Hawkeyes Hosts Gophers Saturday Afternoon

Jan. 11, 2007

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THE SETTING
Iowa (9-7 1-1) returns home to host Minnesota (7-9, 1-1) Saturday, Jan. 13. Game time is 3:37 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa lost to Illinois 74-70 Wednesday evening in Champaign after opening Big Ten play with a 62-60 home win over Michigan State. The Hawkeyes have won seven of their last 10 games. Minnesota opened Big Ten play with a 65-59 home win over Purdue and a 68-45 loss at Wisconsin. The Gophers have been idle since Jan. 6.

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: ESPN Regional will carry the game to a network of stations throughout the Big Ten viewing area, including KGAN Cedar Rapids, KDSM Des Moines, KWQC Quad Cities, KIMT Mason City and KYOU Ottumwa. Larry Morgan and Bill Hosket will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,393 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,430-963 (.598). That includes an 896-307 (.745) record in home games, a 534-656 (.449) record in games away from Iowa City, a 676-659 (.506) mark in Big Ten games and a 302-81 (.789) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 302-81 (.789) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 141-67 (.678) in Big Ten games and 161-14 (.920) 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 a 94-26 (.783) home record under Coach Steve Alford, including a 58-5 (.920) mark in non-conference home games. Two of the five non-conference home losses came in the National Invitation Tournament. Iowa has won 26 of its last 27 home games and 10 straight Big Ten Conference home games. The Hawkeyes have also won eight straight home games against top 25 opponents.

HAWKEYES SET ARENA RECORD
With the 62-60 win over 24th-ranked Michigan State, Iowa improved its home winning streak in Big Ten Conference games to 10 straight, the longest conference winning streak in the history of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which opened in 1983. Iowa has not lost a Big Ten home game since a 75-65 loss to Illinois on Feb. 19, 2005. Iowa has won nine straight conference games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on two occasions, the last occurring during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons. Iowa’s record for consecutive home wins in league play is 14 straight. That mark was set during the 1980-81 and 1981-82 seasons when home games were played at the Iowa Field House.

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 300-176 (.630), including a 144-99 (.593) 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 300 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 53-61 (.465) in Big Ten games and led 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 is 9-5 vs. Minnesota and 6-5 vs. Gopher Coach Jim Molinari.

ALFORD THIRD IN CAREER WINS
Coach Steve Alford has 300 career wins and 144 victories as Iowa’s head coach. With Iowa’s win over Iowa State, Alford moved past Rollie Williams (139) for third place on Iowa’s career win list behind Tom Davis (269) and Lute Olson (168). Iowa’s 62-60 win over 24th-ranked Michigan State was win No. 300 for the Hawkeye head coach. Davis coached the Hawkeyes from 1987-99, Olson was the Iowa coach from 1975-83 and Williams coached the Hawkeyes from 1930-42 and in 1950-51.

MINNESOTA COACH JIM MOLINARI
Jim Molinari took over as Minnesota’s head coach after the seventh game of the season and has guided the Gophers to a 5-4 record over their last nine games. Molinari is in his third year on the Minnesota staff. In 14 years as a college head coach Molinari has posted a 223-171 overall record, including nine games this season. Molinari previously served as the head coach at Northern Illinois (1989-91) and Bradley (1991-02). He led the Braves to six post-season appearances in 11 seasons. He was the 1991 Mid-Continent Conference Coach of the Year and the 1996 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year. He has also served as a scout in the NBA for Toronto (2002-03) and Miami (2003-04) and previously served as an assistant coach at DePaul (1978-89). He coached the 1997 USA Basketball men’s team to a gold medal at the World University Games. Molinari has not coached against Iowa and he is 5-6 vs. Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford

THE SERIES
Minnesota holds a 94-86 advantage over Iowa in the series that began with a 47-10 Gopher win in 1902. Iowa won in Iowa City last season in triple overtime (76-72) before the Golden Gophers won (74-61) in Minneapolis. The Hawkeyes took the third meeting, winning 67-57 in the quarter-finals of the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis on their way to the tournament title. The team split two games during the 2004-05 season after Iowa won both meetings in 2004. The Hawkeyes have won nine of the last 13 meetings. The teams met just once in 2002 and 2003, with Minnesota winning both games. 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 have met twice in the Big Ten Tournament. Along with the win a year ago in Indianapolis, Iowa defeated the Gophers 81-78 in the 2000 event at the United Center in Chicago.

