Iowa Hosts Iowa State Friday Night in Carver

Dec. 7, 2006

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THE SETTING
Iowa (4-5) meets Iowa State (6-2) Friday, Dec. 5 in the second of three straight games against in-state rivals. Game time is 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa dropped a 57-55 contest at home Tuesday night to Northern Iowa after winning its own Hawkeye Challenge with victories over Coppin State (83-67) and Texas-Pan American (62-46) last weekend. Iowa State dropped an 80-78 decision to Drake Dec. 3 in Ames in its last outing, suffering a second straight defeat after opening the season with six straight wins.

ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, along with color commentator Bob Hansen. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pre-game show.
Television: ESPNU will carry the game on cable outlets around the nation, while ESPN Regional will carry the game to a network of stations that includes KGAN Cedar Rapids, KDSM Des Moines, KWQC Quad Cities, KYOU Ottumwa, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, Baltimore, MD, Cox-Northeast in Providence, RI and cable systems in Council Bluffs-Omaha, Mason City, Sioux City, Detroit, MI, Denver, CO and Sacramento, CA. Larry Morgan and Mac McCausland will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,386 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,425-961 (.597). That includes an 891-307 (.744) record in home games, a 534-654 (.449) record in games away from Iowa City, a 675-658 (.506) mark in Big Ten games and a 297-81 (.786) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 297-81 (.786) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 140-67 (.676) in Big Ten games and 157-14 (.918) in non-Big Ten games. Iowa has drawn over 5.4 million fans for men’s basketball games since the arena opened in 1983. Iowa has posted an 89-26 (.774) home record under Coach Steve Alford, including a 54-5 (.915) mark in non-conference home games. Two of the four non-conference home losses game in the National Invitation Tournament.

DEC. 30 START TIME CHANGED
Iowa’s home game vs. Cornell University on Saturday, Dec. 30 will have a 12:05 start time. Originally scheduled for 7:05 p.m., the game has been moved to earlier in the day to avoid a conflict with the Iowa football team’s appearance in the 2006 Alamo Bowl. The Hawkeyes will meet Texas in the Alamo Bowl at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 30.

COACH Steve Alford
Steve Alford (pronounced ALL-ford) is in his eighth season as head coach at the University of Iowa and his 16th season as a college head coach. Alford holds a career record of 295-174 (.629), including a 139-97 (.589) 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. Alford ranks third among Iowa’s head basketball coaches in career wins. Alford’s 295 career victories are the most in the nation among all head coaches who are 42-years old or younger. Alford has posted a 13-5 record in the Big Ten Conference Tournament, leading the Hawkeyes to the tournament title in both 2001 and 2006. His total wins and winning percentage in the event rank tops among all Big Ten coaches. Alford is 52-60 (.464) in Big Ten games after leading Iowa to a second place finish (11-5) in the 2006 regular season. Alford is 8-7 in the NCAA Tournament (3-4 in Div. I and 5-3 in Div. III) and 2-4 in the NIT. Alford is the only Iowa coach to lead his Hawkeye teams to six consecutive winning seasons. Iowa has advanced to post-season action in each of the past six years and the Hawkeyes have won 20 or more games in three of his seven seasons. 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 holds a 4-4 record vs. Iowa State and a 2-3 mark vs. Coach Greg McDermott.

ALFORD THIRD IN CAREER WINS
Coach Steve Alford has collected 139 victories as Iowa’s head coach, a total that ties for third on Iowa’s list of coaches in career wins. With Iowa’s win over Coppin State, Alford tied Rollie Williams (139) for third place on Iowa’s career win list, trailing just Tom Davis (269) and Lute Olson (168). Williams coached the Hawkeyes from 1930-42 and in 1950-51, Olson was the Iowa coach from 1975-83 and Davis coached the Hawkeyes from 1987-99.

