Iowa Travels to Face Michigan Wednesday Evening

Jan. 29, 2007

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THE SETTING
Iowa (11-10, 3-4) travels to Michigan (16-6, 4-3) Wednesday, Jan. 31, for the only meeting of the season between the two teams. Game time is 7:05 p.m. CT in Crisler Arena (13,751). Iowa lost to second-ranked Wisconsin 57-46 Sunday in Iowa City. Michigan dropped a 76-61 decision at Indiana Saturday.

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 that includes KGAN Cedar Rapids, KDSM Des Moines, KWQC Quad Cities, Metro Sports, Kansas City, MO, Cox Cable in Tulsa and Oklahoma City and cable systems throughout the state of Iowa, including Council Bluffs-Omaha, Rochester-Mason City and Sioux City. The game can also be seen as part of ESPN’s Full Court package. Jim Barbar and Tim McCormick will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,398 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,432-966 (.597). That includes an 898-308 (.745) record in home games, a 534-658 (.448) record in games away from Iowa City, a 678-662 (.506) mark in Big Ten games and a 304-82 (.786) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 304-82 (.786) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 143-68 (.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 96-27 (.780) 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.

HAWKEYES SET ARENA RECORD
Iowa recently set a Carver-Hawkeye Arena (opened in 1983) record with 12 consecutive Big Ten Conference home wins. The streak was snapped Jan. 28 when second-ranked Wisconsin won in Iowa City. Prior to the loss to the Badgers, Iowa had not lost a Big Ten home game since a 75-65 loss to top-ranked Illinois on Feb. 19, 2005. 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.

IOWA TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 28 of its last 30 home games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa’s recent win streak included 21 straight overall wins and 12 straight Big Ten Conference wins. Iowa has won eight of its last nine home games against ranked opponents. The Hawkeyes are 10-2 at home this season.

DATE SET FOR IOWA AT PSU
Iowa’s game at Penn State has been set for Wednesday, February 28. The game will be televised on ESPNU with a 6:05 p.m. CT start time. ESPN selected the Michigan State at Michigan game for its telecast on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Other games on Wednesday include Indiana at Northwestern (ESPN2) and Minnesota at Purdue, (ESPN Plus).

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 302-179 (.628), including a 146-102 (.589) record at Iowa, a 78-29 (.729) record in four seasons (1992-95) at Div. III Manchester College and a four-year record (1996-99) of 78-48 (.619) at Southwest Missouri State. Alford ranks third among Iowa’s head basketball coaches in career wins. Alford’s 302 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 55-64 (.462) 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 5-7 vs. Michigan and 4-4 vs. Wolverine Coach Tommy Amaker.

ALFORD THIRD IN CAREER WINS
Coach Steve Alford has 302 career wins and 146 victories as Iowa’s head coach. With Iowa’s win over Iowa State earlier this season, 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.

MICHIGAN COACH TOMMY AMAKER
Tommy Amaker is in his sixth season as head coach at Michigan and his 10th season overall as a college head coach. Amaker is 103-76 at Michigan and his career mark stands at 171-131. He posted a 68-55 record in four seasons at Seton Hall. Amaker graduated from Duke University in 1987, where he earned all-America honors and was named National Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Amaker scored 1,168 points during his playing career and ranks second in Duke history in career assists and steals. Amaker was a member of the Blue Devil coaching staff from 1989-97, serving as associate head coach his final two seasons before taking over at Seton Hall in 1997-98. Amaker is 4-4 against Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

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

BOTH IN HALL OF FAME
Iowa Coach Steve Alford and Michigan Coach Tommy Amaker are both members of the Athletic Halls of Fame at their respective alma maters. Alford attended Indiana, where he is a member of the Hall of Fame and Indiana’s all-Century team. Amaker is a member of the Duke University Hall of Fame.

