Iowa Men Face Illinois Saturday in Final Road Game

Feb. 22, 2006

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THE SETTING
Iowa (20-7, 9-4) plays its final road game of the regular season Saturday, Feb. 25, visiting Illinois (22-5, 8-5). Game time is 5:05 p.m. at Assembly Hall (16,618). Iowa dropped a 74-61 contest at Minnesota last Saturday before having a mid-week bye. Illinois dropped a 72-64 contest at Michigan Tuesday night.

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.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,370 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,416-954 (.597). That includes an 886-306 (.743) record in home games, a 529-648 (.449) record in games away from Iowa City, a 673-657 (.506) mark in Big Ten games and a 292-80 (.785) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked 20th by the Associated Press and 22nd 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. Illinois is ranked eighth in both polls.

IOWA STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
Iowa is 11th in the RPI Index and 20th in the Sagarin Ratings. Iowa’s strength of schedule is 26th in the RPI Index and 21st by Sagarin. Iowa has posted an 8-4 record while playing 12 games against top 50 teams in the RPI Index. Iowa joins Connecticut, Duke, Michigan State and West Virginia as one of five Division I teams with 12 games against top 50 teams, with only Duke and Connecticut having more than eight wins against top 50 teams.

TICKETS GOING FAST FOR FINAL HOME GAMES
Iowa’s March 4 contest against Wisconsin is sold out, while roughly 2,000 remain for the March 1 contest vs. Penn State. Iowa has had four sellouts (15,500) in six Big Ten Conference home games. A special youth ticket for high school age and below, is available for $10 for the Penn State game. 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.

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 most ever for a Hawkeye basketball team in one season. The eight wins is the highest total for a Steve Alford-coached Hawkeye team and the most since Iowa posted a 6-2 record vs. ranked teams in 1990-91. Iowa defeated seven ranked team in WHAT YEARS??? With wins over 21st-ranked Indiana and 16th-ranked Michigan State in the last two weeks, 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 10th in field goal defense (38.8), 12th in fouls per game (15.1), 26th in scoring defense (60.0) and 35th in blocked shots (5.0). Individually, Jeff Horner is 15th in assists per game (6.0), Erek Hansen is 17th in blocked shots per game (2.8) and Greg Brunner is 18th in rebounds per game (10.0).

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. Iowa’s record of 24 consecutive home wins began in the 1946-47 season and ended during the 1948-49 campaign.

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 9-4 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 13 league games since 1988, when Iowa posted a 12-6 Big Ten record and tied for third. Iowa’s 20-7 record through 27 games marks the best start for a Hawkeye team under Steve Alford, as the Hawkeyes were 18-9 in 2001. This is Iowa’s best record through 27 games since the 1989 Hawkeyes started the season with a 21-6 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, Ohio State and Penn State are the only teams that have won as many as three road games. Iowa and Ohio State are the only teams that have not suffered consecutive losses in conference play.

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 286-167 (.631), including a 130-90 (.591) 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 50-59 (.459) 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 3-8 vs. Illinois and 3-4 vs. Illini Coach Bruce Weber.

ILLINOIS COACH BRUCE WEBER
Bruce Weber is in his third season as the head coach at Illinois, but he is no stranger to Big Ten basketball. Weber was an assistant coach at Purdue from 1981-98 before taking over as the head coach at Southern Illinois prior to the 1998-99 season. Weber is now in his eighth year as a head coach and his career mark stands at 188-68, including an 85-14 record at Illinois and a 103-54 mark in his five seasons at Southern Illinois. Weber also served as an assistant coach for one season at Western Kentucky (under Gene Keady) before his stint at Purdue. Weber guided Illinois to the Big Ten regular season title in his first year in Champaign. Last season Illinois swept the regular season and tournament titles while advancing to the NCAA championship game, concluding the year with a 37-2 record. Weber led Southern Illinois to three post-season appearances in his five years, including NCAA Tournament invitations in 2002 and 2003. The Salukis earned Missouri Valley Conference titles in both 2002 and 2003 and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2002. Weber is 4-1 against Iowa and he holds a 4-3 record vs. Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

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).

THE SERIES
Illinois holds a 72-65 advantage in the series that began with a 46-36 Iowa win in 1908. Iowa won 63-48 Jan. 7 in Iowa City in the first meeting this year. The Fighting Illini won both meetings in 2005, 73-68 in overtime Jan. 20 in Champaign and 75-65 Feb. 19 in Iowa City. In 2004, Illinois defeated Iowa 88-82 in Champaign and 78-59 in Iowa City. Illinois has won eight of the last 11 meetings. The teams met just once in 2002 and 2003, with Illinois winning at home in 2002 and Iowa winning at home in 2003. Prior to 2001-02, Iowa and Illinois had met at least twice in every season since 1974. Illinois has been ranked in the top 25 in 10 of the 11 meetings since Steve Alford has been Iowa’s head coach, including No. 1 for both meetings in 2005. Illinois holds a 55-14 advantage in games played in Champaign, where they have won five straight over Iowa and 16 of the last 17 meetings. Iowa’s last win at Assembly Hall came by a 78-72 margin during the 1998-99 season.

