Iowa Opens Big Ten Tournament Play Friday Evening

March 6, 2006

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THE SETTING
Iowa (22-8, 11-5) enters the 2006 Big Ten Conference Tournament as the second seed and will play its first game Friday, March 10. Game time is 6:40 p.m. ET at Conseco Fieldhouse (18,435) in Indianapolis, IN. Iowa will meet either seventh-seeded Michigan (18-9, 8-8) or 10th-seeded Minnesota (14-13, 5-11). Those teams meet at 2:30 p.m. ET Thursday. Iowa defeated Michigan 94-66 in Iowa City in the only meeting with the Wolverines. Iowa defeated Minnesota 76-72 in three overtimes in Iowa City and lost to the Golden Gophers 74-61 in Minneapolis. Iowa ended the regular season with a 59-44 home win over Wisconsin, completing a perfect (17-0) home season with its ninth win over a top 25 opponent this season.

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 Greg Kelser will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,373 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,418-955 (.598). That includes an 888-306 (.744) record in home games, a 529-649 (.449) record in games away from Iowa City, a 675-658 (.506) mark in Big Ten games and a 294-80 (.786) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa, in the Feb. 27 rankings, was 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.

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 a 9-5 record while playing 14 games against top 50 teams in the RPI Index. Iowa is one of eight teams nationally with as many as 14 games against top 50 teams. Only Iowa and Connecticut have recorded nine wins against teams ranked in the top 25 at the time of the game.

IOWA COACH Steve Alford
Steve Alford (pronounced ALL-ford) is in his seventh season as the head coach at the University of Iowa and his 15th season as a college head coach. Alford holds a career record of 288-168 (.632), including a 132-91 (.592) 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 52-60 (.464) 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 5-7 vs. Michigan and 4-4 vs. Wolverine Coach Tommy Amaker. Alford is 8-5 vs. Minnesota and Gopher Coach Dan Monson.

ALFORD MOVES TO FOURTH
Coach Steve Alford has collected 132 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).

IOWA HAS STRONG FINISH
With a home win over Wisconsin to close the regular season, Iowa accomplished the following:

• Earned win No. 22 on the season, matching the 1995-96 team as the most recent to earn 22 regular season victories.
• Earned Big Ten win No. 11, the most for an Iowa team since the 1996-97 team won 12 conference games. Iowa’s 11 Big Ten wins are the most for Iowa since the Big Ten went to a 16-game league schedule in 1998.
• Clinched the No. two seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa’s previous best seed in the event was fourth in 2004.
• Clinched a tie for second place in the regular season standings. Iowa had not placed as high as second in the regular season since earning a tie for second with a 12-6 record in 1997.
• Earned its ninth win over a top 25 opponent and defeated its seventh ranked opponent in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa and Connecticut are the only two teams in the nation with nine regular season wins over top 25 teams. Iowa set school records for home wins and total wins over ranked opponents this season.
• Completed its first-ever undefeated home season in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which opened in 1983, and its first undefeated home season since 1966.
• Completed the seventh season in Iowa history with an undefeated home record. Iowa was also undefeated at home in 1902 (3-0), 1926 (9-0), 1945 (11-0), 1948 (12-0), 1950 (6-0) and 1966 (12-0).
• Established a school record of 17 home wins in one season. The previous record of 16 was established in 1985.
• Improved its overall home winning streak to 18 games, a streak that ranks longest in the Big Ten and fourth best in the nation.

IOWA SETS HOME RECORDS
Closing the season with two home wins during the final week of the regular season, Iowa completed the year with its first unbeaten home season in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which opened in 1983. Iowa won all 17 home games, setting a school record for home wins in a season. The Hawkeyes lost just one home game in 1993 (15-1) and 1996 (14-1). Iowa’s home streak stands at 18 games, a new mark for Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa’s record for consecutive home wins is 24. This marks Iowa’s seventh perfect home season in school history and the first since 1966. 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 ARE SECOND SEED
Iowa ended the Big Ten Conference season with an 11-5 record, earning a second place finish in the league standings. The Hawkeyes enter the 2006 Big Ten Tournament with their highest seed in tournament history. Iowa was the fourth seed in the 2004 Big Ten Tournament, but was defeated by Michigan, 79-70 in the quarterfinals. Iowa finished with a perfect 17-0 record at home, including an 8-0 mark in conference play. The Hawkeyes enter the Big Ten Tournament after home wins over Penn State and Wisconsin to close the regular season.

