Iowa Hosts Wisconsin Saturday to Close Regular Season

March 3, 2006

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THE SETTING
Iowa (21-8, 10-5) closes the regular season Saturday, March 4, hosting Wisconsin (19-9, 9-6). Game time is 3:40 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). The game is sold out. Iowa defeated Penn State 65-38 Wednesday in Iowa City. Wisconsin lost a 74-65 decision at Michigan State Thursday 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 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. Wayne Larrivee and Mike Kelley will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,372 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,417-955 (.597). That includes an 887-306 (.744) record in home games, a 529-649 (.449) record in games away from Iowa City, a 674-658 (.506) mark in Big Ten games and a 293-80 (.786) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked 23rd by the Associated Press and 24th 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. Wisconsin is ranked 25th in the coaches poll.

IOWA STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
Iowa is 14th in the RPI Index and 21st in the Sagarin Ratings. Iowa’s strength of schedule is 26th in the RPI Index and 25th 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. Connecticut is the only team that has more than eight wins against top 50 teams.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 293-80 (.786) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 139-67 (.675) in Big Ten games and 154-13 (.922) in non-Big Ten games. Iowa has drawn over 5.4 million fans for men’s basketball since the arena opened in 1983. Iowa has posted an 85-25 (.772) 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.

SENIOR RECOGNITION
Seven senior members of the Iowa basketball program will be recognized in a short ceremony following Saturday’s game. The senior players include Greg Brunner (Charles City), Erek Hansen (Bedford, TX), Jeff Horner (Mason City), Doug Thomas (Pasadena, CA) and Justin Wieck (North Liberty), along with managers Mike Freeman (Cedar Rapids) and Brett Kozishek (Williamsburg). Start to finish video of the post-game activities will be available at 2 p.m. Sunday at hawkeyesports.com, the official world wide web site of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

ON THE LINE . . .
With a win to close the regular season Saturday, Iowa would:

• Earn win No. 22 on the season, matching the 1995-96 team as the most recent to earn 22 regular season wins.
• Earn Big Ten win No. 11, the most for an Iowa team since the 1996-97 team won 12 conference games. Iowa’s 10 wins this season are the most for Iowa since the Big Ten went to a 16-game league schedule in 1998.
• Clinch no worse than a No. two seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa’s best seed in the event was the No. four seed in 2004. A loss to Wisconsin will give Iowa the No. four seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
• Clinch no worse that a tie for second place in the regular season standings, with a chance to tie Ohio State, which closes the season Sunday vs. Purdue, for the league title. Iowa has not placed as high as second in the regular season since earning a tie for second with a 12-6 record in 1997.
• Earn a win over its ninth top 25 opponent of the season and defeat its seventh ranked opponent in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has set school records for home wins and total wins over ranked opponents this season.
• Complete its first-ever undefeated home season in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which opened in 1983, and its first undefeated home season since 1966.
• Complete the seventh season in Iowa history with an undefeated home record. Iowa was undefeated at home in 1902 (3-0), 1926 (9-0), 1945 (11-0), 1948 (12-0), 1950 (6-0) and 1966 (12-0).
• Establish a school record of 17 home wins in one season. The record of 16 was established in 1985 and tied with the 65-38 win over Penn State earlier this week.
• Improve its overall home winning streak to 18 games, a streak that ranks fifth longest in the nation.

IOWA SETS ARENA WIN STREAK
Iowa has won 17 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 16 home dates this season. Iowa’s last home loss was a 75-65 decision to Illinois on Feb. 19, 2005. The 16 wins this season ties the record for home wins in a season, as the Hawkeyes also won 16 home games in 1985. 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 17-game win streak includes nine non-conference and eight 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 16 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 also won 16 home games in 1985, but not the initial 16 games. Iowa has never completed a perfect record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which opened in January, 1983. The Hawkeyes lost just one home game in 1993 (15-1) and 1996 (14-1).

IOWA 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 287-168 (.631), including a 131-91 (.590) 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 51-60 (.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 4-10 vs. Wisconsin (3-10 while at Iowa) and 3-8 vs. Badger Coach Bo Ryan.

