Iowa Men Return to Action at Penn State Saturday

Jan. 12, 2006

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THE SETTING
Iowa (12-4, 1-1) travels to Penn State (9-4, 1-1) Saturday, Jan. 14 for its only game of the week. Game time is 11:17 a.m. CT at the Bryce Jordan Center (15,261). Iowa evened its conference record at 1-1 with a 63-48 win over sixth-ranked Illinois Jan. 7 in Iowa City. Penn State evened its conference record at 1-1 with a 65-61 win at Northwestern Wednesday night. The Nittany Lions have won five of their last six games and five straight home games. Iowa has won 11 straight home games since a 75-65 loss to Illinois last Feb. 19, including all 10 games this season.

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 throughout the Big Ten viewing area, including KGAN Cedar Rapids, KDSM Des Moines, KWQC Quad Cities, KIMT Mason City and KYOU Ottumwa. Tom Hamilton and Brian Allen will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,359 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,408-951 (.597). That includes an 881-306 (.742) record in home games, a 526-645 (.449) record in games away from Iowa City, a 665-654 (.504) mark in Big Ten games and a 287-80 (.782) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 287-80 (.782) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 133-67 (.665) in Big Ten games and 154-13 (.922) in non-Big Ten games. Iowa has drawn over five million fans for men’s basketball since the arena opened in 1983. Iowa has posted a 79-25 (.760) home record under Coach Steve Alford, including a 51-4 (.927) mark in non-conference home games. Iowa’s current streak of 23 consecutive non-conference home wins ranks 16th-longest among Division I programs. That streak dates back to the final home game of the 2002-03 season, an NIT loss to Georgia Tech.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is listed among teams receiving votes in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today coaches polls. 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.

IOWA STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
At the start of the week Iowa was 14th in the RPI Index and 18th in the Sagarin Ratings. Iowa has played seven games against top 50 teams in the RPI Index and the four teams that have defeated Iowa began this week with a combined record of 46-9 (.836). The Hawkeyes are 3-2 against teams that were ranked in the top 25 at the time of the game, including 2-1 against top 10 teams.

HAWKEYES IN NATIONAL STATS
In NCAA statistical rankings, Iowa is third in field goal defense (36.5%) and fifth in scoring defense (55.4) and fouls per game (14.6). Individually, Jeff Horner ranks 13th in assists per game (6.1), Erek Hansen is 13th in blocked shots per game (2.9) and Greg Brunner is 21st in rebounds per game (10.0).

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,408) 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.

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 278-164 (.629), including a 122-87 (.584) 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 42-56 (.429) 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 is 8-3 vs. Penn State and 2-0 vs. PSU Coach Ed DeChillis.

ALFORD MOVES TO FOURTH
Coach Steve Alford has collected 122 victories as Iowa’s head coach, a total that ranks fourth on Iowa’s list of coaches in career wins. Alford, earlier this season, 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).

PSU COACH ED DECHILLIS
Ed DeChillis is in his third season as Penn State’s head coach and his 10th year overall as a college head coach. DeChillis is 25-46 at Penn State and his career mark stands at 130-139. He posted a 105-93 record in seven years as the head coach at East Tennessee State. A Penn State graduate, DeChillis led East Tennessee State to the Southern Conference Tournament championship in 2003, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. East Tennessee State then lost to No. two seed Wake Forest by a narrow 76-73 margin. DeChillis began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Penn State, and later was an assistant coach at Salem College in West Virginia. He returned to Penn State as an assistant coach for 10 seasons before taking over at East Tennessee State. As a PSU assistant, DeChillis helped the Nittany Lions advance to post-season play in four straight seasons (1989-92), while posting an 87-40 record in that time. DeChillis is 0-2 vs. Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford

DECHILLIS AS AN ASSISTANT
Penn State Coach Ed DeChillis served as a Nittany Lion assistant coach from 1986-96, during the time that Penn State moved from the Atlantic 10 Conference to the Big Ten. During his last two seasons as an assistant there, PSU posted a 42-18 record, advancing to the NIT in 1995 and the NCAA Tournament in 1996. During his time as a Penn State assistant DeChillis helped PSU post a 4-3 record against Iowa.

