Hawkeyes Back in Action at Minnesota Saturday

Feb. 16, 2006

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THE SETTING
Iowa (20-6, 9-3) plays the first of two straight road games Saturday, Feb. 18, visiting Minnesota (12-10, 3-8). Game time is 3:35 p.m. at Williams Arena (14,625). Iowa defeated Michigan State 66-54 in Iowa City Tuesday, while the Golden Gophers dropped a 72-50 contest at Michigan Wednesday.

ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play with color commentator Bob Hansen. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pre-game show. Television: ESPN Regional will carry the game to a network of stations throughout the Big Ten viewing area, including KGAN Cedar Rapids, KDSM Des Moines, WBQD Quad Cities, KIMT Mason City and KYOU Ottumwa. Dick Bremer and Mike Kelley will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,369 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,416-953 (.598). That includes an 886-306 (.743) record in home games, a 529-647 (.450) record in games away from Iowa City, a 673-656 (.506) mark in Big Ten games and a 292-80 (.785) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked 18th by the Associated Press and 20th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. Iowa has been ranked as high as 12th (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 seventh in the RPI Index and 18th in the Sagarin Ratings. Iowa’s strength of schedule is 22nd in both the RPI Index and by Sagarin. Iowa has posted an 8-4 record while playing 12 games against top 50 teams in the RPI Index and the six teams that have defeated Iowa hold a combined record of 102-41 (.713). Iowa joins Connecticut and West Virginia as one of three Division I teams with 12 games against top 50 teams, with only Duke and Connecticut (10 each) having more than eight wins against top 50 teams.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 292-80 (.785) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 138-67 (.673) 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 84-25 (.771) 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 14th-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.

HAWKEYES VS. RANKED FOES
Iowa has posted an 8-3 record against teams in the top 25 rankings at the time of the game, including a 2-1 mark against top 10 teams. The eight wins vs. ranked foes is the highest total for a Steve Alford-coached Hawkeye team and the most since the Hawkeyes posted a 6-2 record vs. ranked teams in 1990-91. With wins over 21st-ranked Indiana and 16th-ranked Michigan State in its last two games, Iowa has defeated ranked teams in consecutive games on four occasions under the direction of Coach Steve Alford. Earlier this season, Iowa defeated No. 11 Indiana and No. 16 Ohio State in consecutive games. 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 8th-ranked Illinois.

HAWKEYES IN NATIONAL STATS
In NCAA statistical rankings, Iowa is ninth in field goal defense (38.4), eighth in fouls per game (15.0), 23rd in scoring defense (59.5) and 31st in blocked shots (5.0). Individually, Jeff Horner is 13th in assists per game (6.1), Erek Hansen is 14th in blocked shots per game (2.9) and Greg Brunner is 16th in rebounds per game (10.1).

IOWA SETS ARENA WIN STREAK
Iowa has won 16 straight games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, setting a school record for consecutive wins in the facility, which opened in 1983. Iowa won its final home contest last season vs. Ohio State and all 15 home dates this season. Iowa’s last home loss was a 75-65 decision to Illinois on Feb. 19, 2005. Iowa closes the season with home games vs. Penn State and Wisconsin. Iowa’s initial 15-game win streak in the arena 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 current 16-game win streak includes nine non-conference and seven conference wins. Iowa’s current streak ranks as the longest in the Big Ten and eighth-longest in the nation.

HOME WIN STREAK IS BEST EVER
For the only time in its basketball history, Iowa has posted 15 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 15 home games or more in four seasons, and never the initial 15 games. The record of 16 home wins in a single season was set in 1985, while Iowa also won 15 home games in 1989 and 1993. 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).

