Hawkeyes Host Robert Morris

Dec. 21, 2005

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THE SETTING
Iowa (9-3) concludes a three-game home stand with its final non-conference home game, as the Hawkeyes host Robert Morris (4-4), Thursday, Dec. 22. Game time is 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa defeated Drake 65-60 Tuesday night, while Robert Morris has been idle since a 97-85 win over Charleston Southern on Dec. 17.

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, WBQD 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 that include ESPNU. Larry Morgan and Mac McCausland will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,355 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,405-950 (.597). That includes an 879-306 (.742) 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 285-80 (.781) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 285-80 (.781) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 132-67 (.663) in Big Ten games and 153-13 (.922) 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 77-25 (.755) home record under Coach Steve Alford, including a 50-4 (.926) mark in non-conference home games. Iowa’s current streak of 22 consecutive non-conference home wins ranks 16th-longest among Division I programs.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked 25th by the Associated Press and is listed among teams receiving votes in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. Iowa has been 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 NCAA statistical rankings, Iowa is sixth in fouls per game (14.6), 11th in field goal defense (36.3%), 14th in scoring defense (55.9) and 25th in blocked shots per game (5.8). Individually, Jeff Horner ranks seventh in assists per game (6.4) and 27th in free throw percentage (.906), Erek Hansen is 10th in blocked shots per game (3.1) and Greg Brunner is 33rd in rebounds per game (10.0).

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 102 consecutive Iowa games over the past four seasons, missing just one start, before not playing in Iowa’s last three games. He surpassed 500 career assists in the game at Northern Iowa and ranks fourth in career assists. Horner ranks 16th 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 6.4 assists per outing, leading the Big Ten Conference in assists and free throw percentage (.906).

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,405) 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 275-163 (.628), including a 119-86 (.580) 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 Robert Morris or Colonial Coach Mark Schmidt.

ALFORD MOVES TO FOURTH
Coach Steve Alford has collected 119 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).

ROBERT MORRIS COACH MARK SCHMIDT
Mark Schmidt is in his fifth season as the head coach at Robert Morris, where he has posted a 50-65 record. Schmidt spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach on the collegiate level, including seven seasons at Xavier, two seasons at Penn State, two seasons at St. Michael’s College and one season at Loyola (MD). Schmidt helped Xavier advance to seven straight post-season appearances, including five NCAA invitations. At Penn State, Schmidt helped the 1991-92 Nittany Lions earn an NIT bid. Schmidt played college basketball at Boston College, playing his first season for former Hawkeye Coach Tom Davis in 1981-82 before Davis left for the head position at Stanford. Schmidt helped Boston College to the Elite Eight in 1982 and the Eagles twice advanced to the Sweet 16 later in his playing career. Schmidt has not coached against Iowa or Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

IOWA/MORRIS NOTES

• Robert Morris is located in Moon Township, PA, near Pittsburgh, with an enrollment of 5,000 students.
• Iowa and Robert Morris are meeting for the first time. Iowa holds an all-time record of 6-0 against members of the Northeast Conference, having played five of the current 11 teams..
• Robert Morris holds an all-time mark of 1-12 against the Big Ten Conference, having played six of the 11 teams..
• Iowa defeated Penn State twice during the 1992-93 season when Mark Schmidt was an assistant on the Penn State staff. The Hawkeyes won 74-58 in State College and won 58-38 two days later in Iowa City..
• Robert Morris is 0-4 vs. the Big Ten under Coach Mark Schmidt the last four seasons, with single losses to Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State and Purdue..
• Robert Morris assistant Jeff Boals was a senior team captain at Ohio University when Iowa defeated the Bobcats twice during the 1994-95 season. Iowa defeated Ohio 91-75 in the championship game of the 1994 Hawkeye Invitational, handing the Bobcats their first loss of the season after Ohio had won the pre-season NIT. Later in the season, Iowa defeated Ohio 66-62 in the second round of the National Invitational Tournament, with that game also taking place in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Boals had eight points, four rebounds and two steals in the first meeting, but did not play in the contest at the end of the year..

HAWKEYE TIDBITS

• Iowa is 5-0 when scoring between 70-80 points, 3-1 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, 2-2 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, 2-2 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 3-1 when the opponent has fewer turnovers.
• Iowa is 4-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 4-2 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 four 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, 3-0 when four reach double figures, 3-1 with three in double figures and 2-2 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 9-2 when leading at halftime, 0-1 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime.
• Iowa is 7-1 when controlling the opening tip and 2-2 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 3-2 in games decided by 10 points or less, 3-1 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 to under 60 points. Only four Iowa opponents have shot as well as 40% from the field.
• 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 DRAKE
Iowa rallied from a three-point deficit in the final three minutes to score a 65-60 win over Drake in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes got off to a slow start, trailing 11-2 after five minutes of action. The Hawkeyes were able to settle down and finally moved ahead with nine minutes left in the first half. Iowa used a 9-3 scoring spurt in the final five minutes of the half for a 29-25 lead at intermission. The Hawkeyes started fast in the second half, moving to a 34-25 advantage in the first minute of the period. Drake rallied from there, finally taking a one-point lead with 7:41 remaining. The teams remained even the rest of the way before Drake took a 58-55 advantage with 3:10 remaining. Doug Thomas scored on a dunk with three minutes to play and Adam Haluska hit a three-pointer to give Iowa a 60-58 advantage with 1:36 remaining. After Drake again tied the score, Haluska hit a second three-point basket with 32 seconds to play. Greg Brunner grabbed a defensive rebound on Drake’s next miss and added one of two free throws with 17 seconds left. Following another Drake miss, Thomas scored the final point of the game on a free throw and Iowa had its 27th straight win over the Bulldogs. Brunner led Iowa with 17 points and 12 rebounds, collecting his fourth consecutive double-double. Mike Henderson added 12 points and eight rebounds and Thomas had 11 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots. Haluska scored 11 points and led Iowa with six assists and three steals. Iowa held Drake to 37.1% field goal shooting and won the rebounding battle 39-35.

