Iowa Travels to Michigan State Saturday

Jan. 19, 2006

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THE SETTING
Iowa (14-4, 3-1) hits the road for the first of three straight games against nationally ranked opponents, traveling to Michigan State (14-4, 2-2) Saturday, Jan. 21. Game time is 11:05 a.m. CT at the Breslin Center (14,759). Iowa recorded a 76-72 triple overtime win over Minnesota Wednesday in Iowa City for its third straight win and seventh victory in eight games. Michigan State has won two straight games, including a 62-59 double overtime win at Ohio State last Saturday in its most recent outing. The Spartans are playing their fifth straight game against a ranked opponent. Iowa has won 12 straight home games since a 75-65 loss to Illinois last Feb. 19, including all 11 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 will carry the game to a national cable audience. Dave O’Brien and Rick Majerus will call the action, along with sideline reporter Stacey Dales-Schuman.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,361 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,410-951 (.597). That includes an 882-306 (.742) record in home games, a 527-645 (.450) record in games away from Iowa City, a 667-654 (.505) mark in Big Ten games and a 288-80 (.783) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 288-80 (.783) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 134-67 (.667) 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 an 80-25 (.762) 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. Michigan State is ranked 11th by the Associated Press and 12th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

IOWA STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
Iowa is eighth 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 hold a combined record of 54-13 (.806). 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 fourth in field goal defense (36.7%), fifth in fouls per game (14.8) and sixth in scoring defense (57.4). Individually, Jeff Horner ranks 10th in assists per game (6.6), Erek Hansen is 11th in blocked shots per game (3.2) and Greg Brunner is 22nd in rebounds per game (10.5).

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,410) 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 280-164 (.631), including a 124-87 (.588) 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 44-56 (.440) 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 3-7 vs. Michigan State and Spartan Coach Tom Izzo.

MSU COACH TOM IZZO
MSU Coach Tom Izzo is in his 11th year as a college head coach, all at Michigan State. Izzo holds a record of 247-101. Izzo led the Spartans to the Final Four in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2005, winning the NCAA title in 2000. MSU has won four Big Ten regular season titles and two Big Ten Tournament championships under Izzo while compiling a 29-10 post-season record. He has been named national Coach of the Year on three occasions. He has been a member of the Michigan State staff since 1983. Izzo is 13-4 vs. Iowa and 7-3 vs. Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

ALFORD MOVES TO FOURTH
Coach Steve Alford has collected 124 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).

OVERTIME NOTES

• With the 76-72 triple overtime win over Minnesota, Iowa is now 2-4 all-time in triple overtime games, with three of the six games being played vs. Minnesota.
• Iowa has played just one four overtime game and Iowa’s overall record in all overtime games now stands at 46-50. Iowa lost at Northern Iowa in single overtime earlier this season.
• Iowa had lost four straight triple overtime games and had not won a triple overtime game since a 112-111 win over Purdue on Feb. 11, 1974.
• The win over Minnesota was the first triple overtime game ever in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where the Hawkeyes began playing home games during the 1983 season. Iowa’s most recent triple overtime game in Iowa City was a 57-55 loss to Minnesota on Feb. 27, 1982 in the last Big Ten Conference game played in the Iowa Fieldhouse.

BRUNNER SETS REBOUND MARK
Senior forward Greg Brunner established a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record with his 23 rebounds in Iowa’s win over Minnesota. The previous mark of 21 was set by Dwayne Scholten of Washington State on 12/6/86. The previous best in the Arena by an Iowa player was 19 rebounds by Ryan Bowen vs. Long Island on 11/29/98. The 23 rebounds are the most by any player in the Big Ten Conference and the second most in Division I this season. Rashad Jones of Arkansas-Little Rock had 30 rebounds earlier in the year. The Iowa record for single game rebounds is 30, set by Chuck Darling vs. Wisconsin on 3/3/52. Brunner’s 23 rebounds tie as the fourth highest total in school history and it is the most by a Hawkeye player since Kevin Kunnert had 23 rebounds vs. Drake on 12/27/72.