WISCONSIN COACH BO RYAN
Bo Ryan is in his fifth season at Wisconsin after leading the Badgers to back-to-back Big Ten regular season titles in 2002 and 2003. The Badgers won the Big Ten Tournament title in 2004. He was named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year in both 2003 and 2004. Ryan has posted a 112-46 record with the Badgers. Ryan is in his 22nd season as a college head coach, with a career record of 495-149. Ryan moved to Madison after posting a 30-27 record in two seasons at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ryan’s UW-Milwaukee team posted a 15-13 record in 2001, including a narrow 83-79 loss to Iowa in Iowa City. Ryan was the head coach at Wisconsin-Platteville for 15 seasons, leading that school to four NCAA Division III national titles (1991, 1995, 1998, 1999) and eight conference titles. Overall his record at Platteville was 353-76. Ryan has been named national Coach of the Year four times. He is the winningest coach in Division III history and was the winningest coach in the NCAA (all divisions) in the 1990’s. He served as an assistant coach for the gold-medal winning USA team at the 1995 World University Games and an assistant coach for the gold-medal winning North team at the 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival. Ryan previously was an assistant at Wisconsin for eight seasons (1977-84), working under Bill Cofield and Steve Yoder. Ryan is 7-3 vs. Iowa (7-2 while at Wisconsin) and 8-3 vs. Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

ALFORD MOVES TO FOURTH
Coach Steve Alford has collected 131 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).

COACHES MET FOR DIVISION III TITLE
Iowa Coach Steve Alford and Wisconsin Coach Bo Ryan first coached against each other in the NCAA Division III championship game in 1995. In that game, Ryan’s Wisconsin-Platteville team defeated Alford’s Manchester College team by a 69-55 margin. Alford and Ryan also met in 2001 when Alford’s second Iowa team opened the season with an 83-79 win over Ryan’s Wisconsin-Milwaukee team in Iowa City.

THE SERIES
Iowa holds a 75-69 advantage in the series that began with a 30-9 Wisconsin win in 1909, but the Badgers have won the last six meetings. Wisconsin defeated Iowa 66-52 in Madison on Jan. 5 to start Big Ten play. The Badgers won both meetings last season by three points, 72-69 in Madison during the regular season and 59-56 in the 2005 Big Ten Conference Tournament semi-finals. Wisconsin won 54-52 in Iowa City in the only meeting in 2004 and the Badgers won both meetings in 2003, 74-61 in Madison and 61-53 in Iowa City. Iowa won two of three meetings in 2002, the first time the teams had ever met three times in the same season. In 2002, the Hawkeyes won in Iowa City and lost in Madison before defeating the Badgers in the quarter-finals of the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. Iowa and Wisconsin have met three times at the Big Ten Tournament, with the Badgers winning twice. Wisconsin won in Chicago in 1999 and 2005 and Iowa won in Indianapolis in 2002. Iowa holds a 47-22 advantage in Iowa City, including a 13-7 mark in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Wisconsin has won five of the last six meetings in Iowa City, with Iowa winning in 2002 before the Badgers won again in 2003 and 2004.

IOWA, BADGER NOTES

• Iowa’s Steve Alford holds a 12-10 record vs. Wisconsin as a player and coach. Indiana won all eight games vs. Wisconsin during Alford’s playing career. As a coach, Alford is 4-10 vs. the Badgers. Alford’s Southwest Missouri State team defeated Wisconsin in the first round of the 1999 NCAA Tournament and Wisconsin has won 10 of the 14 meetings since Alford became the Iowa coach.
• Wisconsin Assistant Coach Gary Close was an assistant coach at Iowa for 13 seasons (1987-99). He later was the head boys basketball coach at Regina High School in Iowa City for three years, leading his team to the state tournament his last two seasons.
• Will Ryan, Wisconsin’s Director of Basketball Operations, is the oldest son of Badger Coach Bo Ryan. Will Ryan played under his father at both Wisconsin-Platteville and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

IOWA FALLS AT WISCONSIN
Poor shooting from the field in the second half proved to be the difference as Iowa dropped a 66-52 decision at Wisconsin Jan. 5 to open Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes shot 46.2% from the field while building a 34-32 halftime advantage, including 57.1% (4-7) from three-point range. But that changed in the final 20 minutes. The Hawkeyes misfired on their first 13 field goal attempts before Jeff Horner connected on a three-pointer with 11:46 to play. By that time, the Badgers had built a seven point advantage and, after Wisconsin answered with a three-pointer with 11:04 remaining, Iowa was never closer than 10 points the rest of the way. The Hawkeyes made just 5-30 (16.7%) of their field goal attempts in the second half and shot 30.4% for the game. The 18 points in the second half is the lowest second half total for a Steve Alford coached Iowa team. Iowa also made just 1-10 three-point attempts in the second half. Iowa stayed in the contest by hitting 13-17 free throws, by holding a 41-36 rebounding advantage and by committing just 11 turnovers. Wisconsin shot 46.7% from the field in the game, becoming just the fifth Iowa opponent in 15 games to shoot 40% or better from the field. Horner and Adam Haluska led Iowa’s scoring attack with 11 points each, while Doug Thomas came off the bench to add 10 points and eight rebounds. Greg Brunner scored eight points and led both teams with 10 rebounds. Alando Tucker led the Badgers with 27 points. Kammron Taylor added 11 points and Brian Butch and Michael Flowers each had eight rebounds.