LOFTY POSITION FOR FEBRUARY
With a 9-3 Big Ten record, Iowa remains at the top of the league standings. This marks the first time Iowa has been in first place in February since 1981-82. Iowa began that season with a 10-1 league record before suffering its second conference loss on Feb. 11. Minnesota (14-4) won the 1982 Big Ten title, while Iowa (12-6) tied for second. This is the first season Iowa has won nine of its first 12 league games since 1987, when Iowa posted a 14-4 Big Ten record and finished third. Iowa’s 20-6 record through 26 games marks the best start for a Hawkeye team under Steve Alford, as the Hawkeyes were 17-5 in 2001. This is Iowa’s best record through 26 games since the 1989 Hawkeyes started the season with the same mark. This is the earliest date Iowa has reached the 20-win plateau since 1987, when win No. 20 took place on Feb. 4. Iowa’s recent four-game win streak is its longest in Big Ten regular season games since the Hawkeyes won their first four league games in 1999. Iowa won five straight games against Big Ten teams last season, including the final three regular season games and two in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa won four straight games against Big Ten teams in 2001 when it won the Big Ten Tournament. In Big Ten play, Iowa and Michigan State are the only teams to remain undefeated at home, while Iowa and Ohio State are the only two teams that have won as many as three road games and the only two teams that have not suffered consecutive losses.

IOWA DEFENSIVE SO FAR
Iowa’s defense has led the way as the Hawkeyes have won 20 of 26 games. Iowa opponents are averaging just 59.5 points per game, shooting 38.4% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range. Iowa has collected 178 steals and forced 403 turnovers while collecting 130 blocked shots. The Hawkeyes have held 21 opponents under 70 points and have won the rebounding battle in 19 games. Iowa ranks high nationally in scoring defense, field goal defense and fewest fouls per game.

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 286-166 (.633), including a 130-89 (.594) 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 and three seasons of 20 or more wins. Alford ranks fourth among Iowa’s head basketball coaches in total wins. He is 50-58 (.463) in Big Ten games. Alford is 8-6 in the NCAA Tournament (3-3 in Division I and 5-3 in Division III) and 2-4 in the NIT. His record in the Big Ten Tournament is 10-5 in six seasons and his 10 wins rank as the most among all Big Ten coaches in the event. Iowa won the tournament in 2001, returned to the title game in 2002 and just missed the championship game in 2005. Alford led Iowa into the second round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament in his second season and the Hawkeyes returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2005. Iowa advanced to the NIT in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Alford led Southwest Missouri State to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1999 and in 1995 Manchester advanced to the NCAA championship game before suffering its first defeat of the season. Alford is a 1987 graduate of Indiana, where he led the Hoosiers to the 1987 NCAA title. Alford was a member of the 1984 U. S. Olympic team that earned the Gold Medal and he was the 26th player selected in the NBA Draft following his senior season. Alford played four seasons in the NBA before beginning his coaching career. At Indiana, Alford started 120 of 125 games in four seasons. He served as team captain in 1987 when the Hoosiers were 30-4. Steve concluded his college career as Indiana’s all-time scoring leader with 2,438 points and he holds the Indiana record for career steals with 178. He was a consensus first team All-American and the Big Ten MVP as a senior. Alford is a member of the Manchester College M Association Hall of Fame and the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2001 he was named one of the “Top 50 Athletes” in the history of the state of Indiana and was selected as a member of the 15-man Indiana University all-Century team. In 2004 he was one of five players selected to ESPN’s Big Ten Conference Silver Anniversary team. Alford is 8-4 vs. Minnesota and Gopher Coach Dan Monson.

ALFORD MOVES TO FOURTH
Coach Steve Alford has collected 130 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 164-113 and a record of 112-96 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 4-8 vs. Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

THE SERIES
Minnesota holds a 93-85 advantage over Iowa in the series that began with a 47-10 Gopher win in 1902. Iowa won the first meeting this season in triple overtime after the teams split two games last season. Iowa won both meetings in 2004 and the Hawkeyes have won eight of the last 11. The teams met just once in 2002 and 2003, with Minnesota winning both games. The Gophers hold a 56-32 advantage in games played at Minnesota. Iowa has won two of the last four and three of the last seven meetings in Williams Arena, but the Gophers won 65-57 in Minneapolis a year ago.

IOWA TOPS MINNESOTA IN TRIPLE OT
Iowa outlasted Minnesota 76-72 in three overtimes Jan. 18 to 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. 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. Minnesota was led by Maurice Hargrow with 16 points, while Vincent Grier added 15, Adam Boone 14 and Jonathan Williams 11. Grier and Williams led the Gophers with 10 rebounds each.

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,416) 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 72 winning seasons and 23 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.