BRUNNER & HORNER SEE DOUBLE, AGAIN
Forward Greg Brunner and guard Jeff Horner both registered double-doubles in the win over Minnesota. Brunner collected 17 points and 23 rebounds and Horner had 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Minnesota game marks the fourth time during their careers that Brunner and Horner have posted a double-double in the same game. Earlier this season, Brunner had 23 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Fairfield, while Horner added 12 points and 10 assists. In an 88-75 win over Western Carolina on 12/18/04, Brunner had 11 points and 11 rebounds and Horner collected 20 points and 10 assists. In an 84-82 double overtime win at Indiana on 2/7/04, Brunner had 23 points and 13 rebounds and Horner had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

THE SERIES
Michigan State holds a 55-48 advantage over Iowa in the series that began with a 52-37 MSU win in 1938. The teams split two games last season. Michigan State defeated Iowa 75-64 Feb. 5 in Iowa City. Iowa later scored a 71-69 win in the quarter-finals of the Big Ten Tournament, stopping a three-game losing streak to the Spartans. The teams split a pair of games in 2003, each winning at home, before the Spartans won 89-72 in East Lansing in the only meeting in 2004. The Spartans have won 13 of the last 18 and 16 of the last 21 meetings. The Spartans hold a 35-17 advantage in games played in East Lansing, where Iowa has lost 10 straight since taking an overtime win at the Breslin Center in 1993. Iowa is 2-12 at the Breslin Center, which opened in 1989-90. The teams have met twice at a neutral site. The Spartans defeated Iowa at the 2000 Big Ten Tournament in Chicago, winning 75-65 on their way to the national title. Iowa won 71-69 last season in Chicago in the quarter-finals of the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa went on to advance to the NCAA Tournament a year ago, while the Spartans advanced to the 2005 Final Four.

IOWA, MSU GAME NOTES

• Iowa and Michigan State both had to work overtime for their most recent win. Iowa needed three overtime period to defeat Minnesota 76-72 Wednesday in Iowa City, while the Spartans won at Ohio State in two overtimes last Saturday. Iowa has also lost a single overtime game this season (at Northern Iowa), while MSU defeated Arizona in one overtime and lost to Gonzaga in three overtimes.
• Iowa freshman Tony Freeman and MSU junior Shannon Brown are both from Maywood, IL, although they did not attend the same high school.
• Iowa’s Greg Brunner (10.5) and MSU’s Paul Davis (10.0), both seniors, rank first and second, respectively, in the Big Ten in rebounding, for all games played. In conference games, Brunner is first and Davis third.
• Iowa has 10 players on its roster from the state of Iowa, while the Spartan roster includes nine players from the state of Michigan.
• Iowa and MSU have played two common foes, both in league play. Iowa defeated Illinois in Iowa City and lost to Wisconsin in Madison. The Spartans lost to Illinois and Wisconsin, both on the road.
• Michigan State is playing its fifth straight game against a ranked opponent, having split its last four games to open league play. Iowa, 3-2 against ranked opponents this season, is playing the first of three straight ranked foes as the Hawkeyes host Indiana and Ohio State next week.
• Michigan State (1999 and 2000) and Iowa (2001) have won three of the eight Big Ten Conference tournaments and they are two of the five league teams (along with Illinois, Ohio State and Wisconsin) to appear in the championship game on more than one occasion (Iowa lost in the 2002 title game). Michigan won the inaugural event in 1998, Ohio State won in 2002, Illinois won in 2003 and 2005 and Wisconsin earned the 2004 title.
• Michigan State shared the regular season Big Ten title in 2001 and Iowa won the Big Ten Tournament title. MSU won the only regular season meeting (in East Lansing) and the teams did not meet in the post-season tournament that year.
• Iowa and Michigan State have met twice in the Big Ten Tournament, with both meetings (2000 and 2005) at the United Center in Chicago. MSU, in each of those seasons, advanced to the Final Four.
• Rich Walker, Iowa’s director of basketball operations, is from Inkster, MI.

