Iowa travels for Saturday Encounter at Michigan State

Feb. 16, 2007

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THE SETTING
Iowa (15-11, 7-5) travels to face Michigan State (18-8, 5-6) Saturday. Game time is 1:35 p.m. CT at the Breslin Center (14,759). Iowa defeated the Spartans 62-60 Jan. 4 in Iowa City in the league opener for both teams. Iowa has won four of its last five games and five of its last seven. Iowa defeated Northwestern 66-58 Thursday night in Iowa City in a game postponed for one day due to weather. Michigan State began its four-game home stand with a 59-44 win over Michigan.

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.(br) Television: ESPN Regional will carry the game to a network of stations throughout the Big Ten viewing area, including KGAN Cedar Rapids, KDSM Des Moines and KWQC Quad Cities. The game can also be viewed on cable systems throughout the state of Iowa. Larry Morgan and Greg Kelser will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,403 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,436-967 (.598). That includes a 900-308 (.745) record in home games, a 536-659 (.449) record in games away from Iowa City, a 682-663 (.507) mark in Big Ten games and a 306-82 (.789) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 306-82 (.789) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 145-68 (.681) 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 98-27 (.784) 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 Badger loss, 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 30 of its last 32 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 nine of its last 10 home games against ranked opponents. The Hawkeyes are 12-2 at home this season.

TOP HOME PERCENTAGE
With two games remaining on the 2007 home schedule, Iowa has posted a 42-5 (.894) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena over the last three seasons. That mark ranks as Iowa’s best home court winning percentage over any three year period in which Iowa won at least 40 games.

HALUSKA EARNS ACADEMIC RECOGNITION
Senior Adam Haluska has earned CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine District VII academic all-America recognition. Haluska was named to the all-District first team and will have his name placed on the national ballot. Haluska is a finance and marketing major with a 3.5 grade point average. He has been named to the District VII team for the third straight season and earned third team academic all-America honors as a junior.

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 306-180 (.630), including a 150-103 (.595) 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 306 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 59-65 (.476) 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 6-8 vs. Michigan State and Spartan Coach Tom Izzo.

ALFORD THIRD IN CAREER WINS
Coach Steve Alford has 306 career wins and 150 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 and he earned victory No. 150 at Iowa with the 66-58 win over Northwestern. 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.

MSU COACH TOM IZZO
MSU Coach Tom Izzo is in his 12th year as a college head coach, all at Michigan State. Izzo holds a record of 273-117. Izzo led the Spartans to the Final Four in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2005, winning the NCAA title in 2000. MSU has won four Big Ten regular season titles and two Big Ten Tournament championships under Izzo, who is in his 24th year as a member of the Spartan staff. He has been named national Coach of the Year on three occasions. Izzo is 14-7 vs. Iowa and 8-6 vs. Hawkeye Coach Steve Alford.

THE SERIES
Michigan State holds a 56-51 advantage over Iowa in the series that began with a 52-37 MSU win in 1938. With a 62-60 win in the first meeting this season, Iowa has won three straight over the Spartans for the first time since the 1991 and 1992 seasons. The Hawkeyes won two of three games in 2006. MSU won 85-55 in East Lansing and Iowa won 66-54 in Iowa City before the Hawkeyes took a 53-48 win in the semi-finals of the Big Ten Conference Tournament in Indianapolis. The teams split two games in 2005, with Michigan State winning in East Lansing and Iowa winning in the quarter-finals of the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. Overall MSU has won 14 of the last 22 and 17 of the last 25 meetings. The Spartans hold a 36-17 advantage in games played in East Lansing, where Iowa has lost 11 straight since taking an overtime win at the Breslin Center in 1993. Iowa is 2-13 at the Breslin Center, which opened in 1989-90. The teams have met three times at neutral sites. Along with Iowa wins in each of the last two Big Ten Tournaments, MSU defeated Iowa at the 2000 Big Ten Tournament in Chicago, winning 75-65 on its way to the national title.

