Hawkeyes Host Wake Forest in Big Ten/ACC Challenge

Nov. 25, 2007

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THE SETTING
Iowa (4-2) hosts Wake Forest (3-0) Monday, Nov. 26 in the first game of the 2007 Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Game time is 6:05 p.m. CT in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa opened the season with four straight wins at home before dropping its most recent two games to Bradley and Utah State at neutral sites. Wake Forest has opened the season with three straight home wins.

ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, along with color commentator Bob Hansen. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pre-game show.
Television: ESPN2 will televise the game to a national cable audience. Bob Wischusen and Bill Raftery will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,414 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,442-972 (.597). That includes a 906-308 (.746) record in home games, a 536-664 (.447) record in games away from Iowa City, a 684-665 (.507) mark in Big Ten games and a 312-82 (.792) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 312-82 (.792) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 147-68 (.684) in Big Ten games and 165-14 (.922) in non-Big Ten games.

HAWKEYES TO HOST BIG TEN/ACC CHALLENGE
Iowa is hosting Wake Forest as part of the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Iowa holds a 2-4 record in the event, including a 2-0 home record and a 0-2 mark in road and neutral site games. Iowa defeated North Carolina State 45-42 on Nov. 30, 2005 in its last home game in this event, while the Hawkeyes dropped a 69-65 contest at Virginia Tech a year ago.

HEAD COACH Todd Lickliter
Todd Lickliter is in his first season as the head basketball coach at the University of Iowa. Lickliter spent the last six seasons as the head coach at Butler University. Lickliter holds a career mark of 135-63 (.682) after posting a 131-61 (.682) record as Butler’s head coach and beginning his first season at Iowa with a 4-2 record. He led Butler to four post-season tournament berths, including trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2003 and 2007. Lickliter was named the 2006-07 Division I Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and was recognized as the High-Major Coach of the Year by collegehoops.net. He was also named 2007 Horizon League Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year after guiding the Bulldogs to a school and league-record 29 victories. He led Butler to the regular season co-championship in the Horizon League in 2007. The Bulldogs advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champion Florida (65-57). Butler during the 2006-07 season won three games over top 25 opponents (Tennessee, Gonzaga, Maryland) and recorded eight victories over teams that participated in the NCAA Tournament. Butler averaged 22 wins per year under Lickliter, winning league titles in 2002, 2003 and 2007 while winning at least 20 games in four of six seasons. Lickliter led the Bulldogs to an unbeaten home record (12-0) in 2002-03, and mentored Butler to a 70-12 (.854) home mark in his six seasons. His Bulldog teams were 6-5 against teams ranked in the “Top 25” and compiled four of the top 10 winning streaks in Butler history. In his first season as Butler’s head coach, Lickliter guided the Bulldogs to a then school-record 26 victories and a third consecutive Horizon League regular season title. Lickliter guided the 2003 Bulldogs to an even more impressive season in his second year as head coach. He led Butler to a 27-6 record, breaking the single-season mark for victories for a second consecutive year. Lickliter served as an assistant coach at Butler and Eastern Michigan and was a high school head coach in Indianapolis and Danville, IL. In his final two seasons as a Butler assistant coach, the Bulldogs compiled a 47-16 record, including “Top 25” wins over 10th-ranked Wisconsin and 23rd-ranked Wake Forest. The win over the Demon Deacons in the 2001 NCAA Tournament was Butler’s first NCAA Tournament victory in 39 years. Lickliter played his final two collegiate seasons at Butler, where he earned a B.S degree in secondary education in 1979. Lickliter has not coached against Wake Forest or Demon Deacon Coach Dino Gaudio.

WAKE COACH DINO GAUDIO
Dino Gaudio is in his first season as the head coach at Wake Forest after serving as assistant coach and associate head coach from 2002-07. Gaudio took over the head position following the sudden passing of Coach Skip Prosser last July. Prosser had served as the Demon Deacon head coach since 2001 and had worked with Gaudio since the two coached together at Central Catholic HS in Wheeling, West Virginia. Gaudio posted a three-year record of 32-52 at Loyola (MD) from 1997-00 and a record of 36-72 in four seasons as the head coach at Army (1993-97). His career mark as a college head coach stands at 70-124. He has also served as an assistant coach at Xavier (1988-93 and 2000-01). Gaudio has not coached against Iowa or Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.

THE SERIES
Wake Forest holds a 2-0 series advantage over Iowa, with both games being played at neutral sites and both being part of tournament action. The first meeting took place Dec. 28, 1974 when Wake Forest scored a 92-71 win in the consolation round of the Far West Classic in Pullman, Washington. The most recent meeting took place in the 1993 NCAA Tournament. Wake Forest took an 84-78 win in a second round game that was played in Nashville, TN. Iowa had advanced with an 82-69 win over Northeast Louisiana. Wake Forest defeated Tennessee-Chattanooga 81-58 in the first round and ended the season with a 103-69 loss to Kentucky after the win over the Hawkeyes. In the last meeting, Rodney Rogers had 33 points and 10 rebounds and Randolph Childress added 25 points for the Demon Deacons. Iowa was led by Acie Earl with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Wade Lookingbill and Val Barnes each scored 15 points.

