Iowa Opens NCAA Action Friday vs. Northwestern State

March 14, 2006

• Iowa Wins Big Ten Tournament
• Big Ten Championship Caps, T-shirts
• First/Second Round NCAA Ticket Information
• Watch the Post-Game Seniors Day Celebration
• Watch and Listen to Steve, the Hawkeyes
• 2006 Iowa Basketball On-campus Camps

THE SETTING
Iowa (25-8) will meet Northwestern State of Louisiana (25-7) in the Atlanta Region of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. Game time is Friday, March 17 at 12:25 p.m. at The Palace of Auburn Hills (23,585). Oakland University is serving as the site host. Iowa is seeded third in the region, while the Demons are seeded 14th. The winner of the Iowa vs. Northwestern State game will meet either West Virginia or Southern Illinois Sunday afternoon. Iowa has won five straight games, claiming the Big Ten Conference Tournament title with a 67-60 win over seventh-ranked Ohio State. The Hawkeyes finished second in the Big Ten regular season race with an 11-5 league record. Northwestern State (25-7) won both the regular season title and the post-season tournament in the Southland Conference and enter the NCAA Tournament with a seven-game winning streak.

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. CBS Radio/Westwood One will carry the game as well, with Marc Vandermeer and Glenn Consor calling the action. Television: CBS will televise all NCAA tournament games. Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,376 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,421-955 (.598). That includes an 888-306 (.744) record in home games, a 532-649 (.450) 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 is ranked 15th in both the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll and by the Associated Press. Iowa has been ranked as high as 12th (AP, 12/5/05), its highest ranking since early in the 2001-02 season. Iowa, that season, moved as high as seventh (Nov. 26) in the Associated Press rankings and eighth (Nov. 19) in the coaches poll.

IOWA STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
Iowa is seventh in the RPI Index and 14th in the Sagarin Ratings. Iowa’s strength of schedule is 21st in the RPI Index and 23rd by Sagarin. Iowa has posted a 10-5 record while playing 15 games against top 50 teams in the RPI Index. Iowa is one of eight teams nationally with as many as 15 games against top 50 teams. Iowa is the only Division I team in the nation to record 10 wins during the regular season against teams that were ranked in the top 25 at the time of the game. Iowa is 10-4 in 14 games against the top 25.

IOWA EARNS 25 WINS
Iowa’s 25 wins this season rank as the second most in school history for a single season. Iowa won 30 games in 1987 and 24 games in 1988. The 22 regular season wins tie as the second most in school history. The Hawkeyes won 27 regular season games in 1987 and 22 in both 1988 and 1989.

HAWKEYES WIN BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
Iowa rallied in the second half in three straight games to claim the Big Ten Conference Tournament title last weekend in Indianapolis. Iowa earned the title with a 67-60 win over seventh-ranked Ohio State after defeating Minnesota and Michigan State to advance. Iowa is one of three league teams with two tournament titles and Iowa Coach Steve Alford has a 13-5 record in his seven years in the event. Iowa won the 2001 title and also advanced to the championship game in 2002. Iowa and Minnesota were tied at halftime of their quarter-final game, while both MSU and OSU led Iowa at the break. Iowa used a 12-0 scoring run over a six minute period late in the second half to overcome Ohio State in the final game. Trailing 57-52 with 7:29 to play, Iowa started its winning run. Jeff Horner hit a three-point basket to cut the margin to three before a tip-in by Erek Hansen tied the score with 4:58 to play. Iowa took the lead for good on a basket by Horner with 4:26 left and Alex Thompson connected on a three-pointer to give the Hawkeyes a 62-57 advantage with 2:58 left. Horner added another basket from the lane with 2:02 left before OSU scored on a three-point play by Terence Dials, cutting the margin to 64-60 with 1:40 left. Adam Haluska grabbed two key defensive rebounds in the final minute and connected on three of four free throw attempts to seal Iowa’s second win of the season over Ohio State. The Hawkeye defense held OSU to 30.4% (7-23) field goal shooting in the second half after the Buckeyes had shot 50% in the opening 20 minutes. Ohio State made just 2-12 (16.7%) three-point attempts in the second half and 6-28 (21.4%) for the game. OSU led by as many as nine points on two occasions in the first half before the Hawkeyes cut the deficit to 37-34 at the break. Iowa shot 47.3% from the field in the game, including 41.2% from three-point range. The Hawkeyes held a 41-28 rebounding advantage and had 18 assists on 26 baskets. Horner led Iowa’s balanced attack with 16 points and 10 assists as he collected 14 points in the second half. Haluska added 15 points while Hansen and Brunner each scored 10. Brunner and Haluska led Iowa with eight rebounds apiece.