IOWA WON FIRST MEETING
Iowa led from start to finish and made 5-6 free throws in the final minute to open Big Ten Conference action with a 62-60 home win over 24th-ranked Michigan State. The Hawkeyes led by as many as 13 points in the first half before the Spartans rallied to within four (32-28) at intermission. Iowa scored the first four points of the second half to regain control and built the advantage back to 13 with just under 12 minutes to play. Michigan State rallied in the final 12 minutes, but had the ball for just one possession with a chance to tie. The Spartans cut the margin to 57-55 before Mike Henderson hit two free throws with 37 seconds remaining for a four point margin. MSU scored a basket with 29 seconds to play before Henderson responded by making one of two free throws to give the Hawkeyes a three-point margin. A solid defensive effort by Iowa then forced MSU into a long three-point attempt with six seconds remaining. That shot was off the mark and Iowa’s Cyrus Tate grabbed the rebound. Henderson added two free throws with six seconds remaining for a five point cushion before the Spartans hit a three-pointer with less than a second left in the game. Iowa shot 42.6% from the field and 78.3% (18-23) from the free throw line and had a season-low seven turnovers. Adam Haluska once again led Iowa with a solid all-around performance. Haluska contributed 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Tate had his best game with 14 points (6-7 field goals) and nine rebounds and Tyler Smith added 10 points, four rebounds and four assists. Drew Neitzel led Michigan State with 20 points, while Maurice Joseph added nine. Goran Suton led the Spartans with nine rebounds and Travis Walton contributed six assists.

IOWA, MSU GAME NOTES

• Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo (12th season) is the only current Big Ten coach who has been in the league longer as a head coach than Iowa’s Steve Alford (eighth season).
• Michigan State’s 30-point win (85-55) in the first meeting a year ago marked MSU’s widest victory margin in the series. The 85 points was also the most allowed by Iowa last year.
• In Iowa’s 53-48 win over Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament, the Hawkeye defense held the Spartans to their lowest point total of the season.
• Michigan State (1999 and 2000) and Iowa (2001 & 2006) have won four of the nine Big Ten Conference tournaments and they are two of the five league teams (along with Illinois, Ohio State and Wisconsin) to appear in the championship game on more than one occasion (Iowa lost in the 2002 title game). Michigan won the inaugural event in 1998, Ohio State won in 2002, Illinois won in 2003 and 2005 and Wisconsin earned the 2004 title.
• Michigan State shared the regular season Big Ten title in 2001 and Iowa won the Big Ten Tournament title. MSU won the only regular season meeting (in East Lansing) and the teams did not meet in the post-season tournament that year.
• Iowa and MSU played one common foe during non-conference action, as both defeated The Citadel. MSU defeated The Citadel 73-41 in East Lansing and Iowa defeated The Citadel 75-53 the following day in Iowa City.
• Iowa (75.9%) and Michigan State (72%) rank first and second, respectively, in the Big Ten in free throw percentage. The Spartans have attempted 528 free throws in 26 games, compared to Iowa’s 353 attempts in 25 games.
• MSU’s Drew Neitzel (.904) and Iowa’s Adam Haluska (.883) rank first and second, respectively, in the Big Ten in individual free throw percentage, for all games. In conference games, Neitzel is first and Haluska is third. While Haluska leads the Big Ten in scoring, for league games and the season, Neitzel is fourth in both. In three-point field goals per game, Haluska is first for the season and Neitzel is second.

SCORING 30 OR MORE FOR THE HAWKEYES
Iowa senior Adam Haluska scored over 30 points in recent wins over Indiana and Minnesota and has scored over 30 points in four games this season. Prior to this season his scoring high was 29 points a year ago in a win at Penn State. Following are some notes on Iowa players scoring 30 or more points:

• Adam Haluska is the first Iowa player to score 30 or more points in consecutive games since Roy Marble scored 30 points at Michigan on March 4, 1989 and 37 points at Illinois on March 8, 1989. Iowa lost both games, but Michigan won the national title that year after defeating Illinois in the national semi-finals.
• Adam Haluska is the first Iowa player to score 30 or more points more than once in a season since Andre Woolridge scored 30 or more three times during the 1996-97 season.
• Adam Haluska is the first Iowa player to score 30 or more points four times in one season since Cedar Rapids native Rick Williams in 1972. Williams scored 40 points vs. South Carolina, 35 vs. Michigan, 32 vs. Illinois and 33 vs. Michigan State.
• Adam Haluska is the first Big Ten Conference player to record 30 or more points in consecutive games since Minnesota’s Vincent Grier had 32 points in back-to-back games vs. Wisconsin and Northwestern in February, 2005.
• The last time Iowa had any player scored 30 or more points in consecutive games came at the end of the 2000 season. Rob Griffin scored 36 points vs. Penn State in the final regular season game, Kyle Galloway scored 30 points in a win over Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament and Dean Oliver followed with 30 points in a loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament.
• The last time any Iowa player scored 30 or more points in more than four games in a season occurred in 1970-71 when Fred Brown scored 30 or more in 10 games. John Johnson scored 30 or more points in 13 games during the 1969-70 Big Ten championship season.
• In the Big Ten Conference this season, a player has scored 30 or more points nine times. Iowa’s Adam Haluska is the only Big Ten player to score over 30 points in more than one game this season.
• Iowa’s Tyler Smith and MSU’s Raymar Morgan rank as two of the top freshmen in the league. Among freshmen, Smith ranks in the top three in points, assists, steals and rebounds. Morgan is among the top five in points, rebounds and blocked shots.

