Hawkeyes Host Two-game Homestand to End Regular Season

Feb. 27, 2006

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THE SETTING
Iowa (20-8, 9-5) begins its final home stand of the season Wednesday, March 1, hosting Penn State (14-12, 6-9). Game time is 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa hosts Wisconsin Saturday (3:40 p.m.) to close the regular season. Iowa dropped a 71-59 decision at Illinois last Saturday. Penn State defeated Northwestern 68-55 Saturday in State College.

ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play with color commentator Bob Hansen. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pre-game show. Television: ESPN Regional will carry the game to a network of stations that includes KGAN Cedar Rapids, KDSM Des Moines, KWQC Quad Cities, KYOU Ottumwa and cable systems in Mason City, Sioux City, Council Bluffs-Omaha, Denver, Kansas City and St. Louis. Larry Morgan and Shon Morris will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,371 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,416-955 (.597). That includes an 886-306 (.743) record in home games, a 529-649 (.449) record in games away from Iowa City, a 673-658 (.506) mark in Big Ten games and a 292-80 (.785) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa, in the Feb. 20 rankings, was 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.

IOWA STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
Iowa is 13th in the RPI Index and 21st in the Sagarin Ratings. Iowa’s strength of schedule is 24th in the RPI Index and 19th by Sagarin. Iowa has posted an 8-5 record while playing 13 games against top 50 teams in the RPI Index. Iowa is one of six teams nationally with as many as 13 games against top 50 teams, with only Duke and Connecticut 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.

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’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 fifth-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).

TICKETS GOING FAST FOR FINAL HOME GAMES
Iowa’s March 4 contest against Wisconsin is sold out, while roughly 1,800 remain for Wednesday’s 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 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 286-168 (.630), including a 130-91 (.588) record at Iowa, a 78-29 (.729) record in four seasons (1992-95) at Div. III Manchester College and a four-year record (1996-99) of 78-48 (.619) at Southwest Missouri State. 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 50-60 (.455) 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 9-3 vs. Penn State and 3-0 vs. PSU Coach Ed DeChillis.

PSU COACH ED DECHILLIS
Ed DeChillis is in his third season as Penn State’s head coach and his 10th year overall as a college head coach. DeChillis is 30-54 at Penn State and his career mark stands at 135-147. He posted a 105-93 record in seven years as the head coach at East Tennessee State. A Penn State graduate, DeChillis led East Tennessee State to the Southern Conference Tournament championship in 2003, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. East Tennessee State then lost to No. two seed Wake Forest by a narrow 76-73 margin. DeChillis began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Penn State, and later was an assistant coach at Salem College in West Virginia. He returned to Penn State as an assistant coach for 10 seasons before taking over at East Tennessee State. As a PSU assistant, DeChillis helped the Nittany Lions advance to post-season play in four straight seasons (1989-92), while posting an 87-40 record in that time. DeChillis is 0-3 vs. Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford

DECHILLIS AS AN ASSISTANT
Penn State Coach Ed DeChillis served as a Nittany Lion assistant coach from 1986-96, during the time that Penn State moved from the Atlantic 10 Conference to the Big Ten. During his last two seasons as an assistant there, PSU posted a 42-18 record, advancing to the NIT in 1995 and the NCAA Tournament in 1996. During his time as a Penn State assistant DeChillis helped PSU post a 4-3 record against Iowa.

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).

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 goals (246) and attempts (667) and eighth in career assists (586).

HAWKEYE, LION NOTES

• Iowa has won 16 straight home games, establishing a school record for Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa’s current streak ranks as the fifth best in the nation. When the Hawkeyes won at Penn State in 1997 in marked PSU’s first defeat in the Bryce Jordan Center and ended the longest home court winning streak in the nation at the time.
• Penn State assistant Kurt Kanaskie is no stranger to the Iowa basketball program, as he served as the head coach at Drake University in Des Moines for seven seasons. He held a 0-7 record vs. Iowa and a 0-10 record vs. Iowa Coach Steve Alford.
• Penn State assistant Dan Earl is a former Nittany Lion player. Earl began his playing career in 1993-94 and ended his career in 1998-99. He missed the 1996-97 season due to a back injury and missed all but five games in 1997-98 due to a knee injury, earning a medical hardship and a sixth season. In the games he played, Earl helped Penn State post a 4-2 record vs. Iowa, including a 67-64 win in Iowa City in the quarter-finals of the 1995 NIT.

