early in the 2001-02 season. Iowa, that season, moved as high as seventh (Nov. 26) in the Associated Press rankings and eighth (Nov. 19) in the coaches poll. Iowa was ranked for nine consecutive weeks during the 2005 season, moving as high as 14th in both polls. This marks the first time the Hawkeyes opened the season in the top 25 since 2001-02. Iowa, that season, was eighth in the first coaches poll and ninth in the Associated Press rankings.

HAWKEYES IN NATIONAL STATS
In the initial NCAA statistical rankings, Iowa ranks fifth in field goal defense (36.5%), seventh in fewest fouls per game (14.1), ninth in scoring defense (56.8), 20th in blocked shots per game (5.9) and 27th in scoring margin (+11.1). Individually, Jeff Horner ranks fifth in assists per game (6.5) and Erek Hansen is 14th in blocked shots per game (3.1).

KNEE INJURY SIDELINES HORNER
University of Iowa senior guard Jeff Horner suffered a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Iowa’s game at Northern Iowa Dec. 6. The Mason City native is expected to be out of action for a minimum of two weeks. Horner suffered the injury late in the contest as he was driving to the basket. He was fouled and made two free throws while staying in the game momentarily, but soon was forced out of action and did not play in the overtime period. Horner had played in all 102 Iowa games over the past four seasons, missing just one start, before not playing at Iowa State. He surpassed 500 career assists in the game at Northern Iowa and ranks fourth in career assists. Horner ranks 15th in career scoring with 1,203 points and ranks among Iowa’s career leaders in three-point field goals and three-point attempts. Horner through nine games is averaging 12 points and 6.6 assists per outing, leading the Big Ten Conference in assists and ranking second in free throw percentage (.906).

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,403) with a 79-46 victory over Texas-San Antonio on Nov. 26. Iowa is one of 34 NCAA Division I programs with as many as 1,400 wins. Iowa’s basketball history includes 71 winning seasons and 22 years in which the Hawkeyes have won 20 or more games. Iowa (with 21) is one of 31 programs to earn more than 20 invitations into the NCAA Tournament.

TWO NOMINATED FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Iowa seniors Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner are two of 30 seniors from Division I basketball programs around the nation who have been named as candidates for the Bayer Advantage Senior CLASS Award. The award, now in its fifth year, is presented annually to the nation’s senior player-of-the-year. CLASS is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. The award was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college players leaving college early to turn professional. The nomination of Brunner, from Charles City, and Horner, from Mason City, make Iowa one of seven programs to have two candidates among the list of 30 players. Sportscaster Dick Enberg, who initiated the idea for the award and now serves as honorary Chairman, will announce the winner during the CBS telecast of the NCAA Men’s Final Four in April.

IOWA OPPONENTS RANKED
Six teams on Iowa’s 2005-06 schedule were in the initial national rankings, including both opponents who reached the semi-finals of the Guardians Classic. Texas was ranked second by the AP and third by the coaches, Michigan State fourth by the AP and fifth by the coaches, Kentucky ninth and10th, Illinois 17th in both, Indiana 23rd and 22nd and Iowa State 25th and 23rd. Additionally, five Hawkeye opponents were listed among teams receiving votes, including North Carolina State (ranked 21st at the time of Iowa’s win on 11/30/05), Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan and Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes will play 10 games against the six rated opponents and a total of 16 games against opponents who were either ranked or receiving votes in the pre-season rankings.

IOWA COACH Steve Alford
Steve Alford (pronounced ALL-ford) is in his seventh season as the head coach at the University of Iowa and his 15th season as a college head coach. Alford holds a career record of 273-163 (.626), including a 117-86 (.576) 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 fourth among Iowa’s head basketball coaches in total wins. He is 41-55 (.427) in Big Ten games. Alford is 8-6 in the NCAA Tournament (3-3 in Division I and 5-3 in Division III) and 2-4 in the NIT. His record in the Big Ten Tournament is 10-5 in six seasons and his 10 wins rank as the most among all Big Ten coaches in the event. Iowa won the tournament in 2001, returned to the title game in 2002 and just missed the championship game in 2005. Alford led Iowa into the second round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament in his second season and the Hawkeyes returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2005. Iowa advanced to the NIT in 2002, 2003 and 2004. 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. In 2004 he was one of five players selected to ESPN’s Big Ten Conference Silver Anniversary team. Alford has not coached against Arizona State or ASU Coach Rob Evans.