IOWA, GOPHER NOTES

• Iowa Coach Steve Alford and Minnesota Coach Jim Molinari both were head coaches in the Missouri Valley Conference before moving to the Big Ten. Molinari was the head coach at Bradley and Alford was the head coach at Southwest Missouri State. Alford’s Bears won six of 11 meetings with Molinari’s Braves. Six of the 11 games were decided by five points or less and one game was decided in overtime. The two teams met in the Missouri Valley post-season tournament in three of the four seasons Alford coached at Southwest Missouri State.
• Iowa assistant Craig Neal was an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors in 2002-03 when current Minnesota Coach Jim Molinari served as a scout for the Raptors.
• 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.
• Iowa sophomore Cyrus Tate and Minnesota junior Limar Wilson were teammates last season at Northeast Nebraska Community College.
• Iowa and Minnesota played two common opponents in non-conference action. Minnesota defeated Arizona State 66-63 in Minneapolis, while Iowa lost at Arizona State, 67-64. Iowa defeated Iowa State 77-59 in Iowa City, while Iowa State defeated Minnesota 68-63 in Minneapolis.
• Minnesota assistant Vic Couch is a native of Davenport, IA and played junior college basketball at Clinton Community College.

IOWA WON TWO OF THREE
Iowa won two of three meetings a year ago, including the third meeting in the Big Ten Conference Tournament after each team won on its home court during the regular season. Iowa outlasted Minnesota 76-72 in three overtimes in Iowa City in the first meeting. The Hawkeyes controlled most of the first half, leading 30-20 with three minutes left in the period. Minnesota used a 16-2 scoring run from late in the first half to early in the second, taking a 36-32 advantage with 17 minutes to play. The game was tied seven times in the second half, as two free throws by Erek Hansen with 1:34 remaining tied the game at 58-58 and forced overtime. Minnesota had a shot to win at the end of regulation and at the end of the first extra session. Greg Brunner made one of two free throws with 35 seconds remaining to tie the score in the first overtime. The Gophers led by four points in the second overtime before Mike Henderson scored from the paint and Hansen added two free throws with 51 seconds to play. Minnesota missed two free throws and Iowa had a turnover in the final 20 seconds. Iowa took a four point advantage in the third overtime on a basket and two free throws by Adam Haluska. Following a Minnesota free throw, Henderson and Jeff Horner each made two free shots to give Iowa some breathing room and the Gophers were never closer than four points in the final 40 seconds. Brunner led Iowa with 17 points and a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record 23 rebounds. Hansen had a career-high 20 points to go with six rebounds and five blocks. Haluska added 12 points and Horner 10 points and 10 assists. Minnesota was led by Maurice Hargrow with 16 points, while Vincent Grier added 15, Adam Boone 14 and Jonathan Williams 11. Grier and Williams led the Gophers with 10 rebounds each.

Minnesota shot 51% from the field and held the advantage in nearly all statistical categories as the Gophers took a 74-61 win over Iowa in Minneapolis. Minnesota used its inside scoring strength to take a 38-29 advantage at halftime. The Hawkeyes trailed 28-27 with 3:16 left in the half before the Gophers used a 10-2 run to end the period. Minnesota shot 60.7% from the field in the first half, compared to 40.9% for Iowa. The Gophers led by nine points with 12:47 remaining when Iowa used a 10-0 scoring run to take the lead. Three free throws by Adam Haluska gave Iowa a 51-50 advantage with 10 minutes to play. Minnesota led by three points with 3:13 remaining when free throw shooting took over the game. Iowa missed the front end of consecutive one and one opportunities as Minnesota built a seven point advantage. The Gophers then connected on 11-13 free throws in the final two minutes to keep a comfortable margin. Along with shooting 51%, Minnesota held a 36-25 rebounding advantage and was guilty of just 10 turnovers. Iowa shot 41.3% from the field and 75% from the foul line. Greg Brunner led Iowa with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Jeff Horner added 13 points and five assists. Minnesota was led by Vincent Grier with 18 points.

