Iowa Men Host Drake Tuesday Evening

Dec. 19, 2005

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THE SETTING
Iowa (8-3) plays the second of three straight home games and the third and final in-state rival game, hosting Drake (6-3) Tuesday, Dec.20. Game time is 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa got back on the winning track Saturday night with a 62-43 home win over Arizona State. Drake improved to 6-3 with an 82-64 win at San Jose State Saturday night.

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. The game is also available on cable systems throughout the country the include ESPNU. Larry Morgan and Mac McCausland will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,354 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,404-950 (.596). That includes an 878-306 (.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 284-80 (.780) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 284-80 (.780) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 132-67 (.663) in Big Ten games and 152-13 (.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 76-25 (.752) home record under Coach Steve Alford, including a 49-4 (.925) mark in non-conference home games. Iowa’s current streak of 21 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 of Dec. 12. 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 NCAA statistical rankings, Iowa ranks fifth in field goal defense (36.3%), seventh in fewest fouls per game (14.4), ninth in scoring defense (55.5), 20th in blocked shots per game (5.6) and 27th in scoring margin (+11.8). Individually, Jeff Horner ranks fifth in assists per game (6.6) 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 vs. Iowa State and Arizona 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, this season, 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 1,404) 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 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 holds a 13-0 record vs. Drake, including a 6-0 mark while at Iowa. Alford is 2-0 vs. Drake Coach Tom Davis.

DRAKE COACH TOM DAVIS
Dr. Tom Davis, Iowa’s head coach from 1987-99, is in his third season as the Drake head coach. Davis has posted a 31-35 record at Drake and his career record stands at 574-325. Davis compiled a 269-140 record at Iowa, earning more victories than any other Hawkeye basketball coach. Davis is in his 31st season as a collegiate head coach and he ranks ninth among active Division I coaches in total victories. He has enjoyed 16 seasons in which his teams won 20 or more games and he has taken 16 teams to post-season action. He guided nine of his Iowa teams to post-season play and was the 1987 AP National Coach of the Year after leading Iowa to a 30-5 overall record. Prior to coaching at Iowa, Davis was the head coach at Lafayette College (116-44, 1971-77), Boston College (100-47, 1977-82) and Stanford (58-59, 1982-86). Davis is 0-2 vs. Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

ALFORD VS. DAVIS
During Steve Alford’s playing career at Indiana (1984-87), Iowa teams coached by Tom Davis posted a 1-1 record against the Hoosiers. Indiana and the Hawkeyes split two games in 1986-87, Alford’s senior year at Indiana and the first season for Davis as Iowa’s head coach. Indiana won the NCAA title that season while Davis led Iowa to the regional final in his first season.

ALFORD MOVES TO FOURTH
Coach Steve Alford has collected 118 victories as Iowa’s head coach, a total that ranks 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).

THE SERIES
Iowa holds a 52-7 advantage in the series that began with a 36-13 Iowa victory in 1909. Iowa has won 26 straight games over Drake, dating back to the 1978-79 season when the Bulldogs scored a 72-69 win in Des Moines. The teams met later that season in Iowa City, where Iowa’s 112-73 win started the current win streak. Four of the last seven meetings have gone down to the wire, with Iowa winning by four points in 1998-99, by seven points in two overtimes in 1999-00, by two points in 2000-01 and by one in 2002-03 in Des Moines. Iowa holds a 26-2 advantage in games played in Iowa City, including an 8-0 record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has won 19 straight over the Bulldogs in Iowa City since Drake won 74-65 in December, 1967.

IOWA CONNECTIONS
Along with Coach Tom Davis, the Drake staff includes two additional coaches with Iowa connections. Assistant Coach Keno Davis earned his degree from Iowa and was an undergraduate assistant coach at Iowa from 1991-95 while his father was the Hawkeye head coach. Jason Bauer, a member of the Drake basketball support staff, was a member of the Iowa basketball team, earning letters in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

IOWA, DRAKE NOTES

• The Iowa roster includes 10 players from the state of Iowa, while Drake’s 18-man roster includes three players from Iowa, along with Aliou Keita, who played prep basketball at Regina HS in Iowa City.
• Iowa holds an all-time record of 115-33 against current members of the Missouri Valley Conference, having played nine of the current 10 members (Iowa has not played Southwest Missouri State). Iowa’s only other game this season against a team from the Missouri Valley Conference was a 67-63 overtime loss at Northern Iowa.
• Drake holds an all-time mark of 21-82 against current members of the Big Ten, having played everyone except Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin.