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 (266) than its opponents have attempted (252).
• Iowa is 2-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 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 2-1 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 10-1 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 2-3 when the opponent has more assists and 2-0 when assists are equal.
• Iowa is 9-2 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, 9-3 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 five 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, 4-0 when four reach double figures, 6-2 with three in double figures and 3-2 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 14-3 when leading at halftime, 0-1 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime.
• Iowa is 12-1 when controlling the opening tip and 2-3 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 6-2 in games decided by 10 points or less, 5-1 in games decided by five points or less and 1-1 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 TOPS MINNESOTA
Iowa outlasted Minnesota 76-72 in three overtimes to win its 12th straight home game and improve to 3-1 in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes controlled most of the first half, leading 30-20 with three minutes left in the period. Minnesota used a 16-2 scoring run from late in the first half to early in the second, taking a 36-32 advantage with 17 minutes to play. The game was tied seven times in the second half, the last at 58-58 with 1:34 remaining on two free throws by Erek Hansen. Minnesota had a shot to win at the end of regulation and at the end of the first extra session. Greg Brunner made one of two free throws with 35 seconds remaining to tie the score in the first overtime. The Gophers led by four points in the second overtime before Mike Henderson scored from the paint and Hansen added two free throws with 51 seconds to play. Minnesota missed two free throws and Iowa had a turnover in the final 20 seconds. Iowa took a four point advantage in the third overtime on a basket and two free throws by Adam Haluska with three minutes to play. Following a Minnesota free throw, Henderson and Jeff Horner each made two free shots to give Iowa some breathing room and the Gophers were never closer than four points in the final 40 seconds. Brunner led Iowa with 17 points and a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record 23 rebounds. Hansen had a career-high 20 points to go with six rebounds and five blocks. Haluska added 12 points and Horner 10 points and 10 assists.

SPARTANS WIN AT OHIO STATE
Michigan State survived a dry spell at the end of regulation to defeat Ohio State 62-59 in two overtimes in Columbus last Saturday. The Spartans held a 46-42 advantage late in the game before OSU forced overtime. After both teams scored just four points in the first extra session, the Spartans held a 12-9 advantage in the final five minutes. MSU shot 44.1% from the field while holding Ohio State to 32.9% and the Spartans held a 44-39 rebounding advantage. Shannon Brown led MSU with 20 points, while Paul Davis added 18 points and 12 rebounds and Matt Trannon had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

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.

BRUNNER JOINS TOP FIVE
Senior forward Greg Brunner has raised his career rebounding total to 865, moving into third place on Iowa’s career list. Brunner is 13th in career scoring (1,278) and is eighth (91) in career blocked shots. Brunner has 28 career double-doubles, most among active players in the Big Ten Conference. Brunner has eight scoring and rebounding double-doubles this season while scoring in double figures in 11 games and collecting 10 or more rebounds in 10 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 (10.5) and is averaging 13.5 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 535, moving past B.J. Armstrong with his nine assists in the win at Penn State. Horner ranks 14th in career scoring (1,274) and he has 493 rebounds. In other career stats, Horner is second in three-point field goals (219), second in three-point attempts (600) 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. He added 17 points and nine assists at Penn State and had 10 points and 10 assists vs. Minnesota. He is averaging 12.8 points and 6.6 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 1,016 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 and he had 12 points and four rebounds in the win over Minnesota, scoring Iowa’s first four points in the decisive third overtime. He has scored in double figures in 16 games. He leads Iowa in scoring at 14.7 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 has started all 82 games he has played in his career. His 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).