GAME NOTES

• In Big Ten games, Illinois leads the Big Ten in scoring defense and field goal defense, while Iowa is third in field goal defense and fifth in scoring defense. In league play, Illinois and Iowa rank first and third, respectively, in rebound margin. For all games, Iowa is first in field goal defense and Illinois is second.
• In individual rebounding, Iowa’s Greg Brunner leads the league for all games (10.0) and Big Ten games (10.1), while James Augustine of Illinois is second in league games (9.2) and third for all games (9.3). Brunner and Augustine each rank as the career rebounding leader at their school.
• Both Iowa Coach Steve Alford and Illinois Coach Bruce Weber were head coaches in the Missouri Valley Conference before taking their current positions in the Big Ten. Alford was the head coach at Southwest Missouri State for four seasons and Weber was the head coach at Southern Illinois for five years. The two coaches met twice during the 1998-99 season, with Alford’s team winning 76-62 and 72-68 (OT).
• Illinois Coach Bruce Weber was an assistant coach at Purdue when Iowa Coach Steve Alford was a player at Indiana. Purdue won five of eight meetings against Indiana during Alford’s playing career.
• Iowa freshman guard Tony Freeman and Illinois senior guard Dee Brown are both from Maywood, IL, although they did not attend the same high school.
• Tracy Webster is in his second season on the Illinois staff. Webster played at Wisconsin and was an assistant coach at Purdue before joining the Illini staff.
• Illinois is the only team Iowa has not played at least once in the Big Ten Conference post-season tournament.

IOWA WON FIRST MEETING
Iowa shot 52.6% from the field in the second half and used a solid defensive performance to take a 63-48 win over sixth-ranked Illinois. Both teams struggled to score in the first half, as Illinois shot 29.6% and Iowa just 25% from the field. The Hawkeyes held Illinois scoreless for the final four minutes of the period and scored the final four points to take a 21-19 lead at the break. The Hawkeyes scored the first basket of the second half and never trailed in the final 20 minutes. Iowa led by 10 with 12 minutes to play before Illinois rallied within three points with 8:18 remaining. Two free throws by Adam Haluska and a basket by Mike Henderson gave Iowa a 45-38 cushion with six minutes remaining and Illinois could get no closer than six points the rest of the way. Iowa made all eight of its free throw attempts in the final minute to secure the win over the team that advanced to the 2005 NCAA title game. Iowa ended the contest shooting 35.3% from the field and 75% (24-32) from the free throw line. The Hawkeyes also held a 45-32 rebounding advantage. Illinois shot just 34.6% from the field and made just 5-26 (19.2%) three-point attempts and 7-15 (46.7%) free throws. Jeff Horner led Iowa with 16 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Haluska added 15 points and Henderson scored 10. Greg Brunner led all players with 12 rebounds and scored eight points. Erek Hansen added eight points, four rebounds and two blocked shots. Illinois was led by James Augustine with 14 points and nine rebounds

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).

NABC RECOGNIZED BRUNNER & HALUSKA
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) has recognized senior Greg Brunner and junior Adam Haluska. Brunner was named to the District 12 first team, while Haluska was a second team selection. Brunner leads Iowa and the Big Ten Conference with an average of 10 rebounds per game. He is scoring 14.3 points and has recorded 11 scoring and rebounding double-doubles this season. He is Iowa’s career rebounding leader (945) and he ranks 11th in career scoring (1,420). Haluska leads the team with a 14.6 scoring average and he is averaging 4.7 rebounds per game. He had a career-high 29 points at Penn State and has scored in double figures in 23 of 27 games. Brunner and Haluska were both recently named to the CoSIDA Distrct VII academic all-American team.

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, 6.0 assists and 3.6 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 20-7 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 14.3 points and 10 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. His career total now stands at 582. 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 244 treys, moving past Chris Kingsbury, who had 226 during his career (1994-96). Horner is also first in three-point attempts (660). 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 (1,396) 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 seventh in career three-point field goal attempts (660) and eighth in career assists (582) and three-point field goals (244).