IOWA IN THE BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
Iowa has posted a 10-7 record while playing 17 games in the eight Big Ten Tournaments. Iowa has played nine different teams in the event, having met each team except Illinois at least once. Four of the 10 wins came on the way to the tournament title in 2001 and Iowa won three games while earning a return trip to the title game in 2002. The 10 wins rank as the second highest total among league teams, trailing Illinois’ 16 wins. Iowa’s .588 winning percentage trails only that of Illinois (.727). Iowa lost in the first round in both 1998 and 1999 before winning its first game in the event in 2000. Iowa has been eliminated by the tournament champion in three of the eight previous tournaments, including Michigan in the 1998 quarter-finals, Michigan State in the 2000 quarter-finals and Ohio State in the 2002 title game. The Hawkeyes are one of five teams, along with Illinois (5), Michigan State (2), Ohio State (2) and Wisconsin (2), to appear in more than one championship game. Iowa Coach Steve Alford, with a 10-5 record, ranks second among all Big Ten coaches in tournament wins. His .667 winning percentage is best among current coaches and ranks second for all league coaches in the tournament.

IOWA IN INDY
Iowa is 5-9 all-time in Indianapolis, while playing in four different arenas. Iowa is 4-2 in Conseco Fieldhouse, 0-2 at Market Square Arena, 1-4 at Butler’s Hinkel Fieldhouse and 0-1 at the RCA Dome. Along with the 2002 (3-1) and 2004 (0-1) Big Ten Conference Tournaments at Conseco, Iowa defeated Louisville (Wooden Tradition) early in the 2003-04 season. Iowa took part in the 1980 Final Four at Market Square Arena, losing to Louisville (80-72) in the semi-finals and falling to Big Ten rival Purdue (75-58) in the consolation game. Iowa lost four of five games at Hinkel Fieldhouse between 1937 and 1950 and lost in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament at the RCA Dome.

IOWA AT CONSECO FIELDHOUSE
Iowa is 4-2 in Conseco Fieldhouse, including a 3-2 record while taking part in Both Big Ten Tournaments held at the venue. Iowa, in the 2002 Big Ten Tournament, defeated Purdue, Wisconsin and Indiana in three straight days to advance to the title game for the second straight season before falling to Ohio State. Iowa defeated Louisville 70-69 in overtime as part of the John Wooden Tradition early in the 2003-04 season and the Hawkeyes lost to Michigan 79-70 in the quarter-finals of the 2004 Big Ten Tournament.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 294-80 (.786) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 140-67 (.676) 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 86-25 (.775) 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 18 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 in 2005 vs. Ohio State and all 17 home dates this season. Iowa’s last home loss was a 75-65 decision to Illinois on Feb. 19, 2005. The 17 wins this season is a record for home wins, as the previous mark of 16 home wins was set 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 18-game win streak includes nine non-conference and nine conference wins. Iowa’s record of 24 consecutive home wins began in the 1946-47 season and ended during the 1948-49 campaign.

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 (251) and attempts (683) and ninth in career assists (590).

HAWKEYES VS. RANKED FOES
Iowa has posted a 9-4 record against teams in the top 25 rankings at the time of the game, including a 2-2 mark against top 10 teams. The nine wins vs. ranked foes are the most ever for a Hawkeye basketball team in one season. The nine wins are 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. Seven of the nine wins over ranked teams have come in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, also a school 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 (38.3), 12th in fouls per game (15.2), 26th in scoring defense (59.1) and 35th in blocked shots (5.0). Individually, Jeff Horner is 15th in assists per game (5.7), Erek Hansen is 17th in blocked shots per game (2.6) and Greg Brunner is 18th in rebounds per game (9.7).