ALFORD MOVES TO FOURTH
Coach Steve Alford has collected 117 victories as Iowa’s head coach, a total that ranks Alford fourth on Iowa’s list of coaches in career wins. Alford recently moved past Bucky O’Connor, Iowa’s head coach from 1952-58 (he also was Iowa’s head coach for 11 games in 1950), who earned 114 wins as Iowa’s basketball coach. Iowa’s top three coaches in career wins are Tom Davis (269), Lute Olson (168) and Rollie Williams (139).

ASU COACH ROB EVANS
Rob Evans is in his eighth year at Arizona State and his 14th year as a college head coach. Evans holds a career mark of 198-186 and his record is 112-105 with the Sun Devils. His career record includes an 86-81 record in five seasons at Mississippi. At Ole Miss, Evans led his final two teams to records of 20-9 and 22-7, respectively, and he was named the 1997 SEC Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. At ASU he has led the Sun Devils to winning seasons in two of the last three years, including a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2003. He served a total of 24 years as an assistant coach at New Mexico State, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Evans has not coached against Iowa or Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

ASU COACH EVANS IN CARVER-HAWKEYE
ASU Coach Rob Evans has coached in four games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Evans was an assistant coach at Texas Tech during the 1984-85 season when the Red Raiders competed in Iowa’s Hawkeye Challenge. Tech defeated Southern Cal in the first round before losing to Iowa 58-48 in the title game. As the head coach at Mississippi, Evans brought his Rebels to Iowa City for the 1995 Hawkeye Challenge. The Rebels lost to Colgate (53-51) in the opening round before defeating East Tennessee State (65-50) in the consolation game.

THE SERIES
Arizona State holds a 1-0 advantage in the series. ASU defeated the 12th-ranked Hawkeyes 96-88 in the championship game of ASU’s Fiesta Classic in Tempe early in the 1980-81 season. Iowa, coming off an appearance in the 1980 Final Four, posted a 21-7 record that season, while ASU ended the season with a 24-4 record. Kenny Arnold led Iowa’s balanced attack with 21 points vs. ASU, while Vince Brookins added 16, Mark Gannon 13 and Kevin Boyle 10. Arnold and Brookins were named to the all-tournament team. Bobby Hansen, a current member of Iowa’s radio broadcast team, was a sophomore on that Iowa team, but did not play vs. Arizona State due to a knee injury. Arizona State was led by Layfette Lever with 21 points, while Byron Scott and Sam Williams each scored 20.

IOWA/ASU NOTES

• Iowa is 36-24 all-time against current members of the Pac-10 Conference, having played all 10 members at least once.
• Iowa has not played a PAC 10 team since a 72-58 loss to Stanford in the championship game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic early in the 1999-00 season in New York City. That marked Steve Alford’s first loss as Iowa’s head coach. Alford’s Iowa career began with a win over top-ranked Connecticut in the semi-finals of that event.
• Arizona State is the first PAC 10 team to visit Carver-Hawkeye Arena since Iowa defeated UCLA 88-71 on Dec. 22, 1990. Iowa will play a return game at Arizona State next season.
• ASU assistant Coach Tony Benford played at Texas Tech when the Red Raiders lost at Iowa, 58-48, early in the 1984-85 season. Benford played 30 minutes, scoring nine points while collecting five rebounds and three assists.
• ASU assistant Coach Dan O’Dowd was an assistant coach at Mississippi when the Rebels split two games in Iowa’s Hawkeye Challenge early in the 1995-96 season.
• ASU junior guard Kevin Kruger is the son of former Illinois and current UNLV head Coach Lon Kruger.