ISU COACH GREG MCDERMOTT
Greg McDermott is in his first season as the head coach at Northern Iowa and his 13th year as a college head coach. McDermott holds a 6-2 mark with the Cyclones and his career record stands at 227-129. He is a native of Cascade, IA and a Northern Iowa graduate. McDermott was the head coach at Northern Iowa for five seasons, posting a 90-63 record. He led the Panthers to three straight 20-win seasons and three straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament his last three seasons. UNI won the Missouri Valley Conference post-season tournament in 2004. McDermott posted a 116-53 record in six years at Wayne State (NE) and posted a 15-11 record in one season at North Dakota State. He enjoyed a successful playing career at UNI, leading the team in field goal percentage for three straight seasons. McDermott concluded his playing career under Eldon Miller in 1988. McDermott is 3-2 vs. Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

THE SERIES
Iowa holds a 40-19 advantage in the series that began with a 30-27 Hawkeye win in 1910. Iowa State recorded a 72-60 win in Ames last season after Iowa won by a 70-63 margin in Iowa City the previous year. The teams split two games in 2003. That marked the first time since 1921 that the teams met twice in the same season and it was the first time the teams met in post-season action. Iowa has won four of the last seven meetings and six of the last 10. Just seven of the last 17 games have had a final margin of eight points or less. The visiting team has won seven of the last 13 meetings. Iowa holds a 24-5 advantage in games played in Iowa City, including an 8-4 mark in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa State’s last win in Iowa City was a 73-69 decision in December, 2002.

IN-STATE SERIES CONTINUES
The Iowa State game marks the second of three straight for Iowa against in-state rivals. The Hawkeyes lost to Northern Iowa 57-55 last Tuesday in Iowa City and play at Drake Saturday, Dec. 16. Iowa State is playing its final in-state contest. The Cyclones dropped a 70-57 decision at Northern Iowa on Nov. 29 and were defeated by Drake 80-78 Dec. 3 in Ames. Northern Iowa and Drake meet Jan. 27 in Des Moines and Feb. 8 in Cedar Falls. Iowa State earned the mythical state title last season with a win at Drake and home wins over Iowa and Northern Iowa.

THE HY-VEE CY-HAWK SERIES
Iowa holds a 7-4 advantage in the Cy-Hawk series through five events, having won in football, wrestling and soccer. ISU has won volleyball and women’s basketball competition. Iowa won the initial Cy-Hawk series in 2004-05, but Iowa State won the series a year ago. Along with the men’s basketball game Iowa and Iowa State are competing in women’s swimming and diving on Friday in Iowa City. Competition remains in women’s gymnastics (two meets) and softball. The football game is worth three points, while all other events are two points.

COACH ALFORD VS. ISU
Iowa Coach Steve Alford played two games against Iowa State during his Indiana playing career. In 1985 the Hoosiers won 69-67 in Ames and the following season Indiana won 86-65 in Bloomington. Alford in the first meeting had 22 points and five rebounds, while the following year he had 24 points and six rebounds.

IOWA/ISU NOTES

• Iowa’s all-time record against current members of the Big 12 Conference is 87-47, including losses to Texas (68-59) and Iowa State last season.
• Iowa State is 47-89 all-time against current members of the Big Ten Conference, including a 68-63 win at Minnesota earlier this season.
• Iowa senior Adam Haluska began his college career at Iowa State, averaging 9.2 points per game while earning a spot on the Big 12 Conference all-Freshman team.
• Iowa juniors Justin Johnson and Kurt Looby were teammates for one season with ISU senior Jessan Gray at Tyler, TX CC.
• Iowa and Iowa State have played one common opponent. Northern Iowa defeated Iowa State 70-57 in Cedar Falls and defeated Iowa 57-55 in Iowa City.