TICKETS GOING FAST FOR FINAL HOME GAMES
Iowa’s March 4 contest against Wisconsin is sold out, while roughly 2,500 remain for the March 1 contest vs. Penn State. Iowa has had four sellouts (15,500) in six Big Ten Conference home 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.

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 14.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Horner averages 13.1 points, 6.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds. Horner is one of 16 finalists for the 2006 Bob Cousy Award.

BRUNNER & HALUSKA EARN ACADEMIC HONOR
Senior forward Greg Brunner and junior guard Adam Haluska have been selected to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine District VII academic all-America team. Both players will now be placed on the national ballot for academic all-America honors. Haluska is a Finance and Marketing major with a 3.41 grade point average. He has been named to the District team for the second consecutive season. The Carroll, IA native has started all 25 games, scoring double figures in 22 games. He is averaging 14.9 points and 4.8 rebounds, shooting 42.3% from the field and 84.5% from the foul line. Brunner, a Charles City native, is a Communications Studies major with a 3.25 GPA. He is a two-time academic all-Big Ten selection. Brunner has 928 career rebounds to become Iowa’s all-time leader. He also ranks 10th in career scoring (1,388), ninth in free throw attempts (507) and sixth in blocked shots (95).

HORNER IS COUSY FINALIST
Senior guard Jeff Horner is one of 16 players named as a finalist for the 2006 Bob Cousy Award. The list of finalists includes 12 Division I players and two each from Division II and III. The winner will be announced at the Final Four in Indianapolis. Horner, a native of Mason City, IA, has played in all but four games throughout his career, missing four games earlier this season with a knee injury. Horner is averaging 13.1 points, 6.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. He has scored over 1,300 career points and has over 500 career assists and 500 rebounds, the only player in Iowa history to surpass those totals. Horner and his teammates have posted a 20-6 record, securing a winning season for the fourth time in his career.

BRUNNER NAMED NAISMITH CANDIDATE
Senior forward Greg Brunner is one of 30 players named as a mid-season candidate for the Naismith Trophy, presented annually to the Player of the Year. The winner of the award will be named at the Final Four in Indianapolis. Brunner is averaging 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game and recently became Iowa’s career rebounding leader.

IOWA SECURES WINNING SEASON
Iowa has clinched its sixth consecutive winning season. The 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 last six 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.

HORNER IS CAREER ASSIST LEADER
Senior guard Jeff Horner became Iowa’s career assist leader in the win over Michigan State, collecting 15 points and six assists against the Spartans. Horner’s pass to Erek Hansen for Iowa’s first basket of the second half moved Horner past Andre Woolridge (575, 1995-97) on Iowa’s career list. With seven three-point field goals in Iowa’s 77-68 win at Purdue, Horner became Iowa’s career leader in made three-pointers. Horner has 241 treys, moving past Chris Kingsbury, who had 226 during his career (1994-96). Horner is also first in three-point attempts (651). Horner made 7-10 treys while scoring a career-high 32 points against the Boilermakers. The seven three-pointers tie as the third best single-game performance in school history. Horner’s previous scoring high of 27 points came a year ago vs. Texas in a semi-final win at the Maui Invitational. Horner added 14 points in a home win over Michigan, 10 points at Northwestern and 17 points in the win at Indiana. He was named co-Player of the Week in the Big Ten for his play vs. Purdue and Michigan. The Big Ten honor is the first for Horner this season and the fourth of his career. Horner is 11th in career scoring (1,383) and tied for eighth in career steals (154).

HORNER AMONG BIG TEN BEST
Senior Jeff Horner ranks among the best in the Big Ten Conference in three statistical categories. Horner ranks eighth in career assists (577), eighth in three-point field goal attempts and ninth in three-point field goals (241).

