Iowa Travels for Battle at Indiana

Jan. 14, 2007

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THE SETTING
Iowa (10-7 2-1) plays the first of two straight road games when the Hawkeyes travel to Indiana (12-4, 3-1) Tuesday, Jan. 16. Game time is 6:03 p.m. CT at Assembly Hall (17,456). Iowa defeated Minnesota 60-49 Saturday in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have won five of their last six games and eight of 11. Indiana defeated Penn State 84-74 Saturday on the road, winning its third straight game after opening conference play with a loss at Ohio State.

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 will carry the game to a national cable audience. Brent Musberger, Steve Lavin and Erin Andrews will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,394 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,431-963 (.598). That includes an 897-307 (.745) record in home games, a 534-656 (.449) record in games away from Iowa City, a 677-659 (.507) mark in Big Ten games and a 303-81 (.789) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

HAWKEYES SET ARENA RECORD
With the 60-49 win over Minnesota, Iowa improved its home winning streak in Big Ten Conference games to 11 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 301-176 (.631), including a 145-99 (.594) 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 301 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 54-61 (.470) 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 7-6 vs. Indiana, including a 7-5 mark while at Iowa and a 0-1 record while at Southwest Missouri State. He has not coached against Hoosier Coach Kelvin Sampson.

ALFORD THIRD IN CAREER WINS
Coach Steve Alford has 301 career wins and 145 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.

INDIANA COACH KELVIN SAMPSON
Kelvin Sampson has posted a 12-4 mark in his first season at Indiana. Sampson is in his 24th season as a college head coach, posted a career mark of 467-261. Sampson posted a record of 279-109 in 12 seasons at Oklahoma. He led the Sooners to 11 NCAA Tournaments and nine straight 20-win seasons. Oklahoma won three straight Big 12 tournament titles from 2001-03, reaching the NCAA Final Four in 2002 and the elite Eight the following season. He earned national Coach of the Year honors in 1995 and 2002. Sampson posted a 103-103 record in seven years at Washington State (1987-94) and a record of 73-45 in four years at Montana Tech (1981-85). He was an assistant at Washington State for two seasons (1985-87). Sampson attended Pembrooke State University, where he was a four-year basketball letterman. Sampson has not coached against Iowa or Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

THE SERIES
Indiana holds a 90-67 advantage in the series that began with an 18-12 Hoosier win in 1909. Iowa defeated the Hoosiers 73-60 in Iowa City and 70-67 in Bloomington a year ago, giving the Hawkeyes a four-game win streak in the series. The teams met just once in both 2005 and 2004 after the Hoosiers won both meetings in 2003. Indiana holds a 52-26 advantage in games played in Bloomington, but the Hawkeyes have won the last two meetings there. Indiana had won four straight before Iowa’s wins in 2004 and 2006. The Hoosiers have won nine of the last 12 meetings against Iowa in Assembly Hall. Four of the last five games in Bloomington have been decided by three points or less, with the Hoosiers winning in one overtime in 2003 and Iowa winning in double overtime in 2004. Iowa, with wins there in 2004 and 2006, has won consecutive games in Bloomington for the first time since winning three straight in 1967, 1968 and 1970.

STAY `TIL THE END
Four of Iowa’s last seven meetings with Indiana have come down to a final shot, with two of the four going into overtime. Iowa defeated Indiana in the 2002 Big Ten Tournament semi-finals on a last second basket by Luke Recker, and Iowa won in 2004 on a basket by Jeff Horner with one second left in the second overtime. In 2003, a final three-point basket by Indiana’s Bracey Wright was the difference in Indiana’s overtime win in Bloomington after Iowa had failed to win on a shot in the last seconds of regulation. In the most recent meeting, Iowa held off a late Indiana rally in Bloomington and survived when Indiana’s three-point shot at the buzzer was off the mark.

IOWA WON TWICE A YEAR AGO
Iowa claimed two victories over the Hoosiers a year ago, winning 73-60 in Iowa City and 70-67 in Bloomington. Iowa featured one of its most balanced attacks of the season in taking a home win over 11th-ranked Indiana last Jan. 24. The Hawkeyes never trailed and led by as many as 10 points in the first half before holding just a 30-27 margin at the break. Iowa started fast in the second half, using a 14-3 scoring run in the first five minutes to increase the advantage to 44-30. The Hawkeyes would lead by as many as 16 points before Indiana’s three-point shooting kicked in. Indiana cut the margin to seven points in the final two minutes, but could get no closer. Iowa shot 68.8% from the field in the second half. Overall, Iowa shot 51.1% from the field, compared to 36.7% for the visitors. Indiana hit 9-20 three-pointers in the second half and 13-31 (41.9%) for the game. Adam Haluska led Iowa’s attack with 20 points and 10 rebounds, collecting the first double-double of his Hawkeye career. Greg Brunner added 17 points and eight rebounds and Jeff Horner had 13 points and eight assists. Indiana was led by Robert Vaden, who hit 8-12 three-pointers while scoring a game-high 26 points. Marco Killingsworth added 10 points and six rebounds.