IOWA, WOLVERINE NOTES

  • Michigan features three of the top six shot blockers in the Big Ten, including Ekpe Udoh (2nd), Brent Petway (4th) and Courtney Sims (6th). Iowa’s Kurt Looby is third.
  • Steve Alford and Tommy Amaker met once as players, with Alford’s Indiana team defeating Amaker’s Duke team 88-82 in the regional semi-finals of the 1987 NCAA Tournament. Duke had played in the championship game the previous year, while Alford and the Hoosiers went on to win the NCAA title in 1987. Alford had 18 points, five assists and two rebounds in the win over Duke, while Amaker led the Blue Devils with 23 points.
  • Iowa Coach Steve Alford was named to the all-Final Four team in 1987 when Indiana won the national title. Michigan Coach Tommy Amaker was named to the all-Final Four team in 1986 when Duke lost to Louisville in the NCAA title game.
  • Michigan Assistant Coach Chuck Swenson, in his sixth season with the Wolverines, previously served as a graduate assistant at Indiana. He was an assistant at Duke when Steve Alford and Indiana defeated the Blue Devils in the 1987 tournament. He was an assistant at Duke when the Blue Devils defeated Iowa in 1996 and he was an assistant coach at Penn State from 1996-2001.

IOWA WON A YEAR AGO
Iowa used its best shooting performance of the season to take a 94-66 home win over 20th-ranked Michigan in the only meeting last season. After a slow start that saw the Hawkeyes trail by as many as eight points in the first seven minutes, Iowa found its touch and never looked back. Two three-point baskets by Mike Henderson got Iowa back in the game and Greg Brunner’s lay-up with three minutes left in the half gave Iowa a 30-29 advantage. Iowa made 14 consecutive field goal attempts over a 14-minute span in the middle of the game. The Hawkeyes trailed 25-20 when the streak began and led 63-41 with 11:45 left in the game when the consecutive streak ended. Iowa, which also made eight straight three-point attempts in the game, shot a season-best 65.3% from the field, including 68.4% from three-point range. Iowa made a season-best 13 three-point field goals and added 17-24 (70.8%) free throws. After Michigan shot an even 50% in the first half the Hawkeye defense controlled the action in the second half. Michigan shot just 32% in the second half and 41.5% for the game. Iowa held a 34-27 rebounding advantage and the Hawkeyes had a season-high 27 assists. Iowa featured a balanced attack as five Hawkeyes scored in double figures. Adam Haluska led the way with 18 points, hitting 5-6 field goals (4-5 treys) and 4-5 free throws. Brunner had 17 points, Jeff Horner scored 14, Henderson 11 and Tony Freeman 10. Brunner led Iowa’s rebounding efforts with nine. Michigan was led by Daniel Horton with 19 points, while Dion Harris scored 13 and Courtney Sims 12. Sims and Graham Brown led the Wolverines with six rebounds each.

SMITH AMONG FRESHMAN LEADERS
Iowa’s Tyler Smith ranks high among freshmen in the Big Ten in nearly all statistical categories. He is second in scoring (15.2) and assists (3.5), fourth in rebounding (4.7) and steals (1.4), 13th in field goal percentage (.453) and 14th in free throw percentage (.698) and 14th in three-point percentage (.279).

HALUSKA A TOP SENIOR
Iowa senior guard Adam Haluska is one of 30 candidates for the 2007 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. The award is presented annually to an NCAA Division I male and female basketball player who excel both on and off the court. A list of 10 finalists will be announced in February. Fans, coaches and media will have the opportunity to vote in the process, with the winners being announced during the men’s and women’s respective Final Four weekends. The CLASS Award is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. Conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, the award is based on areas of excellence in classroom, character and community, as well as performance on the court.

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 has helped the Hawkeyes to a 6-4 record since moving into the starting line-up. 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 had a season-high 12 points in the win over Penn State, along with three assists, two steals and just one turnover in 32 minutes. 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.