BRUNNER IS CAREER REBOUND LEADER
Senior forward Greg Brunner has raised his career rebounding total to 938 to become Iowa’s all-time leading rebounder. With 11 rebounds at Northwestern, Brunner moved past Kevin Kunnert (914 rebounds, 1971-73) to take over as Iowa’s career leader. Among the career leaders at each of the Big Ten Conference schools, Brunner joins Michigan State’s Greg Kelser, both listed at 6-7, as the shortest players in the league to lead their school in career rebounds. Brunner is 10th in career scoring (1,403), tied for eighth in free throw attempts (510) and sixth in blocked shots (95). Brunner has 31 career double-doubles, most among active players in the Big Ten Conference and sixth most ever at Iowa. Brunner has 11 scoring and rebounding double-doubles this season while scoring in double figures in 19 games and collecting 10 or more rebounds in 14 outings. He leads the Big Ten in rebounding (10.1) and is averaging 14.2 points per game. Brunner established a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record with 23 rebounds in a 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 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.

HAWKEYE TIDBITS

• Iowa’s field goal percentage of 65.3% (32-49) against Michigan is the second best for an Iowa team in 219 games under Coach Steve Alford. Iowa shot 67.5% (27-40) in a win over Air Force in 2004-05 and 60% (27-45) in a win over Northwestern in 2001-02 in the only other contests in which Iowa has shot at least 60% from the field under Alford.
• Iowa recently shot over 60% from the field in each of three consecutive halves. Iowa shot 64% in the second half of a 77-68 win at Purdue, rallying from a 33-25 halftime deficit. The Hawkeyes then shot 61.5% in the first half against Michigan and 69.6% in the second half of the 94-66 win over the Wolverines. In those 60 minutes, Iowa also made 21-30 (70%) three-point attempts, including 8-11 (72.7%) in the second half at Purdue, 7-9 (77.8%) in the first half vs. Michigan and 60% (6-10) in the second half. Iowa has shot 60% or better from the field in five different halves this season, including 68.8% in the second half of a 73-60 win over Indiana and 60% in the second half of an 86-41 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore.
• Iowa scored 52 points in the second half of wins over Purdue and Michigan. The 52 points are the most scored by Iowa in a half this season. Iowa trailed 33-25 at halftime at Purdue before using a 52-35 advantage in the second half for the 77-68 win. Iowa held a 42-34 advantage at halftime of the 94-66 win over Michigan. Iowa then scored just 48 total points in the 51-48 loss at Northwestern in the most recent outing.
• Iowa has posted an 8-3 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), 16th-ranked Ohio State (67-62), 20th-ranked Michigan (94-66), 21st-ranked Indiana (70-67) and 16th-ranked Michigan State (66-54). Iowa has lost to 2nd-ranked Texas (59-68), 24th-ranked Wisconsin (52-66) and 11th-ranked Michigan State (55-85).
• Iowa’s 70-67 win at Indiana marks Iowa’s first win on the home floor of a ranked opponent since a 67-63 win at 20th-ranked Tulsa on Dec. 28, 2002.
• Iowa has made more free throws (391) than its opponents have attempted (373).
• Iowa is 3-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 9-0 when scoring between 70-80 points, 7-1 when scoring between 60-70 points and 1-5 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 11-1 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 7-3 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 2-2 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 14-1 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 3-5 when the opponent has more assists and 3-0 when assists are equal.
• Iowa is 12-2 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 8-3 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 0-1 when turnovers are even.
• Iowa is 6-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 13-5 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 nine games, with a season-best five players in wins over Maryland-Eastern Shore and Michigan. Iowa is 2-0 when five players score 10 points or more, 8-0 when four reach double figures, 7-2 with three in double figures and 3-4 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 19-4 when leading at halftime, 1-2 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime. Iowa has trailed at halftime in road games at Iowa State, Michigan State and Purdue.
• Iowa is 16-2 when controlling the opening tip and 4-4 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 9-3 in games decided by 10 points or less, 7-2 in games decided by five points or less and 1-1 in overtime.
• Iowa has held six opponents to 50 points or less and 11 to under 60 points. Only 12 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 37-6 when shooting at least 50% from the field, including 4-0 in 2005-06. Michigan State (at MSU) and Purdue are the only Iowa opponents to shoot 50% or better from the field, and Iowa split those two road games. 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.