Iowa led from start to finish and made just enough free throws down the stretch in taking a 70-67 win at Indiana. The Hawkeyes started fast, leading 15-7 in the first five minutes. The Hawkeyes got a three-point basket from Greg Brunner in the final seconds of the period to hold a 38-30 margin at halftime. Iowa shot 48.3% from the field, 54.5% from three-point range and 80% from the free throw line in the opening 20 minutes. Iowa increased its advantage in the early stages of the second half and held its biggest advantage, 57-41, with 8:21 remaining after a driving lay-up by Mike Henderson. The Hoosiers stayed in the game and made a run at the end, thanks to Iowa’s failure to put the game away from the free throw line. Iowa led by nine, 62-53, with 1:54 to play. From there the Hawkeyes made just eight of their final 14 free throw attempts. Iowa led 67-65 with 11 seconds to play before Adam Haluska hit two free shots for a four point lead. After an Indiana basket Haluska hit one of two free throws for a 70-67 advantage with five seconds to play. The Hoosiers missed a hurried three-point attempt in the final seconds. Iowa ended the game shooting 45.3% from the field, compared to 41.1% for Indiana. The rebounding was even at 35 each. Brunner led Iowa’s balanced attack with 19 points and eight rebounds. Jeff Horner added 17 points, Haluska 13 and Mike Henderson 10. Indiana was led by Marco Killingsworth with 21 points and 17 rebounds. Marshall Strickland added 18 points.

IOWA, HOOSIER NOTES

• Iowa Coach Steve Alford was a four-time MVP at Indiana and an All-American while leading the Hoosiers to the 1987 NCAA title. Alford currently ranks second in career scoring at Indiana and he is a member of the Indiana University Hall of Fame.
• Steve Alford is 3-2 vs. Indiana in Iowa City, 1-1 vs. Indiana in Indianapolis, 1-0 vs. Indiana in Chicago and 2-3 vs. Indiana in Bloomington. Iowa lost at Indiana 74-71 in 2000, lost 79-51 in 2002 and lost 91-88 in OT in 2003. Iowa scored a 62-60 win over Indiana in the semi-finals of the 2002 Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis and defeated the Hoosiers 63-61 in the Big Ten Tournament finals in Chicago in 2001. Alford’s Southwest Missouri State team lost to Indiana in Indianapolis in 1998. Alford guided Iowa to home wins over Indiana in 2001, 2005 and 2006, while the Hoosiers won in Iowa City in 2002 and 2003. Iowa’s double overtime win in 2004 marked Alford’s first win in Bloomington as the opposing coach and Iowa won 70-67 in Bloomington in 2006.
• Iowa and Indiana rank as two of the top free throw shooting teams in the Big Ten. Iowa leads the league for all games played and is second in Big Ten games. Indiana ranks first in league games and fourth for all games.
• Indiana’s D.J. White (2.6) and Iowa’s Kurt Looby (1.9) rank first and third, respectively, in the Big Ten in blocked shots.
• Iowa’s 70-67 win at Indiana marked 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.
• Indiana Coach Kelvin Sampson was an assistant coach at Michigan State in 1979-80 when the Spartans and Iowa split a pair of games, each winning at home.
• Iowa freshman Tyler Smith and Indiana freshman Armon Bassett both played last season at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia. They are two of 10 players from that team who earned Division I basketball scholarships.
• Iowa sophomore Drew Adams attended South HS in Bloomington and sophomore J.R. Angle is a native of Franklin, IN. Adams is in his first season at Iowa, while Angle redshirted a year ago.
• Indiana assistant Ray McCallum was previously an assistant coach at Wisconsin and Michigan and IU assistant Jeff Meyer previously served as an assistant at Purdue.
• Jerry Green, Indiana’s director of basketball operations, was the head coach at Tennessee when the Volunteers defeated Iowa 80-68 in the semi-finals of the Rainbow Classic early in the 2000-01 season.

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 (4.6), 13th in free throw percentage (.706) and 14th in field goal percentage (.471) and three-point FG% (.290).