TWO HAWKEYES ON ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Senior guard Jeff Horner was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Big Ten Tournament, while senior forward Greg Brunner was also named to the five-man all-tournament team. Horner averaged 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and six assists in the three games. He shot 48.7% from the field, 43.5% from three-point range and 80% from the foul line. He led Iowa with 26 points in the win over Minnesota when he tied a tournament record with six three-point field goals. He added 14 points in the win over Michigan State and 16 points and 10 assists in the title game victory. Brunner averaged 12.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in the three games while leading Iowa’s inside attack. Brunner had 16 points against Minnesota, 12 points vs. Michigan State and 10 points and eight rebounds in the title 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 291-168 (.634), including a 135-91 (.597) 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. Iowa has won at least 23 games for the second straight season. 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 13-5 in six seasons and his 13 wins rank as the most among all Big Ten coaches in the event. Iowa won the tournament in 2001 and 2006 and was second in 2002. Under Alford, Iowa is one of three league teams with two tournament titles and he is the only Big Ten coach to take three teams to the title game. 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 and 2006. 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 2-0 vs. Northwestern State and has not coached against current NSU Coach Mike McConathy.

ALFORD MOVES TO FOURTH
Coach Steve Alford has collected 135 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
Following is a list of Iowa’s accomplishments to date:

• Posted 25 wins on the season, which ranks as the second highest total in school history. The Hawkeyes won 30 games in 1987.
• Posted 10 wins in 14 games against top 25 teams, becoming the only team in the nation with 10 wins against the top 25. Iowa is 3-2 against top 10 teams.
• Posted 11 Big Ten wins, 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.
• Won the Big Ten Conference Tournament with three straight wins. Iowa also won the event in 2001 and was second in 2002. Iowa is one of three teams with two tournament titles and Coach Steve Alford is the only Big Ten coach to take three teams to the championship game.
• Earned 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 a No. three seed in the NCAA Tournament. The three seed is the highest since the Hawkeyes were seeded second in the 1987 event. Iowa was also a three seed in 1981.
• Earned the No. two seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa’s previous best seed in the event was fourth in 2004.
• Advanced to the title game of the Big Ten Conference Tournament for the third time since 2001.
• Defeated seven top 25 opponents in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 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.

NSU COACH MIKE McCONATHY
Coach Mike McConathy is in his seventh season at Northwestern State. He has a current record of 112-111. He was the head coach for 16 seasons at Bossier Parrish Community College in Shreveport, posting a 352-159 record. McConathy led the Demons to their first Southland Conference title in 2004-05 and was named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year. He has coached Northwestern State to three Southland Conference Tournament title game appearances in the last four seasons. As a player, McConathy was a standout at Louisiana Tech, starting as a true freshman and earning honorable mention all-America honors as a senior when he ranked 13th in the nation in scoring. McConathy has not coached against Iowa or Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