LOFTY POSITION FOR FEBRUARY
Iowa held 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 22-8 record is the best regular season for a Hawkeye team under Steve Alford, as the Hawkeyes were 18-9 in 2001. This is Iowa’s best record through 30 games since the 1996 Hawkeyes were also 22-8 during the regular season. 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 four-game win streak during Big Ten play 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. Iowa was the only Big Ten team to win all eight league home games.

IOWA DEFENSIVE SO FAR
Iowa’s defense has led the way in winning 22 of 30 games. Iowa opponents are averaging just 59.1 points per game, shooting 38.3% from the field and 32.6% from three-point range. Iowa has collected 203 steals and forced 451 turnovers while collecting 149 blocked shots. The Hawkeyes have held 23 opponents under 70 points and 15 opponents have scored 60 points or less. The Hawkeyes won the rebounding battle in 21 games and rank 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 1,418) 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 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while Horner averages 13.1 points, 5.7 assists and four rebounds. Horner is one of 16 finalists for the 2006 Bob Cousy Award.

TWO HAWKEYS 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 30 games, scoring double figures in 25 games. He is averaging 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds, shooting 41.7% from the field and 84.6% 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 (14.2) and rebounding (9.7) while shooting 45.4% from the field and 71.2% from the free throw line.

NABC RECOGNIZED BRUNNER & HALUSKA
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) 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 9.7 rebounds per game. He is scoring 14.2 points and has recorded 11 scoring and rebounding double-doubles. 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 25 of 30 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 13.1 points, 5.7 assists and four 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.

BRUNNER NAMED NAISMITH CANDIDATE
Senior forward Greg Brunner is one of 30 players named as a mid-season candidate for the Naismith Trophy, presented annually to the Player of the Year. The winner of the award will be named at the Final Four in Indianapolis. Brunner is averaging 14.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. He is Iowa’s career rebounding leader and he led the Big Ten in rebounds this season after placing second in the league as a sophomore and junior.

HAWKEYES HOT IN WIN OVER MICHIGAN
In Iowa’s 94-66 win over Michigan, the Hawkeyes shot a season-best 65.3% from the field, including 68.4% from three-point range. Iowa started slow, hitting just seven of its first 17 field goal attempts. That changed midway through the first half. Over the final 7:14 of the first half and the first 7:15 of the second half, Iowa connected on 14 straight field goal attempts. Iowa trailed 25-20 when the streak began and led 61-43 when it ended with 12:45 left in the game. Iowa made 13-19 treys in the contest, including eight straight during one stretch. The 68.4% shooting from three-point range ranks as the sixth best single game effort for Iowa and the best for the Hawkeyes under Steve Alford. The overall field goal percentage is the best for Iowa since shooting 67.5% (27-40) in a win over Air Force early in the 2004-05 season. The 94 points is the most by Iowa during a regular season Big Ten game under Steve Alford.

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 251 treys, moving past Chris Kingsbury, who had 226 during his career (1994-96). Horner is also first in three-point attempts (683). 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, 17 points in the win at Indiana and 22 points in the home win over Wisconsin. 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 967 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 (1,462), ninth field goals (536), eighth in free throw attempts (533) 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 (9.7) and is averaging 14.2 points per game. Brunner established a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record with 23 rebounds in a win over Minnesota. The previous mark of 21 was set by Dwayne Scholten of Washington State on 12/6/86. The previous best in the Arena by an Iowa player was 19 by Ryan Bowen vs. Long Island on 11/29/98. The 23 rebounds are the most by any player in the Big Ten Conference and the second most in Division I this season. Rashad Jones of Arkansas-Little Rock had 30 rebounds earlier in the year. The Iowa record for single game rebounds is 30, set by Chuck Darling vs. Wisconsin on 3/3/52. Brunner’s 23 rebounds tie as the fourth highest total in school history and it is the most by a Hawkeye player since Kunnert had 23 rebounds vs. Drake on 12/27/72.