BRUNNER IS CAREER REBOUND LEADER
Senior forward Greg Brunner has raised his career rebounding total to 945 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 (1,420), eighth in free throw attempts (517) and sixth in blocked shots (96). 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 20 games and collecting 10 or more rebounds in 14 outings. He leads the Big Ten in rebounding (10.0) and is averaging 14.3 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 220 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 (409) than its opponents have attempted (396).
• 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 1-6 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 2-3 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 14-1 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 3-6 when the opponent has more assists and 3-0 when assists are equal.
• Iowa is 12-2 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 8-4 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 0-1 when turnovers are even.
• Iowa is 6-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 13-6 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 3-5 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 19-4 when leading at halftime, 1-3 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime. Iowa has trailed at halftime in road games at Iowa State, Michigan State, Purdue and Minnesota.
• Iowa is 16-3 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 13 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 (away), Purdue (away) and Minnesota (away) are the only Iowa opponents to shoot 50% or better from the field, and Iowa was 1-2 in those 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 FALLS AT MINNESOTA
Minnesota shot 51% from the field and held an advantage in nearly all statistical categories as the Gophers took a 74-61 win over Iowa, earning a season split. Minnesota used its inside scoring strength to take a 38-29 advantage at halftime, scoring the most point allowed by Iowa in the first half this season. The Hawkeyes trailed 28-27 with 3:16 left in the half before the Gophers used a 10-2 run to end the period. Minnesota shot 60.7% from the field in the first half, compared to 40.9% for Iowa. The Gophers led by nine points with 12:47 remaining when Iowa used a 10-0 scoring run to take the lead. Three free throws by Adam Haluska gave Iowa a 51-50 advantage with 10 minutes to play. Minnesota led by three points with 3:13 remaining when free throw shooting took over the game. Iowa missed the front end of consecutive one and one opportunities as Minnesota built a seven point advantage. The Gophers then connected on 11-13 free throws in the final two minutes to keep a comfortable margin. Along with shooting 51%, Minnesota held a 36-25 rebounding advantage and was guilty of just 10 turnovers. Iowa shot 41.3% from the field and 75% from the foul line, despite missing three of four free throws in the final four minutes. Greg Brunner led Iowa with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Jeff Horner added 13 points and five assists. Mike Henderson scored eight points and led the Hawkeyes with three steals.

MICHIGAN GETS PAST ILLINOIS
Michigan shot 48.9% from the field and 94.4% from the free throw line in earning a 72-64 win over Illinois Tuesday night in Ann Arbor. Illinois shot 48.4% from the field in the first half, leading most of the way while taking a 34-30 lead at the break. The Illini built the advantage to seven points early in the second half before Michigan rallied. After gaining the advantage, Michigan led most of the second half and kept the lead by making all 15 of its second half free throws. Daniel Horton led the Wolverines with 39 points, including 8-8 free throws. Illinois was led by James Augustine with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Dee Brown added 20 points and six assists. Shaun Pruitt added 10 points as the five starters scored all 64 Illinois points. The Illini shot 46.6% from the field, but just 28.6% (4-14) from three-point range and 66.7% (6-9) from the free throw line.

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 582 and he has 522 career rebounds. Horner ranks 11th in career scoring (1,396). In other career stats, Horner is Iowa’s career leader in three-point field goals (244) and three-point attempts (660) 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, 15 points and six assists in a win over Michigan State and 15 points and five rebounds at Minnesota. He is averaging 13.1 points, 6.0 assists and 3.6 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 1,144 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 27 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 14.6 points per game, he is averaging 4.7 rebounds and he has led Iowa in steals in 10 games. Haluska has started all 91 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 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally with 2.8 blocked shots per game and he is shooting 57.1% 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 47.3% from the field and 70.1% 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.

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 1,420 points, while Horner is 11th with 1,396. 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 (522) and distribute over 500 assists (582). Horner was honorable mention all-Big Ten a year ago. Haluska has 1,144 career points, with 284 of those coming during his freshman season at Iowa State. He has scored 860 points at Iowa. He leads Iowa in scoring (14.6 ppg) and has scored in double figures in 23 of 27 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).

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 886-735 in the first half and 910-861 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 12 games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (two neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 62.7-67.2. The Hawkeyes are shooting 39.4% from the field while opponents are shooting 43.5%. The opponents also hold a 35.8-35.1 rebounding advantage.

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 17 of 27 games, with a season-best 83.3% (20-24) in a win over Fairfield. Iowa has posted a 13-4 record when shooting at least 70% from the free throw line.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 12.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, compared to 11.4 points and 8.4 rebounds for the opponent reserves. Iowa is 10-2 when the reserves outscore the opponent’s reserves, 8-4 when the opponent reserves score more points and 2-1 when the reserve scoring is even. Iowa is 13-4 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves, 6-3 when the opponent reserves have more rebounds and 1-0 when the reserve rebounding is even.

2006 CAPTAINS
Iowa’s captains are seniors Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner. Brunner, a native of Charles City, has started 108-120 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 115 of 116 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. 27 and March 6, 13 and 20.

AFTER THIS
Iowa closes the regular season by hosting Penn State March 1 (7:05 p.m.) and Wisconsin March 4 (TBA). The Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis is March 9-12.