THE SERIES
Iowa holds a 17-8 advantage in the series that began with an 82-53 Iowa win in 1955. The Hawkeyes have won the last five meetings, nine of the last 11, 10 of the last 13 and 12 of the last 16. Iowa defeated the Nittany Lions 80-76 in State College on Jan. 14 and won the only meeting last season, 78-56 in State College. Iowa scored a 77-58 win in Iowa City in 2004, and won both meetings in 2002-03. The teams split two games in 2002 and Iowa won two of three meetings in 2001, including a 94-74 win in the semi-finals of the Big Ten Conference Tournament. Iowa holds an 8-3 advantage in games played in Iowa City, with all 11 meetings taking place in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes have won six of the last seven meetings in Iowa City. Three of the 25 meetings in the series have been in post-season action. The first meeting in 1955 was in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Evanston, IL, with Iowa winning 82-53. Penn State won 67-64 in Iowa City in 1995 in the semi-finals of the NIT and Iowa won in the Big Ten Tournament in 2001. Iowa’s 67-48 win in 1962 took place in the first round of the Quaker City Tournament in Philadelphia, PA.

IOWA WON FIRST MEETING AT PSU
Despite holding the upper hand throughout most of the contest, Iowa had to come from behind in the closing minutes to take an 80-76 win at Penn State on Jan. 14. Iowa shot 51.9% from the field in the first half, leading by as many as 10 points. The Hawkeyes led 40-34 at intermission after Adam Haluska scored 21 points in the opening half. Iowa made 9-18 three-point attempts in the opening 20 minutes. Iowa maintained control in the early portion of the second half, holding a 66-59 advantage with six minutes to play. From there Penn State scored nine straight points to take a 68-66 advantage with 3:52 left. The teams traded baskets until Erek Hansen converted a rebound basket and added a free throw, giving Iowa a 72-70 advantage with 1:51 to play. Two free throws by Greg Brunner gave Iowa a 74-73 advantage with 48 seconds remaining and Jeff Horner added a pair of free shots after a Penn State turnover. Hansen came up big on the defensive end, collecting his sixth blocked shot of the game with 25 seconds left and Iowa leading by three points. Haluska added a pair of foul shots and Horner hit a free throw in the final seconds to secure the road win. Haluska ended the contest with a career-best 29 points, surpassing 1,000 career points. He hit 6-10 treys and 5-6 free throws. Horner added 17 points and nine assists and Brunner had 13 points. Hansen, who made key plays at both ends in the closing minutes, had seven points and six rebounds to go with his six blocks. Reserve Doug Thomas led the Hawkeyes with seven rebounds. Jamelle Cornley had 20 points to leads Penn State’s balanced attack, while Travis Parker added 19, Mike Walker 14 and Geary Claxton 12. Parker also added 10 rebounds and Ben Luber had six assists.

HAWKEYES VS. RANKED FOES
Iowa has posted an 8-4 record against teams in the top 25 rankings at the time of the game, including a 2-2 mark against top 10 teams. The eight wins vs. ranked foes are 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. 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 (39.0), 12th in fouls per game (15.4), 26th in scoring defense (60.4) and 35th in blocked shots (4.9). Individually, Jeff Horner is 15th in assists per game (6.0), Erek Hansen is 17th in blocked shots per game (2.7) and Greg Brunner is 18th in rebounds per game (9.9).

LOFTY POSITION FOR FEBRUARY
Iowa was in first place in the Big Ten standings from Jan. 28 to Feb. 25. 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. Iowa’s 20-8 record through 28 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 28 games since the 1996 Hawkeyes started the season with a 21-7 mark. Feb. 14 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 is the only team to remain undefeated at home. Ohio State has four road wins, while Iowa and Penn State have three.

IOWA DEFENSIVE SO FAR
Iowa’s defense has led the way in winning 20 of 28 games. Iowa opponents are averaging just 60.4 points per game, shooting 39% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range. Iowa has collected 185 steals and forced 421 turnovers while collecting 137 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 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.

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 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while Horner averages 13.0 points, 6.0 assists and 3.8 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 28 games, scoring double figures in 23 games. He is averaging 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds, shooting 41.4% from the field and 83.9% 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.

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 9.9 rebounds per game. He is scoring 14.7 points and has recorded 11 scoring and rebounding double-doubles this season. Haluska is averaging 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He had a career-high 29 points at Penn State and has scored in double figures in 23 of 28 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 13.0 points, 6.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game. He has scored over 1,400 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 20-8 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 14.7 points and 9.9 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 586. 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 246 treys, moving past Chris Kingsbury, who had 226 during his career (1994-96). Horner is also first in three-point attempts (667). 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.