HANSEN CONTRIBUTES AT BOTH ENDS
CenterErek Hansen is making key plays on both offense and defense in his senior season. Hansen scored a career-high 20 points in the win over Minnesota, hitting 7-12 FGs and 6-6 free throws. He connected on two free throws to tie the score at the end of the second half and added two more to force a third overtime. Hansen also had six rebounds and five blocked shots while playing a career-high 38 minutes. Hansen matched his career-high with seven blocked shots in a win over Fairfield and he had 14 points at Iowa State. He has collected three blocked shots or more in 12 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 seven points and 4.4 rebounds. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 11th nationally with 3.2 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. He collected nine points, seven rebounds and two assists in the win over Minnesota, including 5-6 free throws at crucial times. Henderson is averaging 7.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 42.6% from the field and 79.3% 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.

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 13.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He has recorded eight double-doubles and set a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record with 23 rebounds vs. Minnesota. He ranks third in career rebounds (865), eighth in blocked shots (91) and 13th in career scoring (1,278). Horner had a season-high 19 points vs. Valparaiso, 10 assists in wins over Fairfield and Minnesota 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 and he added 17 points and nine assists at Penn State. He is averaging 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. Horner ranks 14th in career scoring (1,274), third in career assists (535) and ninth in career steals (145). Brunner has played in all 111 games in his career, with 99 starts. Horner has started 106 of the 107 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 and junior Adam Haluska surpassed 1,000 career points in Iowa’s win at Penn State. Brunner ranks 13th in career scoring with 1,278 points, while Horner is 14th with 1,274. 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 (91). Horner is the only Iowa player ever to score over 1,000 points, grab over 400 rebounds (493) and distribute over 400 assists (535). Horner was honorable mention all-Big Ten a year ago. Haluska has 1,016 career points, with 284 of those coming during his freshman season at Iowa State. He has scored 732 points at Iowa. He leads Iowa in scoring (14.7 ppg) and has scored in double figures in 16 games.

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 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 602-456 in the first half and 583-553 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in 17 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. Iowa and its opponents have both scored 25 points in two overtime games, a single overtime loss at Northern Iowa and a triple overtime win vs. Minnesota.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its 11 home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 69.9-52 margin, shooting 43% from the field while holding its opponent to 34.1% shooting. Iowa holds a 43-36 rebounding advantage. In seven games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (two neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 63.0-66.0. The Hawkeyes are shooting 38.5% from the field while opponents are shooting 40.8% and Iowa is being out-rebounded by a 37.9-38.4 margin.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 14.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, compared to 11.3 points and 9.1 rebounds for the opponent reserves. Iowa is 7-2 when the reserves outscore the opponent’s reserves, 6-1 when the opponent reserves score more points and 1-1 when the reserve scoring is even. Iowa is 10-3 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves and 4-1 when the opponent reserves have more rebounds.

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 99-111 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 106 of 107 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.

THE RETURNING CAST
Iowa returns five starters and 11 lettermen from 2005. The returning starters include three players, Greg Brunner, Adam Haluska and Jeff Horner, who earned all-Big Ten recognition a year ago. Iowa returns 84.6% of its scoring from 2005, 90.9% of its rebounding, 81.6% of its assists and 78.5% of its steals. Iowa’s returning players shot 45.5% from the field, 38.7% from three-point range and 71.9% from the free throw line. The Hawkeyes return their statistical leader from last season in all categories,

THE HAWKEYE ROSTER
The Iowa roster includes 16 players, including 10 who played prep basketball in the state of Iowa. The squad includes five seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and three freshmen. Along with the 10 Iowans, there is one player from California, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Texas and St. John’s, Antigua. Three players, freshman Dan Bohall, sophomore J.R. Angle and junior Kurt Looby, have not seen any game action and are slated to redshirt this season.

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.

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 will host Indiana Tuesday, Jan. 24 (8:05 p.m.) and Ohio State Saturday, Jan. 28 (7:05 p.m.). Iowa’s next road contest is Feb. 1 at Purdue.