GAME NOTES

• Iowa holds an all-time record of 11-19 against current members of Atlantic Coast Conference. Along with the two games against Wake Forest, Iowa has played Boston College (0-1), Clemson (2-0), Duke (1-7), Florida State (1-1), Georgia Tech (1-1), Maryland (0-2), North Carolina (2-1), North Carolina State (3-3), Virginia (1-0) and Virginia Tech (0-1).
• Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter is 1-2 in his career against the Atlantic Coast Conference, with a win over Maryland and losses to Duke and Florida State.
• Wake Forest is 14-15 against the Big Ten Conference. The Demon Deacons are 3-0 vs. Wisconsin, 2-0 vs. Iowa, 3-3 vs. Minnesota, 1-1 vs. Illinois and Penn State, 1-0 vs. Indiana and Michigan, 0-1 vs. Michigan State 2-3 vs. Purdue and 0-6 vs. Ohio State.
• Wake Forest Coach Dino Gaudio is 0-3 all-time against members of the Big Ten. His Army team lost one game to Northwestern and his Loyola, MD teams lost a pair of decisions to Penn State.
• Iowa and Wake Forest played just one common opponent last season, as the Demon Deacons did not take part in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Iowa lost at Virginia Tech 69-65, while Wake Forest lost at Virginia Tech 63-60 and also lost to Virginia Tech 71-52 in the ACC post-season tournament.
• Iowa assistant Joel Cornette and Wake Forest assistant Pat Kelsey are both natives of Cincinnati, OH.

HAWKEYES PLAYING SOLID DEFENSE
Iowa has played solid defense in opening the season with four wins in six games. Hawkeye opponents are shooting just 37.8% from the field and 32.8% from three-point range. Iowa is allowing just 54.8 points per game and has allowed just two opponents to score more than 49 points. Iowa opponents are averaging 13.8 turnovers per game and Iowa holds a rebounding advantage of plus three per game.

UTAH STATE SHOOTS PAST IOWA
Utah State shot 50% from the field, 58.8% from three-point range and 81% from the free throw line in taking a 75-62 win over Iowa in the consolation game of the South Padre Invitational. The Aggies built a 9-4 advantage in the first four minutes and never trailed. Iowa stayed close throughout the first half, cutting an early eight point deficit to two with eight minutes left. The lead expanded to as many as 12 points before Utah State led 36-27 at the break. Iowa was never able to close the gap to less than five in the second half, as the Aggies would answer every Hawkeye run with points at their end of the floor. Utah State shot 52.4% from the field in the second half, including 66.7% (6-9) from three-point range. The Aggies were credited with 21 assists on their 24 field goals. Both teams were able to take care of the ball, as each had just seven turnovers. Iowa’s balanced attack was led by Justin Johnson, who was named to the all-tournament team. Johnson had 14 points against Utah State and led the team with two steals. Kurt Looby added 10 points and led Iowa with eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Freshman Jarryd Cole added a career-best 10 points and six rebounds, while Seth Gorney and Jake Kelly each scored eight points. Iowa shot 43.1% from the field, but connected on just 5-20 (25%) three-point attempts while being outrebounded 31-27. The Hawkeyes matched a season best by connecting on 81.3% of their free throw attempts.

WAKE FOREST WINS THIRD STRAIGHT
Wake Forest won its third straight game with a 73-53 home win over Winston-Salem State Friday evening. Wake Forest forced 20 turnovers and held the visitors to just 26.3% shooting from the field. The Demon Deacons scored the first five points of the game and never trailed, despite shooting just 35% from the field. Wake Forest led 36-20 at halftime and made 73.9% (17-23) of its free throws in the second half to maintain a comfortable advantage. L.D. Williams led Wake Forest with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman guard Jeff Teague added 15 points and freshman forward James Johnson added 11 points and six rebounds.

JOHNSON AMONG SINGLE GAME LEADERS
Senior guard Justin Johnson connected on seven three-point field goals in Iowa’s opening win over Idaho State. Johnson’s 21 points marked a career high as he hit 7-12 three-point attempts. He did not make a two point field goal or attempt any free throws. The seven three-pointers ties as the third best total for a single game at Iowa. Chris Kingsbury holds the record, hitting nine treys in two different games. Johnson joins Kingsbury (three times), Jeff Horner and Jeff Moe with seven three-pointers in a game. Johnson was held to just three points in the win over Northern Colorado (1-5 treys) while adding three rebounds and a career-high four assists. He came back with a strong performance in a win over Florida Gulf Coast, collecting 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. He added 19 points in the win over Maryland Eastern Shore and leads the team in scoring at 15.3 points per game after scoring 16 points in the loss to Bradley and 14 against Utah State. He was named to the all-tournament team at the South Padre Island Invitational.