OVERCOMING DEFICITS
The biggest deficit Iowa has overcome to get a victory is 11 points. The Hawkeyes trailed at Purdue by 11 points late in the first half before collecting a 77-68 win. The Purdue game marks the only contest Iowa has overcome a double figure deficit to record a victory. Three Iowa opponents have overcome nine point deficits to defeat the Hawkeyes. Iowa led by nine points in the first half against Texas before falling 68-58 and the Hawkeyes lost at Northern Iowa (67-63) in overtime after leading by nine points in the first half. Northwestern defeated Iowa 51-48 after the Hawkeyes held a nine point lead in the second half.

IOWA DEFEATS MICHIGAN STATE
Iowa rallied from a seven point deficit in the early stages of the game and went on to defeat Michigan State 66-54 in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes trailed 15-7 as MSU hit its first five shots from the field. Iowa rallied to lead by seven (28-21) later in the first half before maintaining a 30-26 margin at the midway point. Trailing 37-35 in the second half, Iowa used an 8-0 scoring run to take the lead for good. Erek Hansen and Greg Brunner each scored four points in that stretch. Jeff Horner then hit three of his four three-pointers over a three minute stretch as Iowa improved its lead to 58-47 with eight minutes to play. Michigan State closed within eight points (58-50) with five minutes left before Iowa expanded the margin to as many as 15 in the final minutes. Both teams had 11 turnovers at halftime, but the Hawkeyes had just three turnovers in the second half. Iowa went over 14 minutes without a turnover and its final turnover came in the closing seconds. MSU was guilty of seven second half miscues. Iowa shot 47.1% from the field, including 53.8% in the second half, while Michigan State shot 41.2% from the field. Both teams collected 33 rebounds and Iowa held a 13-9 scoring advantage from the free throw line. Horner, who became Iowa’s career assist leader in the game, and Brunner each had 15 points to lead Iowa, while Hansen added 13 and Haluska scored 11. Brunner had 10 rebounds, Mike Henderson had six and Hansen and Haluska five each. Horner added six assists and three steals and Hansen had three blocked shots.

MINNESOTA FALLS AT MICHIGAN
Michigan took control from the very start in taking a 72-50 win over Minnesota Wednesday night in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines shot 57.7% from the field in the opening half, leading by as many as 29 points before taking a 44-20 halftime lead. The Wolverines cooled off in the second half, but still shot 51% for the game, compared to 35.7% for Minnesota. Vincent Grier led Minnesota with 19 points, but he was the only Gopher to score more than eight points. Adam Boone added six rebounds and Grier had five as the Wolverines also held a 36-29 margin on the boards.

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

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 home win over Indiana. Horner is Iowa’s career assist leader with 577 and he has 521 career rebounds. Horner ranks 11th in career scoring (1,383). In other career stats, Horner is Iowa’s career leader in three-point field goals (241) and three-point attempts (651) and he is eighth in steals (154). 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. In a road win at Purdue, Horner had a career-high 32 points. He had 14 points and six assists in a win over Michigan, 17 points in the win at Indiana and 15 points and six assists in a win over Michigan State. He is averaging 13.1 points, 6.1 assists and 3.7 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 1,135 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 a home win over Minnesota, scoring Iowa’s first four points in the decisive third overtime. He added 19 points at Michigan State, 20 points and 10 rebounds vs. Indiana (home) and 18 points and seven rebounds vs. Ohio State. The double-double vs. Indiana is the first for Haluska 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. He added 11 points in a win at Purdue and 18 points in the home win over Michigan. Against the Wolverines, he hit 5-6 FGs, 4-5 treys and 4-5 free throws, while also collecting five assists. Haluska had 13 points and seven rebounds in the win at Indiana, hitting 3-4 free throws in the final 11 seconds to assure the win, and he added 11 points, five rebounds, three rebounds and two steals in a win over Michigan State. He has scored in double figures in 23 of 26 games and was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week for his play in wins over Indiana and Ohio State. He leads Iowa in scoring at 14.8 points per game, he is averaging 4.8 rebounds and he has led Iowa in steals in 10 games. Haluska has started all 90 games he has played in his career. His consecutive starts streak ranks 10th longest among all Division I players, according to STATS — Chicago.

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 a home 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 home win over Indiana and he had six rebounds and five blocks in the win in Bloomington. Hansen had eight points vs. Ohio State, including two free throws to give Iowa the lead for good late in the contest. In the win over Michigan State he contributed 13 points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Hansen ranks third in career blocked shots with 198 and his 75 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 15 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 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally with 2.9 blocked shots per game and he is shooting 56.8% from the field.

