Hawkeyes Travel to Purdue Wednesday Night

Jan. 30, 2006

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THE SETTING
Iowa (16-5, 5-2) returns to the road Wednesday, Feb. 1, traveling to Purdue (7-12, 1-7) for the only meeting of the season with the Boilermakers. Game time is 7:05 p.m. ET in Mackey Arena (14,123). Iowa defeated 16th-ranked Ohio State 67-62 Saturday night in Iowa City, collecting its fifth win of the year against a ranked opponent. Purdue dropped a 76-58 decision at Illinois Saturday.

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: ESPN2 will carry the game to a national cable audience. Brent Musberger and Steve Lavin will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,364 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,412-952 (.597). That includes an 884-306 (.743) record in home games, a 527-646 (.449) record in games away from Iowa City, a 669-655 (.505) mark in Big Ten games and a 290-80 (.784) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 290-80 (.784) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 136-67 (.670) 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 82-25 (.766) 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 15th-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
In the Jan. 23 rankings, Iowa was listed among teams receiving voted in both the Associated Press rankings and 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
Iowa is 10th in the RPI Index and 20th in the Sagarin Ratings. Both rank Iowa’s strength of schedule as 13th strongest in the nation. Iowa has played 10 games against top 50 teams in the RPI Index and the five teams that have defeated Iowa hold a combined record of 76-23 (.768). The Hawkeyes are 5-3 against teams that were ranked in the top 25 at the time of the game, including 2-1 against top 10 teams.

HOME WIN STREAK IS BEST EVER
For the only time in its basketball history, Iowa has posted 13 consecutive home wins in a single season. Iowa’s last undefeated home season was in 1965-66 when the Hawkeyes won all 12 home games. Iowa has won 13 home games or more in 12 seasons, but never the initial 13 games of the season. Iowa has never completed a perfect record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which opened in January, 1983. The Hawkeyes lost just one home game in 1993 (15-1) and 1996 (14-1).

IOWA NEARS ARENA WIN STREAK MARK
Iowa has won 14 straight games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including the final home contest last season vs. Ohio State and all 13 home dates this season. Iowa’s last home loss was a 75-65 decision to Illinois on Feb. 19, 2005. Iowa’s longest win streak in Carver-Hawkeye Arena is 15 games. That streak began Jan. 25, 1986 with a 79-69 win over Indiana and ended with an 80-76 loss to Ohio State on Jan. 24, 1987. The streak began with Coach George Raveling and ended with Coach Tom Davis. The 15-game win streak in 1986 and 1987 included nine conference games and six non-conference games. Iowa’s current streak includes nine non-conference games as well.

HAWKEYES VS. RANKED FOES
Iowa has posted a 5-3 record against teams in the top 25 rankings at the time of the game. The five wins vs. ranked foes is the highest total for a Steve Alford-coached Hawkeye team and the most since the Hawkeyes posted a 5-9 record vs. ranked teams in 1998-99.

IOWA TOPS CONSECUTIVE RANKED FOES
With wins over No. 11 Indiana and No. 16 Ohio State last week, Iowa has defeated ranked teams in consecutive games on three occasions under the direction of Coach Steve Alford. A year ago, Iowa defeated 11th-ranked Louisville and 13th-ranked Texas in the first two rounds of the Maui Invitational. In 2002-03, Iowa recorded back-to-back wins over 20th-ranked Michigan State and eighth-ranked Illinois.

HAWKEYES IN NATIONAL STATS
In NCAA statistical rankings, Iowa is fourth in field goal defense (37.2), fifth in fouls per game (14.7) and sixth in scoring defense (59.1). Individually, Jeff Horner ranks 10th in assists per game (6.5), Erek Hansen is 11th in blocked shots per game (3.1) and Greg Brunner is 22nd in rebounds per game (10.3).

IOWA SECURES WINNING SEASON
With its 16th win of the season coming against Ohio State last week, Iowa has clinched its sixth consecutive winning season. Iowa’s current streak ranks as the second longest in the history of Iowa basketball. Iowa’s record for 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 had five consecutive winning seasons on three occasions, 1979-83, 1985-89 and 1995-99. Iowa is one of four Big Ten teams to post a winning season in each of the previous five seasons, 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.

