Hawkeyes Return Home to Host Minnesota Wednesday

Jan. 17, 2006

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THE SETTING
Iowa (13-4, 2-1) returns home Wednesday, Jan. 18 to host Minnesota (9-5, 0-3). Game time is 7:05 p.m. CT in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa recorded an 80-76 win at Penn State Saturday for its second straight win and sixth victory in its last seven games. Minnesota lost its third straight contest with a 72-55 loss at Purdue Saturday evening. 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 that includes KGAN Cedar Rapids, KDSM Des Moines, KWQC Quad Cities, KYOU Ottumwa and cable systems in Mason City, Sioux City, Council Bluffs-Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis and Denver. Dick Bremer and Mac McCausland will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,360 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,409-951 (.597). That includes an 881-306 (.742) record in home games, a 527-645 (.450) record in games away from Iowa City, a 666-654 (.505) 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 ranked 23rd by the Associated Press and 25th 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 STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
At the start of the week Iowa was 10th in the RPI Index and 17th 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 51-12 (.810). 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 (36.8%) and fifth in scoring defense (56.6) and fouls per game (14.7). Individually, Jeff Horner ranks 13th in assists per game (6.3), Erek Hansen is 13th in blocked shots per game (3.1) and Greg Brunner is 21st in rebounds per game (9.8).

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,409) 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 279-164 (.630), including a 123-87 (.586) 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 43-56 (.434) 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 7-4 vs. Minnesota and Gopher Coach Dan Monson.

ALFORD MOVES TO FOURTH
Coach Steve Alford has collected 123 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).

MINNESOTA COACH DAN MONSON
Dan Monson is in his seventh season at Minnesota and his ninth season as a college head coach. Monson holds a career mark of 161-108 and a record of 109-91 at Minnesota. Monson posted a 52-17 record in two seasons at Gonzaga, taking his team to the Elite Eight in 1999 before losing to eventual national champion Connecticut. Monson was an assistant coach at Alabama-Birmingham and Gonzaga before becoming a college head coach. Monson, a 1985 graduate of the University of Idaho, is 4-7 vs. Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

THE SERIES
Minnesota holds a 93-84 advantage over Iowa in the series that began with a 47-10 Gopher win in 1902. The teams split two games last season, with Iowa winning the first meeting, 66-60, Jan. 15 in Iowa City, and Minnesota taking a 65-57 win Feb. 23 in Minneapolis. Iowa won both meetings in 2004 as the Hawkeyes have won seven of the last 10. The teams met just once in 2002 and 2003, with Minnesota winning both games. Iowa holds a 50-37 advantage in games played in Iowa City and a 15-7 advantage in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has won five of the last six meetings in Iowa City. The teams meet Feb. 18 in Minneapolis.

THEY SPLIT LAST SEASON
Iowa and Minnesota split two games last season, with Iowa winning 66-60 in Iowa City and the Gophers winning 65-57 in Williams Arena. Iowa used a solid defensive effort against one of the top shooting teams in the Big Ten in taking the win in Iowa City last Jan. 15. The Hawkeyes held Minnesota to 33.3% shooting after the Gophers came into the contest shooting over 51% for the season. Iowa led from the beginning, jumping to a 10-2 advantage in the first five minutes. The Hawkeyes led by as many as 16 points in the first half before maintaining a 32-26 margin at halftime. The Gophers shot just 29% from the field in the opening half. Despite struggling with its own field goal accuracy, Iowa led the entire second half, building the margin back to as many as 13 points on two occasions. The final margin of six points was as close as Minnesota would get in the second half as Iowa made 20-26 free throws in the final 20 minutes. Along with holding Minnesota to poor shooting, the Hawkeye defense forced 20 turnovers and came up with 10 steals. Pierre Pierce led Iowa with 18 points and eight rebounds. Adam Haluska added 15 points and Jeff Horner scored 12. Greg Brunner added his sixth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds and freshman Seth Gorney added five rebounds. Minnesota was led by center Jeff Hagen with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Rico Tucker added 10 points and Dan Coleman scored nine.