BIG FOUR IN-STATE SERIES
The Iowa-Drake game is Iowa’s third against an in-state opponent. Iowa lost at Northern Iowa (67-63 in OT) and at Iowa State (72-60) earlier this month. Iowa State, with wins over both Iowa and Drake, is the only common opponent between the Hawkeyes and Bulldogs. Drake lost to Iowa State (89-74) in Des Moines. The Bulldogs play at Northern Iowa Jan. 21 and host the Panthers Jan. 28.

A YEAR AGO
Iowa used a strong shooting performance and solid play from its reserves in taking a 91-75 win over Drake in Des Moines on 11/30/04. The Hawkeyes used a 12-0 scoring run late in the first half to gain control, building a 52-35 halftime advantage. Iowa shot 58.8% from the field, 50% from three-point range and 83.3% from the free throw line in the opening half. The Hawkeyes played without center Erek Hansen, who missed the game with a bruised hip. Iowa maintained its advantage throughout the second half as Drake was never able to get closer than 10 points. Iowa ended the game shooting 53.6% from the field, compared to 42% for the Bulldogs, who made just 6-22 (27.3%) of their three-point attempts. Jeff Horner and Adam Haluska led the Iowa attack with 21 points and eight rebounds each. Pierre Pierce added 15 points and Carlton Reed came off the bench for a career-high 14 points. Drake was led by Aliou Keita with 23 points and seven rebounds. Klayton Korver added 18 points and Brent Heemskerk scored 14.

HAWKEYE TIDBITS

• Iowa is 5-0 when scoring between 70-80 points, 2-1 when scoring between 60-70 points and 1-2 when scoring less than 60 points. Iowa is 7-0 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 5-1 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 1-2 when the opponent has more assists and 2-0 when assists are equal.
• Iowa is 6-2 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, 3-2 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, 3-1 with three in double figures and 2-2 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 8-2 when leading at halftime, 0-1 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime.
• Iowa is 6-1 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.
• Iowa has held four opponents to less than 50 points and seven of 11 opponents to under 60 points. Only four Iowa opponents have shot as well as 40% from the field this season.
• Iowa has won at least eight games before the start of Big Ten play five times in seven years under Coach Steve Alford. The Hawkeyes won 12 games prior to Big Ten play last season and 11 games in both 2001 and 2002.
• 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.

IOWA STOPS ARIZONA STATE
Iowa used another solid defensive performance in taking a 62-43 win over Arizona State, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Hawkeyes held the Sun Devils to just 12 points in the first half, building a 28-12 halftime advantage. ASU shot just 26.1% from the field in the opening 20 minutes and just 34% for the game. ASU entered the game as one of the top three-point teams in the nation, but Iowa held the visitors to 23.1% (3-13) from behind the line. Iowa started slow on offense as well while playing its second straight game without senior guard Jeff Horner. Iowa led 13-8 when Adam Haluska, Mike Henderson and Carlton Reed each hit a three-point basket during a three minute stretch that saw Iowa increase the margin to 24-10 with four minutes left in the half. ASU was able to close the margin to 10 points at just one point in the second half, but Iowa responded with a 14-2 scoring run and eventually led by as many as 22 points in the closing minutes. Iowa won the rebounding battle 41-35 and forced 17 ASU turnovers. Haluska led Iowa’s scoring attack with 17 points, as he hit 4-8 field goals, 3-6 treys and 6-6 free throws. Greg Brunner added 12 points and a career-high 15 rebounds and Henderson scored 10. Freshman Tony Freeman added a career-best seven assists, Carlton Reed had a season-high nine points and Alex Thompson had six rebounds.