A YEAR AGO
Playing without senior guard Jeff Horner for the first time in 103 games, Iowa was guilty of 20 turnovers in a 72-60 loss at Iowa State. ISU collected 13 steals and scored 12 fast break points to Iowa’s two. Iowa played well in the early going, building as much as a six point advantage, 16-10, with 11 minutes left in the half. The Hawkeyes still led by two, 29-27, with 2:50 remaining in the opening period before ISU closed the half with an 8-1 scoring run. Trailing 35-30 at halftime, Iowa saw the Cyclones take advantage of turnovers and quick shots in building a large lead in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Iowa found its inside game in the late going, but could get no closer than 11 points in the final five minutes. The Hawkeyes shot just 34% from the field and 13.3% (2-15) from three-point range. Iowa won the rebounding battle, 44-39, but had just seven assists and eight steals. Adam Haluska led Iowa’s scoring attack with 16 points and he also added four rebounds and four assists. Greg Brunner recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Erek Hansen matched his career scoring high with 14 points, while also collecting seven rebounds and four blocked shots. Curtis Stinson led the Cyclones with 20 points, Rahshon Clark added 17, Jiri Hubalek scored 13 and Will Blalock contributed 11 points and eight assists.

HENDERSON RETURNS TO ACTION
Senior guard Mike Henderson, who missed Iowa’s first seven games after suffering a hand injury in practice on Oct. 30, saw his first action of the season in Iowa’s win over Coppin State. Henderson suffered a fracture to the pinkie finger on his right hand and underwent surgery two days later. Henderson had the cast removed Nov. 27 before playing eight minutes vs. Coppin State and 11 minutes vs. Northern Iowa. Henderson (6-3, 200), a Waterloo, IA native, started all 34 games a year ago. He averaged 7.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per outing while shooting 46.4% from three-point range. He earned the team “Most Improved Award” at the conclusion of the season. As a junior Henderson scored in double figures in 11 games. He matched a career-high with 17 points in a win at Purdue and scored 16 points vs. Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament and in a home win over Penn State. Henderson added 15 points and seven rebounds in an early season win over ninth-ranked Kentucky as Iowa was 11-0 when he scored in double figures.

IOWA NOTES

• Iowa recently completed a five-game road swing that saw the Hawkeyes travel nearly 8,000 miles while competing in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, along with playing single games at Arizona State and Virginia Tech. Iowa has played in four different time zones (Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Mountain). This marks the first time since early in the 2000-01 season that Iowa has played five straight games away from home. Like this season, that five-game stretch in 2000-01 also included three games at a neutral site (Rainbow Classic). Iowa’s longest consecutive road game streak under Steve Alford occurred in 1999-00 when the Hawkeyes played at Northern Iowa, Iowa State, Missouri and Drake, winning two of the four.
• Iowa has already played opponents from five of the stronger leagues in the nation, including the Southeastern (Alabama), Big East (Villanova), Pac-10 (Arizona State), Atlantic Coast (Virginia Tech) and Missouri Valley (Northern Iowa). In its next two games Iowa will play another team from the Missouri Valley Conference and one team from the Big 12.
• Senior guard Adam Haluska was recently named one of 50 candidates named to the pre-season Watch List for the Naismith Award, which goes annually to the Player of the Year.
• With 18 points in Iowa’s loss to Villanova, senior Adam Haluska became the 39th Hawkeye player to surpass 1,000 career points. Haluska is in his third season at Iowa and has 1,098 points to rank 29th on Iowa’s career list. His career total, including one season at Iowa State, stands at 1,382.
• Freshman Tyler Smith was named to the all-tournament team at the Paradise Jam. Smith scored in double figures in all three games. He led Iowa to its win over Toledo on the first round, collecting 28 points, six rebounds and five assists. Smith added 19 points in the loss to 10th-ranked Alabama and 13 points in the loss to Villanova.