HAWKEYE TIDBITS

  • Six Hawkeye opponents (Alabama, Villanova, Arizona State, Drake, Illinois, Ohio State) have shot better than 50% from the field. In 34 games a year ago, Iowa allowed just three opponents to shoot as well as 50% from the field. Those were road games at Michigan State, Purdue and Minnesota, with Iowa losing two of the three. Iowa is 4-14 over the past four seasons when its opponent shoots 50% or better from the field.
  • Iowa has held eight opponents to less than 40% shooting from the field, including a season low 33.9% by The Citadel and Minnesota. Iowa has won seven of the eight games, with the only loss a two-point decision to Northern Iowa.
  • Iowa’s field goal percentage (28.1%, 16-57) in a Jan. 28 loss to Wisconsin matches the lowest field goal percentage for a Steve Alford-coached Iowa team. Iowa was also 16-57 from the field in a 75-53 home loss to Michigan State on Jan. 8, 2000.
  • Under Steve Alford, Iowa is 42-6 when shooting at least 50% from the field, including 9-0 over the past two seasons.
  • Iowa is 29-37 vs. ranked teams under Coach Steve Alford. That includes a 14-10 home record, an 11-12 record at neutral sites and 4-15 mark in road games. Iowa is 1-3 vs. ranked opponents in 2006-07, with all three losses to teams ranked in the top 10.
  • Iowa is 3-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 4-1 when scoring between 70-80 points, 4-6 when scoring between 60-70 points and 0-3 when scoring less than 60 points.
  • Iowa is 6-2 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 5-3 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 0-6 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
  • Iowa is 7-2 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 3-8 when the opponent has more assists and 1-0 when assists are even.
  • Iowa is 10-5 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent and 1-5 when the opponent has fewer turnovers.
  • Iowa is 7-5 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 2-5 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 13 games. Iowa is 1-0 when four reach double figures, 7-6 when three score in double figures and 2-4 with two players in double figures.
  • Iowa is 11-3 when leading at halftime and 0-7 when trailing at intermission.
  • Iowa is 6-4 when controlling the opening tip and 5-6 when not controlling the tip.
  • Iowa is 1-5 in games decided by 10 points, including a 1-4 record in games decided by five points or less.

WISCONSIN WINS IN IOWA CITY
Second-ranked Wisconsin used an 8-0 scoring run over three-and-a-half minutes late in the second half to pull away as the Badgers defeated Iowa 57-46 in Iowa City, ending Iowa’s 12-game home winning streak in Big Ten Conference play. The first half featured scoring runs by both teams. Iowa scored 10 straight points to take a 12-9 advantage early in the contest before Wisconsin answered with 14 straight to take a 23-12 lead. Iowa’s 10-3 spurt in the final minutes left the Badgers with a 26-22 halftime advantage. Iowa closed its deficit to 45-41 with 7:40 remaining in the game. But Wisconsin gained control from there as Iowa did not score again until 3:33 remained. Iowa was unable to close the gap to less than nine the remainder of the game. The Badgers shot 55% from the field in the second half, connecting on eight of their first 10 field goals in the second half to stretch the halftime margin to 11. The Hawkeyes struggled from the field in the first half, shooting just 23.3%. Iowa improved slightly to 33.3% in the second half, but shot just 28.1% for the game, including 14.3% (2-14) from three-point range. Iowa played well in other phases of the game, holding a 40-33 rebounding advantage and forcing 12 Badger turnovers. Iowa had just nine turnovers, including three in the second half. Adam Haluska led Iowa with 16 points and Tyler Smith added eight. Cyrus Tate led Iowa’s rebounding effort with a career-high 10 boards and Haluska added seven rebounds and four assists.

MICHIGAN FALLS AT INDIANA
Indiana shot 50.9% from the field, including 60% in the second half, in taking a 76-61 win over Michigan Saturday in Bloomington. The Wolverines struggled with their field goal shooting, connecting on just 34.9% of their field goal attempts. Indiana led 35-26 at halftime after hitting 57.1% (8-14) from three-point range in the opening half. In the second half, the Hoosiers made 13-19 (68.4%) of their attempts from two point range and collected the win despite shooting just 55.6% from the free throw line. Michigan shot 82.9% (29-35) from the free throw to offset its cold shooting from the field, but Indiana held a 35-28 rebounding advantage. The Wolverines were led by three players with 12 points, including Dion Harris, Ron Coleman and Lester Abram. Courtney Sims led Michigan with six rebounds and added 11 points.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its 12 home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 71.2-56.9 margin, shooting 43.9% from the field while holding its opponent to 38.2% shooting. Iowa’s opponents hold a 36.8-34.9 rebounding advantage. In nine games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (three neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 73.8-64.8. The Hawkeyes are shooting 43.1% from the field while opponents are shooting 49.1%. The opponents hold a 32.8-31.2 rebounding margin.

HALUSKA EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Senior guard Adam Haluska has earned national recognition for his actions on and off the floor. Following are Haluska’s 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.
  • One of 30 candidates for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award.
  • 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.
  • Named Iowa’s Chevrolet Player of the Game (16 points, seven rebounds, four assists) during CBS telecast of Wisconsin game in Iowa City.