DRAKE WINS ON THE ROAD
Drake began its current two-game road swing with an 82-64 win at San Jose State. The Bulldogs were led by Chaun Brooks with 21 points, who made all five of his field goals attempts (all three-pointers) and 6-8 free throws. Drake, as a team, shot 72.7% (8-11) from three-point range and added 26-31 (83.9%) free throws. Drake started fast, shooting 65.4% from the field in building a 50-27 halftime advantage. Drake shot 55.8% from the field for the game, won the rebounding battle 28-23 and forced 21 San Jose State turnovers. Drake’s balanced scoring attack included Al Stewart with 14 points, Ajay Calvin with 13 and Nick Grant with 10. Calvin and Jonathan Cox led the Bulldogs with five rebounds apiece.

ASU HELD TO A DOZEN
Iowa held Arizona State to just 12 first half points in a 62-43 win last Saturday in Iowa City. That marks the lowest first half total scored by an Iowa opponent in 204 games under Coach Steve Alford. The previous low of 15 points was scored by Northwestern in Iowa’s 72-55 win in the first round of the 2001 Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. Arizona State made 6-23 (26.1%) field goal attempts in the first half, missing three three-point attempts and two free throw attempts.

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.

IOWA DEFENSIVE IN EARLY SEASON
Iowa’s defense has led the way as the Hawkeyes have won eight of their first 11 games. Iowa opponents are averaging just 55.5 points per game, shooting 36.3% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range. Iowa has collected 81 steals and forced 194 turnovers while collecting 62 blocked shots. The Hawkeyes have held 10 of 11 opponents under 70 points and have won the rebounding battle in nine games. Iowa ranks high nationally in scoring defense, field goal defense and blocked shots.

HAWKEYES STEAL THE SHOW
In its season opening win over Maryland-Eastern Shore, Iowa collected 17 steals while forcing 25 turnovers. The 17 steals are the most by a Steve Alford coached Hawkeye team. Iowa had not had as many as 17 steals in a game since collecting 18 steals in an 84-74 win over Penn State on Jan. 27, 1999, a string of 205 games. Tony Freeman, Adam Haluska, Jeff Horner and Doug Thomas led the way with three steals each, while eight of the 12 Hawkeyes who played collected at least one steal. Iowa added eight steals in the win over Colgate. Iowa’s record for steals in a game is 23. The 25 turnovers are the most by an Iowa opponent since Liberty University was guilty of 24 turnovers on Dec. 22, 2002. Iowa forced 23 turnovers by Texas-San Antonio in a recent 79-46 win and North Carolina State was guilty of 24 turnovers.

BRUNNER JOINS TOP TEN
Senior forward Greg Brunner has raised his career rebounding total to 784, a total that ties Don Nelson for ninth place on Iowa’s career list. Brunner also ranks 16th in career scoring (1,194) and is ninth (89) in career blocked shots. Brunner had his fifth double-double of the season (and third straight) vs. Arizona State (12 points, 15 rebounds), giving him 25 in his career, most among active players in the Big Ten Conference. He leads Iowa in both scoring (14.5) and rebounding (9.8).

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 early December. In the win over Fairfield, Hansen matched his career-high with seven blocked shots and added eight points and six rebounds. He added six points, five rebounds and three blocks in the win over Valpo. Through 11 games, Hansen is averaging seven points and 4.5 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 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 41.4% from the field and 78.6% from the free throw line. Henderson has scored in double figures in four games this year after scoring 10 or more points just three times in his first two seasons.

HALUSKA STREAK AMONG LONGEST
Junior guard Adam Haluska has started all 75 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 13.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

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 14.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, shooting 45.5% from the field and 70% from the foul line. He has recorded five double-doubles in 11 games and is tied for ninth in career rebounds with 784. 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 104 games in his career, with 92 starts. Horner played in 102 consecutive games (with 101 starts) before missing Iowa’s most recent two games 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 and now rank 15th and 16th, respectively, in career scoring. Horner has scored 1,203 points 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 1,194 career points and he is tied fir ninth (784) in career rebounds. 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.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 367-269 in the first half and 367-331 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in 10 games and the Hawkeyes have outscored their opponent in the second half in seven 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 seven home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 70.3-48.7 margin, shooting 44.4% from the field while holding its opponent to 33.8% shooting. Iowa holds a 41.4-34.6 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.