HAWKEYE, LION NOTES

• Iowa has won all 10 home games so far this season while Penn State is 8-1 at the Bryce Jordan Center. PSU’s only home loss was a 96-88 decision to Clemson in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
• Penn State’s win at Northwestern Wednesday night was the first Big Ten road win for the Nittany Lions since a 78-73 win in Iowa City on March 1, 2001. Iowa gained revenge for that loss in the 2001 Big Ten Tournament, defeating the Nittany Lions 94-74 in the semi-finals. The Hawkeyes advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2001 after winning the Big Ten Tournament, while Penn State advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
• Penn State assistant Kurt Kanaskie is no stranger to the Iowa basketball program, as he served as the head coach at Drake University in Des Moines for seven seasons. He held a 0-7 record vs. Iowa and a 0-10 record vs. Iowa Coach Steve Alford.
• Penn State assistant Dan Earl is a former Nittany Lion player. Earl began his playing career in 1993-94 and ended his career in 1998-99. He missed the 1996-97 season due to a back injury and missed all but five games in 1997-98 due to a knee injury, earning a medical hardship and a sixth season. In the games he played, Earl helped Penn State post a 4-2 record vs. Iowa, including a 67-64 win in Iowa City in the quarter-finals of the 1995 NIT.

THE SERIES
Iowa holds a 16-8 advantage in the series that began with an 82-53 Iowa win in 1955. The Hawkeyes have won the last four meetings, eight of the last 10, nine of the last 12 and 11 of the last 15. Iowa won the only meeting last season, 78-56 in State College. Iowa scored a 77-58 win in Iowa City in 2004, and won both meetings in 2002-03, 75-55 at State College and 84-71 in Iowa City. The teams split two games in 2002 and Iowa won two of three meetings in 2001, including a 94-74 win in the semi-finals of the Big Ten Conference Tournament. Penn State holds a 5-4 advantage in games played at Penn State, but Iowa has won four of seven games played at the Bryce Jordan Center. Iowa, on Jan. 4, 1997, was the first visiting team to win (67-59) in Penn State’s new arena. Iowa’s win snapped the longest home winning streak in the nation at the time. Three of the 24 meetings in the series have been in post-season action. The first meeting in 1955 was in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Evanston, IL, with Iowa winning 82-53. Penn State won 67-64 in Iowa City in 1995 in the semi-finals of the NIT and Iowa won in the Big Ten Tournament in 2001. Iowa’s 67-48 win in 1962 took place in the first round of the Quaker City Tournament in Philadelphia, PA.

IOWA WON ONLY MEETING IN `05
Iowa shot 64.5% from the field in the first half in taking early control and went on to post a 78-56 win over Penn State in State College a year ago. The Hawkeyes hit 20-31 field goal attempts in the first half, including 5-8 three-pointers. The Iowa defense also played well from the start, holding Penn State to 33.3% shooting in the first half. Iowa scored seven straight points after the Nittany Lions scored the first basket of the game, and the Hawkeyes never looked back. Iowa led 47-20 at the midway point, matching its biggest halftime advantage in six seasons under Coach Steve Alford. Iowa cooled off in the second half, but Penn State was never able to get closer than 18 points. The Hawkeyes scored the first basket of the second half and led by as many as 31 points on two occasions. Iowa ended the game shooting 52.5% from the field and 46.7% from the three-point range. Iowa won the rebounding battle 36-31 and had 20 assists on 32 field goals. Iowa had 11 steals, leading to 22 fast break points, and the Hawkeyes were guilty of just 12 turnovers while forcing 16 Penn State turnovers. Iowa was led in scoring by guards Adam Haluska and Jeff Horner. Haluska hit 10-14 field goals, scoring a game-high 22 points. Horner added 19 points and five assists, while committing just one turnover. Greg Brunner had 14 points and matched career-highs with 14 rebounds and five assists. Penn State was led by Geary Claxton with 15 points, while Aaron Johnson added 11 points and seven rebounds.

IOWA FEATURED ON “THE SEASON”
The University of Iowa’s men’s basketball program is one of five college programs to be featured on ESPN2’s acclaimed series, The Season: College Basketball presented by Capital One. The Season: College Basketball presented by Capital One airs weekly Tuesday nights on ESPN2 at 11:00 PM EST (check local listings).

During the 10 week series, fans will get an inside look into the lives of the players and the team dynamics of Iowa, Bucknell, Florida Atlantic, Memphis and Washington. The current series marks the third season in which selected college basketball programs have been featured.

During the taping of these shows, The Season captured Iowa as it defeated previously undefeated Illinois during the first weekend of Big Ten play. Additional airdates and times for the shows featuring Iowa include Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 12:30 a.m. CT, Friday, Jan. 20 at 2 a.m. CT, Thursday, Jan. 26 at 10 p.m. CT, Saturday, Jan. 28 at 10 p.m. CT and Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 11:30 p.m. CT.