Iowa rallied from a four-point deficit in the second half to take a 67-57 win over Minnesota in the quarter-finals of the Big Ten Conference Tournament. The Hawkeyes got off to a good start and built a nine point advantage in the early stages of the first half. Minnesota rallied late, scoring the final five points of the half to earn a 30-30 tie at the break. Minnesota moved ahead early in the second half and led 45-41 with 10:57 to play when Iowa improved its offensive execution. Jeff Horner hit a pair of free throws to close the gap to two then gave the Hawkeyes the lead with a three-pointer. Iowa led the rest of the way, but still held just a four point margin before a dunk by Erek Hansen and a three-point basket by Mike Henderson gave Iowa a nine point lead with 4:58 left in the game. Minnesota was never closer than eight the rest of the way. Horner led Iowa with 26 points, hitting 8-13 field goals, 6-9 three-point attempts and 4-6 free throws. He also added six rebounds, six assists and five steals. Horner tied a tournament record with the six treys. Greg Brunner added 16 points, all in the second half, and Erek Hansen added nine points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Vincent Grier led Minnesota with 29 points, but he was the only Golden Gopher to score in double figures.

SMITH AMONG FRESHMAN LEADERS
Iowa’s Tyler Smith ranks high among freshmen in the Big Ten in nearly all statistical categories. He is first in scoring (15.0), second in assists (3.5), fourth in steals (1.3), fifth in rebounding (4.8), 12th in field goal percentage (.480) and three-point FG% (.321) and 16th in free throw percentage (.672).

HENDERSON BACK IN 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 on Dec. 2. 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 scored eight points in 15 minutes vs. Iowa State and played 26 minutes in the loss at Drake. He returned to the starting line-up for the first time vs. Georgia State and had a career-high nine assists and eight points. He added nine points, nine assists and three steals in a win over Texas Southern and six points, four assists and two steals in a win over Cornell. Henderson played a critical role in Iowa’s win over Michigan State, connecting on five of six free throw attempts in the final 40 seconds. Henderson’s two free throws with six seconds remaining gave Iowa a 62-57 advantage to seal the victory. 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

• As a team, Iowa leads the Big Ten Conference and ranks sixth in the nation in free throw percentage, making 77.2% (220-285) of its attempts. Individually, Adam Haluska is shooting 90.6% (77-85) from the line to rank 14th.
• Iowa completed a five-game road swing in November 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 shot a season-best 89.2% (33-37) from the free throw line in a win over Texas Southern. The made free throws and the free throw attempts are the most for Iowa since the Hawkeyes converted 32-42 in a home loss to Michigan State on 2/5/05.
• Iowa, in non-conference action, played seven opponents from six of the stronger leagues in the nation, including the Atlantic Coast (Virginia Tech), Big East (Villanova), Big 12 (Iowa State), Missouri Valley (Drake & Northern Iowa), Pac-10 (Arizona State) and Southeastern (Alabama).
• Senior guard Adam Haluska has started all 114 games in his career, a streak that ranks as the longest in the nation among current players.
• 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, Adam Haluska became the 39th Hawkeye player to surpass 1,000 career points. Haluska is in his third season at Iowa and has 1,264 points to rank 15th on Iowa’s career list. His career total, including one season at Iowa State, stands at 1,548.
• 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.

HAWKEYE TIDBITS

• Five Hawkeye opponents (Alabama, Villanova, Arizona State, Drake, Illinois) 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 4-13 over the past four seasons when its opponent shoots 50% or better from the field.
• Iowa is 29-35 vs. ranked teams under Coach Steve Alford. That includes a 14-9 home record, an 11-12 record at neutral sites and 4-14 mark in road games. Iowa is 1-1 vs. ranked opponents in 2006-07.
• Iowa is 3-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 3-1 when scoring between 70-80 points, 3-4 when scoring between 60-70 points and 0-2 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 5-1 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 4-2 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 0-4 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 7-2 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 1-5 when the opponent has more assists and 1-0 when assists are even.
• Iowa is 8-4 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent and 1-3 when the opponent has fewer turnovers.
• Iowa is 6-3 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 1-4 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 11 games.
• Iowa is 1-0 when four reach double figures, 6-5 when three score in double figures and 1-3 with two players in double figures.
• Iowa is 9-3 when leading at halftime and 0-4 when trailing at intermission.
• Iowa is 5-3 when controlling the opening tip and 4-4 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 1-4 in games decided by 10 points, including a 1-4 record in games decided by five points or less.