HALUSKA EARNS BIG TEN HONORS
Junior guard Adam Haluska has been named co-Player of the Week in the Big Ten Conference after helping the Hawkeyes to wins over 11th-ranked Indiana and 16th-ranked Ohio State. Haluska recorded the first double-double of his Hawkeye career with 20 points and 10 rebounds against Indiana and he added 18 points and seven rebounds later in the week in a win over Ohio State. Haluska hit 6-9 field goals and 9-9 free throws vs. Indiana. Against the Buckeyes he hit two free throws to give Iowa a 65-62 advantage with 24 seconds to play. Haluska has scored in double figures in 19 of 21 games and he is averaging 15.3 points per game. He scored a career-high 29 points earlier this season in a road win at Penn State. The double-double vs. Indiana is Haluska’s first as a Hawkeye. He did record one double-double during his freshman season at Iowa State, collecting 10 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Player of the Week honor is the first for Haluska and the first for an Iowa player this season.

BRUNNER SECOND IN CAREER REBOUNDS
Senior forward Greg Brunner has moved into second place on Iowa’s career rebounding chart, raising his total to 893. Kevin Kunnert (1971-73) is Iowa’s career leader with 914 rebounds. Brunner had 17 points and nine rebounds vs. Ohio State and 17 points and eight rebounds in a win over Indiana last week. Brunner has scored 17 points in each of Iowa’s last four games and two weeks ago he totaled 34 points and 34 rebounds in games vs. Minnesota and Michigan State. He had 17 points and 23 rebounds in a triple-overtime win over Minnesota. Brunner established a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record with 23 rebounds against 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 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 Kunnert had 23 rebounds vs. Drake on 12/27/72.

SI.COM LIKES IOWA BACKCOURT
SI.com, in a vivid online photo gallery, has named Iowa’s backcourt of Jeff Horner and Adam Haluska as one of the best, ranking the Hawkeye duo ninth best in the nation. Haluska averages 15.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while Horner averages 11.8 points, 6.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds.

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,412) 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 282-165 (.631), including a 126-88 (.589) 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. He has led Iowa to six straight winning seasons. Alford ranks fourth among Iowa’s head basketball coaches in total wins. He is 46-57 (.447) 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 7-5 against Purdue and has not coached against Purdue Coach Matt Painter.

PURDUE COACH MATT PAINTER
Matt Painter, a former Boilermaker player under Gene Keady, is in his first season as the head coach at Purdue after serving as associate head coach for one season. Painter is in his second season as a head coach with a 32-17 record. He has led Purdue to a 7-12 mark after posting a 25-5 record in one season at Southern Illinois. Painter was the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2004, leading the Salukis to a 17-1 league record and a No. 15 national ranking. He previously served as an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois (1995-98) and Southern Illinois (1998-2003). Painter was a four-year (1990-93) letterman at Purdue and served as a team captain as a senior. He earned all-Big Ten honorable mention recognition and helped Purdue earn four straight post-season invitations, including three NCAA Tournament invitations. Painter has not coached against Iowa or Coach Steve Alford.

ALFORD MOVES TO FOURTH
Coach Steve Alford has collected 126 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).

THE SERIES
Purdue holds a 75-68 advantage in the series that began with a 17-11 Boilermaker win in 1909. Iowa won two of three meetings last season. The Hawkeyes defeated Purdue 71-57 Jan. 22 in Iowa City before Purdue won 66-63 Feb. 16 in West Lafayette. Iowa later scored a 71-52 win in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. Iowa won both meetings in 2004, 71-61 in Iowa City and 63-62 in West Lafayette. Purdue won the only meeting in 2003. Iowa and Purdue have met three times at a neutral site, with two of the three meetings taking place in Indianapolis. In addition to meeting at Conseco Fieldhouse in the 2002 Big Ten Tournament, the Hawkeyes and Boilermakers both advanced to the 1980 Final Four at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, and both lost in the semi-finals. A consolation game was played at that time and Purdue defeated Iowa 75-58. The Boilermakers hold a 51-20 advantage in games played in West Lafayette. Iowa scored a 63-62 win in 2004 and has won two of the last four meetings in Mackey Arena. This is the only meeting between the two teams during the regular season.