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 (15.4), second in assists (3.6), third in rebounds (5.2) and steals (1.6), ninth in free throw percentage (.730), 13th in three-point field goal percentage (.291) and 15th in field goal percentage (.442).

SMITH LEADING THE TEAM
Freshman Tyler Smith has taken over the team lead in rebounds (5.2) and steals (1.6) and he is second in assists (3.6). Since Iowa began keeping season leaders in assists in 1975, no Hawkeye player has ever led the team in both rebounds and assists. Smith is also second on the team in scoring at 15.4 points per game.

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.

IOWA NOTES

• As a team, Iowa leads the Big Ten Conference and ranks seventh in the nation in free throw percentage, making 76.1% (372-489) of its attempts.
• In individual statistics, Adam Haluska ranks 18th nationally in scoring (21.2) and 25th in free throw percentage (88.3%, 144-163). He has 163 free throw attempts through 26 games after having 135 attempts in 34 games a year ago.
• 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 added 32-37 (86.5%) free throws in a home win over 25th-ranked Indiana.
• 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 124 games in his career, a streak that ranks as the longest in the nation among current players.
• 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 1,491 points to rank 12th on Iowa’s career list. Haluska ranks immediately behind former teammates Greg Brunner (10th, 1,516) and Jeff Horner (11th, 1,502) on the Iowa scoring list. His career total, including one season at Iowa State, stands at 1,775.
• 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.

HALUSKA GETS DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Senior guard Adam Haluska recorded his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a win at Michigan. Haluska recorded his first double-double at Iowa a year ago, collecting 20 points and 10 rebounds in a home win over Indiana. Haluska has three career double-doubles, as he had 10 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Iowa State as a freshman.

HAWKEYE TIDBITS

• Seven Hawkeye opponents (Alabama, Villanova, Arizona State, Drake, Illinois, Ohio State, Minnesota-second) have shot better than 50% from the field and Iowa is 1-6 in those games. 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 5-14 over the past four seasons when its opponent shoots 50% or better from the field.
• Iowa has held 10 opponents to 40% or less shooting from the field, including a season low 33.9% by The Citadel and Minnesota. Iowa won nine of the 10 games, with the only loss a two-point decision to Northern Iowa.
• Iowa owns two wins over Minnesota, 60-49 in Iowa City and 91-78 in Minneapolis. The Gophers shot just 33.9% from the field in Iowa City, matching the lowest percentage for an opponent this season. Minnesota shot 63.3% in the most recent meeting, the best field goal percentage by an Iowa opponent this season.
• 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 43-6 when shooting at least 50% from the field, including 10-0 over the past two seasons.
• Iowa is 30-38 vs. ranked teams under Coach Steve Alford. That includes a 15-10 home record, an 11-12 record at neutral sites and 4-16 mark in road games. Iowa is 2-4 vs. ranked opponents in 2006-07, with all four losses to teams ranked in the top 10.
• Iowa is 5-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 4-1 when scoring between 70-80 points, 6-7 when scoring between 60-70 points and 0-3 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 7-2 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 6-3 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 2-7 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 9-2 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 5-9 when the opponent has more assists and 1-0 when assists are even.
• Iowa is 11-6 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent and 4-5 when the opponent has fewer turnovers.
• Iowa is 8-5 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 4-5 when the opponent has more steals and 3-1 when steals are equal.
• Iowa has had four players score in double figures in two games (Toledo & at Minnesota) and three players score in double figures in 14 games. Iowa is 2-0 when four reach double figures, 8-6 when three score in double figures and 4-4 with two players in double figures.
• Iowa is 12-4 when leading at halftime, 1-7 when trailing at intermission and 2-0 when tied at halftime.
• Iowa is 8-5 when controlling the opening tip and 7-6 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 4-5 in games decided by 10 points, including a 1-4 record in games decided by five points or less.