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.

CAPTAINS NAMED FOR 2006
Iowa’s captains are seniors Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner. Brunner, a native of Charles City, has started 92-104 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.

BASKETBALL TICKETS AVAILABLE
Following is information on Iowa basketball ticket options for remaining games. Iowa basketball tickets may be purchased in person at the athletic ticket office at the north entrance of Carver-Hawkeye Arena or at the Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau information desk inside Coral Ridge Mall. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.hawkeyesports.com, or by calling 1-800-IA-HAWKS.

• General public single game tickets are available for $25.
• A two-game holiday package is available for $50 for games vs. Robert Morris (Dec. 22) and Illinois (Jan. 7).
• Youth tickets ($10) are available for games vs. Drake (Dec. 20), Robert Morris (Dec. 22) and Penn State (Mar. 1).
• Single game student tickets are available for $15 for all remaining home games. Approximately 300 student tickets remain for Saturday Big Ten Conference games vs. Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin.
• Discounted tickets to select home games and earmarked for purchase by groups of 24 or more are also available for purchase. For information about group tickets, fans should call the UI Group Sales Office at (319) 335-9328.

IOWA ON THE TUBE
Every Iowa game throughout the 2005-06 season will be televised. Iowa will appear on national cable television (ESPN and ESPN2) as many as 11 times. Hawkeye games not selected for national coverage will be televised regionally by ESPN Plus, while several conference games will be televised throughout the Big Ten Conference viewing area as part of the Big Ten regional network agreement with ESPN Plus.

ANOTHER STRONG SCHEDULE
Iowa’s non-conference schedule has the Hawkeyes meeting teams from nearly every major conference in the nation. The Hawkeyes participated in the Guardians Classic to begin the season, advancing to the championship game, defeating seventh-ranked Kentucky before falling to second-ranked Texas. Iowa’s non-conference home schedule is highlighted by games vs. Arizona State of the Pac 10 Conference and North Carolina State of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Iowa also hosted Fairfield, Tulane and Valparaiso in the Hawkeye Challenge and Maryland-Eastern Shore, Colgate and Utah Valley State in the first round of the Guardians Classic. Remaining non-conference home games include Drake and Robert Morris. The schedule includes non-conference road games at Northern Iowa, Iowa State and Saint Louis. Iowa’s schedule includes 16 games against teams that advanced to post-season play a year ago, including 14 games against teams that were in the NCAA Tournament. That includes two games against Illinois (NCAA), Indiana (NIT), Michigan State (NCAA), Minnesota (NCAA), and Wisconsin (NCAA), single games vs. Arizona State (NIT), Iowa State (NCAA), North Carolina State (NCAA), Northern Iowa (NCAA), Kentucky (NCAA) and Texas (NCAA).

HAWKEYES LOOKING FOR HEROES
Is there a hero among you, your friends, your family? Coach Steve Alford and the Iowa Hawkeyes are looking for heroes, people who have gone above and beyond to help others. “There are wonderful things being done each day in every community across the state of Iowa by outstanding people,” said Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford. “Our basketball staff feels the “Heroes Among Us” program is an easy way to salute the friends and neighbors of ours who are making a different in the lives of their friends and neighbors.”

Nomination forms for the “Heroes Among Us” program are available online at hawkeyesports.com, the official web site of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Fans can print their nomination form by visiting the men’s basketball home page and clicking on the “Heroes Among Us” line under the “Features” heading.

The UI will select one here to be saluted at each Hawkeye home game throughout the remainder of the season. The hero, and the individual who nominated them, will be provided pairs of tickets to the game and a $10 gift certificate to the Official Iowa Hawk Shop. The hero will also be recognized when they are in attendance.

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 Robert Morris (Dec. 22) before closing non-conference action Dec. 30 at Saint Louis. Iowa opens Big Ten action Jan. 5 at Wisconsin and hosts defending Big Ten champion Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 7.