IOWA FALLS AT ILLINOIS
Illinois used a 19-3 scoring run over a 12 minute span in the second half and held off a late rally to take a 74-70 win over Iowa in Champaign. Iowa trailed by 11 points in the early going (18-7) before taking the lead late in the first half. A three-point basket by Justin Johnson in the final seconds gave the Hawkeyes a 31-29 advantage at the break. Iowa built the lead to six points (45-39) in the early portion of the second half before Illinois rallied. Iowa trailed by as many as 13 points in the late going, facing a 67-54 deficit with 4:07 remaining. The Hawkeyes rallied, closing the margin to a single point (71-70) on a three-point basket by Adam Haluska with 32 seconds remaining. Iowa had a chance to tie after two Illinois free throws, but a final turnover with 18 seconds to play ended it’s chances. Iowa shot 43.8% from the field, including 53.8% from three-point range, and the Hawkeyes added 21-27 (77.8%) free throws. Illinois shot 50.9% from the field and won the rebounding battle 33-28. Eleven of Iowa’s 16 turnovers came in the second half, several during the 19-3 scoring run by the Illini. Haluska led Iowa with 25 points. Tyler Smith added 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists and Johnson added 11 points.

WISCONSIN STOPS MINNESOTA
Wisconsin started the game with a solid defensive effort in taking a 68-45 win over Minnesota last Saturday in Madison. The Badgers held Minnesota to just 29% field goal shooting in taking a 37-20 halftime advantage. The Badgers shot 46.7% in the first half in building the lead. Wisconsin led by as many as 31 points in the second half as Minnesota was unable to challenge in the final 20 minutes. Wisconsin shot 42.9% for the game, compared to 34.7% for the Gophers. Wisconsin also held a 40-33 rebounding advantage and a 28-18 advantage in points in the paint. Dan Coleman led Minnesota with 15 points. Center Spencer Tollackson added 11 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes. Coleman and guards Limar Wilson and Lawrence McKenzie all had five rebounds.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its nine home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 74.4-57.1 margin, shooting 45.9% from the field while holding its opponent to 38.4% shooting. Iowa’s opponents hold a 36-34.3 rebounding advantage. In seven games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (three neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 73-65.1. The Hawkeyes are shooting 42% from the field while opponents are shooting 48.2%. The opponents hold a 33.7-31.6 rebounding margin.

HALUSKA NAMED CAPTAIN
Senior Adam Haluska is Iowa’s 2006-07 team captain. Haluska is a native of Carroll, IA who has started every game for the Hawkeyes over the past three seasons. A year ago he earned third team all-Big Ten recognition. He has scored 1,548 career points, including 1,264 with the Hawkeyes to rank 15th in career scoring. Haluska ranks fourth among players who played just three seasons at Iowa, trailing Andre Woolridge (1,525), Don Nelson (1,522) and Bruce King (1,361). He was named the tournament MVP in Iowa’s Hawkeye Challenge after scoring 31 points and collecting nine rebounds and nine assists in the title game. His 36 points in a win over Georgia State match the most ever scored by an Iowa player in Carver-Hawkeye Arena and he was named Big Ten Player of the Week after leading Iowa to wins over Georgia State and Texas Southern. He added 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals in a win over Michigan State and 25 points vs. Illinois. Through 16 games Haluska ranks among Big Ten leaders in five statistical categories, including scoring (1st), free throw percentage (1st), three-point field goals per game (1st), steals (5th) and assists (15th).

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.
• Named Big Ten Player of the Week after averaging 28.5 points per game in two Iowa wins. He shot 57.1% from the field, 50% from three-point range and 90% from the free throw line in wins over Georgia State and Texas Southern.

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.

IOWA VS. RANKED FOES
Steve Alford has posted a 29-35 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including a 1-1 record this season and a 10-4 mark in 2005-06. Iowa, this season, lost to 10th-ranked Alabama (72-60) on a neutral court and defeated 24th-ranked Michigan State (62-60) in Iowa City. Iowa has won eight straight home games against ranked opponents. 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 64 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 14-9 in home games, 11-12 at neutral sites and 4-14 when playing ranked teams in their home arena.