OVERCOMING DEFICITS
The biggest deficit Iowa has overcome to get a victory this year is 14 points, that at Michigan in a 69-62 win. The biggest deficit overcome by an Iowa opponent is 13 points, that by Northern Iowa.

IOWA STOPS NORTHWESTERN
Iowa used a solid defensive performance to take a 66-58 win over Northwestern in Iowa City, earning victory No. 150 for Steve Alford as Iowa’s head coach in a game that was delayed for one day due to bad weather. The Hawkeyes held Northwestern to 37.5% shooting from the field in the second half after the teams were tied 29-29 at intermission. The Wildcats also made just 3-19 (15.8%) of their three-point attempts in the game. Iowa never trailed in the second half after the game was tied for the fifth and final time at 31-31 with 18 minutes to play. The Hawkeyes used a 15-5 run over the next six minutes to take a 10 point advantage before Northwestern clawed back. The Wildcats closed the deficit to three points on three occasions, the last at 57-54 with 3:13 to play. Tyler Smith scored on a jumper and Adam Haluska added two free throws for a 61-54 advantage and Northwestern was never closer than five the rest of the way. The Hawkeyes hit 7-9 free throws in the final four minutes. Iowa shot 41.7% from the field and 79.2% (19-24) from the foul line and held a 41-32 rebounding advantage. Haluska led Iowa with 29 points, as he connected on 16-18 free throws. Smith added 13 points, Cyrus Tate had seven rebounds and Tony Freeman added six assists. Five Hawkeyes had at least five rebounds. Haluska’s 16 made free throws match the fourth highest single-game total in school history. He made his final 13 attempts of the game, including all 10 in the second half.

SPARTANS WIN IN-STATE BATTLE
Michigan State outscored Michigan 35-21 in the second half in taking a 59-44 win over the Wolverines Tuesday night in East Lansing. The Spartans led by a single point at halftime, 24-23, after trailing by as many as five points midway through the first period. Michigan State held Michigan to just 32.1% shooting from the field in the second half in pulling away for the win in the first of four straight home games for the Spartans. MSU forced 20 Michigan turnovers while collecting 10 steals and scored 24 of its points in the paint. Drew Neitzel led Michigan State with 21 points, while Raymar Morgan added 18. Drew Naymick led MSU with seven rebounds and Neitzel and Morgan each had six.

HALUSKA HITS HIS FREE THROWS
Senior Adam Haluska recorded career-high marks in free throws made (16) and attempted (18) in the most recent win over Northwestern. Haluska made three of his first five attempts before connecting on his final 13, including all 10 in the second half. The 16 made free throws matches the fourth best single game total in school history. The 16 made are also the most for an Iowa player since Reggie Evans made 16-22 attempts vs. Purdue on Feb. 21, 2001.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its 14 home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 71.6-58.3 margin, shooting 43.5% from the field while holding its opponent to 39% shooting. Iowa holds a 35.9-35.6 rebounding advantage. In 12 games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (three neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 73.2-67.1. The Hawkeyes are shooting 44.2% from the field while opponents are shooting 48.9%. The opponents hold a 32.2-31.8 rebounding margin.

HALUSKA NAMED CAPTAIN
Senior Adam Haluska is Iowa’s 2006-07 team captain. Haluska is a native of Carroll, IA who has started every game for the Hawkeyes over the past three seasons. A year ago he earned third team all-Big Ten recognition. He has scored 1,775 career points, including 1,491 with the Hawkeyes to rank 12th in career scoring. Haluska ranks third among players who played just three seasons at Iowa, trailing Andre Woolridge (1,525) and Don Nelson (1,522). He was named the tournament MVP in Iowa’s Hawkeye Challenge after scoring 31 points and collecting nine rebounds and nine assists in the title game. His 36 points in a win over Georgia State match the most ever scored by an Iowa player in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. He has twice been named Big Ten Player of the Week and he was The Sporting News national Player of the Week following wins over Michigan and Indiana. Haluska ranks among Big Ten leaders in five statistical categories, including scoring (1st), three-point field goals per game (1st), free throw percentage (2nd), minutes per game (4th) and steals (11th).