BRUNNER IS CAREER REBOUND LEADER
Senior forward Greg Brunner has raised his career rebounding total to 952 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 (1,447), ninth field goals (530), eighth in free throw attempts (527) and sixth in blocked shots (97). 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 21 games and collecting 10 or more rebounds in 14 outings. He leads the Big Ten in rebounding (9.9) and is averaging 14.7 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 221 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 8-4 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), 11th-ranked Michigan State (55-85) and 8th-ranked Illinois (59-71).
• 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 nearly as many free throws (422) as its opponents have attempted (425).
• 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 1-7 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 2-4 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 14-1 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 3-7 when the opponent has more assists and 3-0 when assists are equal.
• Iowa is 12-2 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 8-5 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 0-1 when turnovers are even.
• Iowa is 6-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 13-7 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 3-6 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 19-4 when leading at halftime, 1-4 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, Minnesota and Illinois.
• Iowa is 16-3 when controlling the opening tip and 4-5 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 14 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 ILLINOIS
Illinois used a scoring spurt late in the first half to gain the advantage and went on to a 71-59 win over Iowa in Champaign. The Hawkeyes played well in the early going, taking a six point advantage after six minutes. Illinois took the lead for good with nine minutes to play in the half and led by as many as seven before holding a 34-29 halftime advantage. Illinois held the advantage throughout the final 20 minutes, building a 16 point lead with six minutes to play. Iowa closed to within 10 points, but could get no closer as the Illini avenged an earlier loss in Iowa City. Illinois shot 45.1% from the field and held a 32-24 rebounding advantage. The Illini had 13 offensive rebounds, committed just eight turnovers and collected 16 assists on 23 field goals. Iowa shot 44.7% from the field, including just 25% (4-16) from three-point range. Greg Brunner led Iowa’s attack with a season-best 27 points, hitting 9-15 field goals and 9-10 free throws. Jeff Horner added 11 points and led the Hawkeyes with eight rebounds. Brunner added seven rebounds and Horner had four assists.

PENN STATE DEFEATS NORTHWESTERN
Penn State closed its home season with a 68-55 win over Northwestern as the Nittany Lions have doubled their win total (14) from a year ago. Penn State shot 51.3% from the field, including 52.9% in the first half in building a 35-25 advantage. Penn State held a 26-21 rebounding advantage, collected 11 steals while forcing 16 Wildcat turnovers and had 16 assists on 22 field goals. The biggest advantage came at the free throw line, where Penn State made 20-26 (76.9%) attempts. Northwestern missed all three of its free throw attempts. Northwestern closed to within six points, 49-43, in the second half before PSU went on an 18-5 scoring run to ice the win, it’s 11th home victory this season. Travis Parker and Geary Claxton each had 14 points to leads Penn State’s scoring, while Jamelle Cornley added 11 points. Parker led PSU with six steals, Cornley and Claxton each had seven rebounds and Ben Luber and David Jackson both had five assists.

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 586 and he has 530 career rebounds. Horner ranks 11th in career scoring (1,407). In other career stats, Horner is Iowa’s career leader in three-point field goals (246) and three-point attempts (667) and he is seventh in steals (155). 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. He is averaging 13.0 points, 6.0 assists and 3.8 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 1,147 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 28 games and was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week for his play in wins over Indiana and Ohio State. He is averaging 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds and he has led Iowa in steals in 10 games. Haluska has started all 92 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 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 3.8 rebounds. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally with 2.7 blocked shots per game and he is shooting 57.7% 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 4.1 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 47.7% 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.

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 1,447 points, while Horner is 11th with 1,407. 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 (530) and distribute over 500 assists (586). Horner was honorable mention all-Big Ten a year ago. Haluska has 1,147 career points, with 284 of those coming during his freshman season at Iowa State. He has scored 863 points at Iowa. He is averaging 14.1 points and has scored in double figures in 23 of 28 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 26-34 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including an 8-4 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, was defeated 85-55 at 11th-ranked Michigan State and lost at eighth-ranked Illinois, 71-59. Alford’s Hawkeye teams are 8-14 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 14 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 eighth-ranked Illinois, 2005-06), once to ninth-ranked (Kentucky, 2000-01) and three times to 10th-ranked (Michigan State, 2000, Illinois, 2002 and Michigan State, 2005). In the 60 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 12-9 in home games, 10-11 at neutral sites and 4-14 when playing ranked teams in their home arena.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 915-769 in the first half and 940-898 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 13 games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (two neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 62.4-67.5. The Hawkeyes are shooting 39.8% from the field while opponents are shooting 43.6%. The opponents also hold a 35.5-34.2 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 18 of 28 games, with a season-best 83.3% (20-24) in a win over Fairfield. Iowa has posted a 13-5 record when shooting at least 70% from the free throw line.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, compared to 11.6 points and 8.5 rebounds for the opponent reserves. Iowa is 10-2 when the reserves outscore the opponent’s reserves, 8-5 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, 6-4 when the opponent reserves have more rebounds and 1-0 when the reserve rebounding is even.

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 109-121 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 116 of 117 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.

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).

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 Saturday, hosting Wisconsin at 3:40 p.m. The Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis is March 9-12.