HAWKEYE TIDBITS

• Iowa has posted a 3-2 record vs. ranked teams. The Hawkeyes defeated 7th-ranked Kentucky (67-63), 21st-ranked North Carolina State (45-42) and 6th-ranked Illinois 63-48, while losing to 2nd-ranked Texas (59-68) and 24th-ranked Wisconsin (52-66).
• Iowa had made more free throws (230) than its opponents have attempted (207).
• Iowa is 6-0 when scoring between 70-80 points, 5-1 when scoring between 60-70 points and 1-3 when scoring less than 60 points. Iowa is 10-0 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 2-3 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 0-1 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 8-1 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 2-3 when the opponent has more assists and 2-0 when assists are equal.
• Iowa is 8-2 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent and 4-2 when the opponent has fewer turnovers.
• Iowa is 4-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 7-3 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, 5-2 with three in double figures and 3-2 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 12-3 when leading at halftime, 0-1 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime.
• Iowa is 10-1 when controlling the opening tip and 2-3 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 4-2 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 six opponents to 50 points or less and nine to under 60 points. Only five Iowa opponents have shot as well as 40% from the field.
• Iowa has won at least 11 games before the start of Big Ten play four times in seven years under Coach Steve Alford. Along with the 11 wins this season, 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 ILLINOIS
Iowa shot 52.6% from the field in the second half and used a solid defensive performance to take a 63-48 win over sixth-ranked Illinois. Both teams struggled to score in the first half, as Illinois shot 29.6% and Iowa just 25% from the field. The Hawkeyes held Illinois scoreless for the final four minutes of the period and scored the final four points to take a 21-19 lead at the break. The Hawkeyes scored the first basket of the second half and never trailed in the final 20 minutes. Iowa led by 10 with 12 minutes to play before Illinois rallied within three points with 8:18 remaining. Two free throws by Adam Haluska and a basket by Mike Henderson gave Iowa a 45-38 cushion with six minutes remaining and Illinois could get no closer than six points the rest of the way. Iowa made all eight of its free throw attempts in the final minute to secure the win over the team that advanced to the 2005 NCAA title game. Iowa ended the contest shooting 35.3% from the field and the Hawkeyes made 24-32 (75%) of their free throw attempts. The Hawkeyes also held a 45-32 rebounding advantage. Illinois shot just 34.6% from the field and made just 5-26 (19.2%) three-point attempts and 7-15 (46.7%) free throws. Jeff Horner led Iowa with 16 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Haluska added 15 points and Henderson scored 109. Greg Brunner led all players with 12 rebounds and Erek Hansen added eight points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.

PENN STATE WINS AT NORTHWESTERN
Penn State snapped both a Big Ten Conference and a road losing streak with a 65-61 win at Northwestern. Penn State survived a slow start, trailing by as many as 11 points in the first half as Northwestern shot 56% from the field in the opening 20 minutes. PSU trailed by just four at halftime before holding a 35-27 scoring advantage in the second half. Penn State did not score a field goal in the final 4:22 of the game, but the Nittany Lions did make 13-20 second half free throws. A final basket with six seconds remaining ended a Northwestern scoring drought as the Nittany Lions had used a 7-1 scoring run in the final minutes to gain the final advantage. Geary Claxton Led PSU’s balanced attack with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Ben Luber added 13 points, Travis Parker scored 10, David Jackson had nine and Jamelle Cornley and Mike Walker each scored eight. Penn State won the rebounding battle by a 36-25 margin and held Northwestern to just 12 free throw attempts.

BRUNNER JOINS TOP TEN
Senior forward Greg Brunner has raised his career rebounding total to 836, moving into fifth place on Iowa’s career list. Brunner is tied for 13th in career scoring (1,248) and is eighth (90) in career blocked shots. Brunner has 27 career double-doubles, most among active players in the Big Ten Conference. He leads the Big Ten in rebounding (10.0) and is averaging 13.3 points per game.

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 516, he ranks 15th in career scoring (1,247) and he has 478 rebounds. In career numbers, Horner is tied for second in three-point field goals (214), second in three-point attempts (582) and ninth in steals (145). Horner is one assist away from matching B.J. Armstrong for third place in career assists. Horner missed four games in December with a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, stopping his consecutive games streak at 102. The injury occurred during Iowa’s game at Northern Iowa Dec. 6. Horner made a solid return in Iowa’s 60-50 win at Saint Louis, collecting 17 points and six assists in 36 minutes. He had 11 points and three assists vs. Wisconsin and 16 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in a win over Illinois. He is averaging 12.4 points and 6.1 assists per outing this season.