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 as a junior 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 29-37 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including a 1-3 record this season and a 10-4 mark in 2005-06. Iowa, this season, defeated 24th-ranked Michigan State (62-60) in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have lost to 10th-ranked Alabama (72-60) on a neutral court, seventh-ranked Ohio State (82-63) in Columbus and second-ranked Wisconsin (57-46) in Iowa City. Alford’s Hawkeye teams are 9-17 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 17 losses to top 10 teams have been three times to No. 1 (Duke, 2001-02 and Illinois twice in 2004-05), twice to second-ranked (Texas, 2005-06 and Wisconsin, 2006-07), 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 seventh-ranked (Ohio State, 2006-07), 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 66 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 14-10 in home games, 11-12 at neutral sites and 4-15 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 12 games this season, including four of seven Big Ten games and eight of the last 10 overall. He scored 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% (105-118) to rank 23rd in the nation in free throw percentage. He contributed 22 points (8-10 FTs) and four rebounds in a win over Minnesota, 21 points and four rebounds at Indiana and 15 points and four rebounds vs. Ohio State. Haluska led Iowa with 24 points against Penn State and he added three rebounds and two assists. He added 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a loss to Wisconsin. Haluska has raised his career scoring total to 1,646, including 1,362 in three seasons at Iowa. He ranks 13th in career scoring and is third 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 fourth in career three-point attempts (500) and fifth in career three-point field goals (184). Haluska began the season with 29 points in the win over The Citadel. 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 119 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 ppg), ranks second in three-point field goals per game (3.0) and free throw percentage (.890) and eighth in steals (1.2).

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 14 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 and Iowa has won six of 10 games with Henderson in the starting line-up. He scored eight points while collecting a career-best nine assists in a season-best 30 minutes of action vs. Georgia State. 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 and added five points and four rebounds at Indiana. Henderson hit all four of his field goal attempts in scoring eight points and grabbing four rebounds at Ohio State. He scored a season-high 12 points in a win over Penn State and added three assists, two steals and just one turnover in 32 minutes.

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 had 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. At Indiana he contributed 17 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Smith started slow vs. Ohio State, scoring all 21 of his points in the second half. He also had four rebounds and five assists against the Buckeyes. Smith had just four points in the first half of the win over Penn State before ending the game with 19 points, five rebounds and two assists. Smith added eight points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals vs. Wisconsin. Smith was named to the Paradise Jam all-tournament team and the Hawkeye Challenge all-tournament team. He is averaging 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Smith had led Iowa in scoring in five games, in rebounding six times, in assists nine times and steals in 12 games.

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 returned to the starting line-up at Ohio State and responded with six points and five assists. He is averaging 6.6 points and 3.6 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 fourth in the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage. Johnson has started seven games, averaging 5.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 45.9% (34-74) from three-point range. He made 4-5 three-point shots in a 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 12-14 (85.7%) 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 and he added nine points (3-5 treys) in a win over Penn State. 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 (5.0) and blocked shots (1.7) and is scoring 4.3 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 added six points, six rebounds and three blocked shots in the win over Penn State and six points and six rebounds vs. Wisconsin. 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. 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 timely field goal and two key free throws in the final minutes of the win over the Gophers. At Indiana, Gorney scored a career-high 12 points (5-7 FGs) and grabbed five rebounds. He had four points and four rebounds in 14 minutes at Ohio State before leaving the game with an injury. He was back in the starting line-up in the win over Penn State, collecting six rebounds. He is averaging 5.8 points and four rebounds per game while shooting 54.5% from the field and 81.3% 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 added a career-high 10 rebounds against Wisconsin and also had six points and two assists. Tate is averaging 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, shooting 46.6% from the field and 70.3% from the free throw line. Tate attended junior college one season before joining the Iowa program.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves scored nine points had nine rebounds against Wisconsin, compared to 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Badger reserves. Iowa is 6-4 when the reserves outscore the opponent’s reserves, 5-6 when the opponent reserves score more points and 0-0 when the reserve scoring is even. Iowa is 8-5 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves, 3-5 when the opponent reserves have more rebounds and 0-0 when the reserve rebounding is even.

IOWA FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Iowa has made at least 80% of its free throws in five games and at least 70% of its free throws in 12 games, with a season-best 89.2% (33-37) vs. Texas Southern. Iowa has posted a 9-8 record when shooting at least 70% from the free throw line.