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. He added seven points (3-4 FGs) in the win over Minnesota. 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 77.6% (242-312) of its attempts. Individually, Adam Haluska is shooting 89.5% (85-95) 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 115 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 1,286 points to rank 15th on Iowa’s career list. His career total, including one season at Iowa State, stands at 1,570.
• 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 has held seven opponents to less than 40% shooting from the field, including a season low 33.9% by The Citadel and Minnesota. Iowa has won six of the seven games, with the only loss a two-point decision to Northern Iowa.
• Under Steve Alford, Iowa is 41-6 when shooting at least 50% from the field, including 8-0 over the past two seasons.
• 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, 4-4 when scoring between 60-70 points and 0-2 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 6-1 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, 2-5 when the opponent has more assists and 1-0 when assists are even.
• Iowa is 9-4 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, 2-4 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 2-3 with two players in double figures.
• Iowa is 10-3 when leading at halftime and 0-4 when trailing at intermission.
• Iowa is 6-3 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 STOPS MINNESOTA
Iowa used a solid defensive effort to take a 60-59 home win over Minnesota. The Hawkeyes held Minnesota to 33.9% field goal shooting, matching the best defensive effort for the Hawkeyes this season. Minnesota also made just 4-17 (23.5%) three-point attempts. Iowa held Minnesota to just 16 points in the first half, taking a 22-16 halftime advantage. Minnesota led 11-7 after six minutes before Iowa scored nine straight points to build a 16-11 advantage. The Golden Gophers scored just five points in the last 14 minutes of the half. Iowa took the lead for good on a three-point basket by Adam Haluska with 13 minutes left in the first half. Minnesota closed to within two points just once in the second half, and the Hawkeyes responded to that threat by scoring five straight points. Iowa built the lead to 10 with just under 10 minutes to play, but couldn’t pull away. Two free throws by Seth Gorney with 1:02 remaining lifted Iowa to a 57-49 advantage and Haluska added three of four free throws down the stretch to seal the win. Iowa also struggled with its shooting, hitting just 34% from the field. Iowa did shoot 81.5% (22-27) from the foul line, including 19-22 in the second half. Iowa also matched a season-low with just seven turnovers. Haluska led the Iowa scoring with 22 points, Tyler Smith added 15 and Mike Henderson and Tony Freeman each scored seven. Freeman led Iowa with a career-high nine rebounds and Justin Johnson added eight, also a career-best.

INDIANA RALLIES AT PENN STATE
Indiana rallied for an 84-74 win at Penn State to win its third straight conference game. The Hoosiers trailed by as many as 12 points in the early going as the Nittany Lions shot 53.8% from the field in the first half. Indiana hit 42.1% from three-point range in the first half and cut the deficit to a single point, 41-40, by halftime. Penn State shot just 34.4% from the field in the second half, making just 1-7 three-point attempts. Indiana shot 45.3% for the game, including 41.2% (14-34) from three-point range. The Hoosiers won the rebounding battle by a 42-35 margin. Indiana was led by Roderick Wilmont, who hit 7-17 three-point attempts in scoring 25 points and collecting 12 rebounds. D.J. White, Armon Bassett and A.J. Ratliff each added 14 points and Earl Calloway scored 11. White added 11 rebounds and Calloway collected five assists.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its 10 home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 73-56.3 margin, shooting 44.8% from the field while holding its opponent to 37.9% shooting. Iowa’s opponents hold a 36.4-34.7 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.

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 10 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 89.5% (85-95) to rank 14th in the nation in free throw percentage. He contributed 22 points (8-10 FTs) and four rebounds in a win over Minnesota. Haluska has raised his career scoring total to 1,570, including 1,286 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 (174) and career attempts (471). 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 115 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 (20.3) and three-point field goals per game (3.1). He is second in free throw percentage (.895) and sixth in steals.

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. He hit 3-4 field goals in scoring seven points in a home win over Minnesota.

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 had 15 points (7-7 FTs), three rebounds and three assists in a win over Minnesota. Smith was named to the Paradise Jam all-tournament team and the Hawkeye Challenge all-tournament team. He is averaging 15 points, 4.6 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 eight rebounds in a 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. Freeman added a career-high nine rebounds and seven points in a home win over Minnesota. Freeman is averaging 7.4 points and 4.1 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 6.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 46.2% (30-65) 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 had a career-best eight rebounds in a home win over Minnesota. 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.

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 (4.9) and blocked shots (1.9) and is scoring 4.4 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 contributed six points at Illinois and had six points and four rebounds in a win over Minnesota. Gorney contributed a big field goal and two key free throws in the final minutes of the win over the Gophers. He is averaging 5.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 54.2% from the field and 84.6% from the free throw line.

TATE ON TARGET IN FIRST SEASON
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 4.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, shooting 45% from the field and 73.5% 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 1,431) 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 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.

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
Single game tickets remain for Iowa’s six remaining home games, although there is a very limited supply remaining for weekend home games vs. Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. Tickets are available for $20 and $25, depending on the game. UI students can purchase single game tickets for $15 on the day of the game, when available. The following options are also available:

• 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 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 plays at Ohio State Saturday, Jan. 20 (7:05 p.m. CT, ESPN Regional). The Hawkeyes return home to host Penn State Wednesday, Jan. 24 (7:05 p.m., ESPN Regional).