THE MICHIGAN SERIES
Michigan holds an 80-54 advantage in the series that began with a 19-15 Wolverine win in 1912. Iowa won the only meeting this season, 94-66 in Iowa City on Feb. 4. The teams split last season, with Michigan winning 65-63 Jan. 5 in Iowa City and Iowa winning 74-72 in overtime at Ann Arbor. The Wolverines won two of three meetings in 2004 and Michigan has won nine of the last 15 meetings. Iowa holds a 34-32 advantage in games played in Iowa City, including a 13-9 advantage in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has won four of the last six games in Iowa City and five of the last eight. The Wolverines hold a 46-20 advantage in games played in Ann Arbor, where Iowa had lost four straight before the win in 2005. Iowa won in Ann Arbor in both 1996 and 1999. Iowa had lost 14 straight games in Ann Arbor before the win in 1996. Michigan holds a 2-0 advantage in games played at neutral sites, winning 77-66 in the 1998 Big Ten Conference Tournament in Chicago and 79-70 in the 2004 Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. The Wolverines went on to win the 1998 tournament.

IOWA, WOLVERINE NOTES

• Iowa and Michigan rank first and second, respectively, in blocked shots, for all games and in Big Ten games only.
• Steve Alford and Tommy Amaker met once as players, with Alford’s Indiana team defeating Amaker’s Duke team 88-82 in the regional semi-finals of the 1987 NCAA Tournament. Duke had played in the championship game the previous year, while Alford and the Hoosiers went on to win the NCAA title in 1987. Alford had 18 points, five assists and two rebounds in the win over Duke, while Amaker led the Blue Devils with 23 points.
• Iowa Coach Steve Alford was named to the all-Final Four team in 1987 when Indiana won the national title.
• Michigan Coach Tommy Amaker was named to the all-Final Four team in 1986 when Duke lost to Louisville in the NCAA title game.
• Michigan Assistant Coach Chuck Swenson, in his fifth season with the Wolverines, previously served as a graduate assistant at Indiana. He was an assistant at Duke when Steve Alford and Indiana defeated the Blue Devils in the 1987 tournament. He was an assistant at Duke when the Blue Devils defeated Iowa in 1996 and he was an assistant coach at Penn State from 1996-2001.

THE MINNESOTA SERIES
Minnesota holds a 94-85 advantage over Iowa in the series that began with a 47-10 Gopher win in 1902. Iowa won in Iowa City this season in triple overtime (76-72) on Jan. 18, before the Golden Gophers won (74-61) in Minneapolis on Feb. 18, giving the teams a split for the second straight season. Iowa won both meetings in 2004 and the Hawkeyes have won eight of the last 12. The teams met just once in 2002 and 2003, with Minnesota winning both games. The Gophers hold a 57-32 advantage in games played at Minnesota. Iowa has won two of the last five and three of the last eight meetings in Williams Arena, but the Gophers have won the last two. Iowa holds a 50-38 advantage in games played in Iowa City and a 16-7 advantage in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has won six of the last seven meetings in Iowa City. The teams met once previously in the Big Ten Tournament, with Iowa winning 81-78 in the 2000 event at the United Center in Chicago.

IOWA, GOPHER NOTES

• Iowa Coach Steve Alford and Minnesota Coach Dan Monson, who are close friends, are both in their seventh year in the Big Ten Conference. Only MSU Coach Tom Izzo has been in the league longer as a head coach.
• Prior to the 2001-02 season, Iowa and Minnesota had played two basketball games each season since 1971. The teams met only in Iowa City in 2002 and only in Minneapolis in 2003. The 2001 season marked the first time the teams met three times in one season. The third meeting took place in the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
• Iowa’s roster includes 10 players from the state of Iowa and the Golden Gopher roster includes 10 players from the state of Minnesota. Iowa has four native Iowans in its starting line-up, while the Gophers start three Minnesota natives.
• The two teams played one common opponent in non-conference action. Iowa defeated Arizona State 62-43 in Iowa City and Minnesota defeated the Sun Devils by an 85-79 (OT) margin in Tempe.
• Minnesota assistant Vic Couch is a native of Davenport, IA and played junior college basketball at Clinton Community College.