IOWA, PURDUE NOTES

• The Iowa roster includes Indiana native J.R. Angle, along with Coach Steve Alford, an Indiana native who played at Indiana, and Associate Head Coach Craig Neal, a native of Washington, IN who played at Georgia Tech. Angle is a sophomore who is redshirting this season.
• Indiana posted a 3-5 record vs. Purdue during the career of Iowa Coach Steve Alford 1984-87. Purdue posted a 4-3 record vs. Iowa during the playing career of Boilermaker Coach Matt Painter (1990-93).
• Purdue Assistant Coach Paul Lusk began his college career at Iowa. Lusk, who had followed his uncle’s footsteps to Iowa, suffered a broken leg early in his Iowa career and completed his career at Southern Illinois. Lusk scored over 1,000 points in his three seasons at Southern Illinois. Lusk was also the head coach at the University of Dubuque for one season (2002-03).
• Purdue assistants Cuonzo Martin (1992-95) and Todd Foster (1993-96) both played at Purdue. Both Martin and Foster helped their Boilermaker teams post a 5-1 record vs. Iowa.

IOWA WON TWO OF THREE
Iowa won two of three meetings last season, as each team won on its home court before Iowa won the third meeting at the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. The Hawkeyes used a strong defensive effort and a boost from the bench in taking a 71-57 win Jan. 22. The Hawkeyes held Purdue to 30.4% shooting from the field in the first half, as the Boilermakers scored just 10 points in the first 17 minutes of the game. By that time, Iowa had built a 25-10 advantage on the way to a 38-20 halftime margin. Iowa scored the first basket of the second half and was never threatened over the final 20 minutes. Iowa led 71-52 with 1:28 remaining before the Boilermakers scored the final five points to leave the final margin at 14 points. For the game, Iowa held Purdue to 40% shooting, while the Hawkeyes shot 45%. Iowa collected 10 steals while forcing 19 turnovers and was guilty of just eight turnovers. Greg Brunner posted his fourth straight scoring and rebounding double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Reserve Doug Thomas matched his career scoring high with 14 points and added nine rebounds and Jeff Horner added 13 points. Purdue was led by Carl Landry with 16 points and eight rebounds and David Teague added 11 points.

Purdue rallied in the final eight minutes to defeat Iowa 66-63 Feb. 16 in West Lafayette. The Hawkeyes led 55-48 with just under eight minutes remaining when Purdue scored nine straight points to take a 57-55 advantage. Brunner made a free throw before Purdue scored on a three-point basket for a 60-56 lead with 1:49 remaining. Purdue scored its final six points from the foul line to hold on for the win. Adam Haluska cut the margin to two points (60-58), and after two Purdue free throws Brunner added a pair of free shots to make it 62-60 with 10 seconds remaining. Jeff Horner scored Iowa’s final points on a three-point basket with four seconds left to cut the deficit to 64-63. Iowa got off a desperation shot after two more Boilermaker free throws, but it was a hurried half court shot that was off the mark. Iowa led by as many as nine points (31-22) in the first half before Purdue rallied for a 36-35 halftime advantage. Iowa shot 41% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range, but just 62.5% from the foul line. The Hawkeyes held a 39-32 rebounding advantage, but committed 14 turnovers, compared to seven for the Boilermakers. Brunner led Iowa with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Haluska added 10 points and Horner and Mike Henderson each added 11. Landry led Purdue with 29 points and seven rebounds and Brandon McKnight added 16 points.

Iowa defeated Purdue 71-52 in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament in Gene Keady’s last game. Iowa started fast, hitting its first four three-point attempts in taking a 14-4 advantage. Iowa led 33-23 at intermission after holding Purdue to 35.7% shooting in the opening 20 minutes. The Hawkeyes maintained control early in the second half and coasted to victory. Purdue closed to within seven points early in the second half, but Iowa responded by scoring five straight points to regain control. Iowa shot 44.8% from the field, including 45% from three-point range. Iowa broke its Big Ten Tournament record with 21 assists and tied its tournament record with nine three-pointers. Jeff Horner tied an Iowa individual record in the event with 11 three-point attempts. The Iowa defense held Purdue to 35.7% field goal shooting and the Boilermakers shot just 25% from three-point range and committed 16 turnovers. Haluska led Iowa in scoring with 17 points, while Horner added 16 and Henderson 11. Brunner added nine points and nine rebounds and Horner added eight assists. McKnight had 15 points and six assists for Purdue, while Gary Ware added 12 points and nine rebounds.