IOWA FALLS AT IOWA STATE
Playing without senior guard Jeff Horner for the first time in 103 games, Iowa was guilty of 20 turnovers in a 72-60 loss at Iowa State Dec. 9 in its last outing. ISU collected 13 steals and scored 12 fast break points to Iowa’s two. Iowa played well in the early going, building as much as a six point advantage, 16-10, with 11 minutes left in the half. The Hawkeyes still led by two, 29-27, with 2:50 remaining in the opening period before ISU closed the half with a 8-1 scoring run. Trailing 35-30 at halftime, Iowa saw the Cyclones take advantage of turnovers and quick shots in building a large lead in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Iowa found its inside game in the late going, but could get no closer than 11 points in the final five minutes. The Hawkeyes shot just 34% from the field and 13.3% (2-15) from three-point range. Iowa won the rebounding battle, 44-39, but had just seven assists and eight steals. Adam Haluska led Iowa’s scoring attack with 16 points and he also added four rebounds and four assists. Greg Brunner recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Erek Hansen matched his career scoring high with 14 points, while also collecting seven rebounds and four blocked shots.

UTVS WINS AT ARIZONA STATE
Utah Valley State shot 65.9% (18-25) from the field in the second half in earning a 75-71 win at Arizona State Dec. 10 in ASU’s most recent action. The visitors shot 56.3% in the first half, but still trailed 30-26 at intermission. Arizona State won the rebounding battle (26-21), forced UTVS into 20 turnovers and shot 81% (17-21) from the free throw line, but was still unable to overcome hot shooting by the visitors. ASU was led by Jeff Pendergraph, who came off the bench to score 20 points and grab nine rebounds. Tyrone Jackson and Bryson Krueger each added 15 points and Kevin Kruger scored 12 points and added five assists.

IOWA WINS OWN CHALLENGE
Iowa won its own Hawkeye Challenge last weekend with victories over Fairfield (75-59) and Valparaiso (72-59). The Hawkeyes have won their own tournament 23 times in the 24-year history of the event. Seniors Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner, along with junior Adam Haluska, were named to the all-tournament team, with Horner earned the Most Valuable Player award.

IOWA SECOND IN GUARDIANS CLASSIC
Iowa made its second appearance in the Guardians Classic and was runner-up for the second time in five seasons. The Hawkeyes, in 2001, defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore (89-59), Boston University (90-61) and Memphis (75-71) before a 78-77 last-second loss to Missouri in the title game. This season the Hawkeyes defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore, Colgate and Kentucky before falling to Texas in the title game. Junior Adam Haluska was named to the all-tournament team in Kansas City, while senior Greg Brunner was named the Outstanding Player in the Iowa City regional portion of the event.

BRUNNER JOINS TOP TEN
Senior forward Greg Brunner has raised his career rebounding total to 769, a total that ranks 10th on Iowa’s career list. Brunner also ranks 19th in career scoring (1,182) and is ninth (89) in career blocked shots. Brunner had his fourth double-double of the season at Iowa State (11 points, 12 rebounds), giving him 24 in his career, most among active players in the Big Ten Conference. He leads the team in both scoring (14.7) and rebounding (9.3).

HORNER OVER 500 ASSISTS
Senior guard Jeff Horner has become just the fourth Iowa player ever to total over 500 assists. Horner ranks fourth in career assists with 501, he ranks 15th in career scoring (1,203) and he has 473 rebounds. In career numbers, Horner also ranks third in three-point field goals (207) and second in three-point attempts (563). Horner needs just four steals to move into Iowa’s top 10 in that category.