The Gophers used a 13-0 scoring run over a four minute period in the second half to take control, and held on for a 65-57 win in Minneapolis. The teams traded baskets throughout most of the first half and the Hawkeyes ended the period with a 26-25 advantage. Iowa held the Gophers to 25% shooting in the first half, but Minnesota made up for that by collecting 13 offensive rebounds. Iowa matched its biggest advantage of the night when it took a 36-31 lead with 14 minutes remaining. Minnesota gained control from there as Iowa did not score for over four minutes. The Gophers built the advantage to 14 points over the next 10 minutes. Iowa shot 41.1% from the field, but just 12.5% (2-16) from three-point range. Minnesota had a 44-39 rebounding advantage that included 20 offensive rebounds, while Iowa came up with 11 blocked shots (one shy of the school record) and nine steals. Haluska led Iowa with 19 points and five rebounds. Horner added 11 points and seven assists, Brunner had 10 rebounds and Alex Thompson added a career-high nine rebounds. Hagen again led Minnesota, collecting 14 points and 17 rebounds. Victor Grier added 17 points, Aaron Robinson had 14 and J’son Stamper added eight points and nine rebounds.

IOWA, GOPHER NOTES

• Iowa Coach Steve Alford and Minnesota Coach Dan Monson, who are close friends, are both in their seventh year in the Big Ten Conference. Only MSU Coach Tom Izzo has been in the league longer as a head coach.
• Prior to the 2001-02 season, Iowa and Minnesota had played two basketball games each season since 1971. The teams met only in Iowa City in 2002 and only in Minneapolis in 2003. The 2001 season marked the first time the teams met three times in one season. The third meeting took place in the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
• Iowa’s roster includes 10 players from the state of Iowa and the Golden Gopher roster includes 10 players from the state of Minnesota. Both teams start four players from their home state.
• The two teams played one common opponent in non-conference action. Iowa defeated Arizona State 62-43 in Iowa City and Minnesota defeated the Sun Devils by an 85-79 (OT) margin in Tempe. In Big Ten play, Iowa lost at Wisconsin (52-66) and the Badgers won (64-62) in Minneapolis.
• Minnesota assistant Vic Couch is a native of Davenport, IA and played junior college basketball at Clinton Community College.

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 10 p.m. CT (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 and won at Penn State. Additional airdates and times for the shows featuring Iowa include 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 (245) than its opponents have attempted (222).
• Iowa is 2-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 5-0 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 1-1 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 9-1 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 5-2 when the opponent has fewer turnovers.
• Iowa is 4-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 8-3 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, 6-2 with three in double figures and 3-2 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 13-3 when leading at halftime, 0-1 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime.
• Iowa is 11-1 when controlling the opening tip and 2-3 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 5-2 in games decided by 10 points or less, 4-1 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 six 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 WINS AT PENN STATE
Despite holding the upper hand throughout most of the contest, Iowa had to come from behind in the closing minutes to take an 80-76 win at Penn State. Iowa shot 51.9% from the field in the first half, leading by as many as 10 points. The Hawkeyes led 40-34 at intermission after Adam Haluska scored 21 points in the opening half. Iowa made 9-18 three-point attempts in the opening 20 minutes. Iowa maintained control in the early portion of the second half, holding a 66-59 advantage with six minutes to play. From there Penn State scored nine straight points to take a 68-66 advantage with 3:52 left. The teams traded baskets until Erek Hansen converted a rebound basket and added a free throw, giving Iowa a 72-70 advantage with 1:51 to play. Two free throws by Greg Brunner gave Iowa a 74-73 advantage with 48 seconds remaining and Jeff Horner added a pair of free shots after a Penn State turnover. Hansen came up big on the defensive end, collecting his sixth blocked shot of the game with 25 seconds left and Iowa leading by three points. Haluska added a pair of foul shots and Horner hit a free throw in the final seconds to secure the road win. Haluska ended the contest with a career-best 29 points, surpassing 1,000 career points. He hit 6-10 treys and 5-6 free throws. Horner added 17 points and nine assists and Brunner had 13 points. Hansen, who made key plays at both ends in the closing minutes, had seven points and six rebounds to go with his six blocks. Reserve Doug Thomas led the Hawkeyes with seven rebounds.