IOWA, DEMON NOTES

• Iowa Coach Steve Alford is 2-0 vs. Northwestern State, with both wins coming during his time as head coach at Southwest Missouri State, which is now Missouri State. Alford’s team defeated Northwestern State 79-68 in 1996 in Springfield, MO and 75-73 the following season in Natchitoches. The win in 1997 was career win No. 100 for Alford as a college head coach.
• While attending Louisiana Tech, NSU Coach Mike McConathy was a college roommate, and teammate, of former Iowa State Coach Tim Floyd.
• Iowa Coach Steve Alford and NSU Coach Mike McConathy both have fathers who were high school coaches and administrators, that being Sam Alford in Indiana and Johnny McConathy in Louisiana.
• Iowa and Northwestern State both protected the home turf this season. Iowa won all 17 home games and ended the regular season with an 18-game winning streak in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Northwestern State won all 14 home games this season in Prather Coliseum.
• The Hawkeyes are 5-0 all-time vs. teams from the Southland Conference, but have only faced three of the 11 institutions. Iowa is 3-0 vs. Louisiana-Monroe and 1-0 vs. both McNeese State and Southwest Texas State.
• Iowa holds an all-time record of 10-3 against teams from Louisiana. The Hawkeyes are 3-0 vs. Centenary College and Louisiana-Monroe, 2-0 vs. Louisiana Tech, 1-0 vs. McNeese State and Grambling State and 0-3 vs. Louisiana State. Iowa’s last game against a team from Louisiana was an 88-53 win over Centenary early in the 2004-05 season. Iowa’s only NCAA Tournament games against team from Louisiana are two victories over Louisiana-Monroe, which at that time was Northeast Louisiana.
• The teams played one common opponent this season, with Iowa and Northwestern State both dropping games to Iowa State. Iowa lost 72-60 in Ames, while Northwestern
• State fell 81-77 in overtime at the Rainbow Classic in Hawaii.
• Northwestern State’s only other NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2001. The Demons defeated Winthrop in the play-in game, advancing to face Big Ten opponent Illinois. The Illini defeated Northwestern State, 96-54.
• Iowa’s Administrative Assistant Paul Weir, in his first season with the Hawkeye program, was a member of the basketball staff at Northwestern State a year ago.
• Iowa and Northwestern State have met in one sport this year, with the Hawkeye baseball recently taking a 2-0 win over the Demons.
• The NSU media guide lists a roster of 20 players, including 17 Louisiana natives. Iowa’s 16-man roster includes 10 players from the state of Iowa.

IOWA IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Iowa is participating in the NCAA Tournament for the 22nd time. Iowa, as a 10 seed, lost to Cincinnati, 74-66 in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Iowa advanced to the second round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 in 1999, losing to eventual national champion Connecticut in the regional semi-final. 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 has advanced to at least the second round 10 of its last 11 tournament appearances. Iowa reached the regional championship in 1987 and lost in the regional semi-final in 1988 and 1999.

AGAINST THE ATLANTA BRACKET
Iowa has faced 10 other teams that are in the Atlanta bracket. Iowa is 1-7 vs. Duke, 1-0 vs. George Washington, 2-0 vs. Syracuse, 0-3 vs. LSU, 1-0 vs. West Virginia, 3-1 vs. Southern Illinois, 6-4 vs. California, 3-3 vs. North Carolina State, 2-1 vs. Texas and 2-1 vs. Pennsylvania. Iowa has never faced Northwestern State, Southern, UNC-Wilmington, Texas A&M or Iona.

ANOTHER TIME AROUND
The Hawkeyes have either played or competed in the same tournament as three teams in the Atlanta bracket. Iowa defeated North Carolina State, 45-42 in Iowa City as a part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge but fell to Texas, 68-59 in the championship game of the Guardians Classic. West Virginia also competed at the Guardians Classic in Kansas City, but the two teams did not meet.

PLENTY OF CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
Twelve of the 16 teams in the Atlanta bracket either won their conference regular season or tournament championship, while four teams won both titles. Teams that won both championships include Duke (ACC), Southern (SWAC), UNC-Wilmington (Colonial), and Iowa’s opponent, Northwestern State (Southland). Teams that won their conference regular season championship include George Washington (Atlantic-10), Texas (Big 12) and Pennsylvania (Ivy League). Teams that won their respective conference tournaments include Iowa (Big Ten), Syracuse (Big East), Iona (Metro Athletic) and Southern Illinois (Missouri Valley).

AGAINST POST-SEASON TEAMS
Iowa posted 15-6 record against teams participating in either the NCAA Tournament or the NIT. Iowa is 10-5 against teams that are in the NCAA Tournament. Among the NCAA teams, Iowa is 2-0 vs. Indiana and Ohio State, 1-0 vs. North Carolina State and Kentucky, 2-1 vs. Michigan State, 1-1 vs. Illinois and Wisconsin, and 0-1 vs. Texas and Northern Iowa. Iowa posted a 5-1 record vs. three teams competing in the NIT, including a 2-0 mark vs. Penn State, a 1-0 record vs. Michigan and a 2-1 record vs. Minnesota.