SHARING THE HONORS
Iowa’s players have been sharing the honors this season. Senior forward Greg Brunner was named the Most Outstanding Player as Iowa opened the season with two wins in the regional rounds of the Guardians Classic. At the Classic finals, where the Hawkeyes defeated Kentucky before losing to Texas in the championship game, junior guard Adam Haluska was named to the all-Tournament team after scoring 23 points vs. the Longhorns. Last week as Iowa won its own Hawkeye Challenge, senior guard Jeff Horner earned tournament MVP honors as Brunner and Haluska were named to the all-tournament team as well. Horner recorded a scoring and assist (12-10) double-double vs. Fairfield and added 19 points against Valparaiso. Brunner had 23 points and 11 rebounds vs. Fairfield and nine points and 13 rebounds vs. Valparaiso. Haluska, in the two games, totaled 25 points and 11 rebounds.

SEASON HIGHS LIFT HAWKEYES
Senior Erek Hansen and junior Mike Henderson played key rolls as Iowa defeated Fairfield and Valparaiso to win the Hawkeye Challenge. In the win over Fairfield, Hansen matched his career-high with seven blocked shots and added eight points and six rebounds in the win over Fairfield. He added six points, five rebounds and three blocks in the win over Valpo. Through 10 games, Hansen is averaging 7.3 points and 4.9 rebounds and he leads the Big Ten with 3.1 blocked shots per game. Henderson played a key role in the championship game win over Valpo, matching his season scoring high with 15 points, hitting 5-6 field goals and 4-5 free throws. Henderson also had six rebounds and five assists. During a key stretch in the second half he scored seven straight Hawkeye points as Iowa increased its lead from three to eight points. Henderson is averaging 7.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per outing through 10 games, improving his shooting to 43.8% from the field and 78.9% from the free throw line.

HALUSKA STREAK AMONG LONGEST
Junior guard Adam Haluska has started all 74 games he has played in his career, Haluska’s consecutive starts streak ranks fifth longest among all Division I players, according to STATS — Chicago. Haluska trails Gerry McNamara (Syracuse), Joe Herber (West Virginia), Patrick Sparks (Kentucky) and Donald Wilson (Portland). Haluska is off to a solid start, averaging 13.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

LOW TOTAL FOR A WIN
The 45 points scored by Iowa in a win over North Carolina State marks the fewest points scored by Iowa since the Hawkeyes scored 49 in a 49-51 loss at Northwestern on March 3, 2004. The point total is the lowest for Iowa in a winning effort since a 50-49 win at Drake on Nov. 11, 2002. The 45 points are the fewest by an Iowa team in a winning effort in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since a 42-39 win over Northwestern on Jan. 12, 1984. The 45 points match the lowest total scored by Iowa under the direction of Steve Alford, as the Hawkeyes lost a 45-54 contest at Wisconsin on Feb. 23, 2000.

TWO HAWKEYES NAMED TO NAISMITH LIST
Senior forward Greg Brunner and senior guard Jeff Horner are two of 50 players named as pre-season candidates for the Naismith Trophy, presented annually to the Player of the Year. Brunner was named the Most Valuable Player in the Iowa City regional of the Guardians Classic. Brunner is averaging 14.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, shooting 45% from the field and 75.5% from the foul line. He has recorded four double-doubles in nine games and ranks 10th in career rebounds with 769. Horner had a season-high 19 points vs. Valparaiso and 10 assists in a win over Fairfield. He is averaging 12 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. Horner ranks 15th in career scoring and fourth in career assists. Brunner has played in all 103 games in his career, with 91 starts. Horner played in 102 consecutive games (with 101 starts) before missing Iowa’s most recent game at Iowa State due to injury.

1,000 POINT CLUB ADDS MEMBERS
Seniors Jeff Horner and Greg Brunner joined Iowa’s 1,000 Point Club as juniors a year ago. Horner has scored 1,203 points (ranks 15th) and is the only Iowa player ever to score over 1,000 points, grab over 400 rebounds and distribute over 400 assists. Horner was honorable mention all-Big Ten a year ago. Brunner has scored 1,182 career points (ranks 19th) and he has 769 rebounds (10th). Brunner has ranked second in Big Ten rebounding in each of the past two seasons. He was named second team all-Big Ten last season and earned a gold medal at the World University Games last summer. He also ranks ninth in career blocked shots (89).