IOWA WINS HAWKEYE CHALLENGE
Iowa once again claimed the title of its own Hawkeye Challenge, defeating Texas-Pan American 62-46 in the first round and Coppin State 83-67 in the title game. Iowa has won its own invitational 24 times in the 25 year history of the event. Senior guard Adam Haluska claimed Most Valuable Player honors, while junior Justin Johnson and freshman Tyler Smith were also named to the all-tournament team.

SMITH AMONG FRESHMAN LEADERS
Iowa’s Tyler Smith ranks high among freshmen in the Big Ten, He is second in scoring (14.2) fourth in rebounding (4.9) and steals (12), fifth in assists (3.1), 12th in field goal percentage (.491), 14th in free throw percentage (.655) and 15th in three-point field goal percentage (.473).

HAWKEYE TIDBITS

• Three Hawkeye opponents, Alabama, Villanova and Arizona State, have shot better than 50% from the field. In 34 games a year ago, Iowa allowed just three opponents to shoot as well as 50% from the field. Those were road games at Michigan State, Purdue and Minnesota, with Iowa losing two of the three. Iowa is 4-11 over the past four seasons when its opponent shoots 50% or better from the field.
• Iowa is 1-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 2-0 when scoring between 70-80 points, 1-4 when scoring between 60-70 points and 0-1 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 2-1 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 2-2 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 0-2 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 3-2 when collecting more assists than the opponent and 1-3 when the opponent has more assists.
• Iowa is 3-3 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent and 1-2 when the opponent has fewer turnovers.
• Iowa is 1-3 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 1-2 when the opponent has more steals and 2-0 when steals are equal.
• Iowa has had four players score in double figures in one game (Toledo) and three players score in double figures in five games. Iowa is 1-0 when four reach double figures, and 2-3 with three score in double figures and 0-3 with two players in double figures.
• Iowa is 4-2 when leading at halftime and 0-3 when trailing at intermission.
• Iowa is 2-2 when controlling the opening tip and 2-3 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 0-3 in games decided by 10 points or less and 0-3 in games decided by five points or less.

IOWA HOME STREAK STOPPED BY UNI
Northern Iowa used a 17-4 scoring run over the final five minutes to take a 57-55 win in Iowa City Tuesday, ending Iowa’s home winning streak at 21 games. Iowa led 51-40 with 5:31 remaining before the Panthers scored 13 straight points to take a 53-51 lead with 1:42 to play. Iowa tied the score on a basket by Adam Haluska with 1:24 to play and tied the game at 55-55 on a basket by Tyler Smith with 52 seconds remaining. Northern Iowa’s final basket came with 32 seconds to play. The Hawkeyes then missed two shots, including a three-point attempt in the closing seconds. After falling behind 5-2 in the opening minutes, Iowa controlled the game until the final five minutes. The Hawkeyes led 28-18 at halftime and led by as many as 13 points in the second half. Iowa did not shoot well from the field, connecting on just 34.9% of its field goals. Northern Iowa, after shooting just 23/8% in the first half, shot 44.4% from the field in the final 20 minutes to raise its percentage to 35.4% for the game. The difference came at the free throw line and on the backboards. Northern Iowa made 21-29 free throw attempts, compared to just 5-7 for Iowa. UNI held a 44-34 rebounding advantage. Iowa was guilty of just 10 turnovers, compared to 15 for Northern Iowa. Freshman Tyler Smith led Iowa’s scoring with 20 points and he added six rebounds. Tony Freeman added 11 points and four assists and Seth Gorney led Iowa with nine rebounds.

DRAKE WINS AT IOWA STATE
Drake scored on a driving lay-up with just under five seconds to play to hold on for an 80-78 win at Iowa State Dece. 3. Iowa State had a final chance for the win following Drake’s final basket, but a made three-point attempt came just after time had expired. Drake had controlled the action most of the way, building a 40-33 halftime advantage to as many as 16 points with 11:37 remaining before ISU rallied. The Cyclones had tied the score at 78-78 in the closing seconds on a lay-up by Dodie Dunson before Drake hit the game winner. Dunson then connected on a three-point shot, which came just after the buzzer. ISU shot 45.5% from the field and 78.3% from the foul line, while holding a 36-35 rebounding advantage. Dunson and Wesley Johnson led Iowa State’s balanced attack with 16 points each. Rahshon Clark added 13, Mike Taylor scored 12 and Corey McIntosh added 10. Johnson led the Cyclones with 10 rebounds and Clark added nine and Taylor led ISU with five assists.