HALUSKA OVER 1,000 POINTS
Senior guard Adam Haluska ranks 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 nine games this season, including a career-high 36 points vs. Georgia State and 31 vs. Coppin State. He added 21 points in a win over Texas Southern to earn Big Ten Player of the Week recognition. He added 29 points against Cornell with the best shooting performance of his career. He connected on 10-13 field goal attempts, including 6-9 three-pointers. He made all seven of his field goal attempts in the second half and ended the game hitting nine straight overall, including his last five three-pointers. He also collected four steals and three rebounds. Haluska made his first attempt vs. Michigan State, extending his consecutive streak to 10 straight field goals (six three-pointers) before missing. Haluska had a solid all around game against the Spartans, collecting 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, with no turnovers in 37 minutes. He added 25 points against Illinois, including a career-best 12 free throws. Haluska had connected on 12 straight free throw attempts vs. Illinois (18 straight over two games) before missing his final attempt. He made 21 straight attempts earlier this season and is shooting 90.6% (77-85) to rank 14th in the nation in free throw percentage. Haluska has raised his career scoring total to 1,548, including 1,264 in three seasons at Iowa. He ranks 15th in career scoring and is fourth in career scoring among players who played just three seasons at Iowa. His 185 three-point field goals attempts last season rank sixth best at Iowa. He ranks fifth in career three-point field goals (172) and career attempts (462). 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. Haluska scored 24 points in close road losses at Arizona State and Virginia Tech and had 21 points and seven rebounds at Drake. Haluska has started all 114 games he has played in his career. His consecutive starts streak ranks as the longest in the nation among all Division I players, according to STATS — Chicago. Haluska currently leads the Big Ten in scoring (20.2 ppg), free throw percentage (.906) and three-point field goals per game (3.1). Along with his scoring, Haluska ranks among Big Ten leaders in four additional statistical categories, including leading the league in free throw percentage (90.3) and three-point field goals per game (3.2).

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 missed the first seven games of this season with a hand injury before returning to see limited action in Iowa’s last nine games. He scored eight points in 15 minutes in the win over Iowa State and played 26 minutes at Drake. Henderson returned to the starting line-up in a win over Georgia State, scoring eight points while collecting a career-best nine assists in a season-best 30 minutes of action. He added nine points, nine assists and three steals in a win over Texas Southern and six points, four assists and two steals in a win over Cornell. Henderson played a solid defensive game in Iowa’s win over Michigan State and came up big at the end, connecting on 5-6 free throws in the final 40 seconds to secure Iowa’s victory.

SMITH STEPS FORWARD IN PARADISE
Freshman Tyler Smith, who had just two points in his first college game, led Iowa with 28 points in a win over Toledo in the first round of the Paradise Jam. He had another solid outing in a semi-final 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 and he added 16 points and a career-best six assists in the win over Iowa State. He added 16 points and five rebounds in a loss at Drake and 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in a win over Georgia State. He scored 25 points (4-5 treys, 5-5 FTs) and five assists in a win over Texas Southern and added 18 points, six rebounds and four assists in a win over Cornell. In his first Big Ten Conference game, Smith contributed 10 points, four rebounds and four assists in the win over Michigan State. He added 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the loss at Illinois. Smith was named to the Paradise Jam all-tournament team and the Hawkeye Challenge all-tournament team. He is averaging 15 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

FREEMAN SOLID IN GUARD COURT
Guard Tony Freeman had a solid first season with the Hawkeyes a year ago and had a career high 11 assists and six rebounds in the opening game this 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 led Iowa with three steals in the win over Iowa State and he added 11 points and five assists. He scored 12 points (3-4 treys) in a win over Georgia State and added six points and seven assists in a win over Cornell. He had a solid floor game against Michigan State, contributing five assists and three steals, with just a single turnover. He is averaging 7.4 points and 4.3 assists per game.