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 three-point field goals (248) and attempts (674) and ninth in career assists (590).

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. Six of the eight wins over ranked teams have come in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, also an Iowa record. With wins over 21st-ranked Indiana and 16th-ranked Michigan State in late February, Iowa has defeated ranked teams in consecutive games on four occasions under the direction of Coach Steve Alford. In late January, 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 (38.6), 12th in fouls per game (15.3), 26th in scoring defense (59.7) and 35th in blocked shots (5.0). Individually, Jeff Horner is 15th in assists per game (5.9), 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 was the first time Iowa had 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 21-8 record through 29 games is 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 29 games since the 1996 Hawkeyes started the season with a 21-8 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 five road wins, while Iowa and Penn State have three.

IOWA DEFENSIVE SO FAR
Iowa’s defense has led the way in winning 21 of 29 games. Iowa opponents are averaging just 59.7 points per game, shooting 38.6% from the field and 32.2% from three-point range. Iowa has collected 191 steals and forced 435 turnovers while collecting 145 blocked shots. The Hawkeyes have held 22 opponents under 70 points and have won the rebounding battle in 20 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 1,417) 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 24 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 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while Horner averages 12.7 points, 5.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds. Horner is one of 16 finalists for the 2006 Bob Cousy Award.

BRUNNER & HALUSKA EARN ACADEMIC HONORS
Senior forward Greg Brunner and junior guard Adam Haluska have been selected to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine academic all-America third team. Both players were named to the District VII academic all-America team earlier this season. 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 29 games, scoring double figures in 24 games. He is averaging 14 points and 4.6 rebounds, shooting 41.3% from the field and 84.2% 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 and leads the team in both scoring (14.5) and rebounding (9.9).

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 14.5 points and has recorded 11 scoring and rebounding double-doubles. Haluska is averaging 14 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He had a career-high 29 points at Penn State and has scored in double figures in 24 of 29 games. Brunner and Haluska were both recently named to the CoSIDA academic all-American third 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 12.7 points, 5.9 assists and 3.9 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 21-8 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 14.5 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 590. 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 248 treys, moving past Chris Kingsbury, who had 226 during his career (1994-96). Horner is also first in three-point attempts (674). 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 962 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 (1,455), ninth field goals (533), eighth in free throw attempts (531) and sixth in blocked shots (100). 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 15 outings. He leads the Big Ten in rebounding (9.9) and is averaging 14.5 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 222 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 six different halves this season, including 68.8% in the second half of a 73-60 home win over Indiana, 60% in the second half of an 86-41 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore and 62.5% in the second half of a 65-38 home win over Penn State.
• 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 a 51-48 loss at Northwestern in its next 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 (430) as its opponents have attempted (437).
• Iowa is 3-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 9-0 when scoring between 70-80 points, 8-1 when scoring between 60-70 points and 1-7 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 12-1 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 15-1 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, 9-5 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 0-1 when turnovers are even.
• Iowa is 6-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 14-7 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, 8-2 with three in double figures and 3-6 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 20-4 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 17-3 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 38-6 when shooting at least 50% from the field, including 5-0 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.

LEADING THE BIG TEN
Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Iowa players lead the Big Ten in three statistical categories for Big Ten games only. Erek Hansen leads the league in field goal percentage (.616) and blocked shots (2.5), while Greg Brunner leads the league in rebounding (9.9). Brunner needs 12 rebounds to average a scoring and rebounding double-double, while Hansen needs three made field goal to meet the minimum requirement in that category. In addition to the league leaders, Jeff Horner ranks third in assists, two behind Dee Brown of Illinois and one back of Michigan State’s Drew Neitzel.