EARLY SEASON HONORS FOR HALUSKA
Senior guard Adam Haluska has earned recognition for his action on and off the floor. Following are Haluska’s early season honors:

• Named the recipient of the 2006-07 Anson Mount Scholar/Athlete Award. The award is presented by Playboy Magazine and recognizes a student-athlete who excels in the classroom and on the court. The magazine will donate $5,000 to the University of Iowa general scholarship fund.
• Named to pre-season all-Big Ten team, as selected by vote of media representatives attending Big Ten Conference Basketball Media Day.
• One of 50 players named to the pre-season Watch List for the John R. Wooden all-America team.
• One of 50 players named to the pre-season Watch List for the Naismith Award, which goes each year to the national Player of the Year.
• Named Most Valuable Player in Iowa’s Hawkeye Challenge, collecting 31 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in the title game. He had eight points, five rebounds, four rebounds and three steals in an opening round win over Texas-Pan American.

Haluska earned academic all-America honors last season and is a two-time academic all-Big Ten honoree. He earned third team all-Big Ten honors a year ago after averaging 13.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He ranks among Iowa’s career leaders in three-point field goals and three point attempts.

HALUSKA OVER 1,000 POINTS
Guard Adam Haluska heads into his final season as Iowa’s most honored player, both on the court and off. Along with earning third team all-Big Ten honors a year ago, Haluska is a two-time academic all-Big Ten honoree and a year ago he was recognized as an academic all-American. Haluska has scored 20 or more points in four of nine games, including a career-high 31 points vs. Coppin State. Haluska has raised his career scoring total to 1,382, including 1,098 in three seasons at Iowa. His 185 three-point field goals attempts last season rank sixth best at Iowa. He ranks sixth in career three-point field goals (147) and career attempts (409). Haluska began the season with 29 points in the win over The Citadel, matching his career high. He also added five rebounds and six assists. He added 18 points vs. Villanova and increased his consecutive free throw streak to 21 (including three last season) before missing his final attempt vs. Villanova. He added 24 points in narrow road losses at Arizona State and Virginia Tech before the 31 points vs. Coppin State. He is shooting 94.4% (34-36) from the free throw line to rank 14th in the nation in free throw percentage. Haluska has started all 107 games he has played in his career. His consecutive starts streak ranks 10th longest among all Division I players, according to STATS — Chicago.

HENDERSON NUMBERS IMPROVED
Guard Mike Henderson played a key role in Iowa’s 2006 success, improving his numbers in several categories from his sophomore season while earning the team “Most Improved Award”. Henderson matched his career scoring high with 17 points in the win at Purdue. 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. Henderson averaged 7.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per outing, improving his shooting to 48.7%. In Big Ten games only, he ranked sixth in league field goal percentage (54.9%). Henderson scored in double figures in 11 games after scoring 10 or more points just three times in his first two seasons. Henderson missed the first seven games of this season with a hand injury before returning to see limited action vs. Coppin State and Northern Iowa.