IOWA AT NEUTRAL SITES
Iowa is 4-1 in neutral site games this season. The Hawkeyes defeated Kentucky to advance to the championship game of the Guardians Classic at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, but fell to Texas in the final. Iowa defeated Minnesota, Michigan State and Ohio State at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis en route to the 2006 Big Ten Tournament championship.

IOWA SECURES WINNING SEASON
Iowa in 2006 has enjoyed 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.

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.

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 seventh in three-point attempts (706) and assists (608) and eighth in career three-point field goals (261).

HAWKEYES VS. RANKED FOES
Iowa has posted a 10-4 record against teams in the top 25 rankings at the time of the game, including a 3-2 mark against top 10 teams. The 10 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 10 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.

IOWA DEFENSIVE SO FAR
Iowa’s defense has led the way in winning 25 of 33 games. Iowa opponents are averaging just 58.8 points per game, shooting 38% from the field and 31.5% from three-point range. Iowa has collected 221 steals and forced 488 turnovers while collecting 162 blocked shots. The Hawkeyes have held 26 opponents under 70 points and 18 opponents have scored 60 points or less. The Hawkeyes have won the rebounding battle in 22 games and rank high nationally in scoring defense, field goal defense and fewest fouls per game. The 162 blocked shots ranks as the third best season total ever. Iowa’s best seasons for blocked shots are 174 in 2005 and 165 in 1993.

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,421) 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 22) is one of 31 programs to earn more than 20 invitations into the NCAA Tournament.

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 33 games, scoring double figures in 26 games. He is averaging 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds, shooting 41.2% from the field and 84.5% from the foul line. Brunner, a Charles City native, is a communications studies major with a 3.25 GPA. He is a two-time academic all-Big Ten selection and leads the team in both scoring (14.1) and rebounding (9.2) while shooting 45% from the field and 69.6% 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 9.2 rebounds per game. He is scoring 14.1 points and has recorded 11 scoring and rebounding double-doubles. Haluska is averaging 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He had a career-high 29 points at Penn State and has scored in double figures in 26 of 33 games.

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 13.7 points, 5.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game. He has scored over 1,400 career points and has over 600 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 14.1 points and 9.2 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.

HORNER IS CAREER ASSIST LEADER
Senior guard Jeff Horner became Iowa’s career assist leader in the home 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 608. 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 261 treys, moving past Chris Kingsbury, who had 226 during his career (1994-96). Horner is also first in three-point attempts (706). 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. Horner led Iowa in the win over Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament, collecting 26 points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals. The point total vs. the Gophers is his second highest of the season, as he had 32 points in a win at Purdue. Horner also had 22 points in the season-ending win over Wisconsin, giving him back-to-back games over 20 points for the third time in his career. The six three-point baskets tie a Big Ten Tournament record. Horner earned tourney MVP honors after collecting 16 points and 10 assists in the win over Ohio State in the title game. 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 980 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 (1,500), ninth field goals (548), tied for sixth in free throw attempts (557) and sixth in blocked shots (103). 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 24 games and collecting 10 or more rebounds in 15 outings. 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 226 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 seven 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, 62.5% in the second half of a 65-38 home win over Penn State and 63.2% in the second half of the win over Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament.
• In its first two games in the Big Ten Tournament, Iowa had just 44 field goal attempts vs. Minnesota and 41 vs. Michigan State, the two lowest totals for the Hawkeyes this season.
• 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 10-4 record vs. ranked teams, the only team in the nation with 10 victories against the top 25 during the regular season. 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), 25th-ranked Wisconsin (59-44) and seventh-ranked Ohio State (167-60). 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 (480) as its opponents have attempted (493).
• Iowa is 3-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 9-0 when scoring between 70-80 points, 10-1 when scoring between 60-70 points and 3-7 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 15-1 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 8-3 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 2-4 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 18-1 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 4-7 when the opponent has more assists and 3-0 when assists are equal.
• Iowa is 14-2 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 11-5 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 0-1 when turnovers are even.
• Iowa is 9-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 15-7 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 10 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, 9-0 when four reach double figures, 9-2 with three in double figures and 5-6 when two are in double figures.
• Iowa is 21-4 when leading at halftime, 3-4 when trailing at intermission and 1-0 when tied at halftime. Iowa has trailed at halftime in games at Iowa State, Michigan State, Purdue, Minnesota and Illinois and vs. Michigan State and Ohio State in its last two games in the Big Ten Tournament.
• Iowa is 19-3 when controlling the opening tip and 6-5 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 12-3 in games decided by 10 points or less, 8-2 in games decided by five points or less and 1-1 in overtime.
• Iowa has held eight opponents to 50 points or less and 15 to under 60 points. Only 15 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 39-6 when shooting at least 50% from the field, including 6-0 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.