ROBERT MORRIS EVENS RECORD
Robert Morris evened its record at 4-4 with a 97-85 win over Charleston Southern on Dec. 17. The Colonials built a 45-34 advantage in the first half before shooting 53.6% from the field over the final 20 minutes. Robert Morris held Charleston Southern to just 36.4% shooting in the first half in gaining early control. The Colonials then hit 7-9 (77.8%) three-point attempts in the second half as both teams scored over 50 points in the final 20 minutes. Derek Coleman led the way with 31 points and six assists, as he connected on 9-15 field goals, 6-7 three-pointers and 7-8 free throws. A.J. Jackson added 19 points, Tony Lee 15, Jeremy Chappell 14 and Cori Boston 10 for the balanced attack. Jackson added a game-high 16 rebounds.

ASU HELD TO A DOZEN
Iowa held Arizona State to just 12 first half points in a 62-43 win 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 nine of their first 12 games. Iowa opponents are averaging just 55.9 points per game, shooting 36.3% from the field and 31.4% from three-point range. Iowa has collected 88 steals and forced 210 turnovers while collecting 70 blocked shots. The Hawkeyes have held 11 of 12 opponents under 70 points and have won the rebounding battle in 10 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 796, moving into eighth place on Iowa’s career list. Brunner also ranks 15th in career scoring (1,211) and is ninth (89) in career blocked shots. Brunner had his sixth double-double of the season (and fourth straight) vs. Drake (17 points, 12 rebounds), giving him 26 in his career, most among active players in the Big Ten Conference. He leads Iowa in both scoring (14.7) and rebounding (10.0).

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 16th 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. Senior guard Jeff Horner was named MVP of Iowa’s Hawkeye Challenge, while 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.

HANSEN HELPS HAWKEYES IN CHALLENGE
Senior Erek Hansen played a key roll 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. Hansen matched his career scoring high with 14 points at Iowa State and he added seven rebounds and four blocked shots. He has collected three blocked shots or more in seven straight games. Through 12 games, Hansen is averaging 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds and he leads the Big Ten with 3.1 blocked shots per game.

HENDERSON NUMBERS IMPROVED
Junior guard Mike Henderson played a key role in Iowa’s win over Valparaiso in the title game of the Hawkeye Challenge, as he has improved his numbers in several categories from a year ago. Henderson matched his season scoring high with 15 points, hitting 5-6 field goals and 4-5 free throws, against Valpo. Henderson also had six rebounds and five assists. He added 10 points vs. Arizona State and had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists vs. Drake. Henderson is averaging eight points and 4.6 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 43.8% from the field and 80.4% from the free throw line. Henderson has scored in double figures in five 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 76 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 13.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He has scored in double figures in 10 games and he had a career-high six assists in a win over Drake. Haluska hit two crucial three-point baskets in the final 96 seconds against Drake. He has led Iowa in steals in six games.

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 10 rebounds per game, shooting 45.5% from the field and 68.7% from the foul line. He has recorded six double-doubles in 12 games and ranks eighth in career rebounds (796) and 15th in career scoring (1,211). 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 16th in career scoring and fourth in career assists. Brunner has played in all 105 games in his career, with 93 starts. Horner played in 102 consecutive games (with 101 starts) before missing Iowa’s most recent three games due to injury.

1,000 POINT CLUB ADDS MEMBERS
Seniors Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner joined Iowa’s 1,000 Point Club as juniors a year ago and now rank 15th and 16th, respectively, in career scoring. Brunner has scored 1,211 career points and ranks eighth (796) 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). Horner has scored 1,203 points and is the only Iowa player ever to score over 1,000 points, grab over 400 rebounds (473) and distribute over 400 assists (501). Horner was honorable mention all-Big Ten a year ago.

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 396-294 in the first half and 403-366 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in 11 games and the Hawkeyes have outscored their opponent in the second half in eight 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 eight home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 69.6-50.1 margin, shooting 44.2% from the field while holding its opponent to 34.3% shooting. Iowa holds a 41.1-34.6 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.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa has made 16-21 (76.2%) free throws in the final four minutes and overtime of its five games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 15-18 (83.3%) of their free throw attempts in the final four minutes and overtime periods. Iowa is 3-2 in those games.

IOWA SEEKS SIXTH STRAIGHT WINNING SEASON
Iowa is seeking a sixth straight winning season, a streak that would rank as the second longest in the history of Iowa basketball. Iowa enjoyed seven straight winning seasons from 1950-56. Iowa has had five consecutive winning seasons on four occasions, 1979-83, 1985-89, 1995-99 and 2001-05. Iowa is one of four Big Ten teams to post a winning season in each of the last five years, joining Illinois, Michigan State and Wisconsin. Iowa advanced to post-season play for the fifth straight season a year ago, returning to the NCAA Tournament.

SEVEN STRAIGHT IS IOWA 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). Harrison coached Iowa to five straight winning seasons from 1944-48, Lute Olson coached Iowa to 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 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 93-105 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.

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. 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: Jan. 10, 16, 23 and 30; Feb. 6, 12, 20 and 27; and March 6, 13 and 20.

AFTER THIS
Iowa will close the non-conference portion of its schedule Dec. 30 at Saint Louis (7:05 p.m.). Iowa opens Big Ten action Jan. 5 at Wisconsin (7:05 p.m.) and hosts defending Big Ten champion Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 7 (1:05 p.m.).