SMITH STEPS FORWARD IN PARADISE
Freshman Tyler Smith, who had just two points in his first college game, led Iowa with 28 points in the win over Toledo. Smith connected on 11-17 field goal attempts and 5-8 free throws. He also led Iowa with five assists and collected six rebounds in 32 minutes of action. Smith had another solid outing in the loss to Alabama, collecting 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in 37 minutes. Against Villanova, he added 12 points and three rebounds and he added 12 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals at Arizona State. Smith had 12 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists vs. Texas-Pan American and 16 points and seven rebounds vs. Coppin State. Smith led Iowa with 20 points (9-15 FGs) and added six rebounds vs. Northern Iowa. Smith was named to the Paradise Jam all-tournament team and the Hawkeye Challenge all-tournament team. He is averaging 14.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

FREEMAN SOLID AT THE POINT
Guard Tony Freeman had a solid first season with the Hawkeyes a year ago. Freeman had a career high 11 assists and six rebounds in the opening game of the season. He added a career-best eight rebounds in the win over Toledo and added 16 points, four rebounds and three assists against Alabama. He led Iowa with five assists vs. Villanova and added 11 points (4-5 FGs, 2-2 FTs) against Virginia Tech. Freeman collected 10 points and five assists in the win over Texas-Pan American and six points and five assists vs. Coppin State. He scored 11 points and added four rebounds and four assists vs. Northern Iowa. Freeman, last season, played in 33 of 34 games, with four starts in the non-conference season. He is averaging 8.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.

JOHNSON MAKING HIS MARK
Junior guard Justin Johnson is making his mark in his first season with the Hawkeye program. Johnson has started six games, averaging 6.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Moving back into the starting line-up in Iowa’s most recent four games, Johnson contributed nine points and six rebounds vs. Virginia Tech and he led the team with 14 points and five rebounds in the win over Texas-Pan American. Johnson added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists in Iowa’s win over Coppin State and he was named to the Hawkeye Challenge all-tournament team.

LOOBY HITS THE BOARDS
After sitting out last season as a redshirt, junior Kurt Looby began to prove that his hard work from a year ago will pay dividends. Looby led Iowa with 14 rebounds in the win over The Citadel and added three blocked shots as well. After playing just two minutes in the first half against Toledo, he ended the game with 13 points and nine rebounds, all in the second half. Looby added 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots vs. Villanova and he added six points, four rebounds and three blocked shots vs. Virginia Tech. He leads Iowa in rebounding (5.0) and blocked shots (1.9) and is scoring 5.1 points per game. He is a native of St. John’s Antigua. His mother, Olivet, was able to visit the Virgin Islands to attend the Paradise Jam, seeing her son play college basketball for the first time.

GORNEY ADDS TO THE MIDDLE
Junior center Seth Gorney started for the first time in his career against The Citadel and responded with 10 points, two rebounds and three steals, matching his career scoring high. Gorney hit 4-7 field goals and 2-2 free throws in 25 minutes. Gorney added 10 points (4-6 FGs) and five rebounds vs. Toledo and he had 10 points and three assists in the loss to Alabama. He added eight points and four rebounds in the win over Texas-Pan American and added eight points and a team-high nine rebounds vs. Northern Iowa. Last season Gorney had 10 points in an early season win over Maryland-Eastern Shore before scoring just 17 points the rest of the season while averaging four minutes per game. His 25 minutes of action in each of Iowa’s first two games more than doubled his previous high (12 minutes vs. Penn State) and he played 30 minutes vs. Northern Iowa.

TATE ON TARGET IN FIRST ACTION
Sophomore forward Cyrus Tate connected on 6-7 field goal attempts to score 13 points vs. The Citadel in his first action as a Hawkeye. It was more of the same in Iowa’s win over Toledo as Tate hit 3-5 field goals and 3-4 free throws, collecting nine points, seven rebounds and two steals in 18 minutes. Tate collected four points, seven rebounds and two assists at Virginia Tech and he had six points and season-best nine rebounds vs. Coppin State. He is averaging 5.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Tate attended junior college one season before joining the Iowa program.

IOWA FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Iowa has made at least 80% of its free throws in three games and at least 70% of its free throws in five games, with a season-best 83.3% (5-6) vs. Alabama. Iowa has posted a 3-5 record when shooting at least 70% from the free throw line.