HAWKEYE TIDBITS

• Iowa’s field goal percentage of 65.3% (32-49) against Michigan is the second best for an Iowa team in 223 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 a 9-4 record vs. ranked teams, which ties Connecticut for the most in the nation. 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), 16th-ranked Michigan State (66-54) and 25th-ranked Wisconsin (59-44). 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 (438) as its opponents have attempted (446).
• 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 2-7 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 13-1 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 16-1 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 3-7 when the opponent has more assists and 3-0 when assists are equal.
• Iowa is 13-2 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 9-5 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 0-1 when turnovers are even.
• Iowa is 7-1 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 4-6 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 21-4 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 18-3 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 seven opponents to 50 points or less and 14 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.

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 544 career rebounds. Horner ranks 11th in career scoring (1,435). In other career stats, Horner is Iowa’s career leader in three-point field goals (251) and three-point attempts (683) and he is seventh in steals (158). 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.

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 1,174 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 added 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a home win over Wisconsin. In the final two games of the season Haluska also turned in impressive defensive performances against Penn State and Wisconsin. He has scored in double figures in 25 of 30 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 11 games. Haluska has started all 94 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. 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 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds, shooting 57.7% from the field for the season and 59.2% in Big Ten play. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally with 2.7 blocked shots per game.

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 7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 49.4%. In Big Ten games only, he ranked sixth in the league in field goal percentage (54.9%). 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 1,462 points, while Horner is 11th with 1,435. Brunner leads the Big Ten in rebounding after ranking ranked second 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 (544) and distribute over 500 assists (590). Horner was honorable mention all-Big Ten a year ago. Haluska has 1,174 career points, with 284 of those coming during his freshman season at Iowa State. He has scored 890 points at Iowa. He is averaging 14.1 points and has scored in double figures in 25 of 30 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 27-34 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including a 9-4 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), 16th-ranked Michigan State (66-54) and 25th-ranked Wisconsin (59-44). 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 61 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 13-9 in home games, 10-11 at neutral sites and 4-14 when playing ranked teams in their home arena.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its 17 home games, Iowa outscored its opponents by a 70.2-52.7 margin, shooting 45.2% from the field while holding its opponent to 34.4% 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 IN TOURNAMENT PLAY
Iowa has faired well while taking part in regular-season tournaments over the past 24 years. In that time Iowa has won the Great Alaska Shootout (1986-87), the Cal-Irvine Anteater Classic (1986-87), the Maui Classic (1987-88), the San Juan Thanksgiving Shootout (1992-93), the San Juan Christmas Shootout (1997-98), the Big Ten Conference Tournament in 2001 and its own invitational 23 times. In addition, Iowa was runner-up in the 1985-86 Far West Classic, the 1987-88 All-College Tournament, the 1988-89 Chaminade Classic, the 1991-92 Tampa Tribune Holiday Invitational, the 1994-95 Rainbow Classic, the 1995-96 Great Alaska Shootout, the 1999-00 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, the 2001-02 Guardians Classic, the 2002 Big Ten Conference Tournament, the 2004 Maui Invitational and the 2005 Guardians Classic.

IOWA IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Iowa made its 21st appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2005, falling to Cincinnati in the opening round at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Iowa earned the bid after posting a 21-win season, including wins over Purdue and 10th-ranked Michigan State in the 2005 Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes hold an overall record of 27-23 in the tournament, advancing to the Final Four in 1955 (fourth), 1956 (second) and 1980 (fourth). Iowa had advanced to at least the second round in its last 10 tournament appearances before last season. Iowa reached the regional championship in 1987 and lost in the regional semi-final in 1988 and 1999.

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.