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 to CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine District VII academic all-America team for the third straight year, earning a spot on the nation ballot.
• Named national Player of the Week by The Sporting News and Big Ten Player of the Week after leading Iowa to wins over Michigan and Indiana. After scoring 16 points in a loss to Wisconsin to start the week, Haluska had 17 points and 10 rebounds for his third career double-double in the win at Michigan. Haluska led Iowa in a win over 25th-Indiana, collecting 33 points, five rebounds and two steals.
• 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 season and career leaders in three-point field goals and three point attempts.

IOWA VS. RANKED FOES
Steve Alford has posted a 30-38 record against ranked opponents as Iowa’s head coach, including a 2-4 record this season and a 10-4 mark in 2005-06. Iowa, this season, defeated 24th-ranked Michigan State (62-60) and 25th-ranked Indiana 81-75, both 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, second-ranked Wisconsin (57-46) in Iowa City and fourth-ranked Wisconsin (74-62) in Madison. Alford’s Hawkeye teams are 9-18 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 18 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), three times to fourth-ranked (Michigan State, 1999-00 and 2000-01; Wisconsin, 2007), 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 68 games against ranked teams, Alford and his Iowa team are 15-10 in home games, 11-12 at neutral sites and 4-16 when playing ranked teams in their home arena.

HALUSKA OVER 1,700 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 15 games this season, including seven of 12 Big Ten games and 11 of the last 15 overall. He has scored over 30 points in four games, including Georgia State (36), Coppin State (31), Indiana (33) and Minnesota (34) and he had 29 in the most recent win over Northwestern. Haluska ranks 12th in career scoring with 1,491 points in his three years at Iowa. His career total stands at 1,775. Against Cornell, he scored 29 points while connecting 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 made 10-14 attempts in a win at Minnesota, including 6-10 treys. Other highlights include 25 points at Illinois, including 12 straight free throw attempts. He has made as many as 21 consecutive free throw attempts and he has two streaks of 18 in a row. He is shooting 88.3% from the foul line. He collected his third career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a win at Michigan. Haluska led Iowa with 33 points in a home win over Indiana, scoring a career-high in Big Ten play. Haluska made 64-185 three-point field goals in 34 games a year ago and he has made 80-213 this year. He ranks third in career three-point attempts (547) and fourth in three-point field goals (202). Haluska has started all 124 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.

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 this season with a hand injury before returning to see limited action in Iowa’s last 19 games. 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. He scored eight points in 15 minutes in the win over Iowa State and played 26 minutes at Drake in working his way back. He returned to the starting line-up in a win over Georgia State and Iowa won seven of 11 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 assists in a win over Texas Southern and six points. Henderson connected on 5-6 free throws in the final 40 seconds to secure a home win over Michigan 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. Henderson connected on 3-4 free throws in the final two minutes of a win over Indiana and collected five assists. At Minnesota he scored 11 points, hitting four of six field goals. Henderson started all 34 games as a junior, averaging 7.6 points and 3.9 rebounds. 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.

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 has scored in double figures in 21 games, including 19 points vs. Alabama and 12 vs. Villanova while earning all-tournament recognition in the Paradise Jam. Smith led Iowa with 20 points (9-15 FGs) vs. Northern Iowa and he added 16 points and six assists in the win over Iowa 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. Smith has scored 15 points or more in 16 games and he has scored in double figures in 10 of 12 conference games. Along with ranking second on the team in scoring (15.4), he leads the team in rebounds (5.2) and steals (1.6) and is second in assists (3.6). He is shooting 44.2% from the field and 73% from the free throw line. Smith has led Iowa in scoring in six games, in rebounding nine times, in assists 10 times and steals in 16 games. He had 21 points, four rebounds and five assists at Ohio State. He led Iowa’s scoring with 22 points in the win at Michigan, while adding eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Smith played a key role in Iowa’s win over Indiana. Along with 18 points, he recorded career-best in rebounds (nine) and assists (seven). Smith hit 10-10 free throws, including 6-6 in the final four minutes. Smith was named to the Paradise Jam all-tournament team and the Hawkeye Challenge all-tournament team. He is averaging 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Among all Iowa freshmen, Smith currently ranks third in scoring (400) and steals (42).