JOHNSON LEADS FROM LONG RANGE
Junior guard Justin Johnson is making his mark in his first season with the Hawkeye program, as he currently ranks third in the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage. Johnson has started six games, averaging 6.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 47.6% (30-63) from three-point range. He made 4-5 three-point shots in the loss at Drake, including three straight in a one-minute span in the second half. Johnson added eight points, six rebounds and four assists in the win over Georgia State and nine points and two steals vs. Texas Southern. Johnson, who did not attempt a free throw in Iowa’s first 11 games, has made all 10 of his attempts this season. He added six rebounds and three blocked shots in Iowa’s win over Cornell and scored 11 points (3-3 three-pointers) at Illinois. Johnson contributed nine points and six rebounds at Virginia Tech and he led the team with 14 points and five rebounds in a win over Texas-Pan American. Johnson added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists in Iowa’s win over Coppin State and was named to the Hawkeye Challenge all-tournament team.

A STITCH IN TIME
Junior Justin Johnson has taken over the team lead in stitches. Johnson was cut above the right eye in the late stages of the game at Drake and had to get three stitches. Freshman Tyler Smith had two stitches after suffering a cut during Iowa’s win over Coppin State in the Hawkeye Challenge.

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. Looby had 12 rebounds to go with six points, four blocked shots and two steals in the win over Georgia State and he led the team with six rebounds and two blocks in a win over Texas Southern. He led the team with six rebounds in a win over Iowa State and added five points and two steals. Looby leads Iowa in rebounding (5.0) and blocked shots (2.0) and is scoring 4.6 points per game. He had a career-best five blocked shots and five rebounds in a win over Cornell and had seven points and three rebounds vs. Michigan State. 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 a win over Texas-Pan American and added eight points and a team-high nine rebounds vs. Northern Iowa. Gorney added six points and four rebounds in the win over Iowa State, he had five rebounds vs. Drake and eight points and five rebounds in a win over Georgia State. Gorney made his first four field goal attempts in the win over Texas Southern, improving his streak to eight straight made attempts over three games before missing a shot in the second half. He ended the contest with 10 points, three rebounds and two steals. He is averaging 5.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 57.3% from the field and 81.8% from the free throw line.

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. Tate came up big in the first Big Ten game of his career in Iowa’s win over Michigan State. He scored a season-best 14 points (6-7 field goals) and matched his season-high with nine rebounds. Tate is averaging 4.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, shooting 45.6% from the field and 75% from the free throw line. Tate attended junior college one season before joining the Iowa program.

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 PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,430) with a 79-46 victory over Texas-San Antonio on Nov. 26, 2005. Iowa is one of 37 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.

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.

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. A limited number of tickets remain for weekend home games vs. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. 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:

• The Big Ten weekend package includes games vs. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois and is available for $100.
• “Youth Basketball Nights” have been set for games vs. 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.

SHOOT AT CARVER FOLLOWING HOME GAMES
Young fans of the University of Iowa men’s basketball team who have longed for the opportunity to drop a free throw or make a lay-up on the playing floor of Carver-Hawkeye Arena will have that opportunity following upcoming home games. The UI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will provide the opportunity for interested fans to experience the thrill of making a basket inside the UI’s award-winning facility after home games Saturday against Minnesota, Jan. 28 against Wisconsin and Feb. 3 against Indiana. As soon as possible after the conclusion of each game, 20 minutes will count down on the game clock, providing fans the opportunity to line up to shoot a free throw or attempt a lay-up at the basket nearest the Hawks Nest. “I think this is a simple and fun way to provide an opportunity for our younger fans to be a little more engaged in our basketball program and to add to their experience of watching a game at Carver,” said UI Coach Steve Alford. “Who knows, eight, 10 or 12 years from now one of the boys or girls who take advantage of the opportunity might find themselves wearing the uniform of the Iowa Hawkeyes.” Fans will be required to wear either gym shoes or socks while on the playing floor. The allotted time of 20 minutes is a starting point that should strike a balance between the interest of the fans of the Hawkeyes and the UI’s need to have the facility emptied for clean-up and security.

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: January 17, 22 and 29; February 5, 12, 19 and 28; March 5 and 12.

COMING UP NEXT
Iowa hits the road for two games next week. The Hawkeyes play at Indiana Tuesday, Jan. 16 (6:05 p.m. CT, ESPN) and at Ohio State Saturday, Jan. 20 (7:05 p.m. CT, ESPN Regional). Iowa’s next home game is Wednesday, Jan. 24 vs. Penn State (7:05 p.m., ESPN Regional.