HENDERSON NUMBERS IMPROVED
Junior guard Mike Henderson has played a key role in Iowa’s success, as he has improved his numbers in several categories from a year ago. Henderson matched his career scoring high with 17 points in the win at Purdue. He sparked an 11-0 scoring run in the second half that led to Iowa’s win as he hit 7-10 field goals and added three steals. He added 11 points and four assists against Michigan, hitting all three of his three-point attempts, and he had 10 points in the win at Indiana. He scored 10 points vs. Arizona State and had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists vs. Drake. Henderson played a solid defensive game in Iowa’s home win over Illinois and also had 10 points and eight rebounds. Henderson is averaging 7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 46.2% from the field and 71.1% from the free throw line. Henderson has scored in double figures in nine 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 is averaging 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He has recorded 11 double-doubles and set a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record with 23 rebounds vs. Minnesota. He ranks first in career rebounds (938), eighth in free throw attempts (510), sixth in blocked shots (95) and 10th in career scoring (1,403). Horner is averaging 13.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. Horner ranks 11th in career scoring (1,383), first in career assists (577), three-point field goals (241) and attempts (651) and eighth in career steals (154). Brunner has played in all 119 games in his career, with 107 starts. Horner has started 114 of the 115 games he has played at Iowa, missing four games in December due to injury. Brunner’s 119 games ranks 14th on Iowa’s career list for games played.

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.

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 10th in career scoring with 1,403 points, while Horner is 11th with 1,383. 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 (521) and distribute over 500 assists (577). Horner was honorable mention all-Big Ten a year ago. Haluska has 1,135 career points, with 284 of those coming during his freshman season at Iowa State. He has scored 851 points at Iowa. He leads Iowa in scoring (14.8 ppg) and has scored in double figures in 23 of 26 games. This is the fifth time Iowa has had three 1,000 point scorers on the same team, but the first time they have all three been native Iowans. In happened in 2005 (Brunner, Horner and Pierre Pierce), 1996 (Jess Settles, Kenyon Murray and Chris Kingsbury), 1989 (Roy Marble, B.J. Armstrong and Ed Horton) and 1988 (Marble, Armstrong and Jeff Moe).

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 Iowa 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. 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, had 25 points and 11 rebounds. Haluska was co-Player of the Week in the Big Ten on Jan. 30 and Horner earned the award Feb. 6.

IOWA VS. RANKED FOES
Steve Alford has posted a 26-33 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including an 8-3 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), 16th-ranked Ohio State (67-62), 20th-ranked Michigan (94-66), 21st-ranked Indiana (70-67) and 16th-ranked Michigan State (66-54). 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 59 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 12-9 in home games, 10-11 at neutral sites and 4-13 when playing ranked teams in their home arena.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 857-697 in the first half and 878-825 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in 23 games and the Hawkeyes have outscored their opponent in the second half in 16 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 15 home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 71.3-54.3 margin, shooting 44.9% from the field while holding its opponent to 35.2% shooting. Iowa holds a 41.3-34.4 rebounding advantage. In 11 games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (two neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 62.8-66.6. The Hawkeyes are shooting 39.3% from the field while opponents are shooting 42.9%. Iowa holds a 36.0-35.7 rebounding advantage.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa has made 72-101 (71.3%) free throws in the final four minutes and overtime of its 12 games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 38-53 (71.7%) of their free throw attempts in the final four minutes and overtime periods. Iowa is 9-3 in those games.

2006 CAPTAINS
Iowa’s captains are seniors Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner. Brunner, a native of Charles City, has started 107-119 games in his career and ranks among Iowa’s career leaders in scoring, rebounds, free throw attempts 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 114 of 115 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, three-point attempts 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: Feb. 20 and 27; and March 6, 13 and 20.

AFTER THIS
Iowa travels to Illinois Saturday, Feb. 25 for a 5:05 p.m. contest on ESPN. Iowa closes the regular season by hosting Penn State March 1 (7:05 p.m.) and Wisconsin March 4 (TBA).