IOWA EARNS KEY NOVEMBER WINS
Iowa Coach Steve Alford has led five of his Hawkeye teams to key wins over ranked opponents in November. Those victories have included:

• Iowa defeated top-ranked Connecticut 70-68 in the semi-finals of the 1999 Coaches vs. Cancer event in New York’s Madison Square Garden in Alford’s first game as the Hawkeye head coach. The Huskies were the defending NCAA national champions. The Hawkeyes fell to Stanford in the title game.
• Iowa defeated 12th-ranked Memphis 75-71 in the semi-finals of the 2001 Guardians Classic at Kansas City’s Kemper Arena. After losing to fifth-ranked Missouri (77-78) in the finals, the Hawkeyes later that season defeated the Tigers (ranked second at the time) 83-65 in Columbia.
• Iowa defeated 16th-ranked Louisville 70-69 in overtime in the 2003 Wooden Classic in Indianapolis.
• Iowa defeated 11th-ranked Louisville (76-71) and 13th-ranked Texas (82-80) on back-to-back days at the Maui Invitational a year ago. The Hawkeyes fell to North Carolina, the eventual NCAA champion, in the finals.
• After two opening round wins in Iowa City, Iowa defeated seventh-ranked Kentucky 67-63 in the semi-finals of the 2005 Guardians Classic in Kansa City. The Hawkeyes fell to second-ranked Texas in the finals.
• As part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, Iowa defeated 21st-ranked North Carolina State 45-42 Nov. 30, 2005 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, giving the Hawkeyes their second win over a ranked opponent in the first six games of the season.

IOWA VS. RANKED FOES
Steve Alford has posted a 20-31 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including a 2-1 mark in 2005-06. The Hawkeyes defeated seventh-ranked Kentucky (67-63) and 21st-ranked North Carolina State (45-42), while dropping a 68-59 decision to second-ranked Texas. Iowa, a year ago, 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, 59-56 to #22 Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament and 64-76 to #23 Cincinnati in the NCAA Tournament. Alford’s Hawkeye teams are 7-13 when playing teams ranked in the top 10, including wins over top-ranked Connecticut (70-68 in 1999-00), second-ranked Missouri (83-65 in 2001-02), fifth-ranked Ohio State (67-64 in 1999-00), seventh-ranked Kentucky (67-63 in 2005-06), seventh-ranked Illinois (78-62 in 2000-01), eighth-ranked Illinois (68-61 in 2002-03) and 10th-ranked Michigan State (71-69 in 2005). The 13 losses to top 10 teams have been three times to No. 1 (Duke, 2001-02 and Illinois twice in 2004-05), once to second-ranked (Texas, 2005-06), once to third-ranked (Illinois, 2000-01), twice to fourth-ranked (Michigan State, 1999-00 and 2000-01), twice to fifth-ranked (Tennessee, 2000-01 and Missouri, 2001-02), once to ninth-ranked (Kentucky, 2000-01) and three times to 10th-ranked (Michigan State, 2000, Illinois, 2002 and Michigan State, 2005). In the 51 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 7-9 in home games, 10-11 at neutral sites and 3-11 when playing ranked teams in their home arena.