IOWA SEEKS SEVENTH STRAIGHT
Iowa, in 2007, is seeking its seventh consecutive winning season. The current streak of six straight 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 record in each of the last six seasons, joining Illinois, Michigan State and Wisconsin. Iowa, in 2006, advanced to post-season play for the sixth straight season and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.

IOWA VS. RANKED FOES
Steve Alford has posted a 28-35 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including a 10-4 mark in 2005-06. Iowa has played one ranked opponent this season, dropping a 72-60 decision to 10th-ranked Alabama. The Hawkeyes, last season, 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 9-15 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 15 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 four times to 10th-ranked (Michigan State, 2000, Illinois, 2002, Michigan State, 2005 and Alabama, 2006-07). In the 63 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 13-9 in home games, 11-12 at neutral sites and 4-14 when playing ranked teams in their home arena.

IOWA SCHEDULE NOTES

• Iowa has reached the title game in 12 of 14 in-season tournaments under Coach Steve Alford. The Hawkeyes have won their own Hawkeye Challenge in each of the eight years. Iowa was second in the Guardians Classic in both 2002 and 2006, second in the Maui Invitational in 2005 and second in the IKON Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in 2000. In the only events Iowa did not advance to the title game, the Hawkeyes placed third in the Rainbow Classic in 2001 and lost in the semi-finals of the 2006 Paradise Jam. Under Alford, Iowa is 28-7 while playing in tournament events during the season, plus 13-5 in the Big Ten Tournament and a combined 3-6 in the NIT and NCAA tournaments.
• Iowa is slated to play two schools which are headed by former University of Iowa presidents. Mary Sue Coleman is the President at the University of Michigan and David Skorton at Cornell University.
• Herb Sendek, the first year coach at Arizona State, was the head coach at North Carolina State a year ago when the Hawkeyes defeated the Wolfpack 45-42 in Iowa City as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
• Iowa Coach Steve Alford and LaSalle Coach John Giannini met when both were coaching in the NCAA Division III ranks. Alford’s Manchester College team defeated Giannini and Rowan University 79-66 in the national semi-final game of the NCAA Tournament. Manchester lost to Wisconsin-Platteville in the title game that season before Alford left to become the head coach at Southwest Missouri State. Giannini led Rowan to the Division III national title the following season.
• Seth Greenberg, now the head coach at Virginia Tech, was the head coach at Long Beach State when Iowa defeated the Forty-Niners 101-79 in the finals of the 1993 Hawkeye Challenge.

IOWA HAS STRONG FINISH
Following is a list of Iowa’s accomplishments in 2006:

• Posted 25 wins, which ranks as the second highest total in school history. The Hawkeyes 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.
• Posted 10 wins in 14 games against top 25 teams. Iowa was 3-2 against top 10 teams.
• Prior to tournament play, Iowa was the only Division I team in the nation to record 10 wins against teams that were ranked in the top 25 at the time of the game.
• Posted 11 Big Ten wins, the most for an Iowa team since the 1996-97 team won 12 conference games. The 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 third 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 last 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 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.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its four home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 68.8-55.8 margin, shooting 43.5% from the field while holding its opponent to 38.3% shooting. Iowa holds a 36.5-34.8 rebounding advantage. In five games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (three neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 72.4-65.4. The Hawkeyes are shooting 42.2% from the field while opponents are shooting 46.8%. Iowa holds a 34.0-32.4 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 2006 and its own invitational 24 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 2005-06 Guardians Classic, the 2002 Big Ten Conference Tournament and the 2004 Maui Invitational.

IOWA IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Iowa made its 22nd appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2006, falling to Northwestern State in the opening round at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Iowa earned the Big Ten Conference’s automatic bid by virtue of claiming the league’s tournament title. The Hawkeyes hold an overall record of 27-24 in the tournament, advancing to the Final Four in 1955 (fourth), 1956 (second) and 1980 (fourth). Iowa reached the regional championship in 1987 and lost in the regional semi-final in 1988 and 1999.