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, the only Iowa player ever to total over 600 assists, collected career rebound No. 500 in Iowa’s home win over Indiana. Horner is Iowa’s career assist leader with 608 and he has 558 career rebounds. Horner ranks 11th in career scoring (1,491). In other career stats, Horner is Iowa’s career leader in three-point field goals (261) and three-point attempts (706) and he is seventh in steals (163). 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 1,190 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 18 points in the home win over Michigan, hitting 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 home 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. In the Big Ten Tournament title game he had 15 points and eight rebounds, including three free throws in the final 335 seconds. He has scored in double figures in 26 of 33 games and was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week for his play in wins over Indiana and Ohio State. He is averaging 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds and he has led Iowa in steals in 11 games. Haluska has started all 97 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. In the win over Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament, Hansen had nine points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots and he added three more blocks in the semi-final win over Michigan State. In the title game he added 10 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots. 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 17 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 3.9 rebounds, shooting 58.3% from the field for the season and 59.2% in Big Ten play. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 19th nationally with 2.6 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 played well in the win over Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament, collecting 11 points, four rebounds and three steals. Henderson is averaging 7.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 49.2%. In Big Ten games only, he ranked sixth in the league in field goal percentage (54.9%). Henderson has scored in double figures in 11 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 1,500 points, while Horner is 11th with 1,491. Brunner leads the Big Ten in rebounding after ranking ranked second in each of the past two seasons. He earned first team all-Big Ten honors this season and was named to the all-tournament team at the Big Ten Tournament. Horner is the only Iowa player ever to score over 1,000 points, grab over 500 rebounds (558) and distribute over 600 assists (608). Horner was a third team all-Big Ten selection and the Most Outstanding Player in the Big Ten Tournament. Haluska has 1,205 career points, with 284 of those coming during his freshman season at Iowa State. He has scored 921 points at Iowa. He is averaging 13.8 points and has scored in double figures in 26 of 33 games while earning third team all-Big Ten honors. 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 28-34 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including a 10-4 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), 25th-ranked Wisconsin (59-44) and seventh-ranked Ohio State (67-62). 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 9-14 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 Ohio State (67-60 in 2005-06), 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 62 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 13-9 in home games, 11-11 at neutral sites and 4-14 when playing ranked teams in their home arena.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 1,055-900 in the first half and 1,111-1,014 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in 25 games and the Hawkeyes have outscored their opponent in the second half in 21 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 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 16 games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (five neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 62.4-65.2. The Hawkeyes are shooting 40.8% from the field while opponents are shooting 42%. The opponents also hold a 35.1-34.4 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 20 of 33 games, with a season-best 83.3% (20-24) in a win over Fairfield. Iowa has posted a 15-5 record when shooting at least 70% from the free throw line.

2006 CAPTAINS
Iowa’s captains are seniors Greg Brunner and Jeff Horner. Brunner, a native of Charles City, has started 114-126 games in his career and ranks among Iowa’s career leaders in scoring, rebounds, free throw attempts and blocked shots. He earned first team all-Big Ten honors in 2006. Brunner leads the Big Ten in rebounding after placing second in each of the past two seasons. Horner, a Mason City native, has started 121 of 122 games in his career, missing four games in December due to an injury. He has led the team in assists in each of his four seasons and ranks among Iowa’s career leaders in scoring, assists, three-point field goals, three-point attempts and steals.