IOWA DEFENSIVE IN EARLY SEASON
Iowa’s defense has led the way as the Hawkeyes have won seven of their first 10 games. Iowa opponents are averaging just 56.8 points per game, shooting 36.5% from the field and 31.3% from three-point range. Iowa has collected 77 steals and forced 177 turnovers while collecting 59 blocked shots. The Hawkeyes have held nine of 10 opponents under 70 points and have won the rebounding battle in eight of 10 games. Iowa ranks high nationally in scoring defense, field goal defense and blocked shots.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 339-257 in the first half and 333-300 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in nine games and the Hawkeyes have outscored their opponent in the second half in six games. The second half scoring was even (20-20) vs. NC State and Iowa was outscored 11-7 in its one overtime period.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its six home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 71.7-49.7 margin, shooting 45% from the field while holding its opponent to 33.7% shooting. Iowa holds a 41.7-34.5 rebounding advantage. In four games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (two neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 62.2-67.5. The Hawkeyes are shooting 37.2% from the field while opponents are shooting 40.3% and Iowa is being out-rebounded by a 39.0-39.5 margin.

HAWKEYE TIDBITS

• Iowa is 5-0 when scoring between 70-80 points, 1-1 when scoring between 60-70 points and 1-2 when scoring less than 60 points. Iowa is 6-0 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 1-2 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 0-1 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 4-1 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 1-2 when the opponent has more assists and 2-0 when assists are equal.
• Iowa is 5-2 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent and 2-1 when the opponent has fewer turnovers.
• Iowa is 4-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 2-2 when the opponent has more steals and 1-0 when steals are equal.
• Iowa has had four players or more score in double figures in three games, with a season-best five players in the win over Maryland-Eastern Shore. Iowa is 0-0 when six players score in double figures, 1-0 when five players score 10 points or more, 2-0 when four reach double figures, 2-1 with three in double figures and 2-2 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 7-2 when leading at halftime, 0-1 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime.
• Iowa is 5-1 when controlling the opening tip and 2-2 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 2-2 in games decided by 10 points or less, 2-1 in games decided by five points or less and 0-1 in overtime.
• Under Steve Alford, Iowa is 35-6 when shooting at least 50% from the field, including 2-0 in 2005-06.
• None of Iowa’s opponents have shot 50% from the field. Iowa allowed just four opponents to shoot at least 50% from the field last season, and Iowa was 3-1 in those games. Iowa was 0-5 when its opponent shot at least 50% from the field in 2004.

CAPTAINS NAMED FOR 2006
Iowa’s captains are seniors Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner. Brunner, a native of Charles City, has started 91-103 games in his career and ranks among Iowa’s career leaders in scoring, rebounds and blocked shots. He earned second team all-Big Ten honors in 2005 and placed second in the league in rebounding in each of the past two seasons. Horner, a Mason City native, has started 101 of 102 games in his career, but he is currently sidelined with an injury. He has led the team in assists in each of the last three seasons and ranks among Iowa’s career leaders in scoring, assists and three-point field goals.

IOWA IN TOURNAMENT PLAY
Iowa has faired well while taking part in regular-season tournaments over the past 24 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 23 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, the 2004 Maui Invitational and the 2005 Guardians Classic.

IOWA IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Iowa made its 21st appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2005, falling to Cincinnati in the opening round at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Iowa earned the bid after posting a 21-win season, including wins over Purdue and 10th-ranked Michigan State in the 2005 Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes hold an overall record of 27-23 in the tournament, advancing to the Final Four in 1955 (fourth), 1956 (second) and 1980 (fourth). Iowa had advanced to at least the second round in its last 10 tournament appearances before last season. Iowa reached the regional championship in 1987 and lost in the regional semi-final in 1988 and 1999.

HAWK TALK WITH Steve Alford
Fans of the University of Iowa basketball program may join Iowa Coach Steve Alford and radio announcer Gary Dolphin each week during the season for the “Hawk Talk with Steve Alford” radio call-in show. The show takes place each week at Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Café in Iowa City from 7-8:30 p.m. and the dates are Dec. 19; Jan. 10, 16, 23 and 30; Feb. 6, 12, 20 and 27; and March 6, 13 and 20.

AFTER THIS
Iowa will host Drake (Dec. 20) and Robert Morris (Dec. 22) before closing non-conference action Dec. 30 at Saint Louis. Iowa opens Big Ten action Jan. 5 at Wisconsin.