PERFECT FROM THE LINE
Freshman Tyler Smith made all 10 of his free throw attempts in the home win over Indiana, scoring 18 points. Six of his attempts came in the final four minutes of the 81-75 victory. With a minimum of 10 attempts, Smith is the first Hawkeye player to make all of his free throw attempts in a game since Luke Recker connected on all 11 attempts vs. Minnesota in February, 2002.

FREEMAN SOLID IN GUARD COURT
Guard Tony Freeman has enjoyed a consistent sophomore season while starting 12 games. He began the season with a career-high 11 assists and six rebounds in the opening game. He leads the team lead in assists (3.8) and ranks third in scoring (7.0). Freeman had 16 points vs. Alabama and 11 points vs. Virginia Tech. He added a career-best nine rebounds in a home win over Minnesota and he had eight rebounds in a win over Toledo. He had 11 points against both Northern Iowa and Iowa State. He played a solid all-around game in Iowa’s win at Michigan, collecting 14 points and seven rebounds, including a key three-point play in the final minute to secure the win. He added 11 points and six assists in the win at Minnesota and five points and six assists vs. Northwestern.

JOHNSON A THREE-POINT THREAT
Junior guard Justin Johnson is making his mark in his first season with the Hawkeye program, as he currently ranks second in the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage. Johnson has started seven games, averaging 5.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game while shooting 46.1% (41-89) from three-point range. Johnson, who did not attempt a free throw in Iowa’s first 11 games, has made 15-19 (78.9%) of his attempts this season. He scored 12 points at Drake (4-5 treys) and 11 (3-3 three-pointers) at Illinois and 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. He added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists in Iowa’s win over Coppin State and was named to the Hawkeye Challenge all-tournament team.

A STITCH IN TIME
Junior Justin Johnson has taken over the team lead in stitches. Johnson was cut above the right eye in the late stages of the game at Drake and had to get three stitches. Freshman Tyler Smith had two stitches after suffering a cut during Iowa’s win over Coppin State in the Hawkeye Challenge. Junior center Seth Gorney was injured in the loss at Ohio State, missing the second half after requiring two stitches to the bridge of his nose. Senior Mike Henderson missed the first seven games of the season with a fractured pinkie finger on his right hand. Smith suffered a dislocated pinkie finger on his right hand in a loss at Wisconsin, but played the majority of the second half after suffering the injury late in the first half.

LOOBY HITS THE BOARDS
After sitting out last season as a redshirt, junior Kurt Looby is proving his hard work from a year ago is paying dividends. Looby led Iowa with 14 rebounds in the win over The Citadel in his first game. 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. 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. He collected five points, six rebounds and two steals in a win over Northwestern Looby is averaging 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots and is scoring 4.1 points per game. He had a career-best five blocked shots in a win over Cornell. 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 added 10 points (4-6 FGs) and five rebounds vs. Toledo and he had 10 points and three assists in the loss to Alabama. Gorney scored 10 points vs. Texas Southern and a career-best 12 points at Indiana. Gorney hit 5-7 field goals at Indiana and grabbed five rebounds. He is averaging 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 56.8% from the field and 83.3% 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 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. He led Iowa with seven rebounds in the win over Northwestern. Tate is averaging 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, shooting 45.2% from the field and 70% 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 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 two remaining home games, although there is a very limited supply remaining for the Illinois game Saturday, March 3. Tickets are $20 for the Purdue game and $25 for the Illinois contest. UI students can purchase single game tickets for $15 on the day of the game, when available. The Purdue game on Wednesday, Feb. 21 features the final “Youth Basketball Night” of the season. Tickets for students high school age or younger are $10. Fans interested in obtaining men’s basketball tickets can do so at the UI Athletic Ticket Office, located in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, by calling the ticket office at 1-800-IA-HAWKS or by visiting the UI website at hawkeyesports.com.

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

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

HALK TALK WITH Steve Alford
Fans of the University of Iowa basketball program may join Iowa Coach Steve Alford and radio announcer Gary Dolphin each week during the season for the “Hawk Talk with Steve Alford” radio call-in show. The show takes place each week at Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Café in Iowa City from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The show will take place on the following dates: February 19 and 28; March 5 and 12.

COMING UP NEXT
Iowa will host Purdue Wednesday, Feb. 21 (8:05 p.m., ESPN Regional). The Hawkeyes travel to Penn State Wednesday, Feb. 28 (6:05 p.m. CT, ESPNU) and close the regular season Saturday March 3, hosting Illinois (TBA).