IOWA SEEKS SEVENTH STRAIGHT
Iowa, in 2007, is seeking its seventh consecutive winning season. The current streak of six straight ranks as the second longest in the history of Iowa basketball. Iowa’s record for consecutive winning seasons is seven, from 1950 through 1956. Pops Harrison, Bucky O’Connor and Rollie Williams all coached the Hawkeyes during those years. Only a 10-10 record in 1949 kept Iowa from 13 consecutive winning seasons (1944-56). Harrison coached Iowa to five straight winning seasons from 1944-48, Lute Olson coached Iowa to winning seasons from 1979-83, George Raveling and Tom Davis combined to coach Iowa to winning seasons from 1985-89 and Davis coached Iowa to winning seasons from 1995-99. Iowa had five consecutive winning seasons on three occasions, 1979-83, 1985-89 and 1995-99. Iowa is one of four Big Ten teams to post a winning record in each of the last six seasons, joining Illinois, Michigan State and Wisconsin. Iowa, in 2006, advanced to post-season play for the sixth straight season and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,432) 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.

ANOTHER STRONG SCHEDULE
Playing five of its first six games on the road, Iowa again faces a demanding schedule in 2006-07. After opening the season at home, Iowa participated in the Paradise Jam, defeating Toledo before falling to Alabama and Villanova. Iowa also played at Arizona State and Virginia Tech in November. The in-state series included home dates with Northern Iowa and Iowa State and a visit to Drake. Alabama was ranked 10th at the time of its win over Iowa, while Villanova and Virginia Tech were listed among teams receiving votes in the early season rankings. Iowa will play 17 regular season games against teams that advanced to post-season play a year ago. That includes two games vs. Illinois (NCAA), Indiana (NCAA), Michigan State (NCAA) Wisconsin (NCAA), Penn State (NIT) and Minnesota (NIT) and single games vs. Northern Iowa (NCAA), Ohio State (NCAA) and Michigan (NIT) Alabama (NCAA) and Villanova (NCAA).

IOWA ON THE TUBE
Nearly every Iowa game throughout the 2006-07 season will be televised, with the only exception being the first round of the Paradise Jam in November. Fox Sports televised the semi-finals and third place game of the eight-team tournament. The majority of Iowa’s non-conference games will be televised on ESPN Regional. Games at Drake and Virginia Tech were on ESPNU, as is the Feb. 28 game at Penn State. The contest at Arizona State was on Fox Sports. During the Big Ten season, Iowa games vs. Michigan State, Indiana (twice) and at Wisconsin will be televised on ESPN. Iowa’s home game with Wisconsin was on CBS and the home finale against Illinois could appear on either CBS or ESPN. All other conference games will be on ESPN Regional, while several conference games will be televised throughout the Big Ten Conference viewing area as part of the Big Ten regional network agreement with ESPN.

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 four remaining home games, although there is a very limited supply remaining for weekend home games vs. 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:

  • “Youth Basketball Nights” have been set for games vs. 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 INDIANA GAME
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 Saturday’s home game vs. Indiana. 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 following the game against the Hoosiers. As soon as possible after the conclusion of the 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.

IOWA INFORMATION ON THE WEB
Iowa basketball information is available on the University of Iowa’s web site, hawkeyesports.com. Once you have entered the web site, you may obtain biographical information on Iowa players and coaches, game notes, game stories and box scores from all games throughout the season, plus team and individual cumulative stats and a pdf version of Iowa’s History and Record book. Members of the media who wish to have this information forwarded via e-mail throughout the season may do so by contacting the Iowa Sports Information office with your e-mail address.

HIGH SPEED CONNECTIONS
For members of the media who cover Iowa home games on a regular basis, high speed connections are available, at no charge, in the media seating area of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. You are asked to provide your own Ethernet cord. A limited number of phone lines are also available. Media covering Iowa basketball on a regular basis should have their own telephone line installed.

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 29; February 5, 12, 19 and 28; March 5 and 12.

COMING UP NEXT
Iowa returns home Saturday, Feb. 3 to host Indiana (1:05 p.m., ESPN). The Hawkeyes play at Minnesota (7:05 p.m., ESPN Plus) Wednesday, Feb. 7 and at Wisconsin Saturday, Feb. 10 (1:05 p.m., ESPN).