SHARING THE HONORS
Iowa’s players have shared the honors. 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 10 of 16 games. Hansen is averaging 6.2 points and 4.2 rebounds. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 13th nationally with 2.9 blocked shots per game.

HENDERSON NUMBERS IMPROVED
Junior guard Mike Henderson has played a key role in Iowa’s success this season, 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 Valparaiso. Henderson also had six rebounds and five assists. He added 10 points vs. Arizona State and he had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists vs. Drake. Henderson played a solid defensive game in Iowa’s most recent win over Illinois and he also had 10 points and eight rebounds. Henderson is averaging 7.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 43.5% from the field and 82% from the free throw line. Henderson has scored in double figures in six 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 80 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 averaging 14 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He has scored in double figures in 14 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 and he added 18 points and nine rebounds in a win over Robert Morris. Haluska scored 17 points in Iowa’s win at Saint Louis, hitting 6-10 field goals and 4-6 treys. He added 15 points (9-10 FTs) in a win over Illinois. His career scoring total stands at 975 points, with 284 coming in his freshman season at Iowa State. He has led Iowa in steals in seven 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 13.3 points and 10 rebounds per game, shooting 43.6% from the field and 67.9% from the foul line. He has recorded seven double-doubles in 16 games. He ranks fifth in career rebounds (836), eighth in blocked shots (90) and he is tied for 13th in career scoring (1,248). Horner had a season-high 19 points vs. Valparaiso, 10 assists in a win over Fairfield and 17 points vs. Saint Louis in his return to action after missing four games. He led Iowa’s win over Illinois with 16 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. He is averaging 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. Horner ranks 15th in career scoring (1,247), fourth in career assists (516) and ninth in career steals (145). Brunner has played in all 109 games in his career, with 97 starts. Horner has started 104 of the 105 games he has played at Iowa, missing four games in December 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. Brunner currently is tied for 13th in career scoring (1,248), while Horner is 15th, just one point behind Brunner. 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 eighth in career blocked shots (90). Horner is the only Iowa player ever to score over 1,000 points, grab over 400 rebounds (484) and distribute over 400 assists (516). Horner was honorable mention all-Big Ten a year ago. In addition to Brunner and Horner, junior Adam Haluska has 975 career points, with 284 of those coming during his freshman season at Iowa State.

IOWA VS. RANKED FOES
Steve Alford has posted a 21-32 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including a 3-2 mark in 2005-06. The Hawkeyes defeated seventh-ranked Kentucky (67-63), 21st-ranked North Carolina State (45-42) and sixth-ranked Illinois (63-48), while dropping a 68-59 decision to second-ranked Texas and a 66-52 contest at 24th-ranked Wisconsin. Alford’s Hawkeye teams are 8-13 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), sixth-ranked Illinois (63-48 in 2006), 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 53 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 8-9 in home games, 10-11 at neutral sites and 3-12 when playing ranked teams in their home arena.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 530-395 in the first half and 517-480 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in 15 games and the Hawkeyes have outscored their opponent in the second half in 11 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 10 home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 69.3-50 margin, shooting 43.5% from the field while holding its opponent to 33.9% shooting. Iowa holds a 42-34.5 rebounding advantage. In six games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (two neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 60.2-64.3. The Hawkeyes are shooting 36.9% from the field while opponents are shooting 40.8% and the rebounding is even at 38.2 per game.

IOWA FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Iowa had made over 80% of its free throws in three games and at least 70% of its free throws in 10 of 16 games, with a season-best 83.3% (20-24) in a win over Fairfield. Iowa has posted a 8-2 record when shooting at least 70% from the free throw line.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 14.9 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, compared to 10.6 points and 8.3 rebounds for the opponent reserves. Iowa is 7-2 when the reserves outscore the opponent’s reserves, 4-1 when the opponent reserves score more points and 1-1 when the reserve scoring is even. Iowa is 9-3 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves and 3-1 when the opponent reserves have more rebounds.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa has made 20-25 (80%) free throws in the final four minutes and overtime of its six games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 17-20 (85%) of their free throw attempts in the final four minutes and overtime periods. Iowa is 4-2 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 97-109 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 104 of 105 games in his career, missing four games in December due to 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, three-point field goals and steals.

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.
• Youth tickets ($10) are available for the Penn State game on 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. 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 saw 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 was 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. Additional non-conference home games were against Drake and Robert Morris. The schedule included 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. 16, 23 and 30; Feb. 6, 12, 20 and 27; and March 6, 13 and 20.

AFTER THIS
Iowa returns home to host Minnesota Wednesday, Jan. 18 and the Hawkeyes play at Michigan State Saturday, Jan. 21.