PURDUE PULLS AWAY FROM GOPHERS
Purdue outscored Minnesota 39-22 in the second half to take a 72-55 win over the Golden Gophers Saturday night in West Lafayette. The teams were tied at 33-33 after one half before the Boilermakers took control. Purdue shot 54.2% from the field in the second half, compared to 29% for Minnesota. For the game, Minnesota shot just 33.9% from the field, including 28.6% from three-point range, and 56.2% (12-19) from the foul line. Purdue shot 51% from the field and held a 39-31 rebounding advantage. Minnesota was led by Adam Boone with 11 points, while Vincent Grier and Maurice Hargrow each added 10. Grier and Spencer Tollackson led the Gophers with seven rebounds each.

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.

IOWA DEFENSIVE SO FAR
Iowa’s defense has led the way as the Hawkeyes have won 13 of their first 17 games. Iowa opponents are averaging just 56.6 points per game, shooting 36.8% from the field and 29.9% from three-point range. Iowa has collected 111 steals and forced 268 turnovers while collecting 93 blocked shots. The Hawkeyes have held 14 opponents under 70 points and have won the rebounding battle in 13 games. Iowa ranks high nationally in scoring defense, field goal defense and fewest fouls per game.

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 207 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.

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 842, moving into fifth place on Iowa’s career list. Brunner is 14th in career scoring (1,261) and is eighth (90) in career blocked shots. Brunner has 27 career double-doubles, most among active players in the Big Ten Conference. Brunner has seven scoring and rebounding double-doubles this season while scoring in double figures in 10 games and collecting 10 or more rebounds in nine outings. He had 26 points at Northern Iowa and led Iowa with 17 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Kentucky. He leads the Big Ten in rebounding (9.8) 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 third in career assists with 525, moving past B.J. Armstrong with his nine assists in the win at Penn State. Horner ranks 13th in career scoring (1,264) and he has 488 rebounds. In other career stats, Horner is second in three-point field goals (218), second in three-point attempts (592) and ninth in steals (145). 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 and 17 points and nine assists at Penn State. He is averaging 13 points and 6.3 assists per game.

HALUSKA OVER 1,000 POINTS
Junior guard Adam Haluska surpassed 1,000 career points with his career-high 29 point performance in the win at Penn State. He has 1,004 points in his career, with 284 of those coming in his freshman season at Iowa State and joins teammates Jeff Horner and Greg Brunner as 1,000-point scorers. Haluska hit 6-10 three-pointers at PSU and 5-6 free throws, reaching double figures for the 15th time in 17 games. He leads Iowa in scoring at 14.9 points per game, he is averaging 4.6 rebounds and he has led Iowa in steals in eight games. 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. Haluska started all 81 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).

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 AT BOTH ENDS
Senior Erek Hansen played a key roll as Iowa defeated Fairfield and Valparaiso to win the Hawkeye Challenge in early December and he is making key plays on both offense and defense. 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 a win over Valparaiso. 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 11 of 17 games. Hansen had seven points, six rebounds and six blocked shots at Penn State, converting a three-point play on offense and a key blocked shot on defense in the final minutes. Hansen is averaging 6.2 points and 4.3 rebounds. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 13th nationally with 3.1 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 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 42.7% from the field and 78.8% 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.

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 junior Adam Haluska surpassed 1,000 career points in Iowa’s win at Penn State. Horner ranks 13th in career scoring with 1,264 points, while Brunner is 14th with 1,261. 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 (488) and distribute over 400 assists (525). Horner was honorable mention all-Big Ten a year ago. Haluska has 1,004 career points, with 284 of those coming during his freshman season at Iowa State. He has scored 720 points at Iowa. He leads Iowa in scoring (14.9 ppg) and has scored in double figures in 15 of 17 games.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 570-429 in the first half and 557-522 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in 16 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.

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.

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. 23 and 30; Feb. 6, 12, 20 and 27; and March 6, 13 and 20.

AFTER THIS
Iowa travels to Michigan State Saturday, Jan. 21 (11:05 a.m. CT) and will host Indiana on Tuesday, Jan. 24 (8:05 p.m.). Both games will be televised on ESPN.