IOWA STOPS PENN STATE
Iowa used a dominating defensive performance in scoring a 65-38 win over Penn State, earning a season sweep of the Nittany Lions. The 38 points scored by Penn State marks the fewest points scored by a Big Ten opponent since the Hawkeyes defeated the Nittany Lions 58-38 on Feb. 24, 1993. Iowa held the Nittany Lions to 25.5% shooting from the field, including 18.5% in the first half. Leading 14-12, the Hawkeyes used a 15-0 scoring run late in the first half to take control, building a 30-17 halftime margin. Iowa then began the second half with an 11-0 scoring run to put the game away. Iowa shot 62.5% from the field in the final 20 minutes and ended the game with 21 assists on 25 field goals. Overall, Penn State made just 13-51 field goal attempts and 4-18 (22.2%) of its three-point attempts. Iowa won the rebounding battle by a 38-27 margin while collecting eight blocked shots and six steals. Junior Mike Henderson set the tone early for Iowa and led the team in scoring with 16 points. Henderson hit 6-7 field goals and added three rebounds and two assists. Erek Hansen contributed 15 points and Adam Haluska scored 11. Greg Brunner had 10 rebounds and eight points, Alex Thompson added five rebounds and a career-high six assists and Jeff Horner had seven rebounds and four assists.

MICHIGAN STATE DEFEATS WISCONSIN
Wisconsin held the upper hand in the early going before Michigan State rallied for a 74-65 win in East Lansing Thursday evening. The Badgers led by as many as 10 points in the first half before the Spartans were able to claim a 35-31 halftime advantage. The game was close throughout the second half before Michigan State was able to pull away in the final minutes. Wisconsin shot 40.3% from the field, including 22.2% from three-point range and converted 11-19 (57.9%) free throws. MSU held a 37-34 rebounding advantage and shot 50.9% from the field and 76.2% from the foul line. Alando Tucker led Wisconsin with 23 points, while Michael Flowers, Kammron Taylor and Brian Butch all scored nine. Butch led the Badgers with eight rebounds.

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 590 and he has 537 career rebounds. Horner ranks 11th in career scoring (1,413). In other career stats, Horner is Iowa’s career leader in three-point field goals (248) and three-point attempts (674) and he is seventh in steals (156). 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 12.7 points, 5.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.

HALUSKA OVER 1,000 POINTS
Junior guard Adam Haluska surpassed 1,000 career points with his career-high 29-point performance in a win at Penn State. He has 1,158 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 24 of 29 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 points and 4.6 rebounds and he has led Iowa in steals in 11 games. Haluska has started all 93 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 scored 15 points in Iowa’s most recent win over Penn State, hitting 7-9 field goals to raise his field goal percentage to 59%. 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 6.9 points and 3.8 rebounds. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally with 2.7 blocked shots per game and he leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.616) in league games only.

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. Henderson led Iowa in a home win over Penn State, collecting 16 points while connecting on 6-7 field goals and 3-4 free throws. 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 7.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 49.4% from the field and 70.4% from the free throw line. In Big Ten games only, he ranks sixth in the league in field goal percentage (55.3%). Henderson has scored in double figures in 10 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 1,455 points, while Horner is 11th with 1,413. 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 (537) and distribute over 500 assists (590). Horner was honorable mention all-Big Ten a year ago. Haluska has 1,158 career points, with 284 of those coming during his freshman season at Iowa State. He has scored 874 points at Iowa. He is averaging 14 points and has scored in double figures in 24 of 29 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 26-34 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 945-786 in the first half and 975-919 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in 24 games and the Hawkeyes have outscored their opponent in the second half in 17 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 16 home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 70.9-53.2 margin, shooting 45.4% from the field while holding its opponent to 34.6% shooting. Iowa holds a 41.1-33.9 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 19 of 29 games, with a season-best 83.3% (20-24) in a win over Fairfield. Iowa has posted a 14-5 record when shooting at least 70% from the free throw line.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 12.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, compared to 11.4 points and 8.4 rebounds for the opponent reserves. Iowa is 11-2 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 14-4 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.

IOWA SECOND IN GUARDIANS CLASSIC
Iowa made its second appearance in the Guardians Classic and was runner-up for the second time in five seasons. This season the Hawkeyes defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore, Colgate and Kentucky before falling to Texas in the title game. Junior Adam Haluska was named to the all-tournament team in Kansas City, while senior Greg Brunner was named the Outstanding Player in the Iowa City regional portion of the event.

2006 CAPTAINS
Iowa’s captains are seniors Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner. Brunner, a native of Charles City, has started 110-122 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 117 of 118 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.

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. The final dates are: March 6 and 13.

AFTER THIS
Iowa will begin play in the Big Ten Conference Tournament in Indianapolis on Friday, March 10 as either the No. two or No. four seed. The complete tournament bracket will be finalized Sunday following the completion of the regular season. The No. two seed will play at 5:40 p.m. CT Friday in Indianapolis and the No. four seed will play at 1:30 p.m. CT Friday.