HAWKEYE TIDBITS

• Iowa has posted a 5-3 record vs. ranked teams. The Hawkeyes defeated 7th-ranked Kentucky (67-63), 21st-ranked North Carolina State (45-42), 6th-ranked Illinois 63-48, 11th-ranked Indiana 73-60 and 16th-ranked Ohio State 67-62. Iowa has lost to 2nd-ranked Texas (59-68), 24th-ranked Wisconsin (52-66) and 11th-ranked Michigan State (55-85).
• Iowa has made more free throws (310) than its opponents have attempted (294).
• Iowa shot 68.8% (11-16) from the field in the second half of a home win over Indiana, marking the best shooting half of the season. Iowa’s previous best was 60% in the second half of the opening win over Maryland-Eastern Shore.
• Iowa is 2-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 7-0 when scoring between 70-80 points, 6-1 when scoring between 60-70 points and 1-4 when scoring less than 60 points. Iowa is 10-0 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 4-3 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 2-2 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 12-1 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 2-4 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 7-3 when the opponent has fewer turnovers.
• Iowa is 4-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 11-4 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 six 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, 5-0 when four reach double figures, 7-2 with three in double figures and 3-3 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 16-3 when leading at halftime, 0-2 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime. Iowa has trailed at halftime in road games at Iowa State and Michigan State.
• Iowa is 13-2 when controlling the opening tip and 3-3 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 7-2 in games decided by 10 points or less, 6-1 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 seven 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 36-6 when shooting at least 50% from the field, including 3-0 in 2005-06.
• Michigan State is the only Iowa opponent to shoot 50% (30-60) from the field this season. 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 HOLDS OFF OHIO STATE
Iowa held Ohio State to a single free throw over the final 6:34 and went on to take a 67-62 win over the Buckeyes in Iowa City in the only meeting of the season between the two teams. Iowa trailed 61-58 after Ohio State connected on a three-pointer with 6:34 remaining. Greg Brunner scored on a lay-up with six minutes remaining to move Iowa within a point and Erek Hansen gave Iowa a 62-61 advantage with two free throws at the 5:32 mark. Both teams converted one of two free throws to leave Iowa’s margin at 63-62 with 33 seconds remaining. Two free throws by Adam Haluska gave Iowa a 65-62 margin with 24 seconds to play before OSU turned the ball over on its next possession. Jeff Horner’s two free throws with 16 seconds remaining sealed the Iowa victory. Iowa shot 42.4% from the field, including 51.5% in the opening half. The Hawkeyes led by as many as nine points in the opening half before holding a 40-36 margin at the break. OSU led by as many as four points midway though the second half before Iowa rallied. Iowa held OSU to 35.1% shooting from the field. Both teams shot over 80% from the free throw line and both were guilty of less than 10 turnovers. Haluska led Iowa with 18 points, with 16 of those coming in the first half, and Brunner scored 17 points for the fourth straight game. Brunner led Iowa with nine rebounds and Haluska had seven. Reserve Doug Thomas gave the Hawkeyes a big lift with 10 points, five rebounds and two steals, while Horner and Mike Henderson each added five assists.

ILLINOIS TOPS PURDUE
Illinois used a solid rebounding advantage to take a 76-58 win over Purdue Saturday in Champaign. Illinois collected 17 offensive rebounds in holding an overall 43-29 advantage. The Illini led 35-27 at halftime before shooting 50% from the field in the second half. Purdue shot just 38% for the game and was guilty of 15 turnovers. Reserves Marcus Green and Gary Ware led Purdue in scoring as they each has 11 points. Bryant Dillon added 10 points and Matt Keifer had nine points and 10 rebounds.

BRUNNER & HORNER SEE DOUBLE, AGAIN
Forward Greg Brunner and guard Jeff Horner both registered double-doubles in Iowa’s 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.

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 MOVES TO SECOND
Senior forward Greg Brunner has raised his career rebounding total to 893, moving into second place on Iowa’s career list. Kevin Kunnert (1971-73) is Iowa’s career leader with 914 rebounds. Brunner is 13th in career scoring (1,329) and sixth (93) in career blocked shots. Brunner has 29 career double-doubles, most among active players in the Big Ten Conference. Brunner has nine scoring and rebounding double-doubles this season while scoring in double figures in 14 games and collecting 10 or more rebounds in 12 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 (10.3) and is averaging 14 points per game. He has scored 17 point in each of Iowa’s last four games.

HORNER HITS 500, AGAIN
Senior guard Jeff Horner, just the fourth Iowa player ever to total over 500 assists, collected career rebound No. 500 in Iowa’s win over Indiana. Horner ranks third in career assists with 553 and he now has 506 career rebounds. Horner ranks 14th in career scoring (1,295). In other career stats, Horner is second in three-point field goals (223), second in three-point attempts (620) 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, he had 10 points and 10 assists vs. Minnesota and 13 points and eight assists vs. Indiana. He is averaging 11.8 points, 6.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.