BASKETBALL TICKETS AVAILABLE
The following is information on Iowa basketball tickets.

Season tickets are available for 2006-07, including general public ($300), UI faculty and staff ($243) and UI students ($85). Single game tickets are available for $20 and $25, depending on the date of the game. UI students can purchase single game tickets for $15 on the day of the game, when available. There are several options available for fans interested in purchasing tickets for selected games:

• A three-game package is available for $57 that includes games vs. Northern Iowa, Michigan State and Indiana.
• The Big Ten mid-week package is available for $68 and includes games vs. Michigan State, Penn State, Northwestern and Purdue.
• The Big Ten weekend package includes games vs. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois and is available for $100.
• The pre-Big Ten season package includes both nights of the Hawkeye Challenge and games vs. Iowa State, Texas Southern and Cornell, for $80.
• The Holiday Special package, which includes games vs. Cornell, Michigan State and Minnesota, is $54.
• “Youth Basketball Nights” have been set for games vs. Georgia State, Texas Southern, Cornell, Penn State, Northwestern and Purdue. Tickets for students high school age or younger are $10 for these games.
• Discounted tickets to select home games, earmarked for purchase by groups of 20 or more, are also available for purchase. For information about group ticket packages, fans should call the UI Sports Marketing Office at (319) 335-9431.

Fans interested in obtaining men’s basketball tickets can do so at the UI Athletic Ticket Office, located in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, by calling the ticket office at 1-800-IA-HAWKS or by visiting the UI website at hawkeyesports.com.

IOWA INTRODUCES SOLDIERS FIRST PROGRAM
Coach Steve Alford and the Iowa Hawkeyes have introduced a new program that thanks active members of the U.S. Military for their service to the country by providing them the opportunity to enjoy a home game of the Iowa Hawkeyes with their family and/or friends. The “Soldiers First” program offers five men or women who are on “active duty” with any branch of the U.S. Military the opportunity to cheer Alford’s 2006-07 Iowa squad with three guests. Ticket requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible servicemen and servicewomen can call the UI Sports Marketing Office at (319) 335-9431 to learn more about the “Soldier’s First” program. Information and a registration form are also on the home page for men’s basketball at hawkeyesports.com, the official world wide web site of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

HAWKEYES LOOKING FOR HEROES
Is there a hero among you, your friends, your family? Coach Steve Alford and the Iowa Hawkeyes are looking for heroes, people who have gone above and beyond to help others. “There are wonderful things being done each day in every community across the state of Iowa by outstanding people,” said Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford. “Our basketball staff feels the “Heroes Among Us” program is an easy way to salute the friends and neighbors of ours who are making a different in the lives of their friends and neighbors.” Nomination forms for the “Heroes Among Us” program are available online at hawkeyesports.com, the official web site of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Fans can print their nomination form by visiting the men’s basketball home page and clicking on the “Heroes Among Us” line under the “Features” heading. The UI will select one here to be saluted at each Hawkeye home game throughout the remainder of the season. The hero, and the individual who nominated them, will be provided pairs of tickets to the game and a $10 gift certificate to the Official Iowa Hawk Shop. The hero will also be recognized when they are in attendance. This marks the second year of the “Heroes Among Us” program, as 15 Iowans were recognized at home games a year ago.

HALK 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 6 to 7:30 p.m. The show will take place on the following dates: December 11 and 18; January 8, 17, 22 and 29; February 5, 12, 19 and 28; March 5 and 12.

COMING UP NEXT
Iowa takes a break for finals next week, returning to action Saturday, Dec. 16 at Drake (7:05 p.m., ESPNU). The Hawkeyes close December with their final three non-conference games, hosting Georgia State (Dec. 20), Texas Southern (Dec. 23) and Cornell (Dec. 30).