HALUSKA OVER 1,000 POINTS
Junior guard Adam Haluska surpassed 1,000 career points with his career-high 29 point performance in a win at Penn State. He has 1,073 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 added 19 points vs. Michigan State, 20 points and 10 rebounds vs. Indiana and 18 points and seven rebounds vs. Ohio State. He has scored in double figures in 19 of 21 games. He leads Iowa in scoring at 15.3 points per game, he is averaging 4.9 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 was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week for his play in wins over Indiana and Ohio State. Haluska has started all 85 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
Center Erek 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 added 11 points (4-5 FGs) and six blocks in Iowa’s win over Indiana. Hansen had eight points vs. Ohio State, including two free throws to give Iowa the lead for good late in the contest. He leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.605) in league games only. Hansen ranks third in career blocked shots with 188 and his 65 blocks this year ranks sixth best for a single season. 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 13 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 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 11th 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 home win over Illinois and he also had 10 points and eight rebounds. He collected nine points, seven rebounds and two assists in a win over Minnesota, including 5-6 free throws at crucial times, and he added nine points, five rebounds and three steals in the win over Indiana. Henderson had eight points, five rebounds and five assists vs. Ohio State. Henderson is averaging 7.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 43.6% from the field and 76.6% 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 14 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He has recorded nine double-doubles and set a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record with 23 rebounds vs. Minnesota. He ranks second in career rebounds (893), sixth in blocked shots (93) and 13th in career scoring (1,329). 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 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. Horner ranks 14th in career scoring (1,295), third in career assists (553) and ninth in career steals (145). Brunner has played in all 114 games in his career, with 102 starts. Horner has started 109 of the 110 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 1,329 points, while Horner is 14th with 1,295. 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. Horner is the only Iowa player ever to score over 1,000 points, grab over 500 rebounds and distribute over 500 assists (553). Horner was honorable mention all-Big Ten a year ago. Haluska has 1,073 career points, with 284 of those coming during his freshman season at Iowa State. He has scored 789 points at Iowa. He leads Iowa in scoring (15.3 ppg) and has scored in double figures in 19 of 21 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 23-33 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including a 5-3 mark in 2005-06. The Hawkeyes defeated seventh-ranked Kentucky (67-63), 21st-ranked North Carolina State (45-42), sixth-ranked Illinois (63-48), 11th-ranked Indiana 73-60 and 16th-ranked Ohio State 67-62. Iowa dropped a 68-59 decision to second-ranked Texas, fell 66-52 at 24th-ranked Wisconsin and was defeated 85-55 at 11th-ranked Michigan State. 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 56 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 10-9 in home games, 10-11 at neutral sites and 3-13 when playing ranked teams in their home arena.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 700-556 in the first half and 680-660 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in 19 games and the Hawkeyes have outscored their opponent in the second half in 13 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 13 home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 69.9-53.4 margin, shooting 43.4% from the field while holding its opponent to 34.3% shooting. Iowa holds a 42.5-35.1 rebounding advantage. In eight games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (two neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 62.0-68.4. The Hawkeyes are shooting 37.9% from the field while opponents are shooting 41.9% and Iowa is being out-rebounded by a 38.0-38.1 margin.

IOWA FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Iowa had made over 80% of its free throws in four games and at least 70% of its free throws in 13 of 21 games, with a season-best 83.3% (20-24) in a win over Fairfield. Iowa has posted an 11-2 record when shooting at least 70% from the free throw line.

IOWA RECORD BY CONFERENCE
During non-conference action Iowa played one team from the Atlantic Coast Conference, Atlantic 10, Metro Atlantic, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Pac-10, Patriot League, Southeastern and Southland, along with two teams from the Big 12 and Missouri Valley and one independent.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa has made 50-66 (75.6%) free throws in the final four minutes and overtime of its nine games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 30-42 (71.4%) of their free throw attempts in the final four minutes and overtime periods. Iowa is 7-2 in those games.

2006 CAPTAINS
Iowa’s captains are seniors Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner. Brunner, a native of Charles City, has started 102-114 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 109 of 110 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 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. 30; Feb. 6, 12, 20 and 27; and March 6, 13 and 20.

AFTER THIS
Iowa will host Michigan Saturday, Feb. 4 at 4:10 p.m. The Hawkeyes then hit the road for games at Northwestern Feb. 8 and at Indiana Feb. 11.