GORNEY GRABS CAREER HIGH
Senior forward Seth Gorney collected a career-best 11 rebounds in Iowa’s win over Florida Gulf Coast. His previous best of nine rebounds came against Northern Iowa last season. Gorney is averaging 5.2 rebounds and 5.2 points while shooting 52% from the field.

BOHALL GETS SCORING BEST
Sophomore guard Dan Bohall set a career scoring high with 14 points in the win over Northern Colorado. He made 3-6 field goals and 7-8 free throws and also collected six rebounds. He had a career-best six assists in a win over Idaho State and added eight points, four rebounds and four assists in a win over Florida Gulf Coast. Bohall added 10 points and five assists in a win over Maryland Eastern Shore. Bohall is averaging 6.5 points and 3.7 assists and is shooting 80% from the free throw line.

LOOBY IN THE PAINT
Senior Kurt Looby has played well in the paint through Iowa’s first six games. Looby is averaging a team-best 7.2 rebounds and is scoring 7.8 points a game while shooting 75% (21-28) from the field. Looby, who had a season-best 10 rebounds in the opening game of the season, also leads Iowa with 15 blocked shots, raising his career total to 68 blocks. He had 12 points and eight rebounds in the loss to Bradley and added 10 points and eight rebounds vs. Utah State. Looby ranks first in the Big Ten Conference in field goal percentage, ranks second in blocked shots and ninth in rebounding.

PETERSON STEPS RIGHT IN
Freshman guard Jeff Peterson has stepped into the starting line-up and ranks second in minutes played. Peterson had 12 points, nine assists and no turnovers in his first college game. He added 20 points in a win over Northern Colorado and added nine points and four assists against Florida Gulf Coast. He is averaging 8.7 points and a team-best four assists per game.

TOP HOME PERCENTAGE
Iowa posted a 44-5 (.896) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena over the last three seasons (2005-07) and is 4-0 in home games to start the 2007-08 campaign. That mark ranks as Iowa’s best home court winning percentage over any three year period in which Iowa won at least 40 games. Iowa’s winning percentage in Big Ten home games (20-4, .833) over the last three seasons is also the best percentage since the conference began playing more than 14 league games in 1974.

IOWA TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 36 of its last 38 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 posted a 14-2 home record in 2006-07 (losses to Northern Iowa and Wisconsin) after a perfect 17-0 mark in 2006.

NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR
Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter was named the 2007 Division I national Coach of the Year by the National Basketball Coaches (NABC) after leading Butler to 29 wins and a spot in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. With Iowa football Coach Kirk Ferentz earning national Coach of the Year in 2002, Iowa is one of three Division I institutions to have a former football and men’s basketball national Coach of the Year currently coaching their respective team. The others are Florida (Urban Meyer and Billy Donovan) and Tennessee (Phillip Fulmer and Bruce Pearl).

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its four home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 14.3 margin, shooting 46% from the field while holding its opponent to 33.5% shooting. Iowa holds a 35.8-29.8 rebounding advantage. In two games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (both neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 71.0-59.0. The Hawkeyes are shooting 44% from the field while opponents are shooting 46,6%. The opponents hold a 32.0-29.0 rebounding margin.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 16.8 points and 10 rebounds per game, compared to 8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 4-2 when the reserves outscore the opponent’s reserves and 0-0 when the opponent reserves scored more points. Iowa is 3-2 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves and 1-0 when the opponent reserves have more rebounds.

OVERCOMING DEFICITS
The biggest deficit Iowa has overcome to get a victory is seven points, that in a 65-48 win over Maryland Eastern Shore. The biggest deficit overcome by an Iowa opponent is seven, that by Bradley in a 67-56 win over Iowa.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 167-157 in the first half and 195-172 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in four games and the Hawkeyes have outscored their opponent in the second half in three games. The second half scoring was even in the win over Idaho State.

IOWA FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Iowa has made at least 80% of its free throws in two games and at least 70% of its free throws in three games, with a season-best 81.3% (26-32) vs. Maryland Eastern Shore and Utah State (13-16). Iowa has posted a 2-1 record when shooting at least 70% from the free throw line.

HAWKEYE GAME NOTES & TRENDS

• Iowa is 0-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 0-0 when scoring between 70-80 points, 2-1 when scoring between 60-70 points and 2-1 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 4-0 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 0-1 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 0-1 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 3-1 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 1-1 when the opponent has more assists and 0-0 when assists were even.
• Iowa is 1-0 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 3-1 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 0-1 when turnovers are equal.
• Iowa is 2-0 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 2-1 when the opponent had more steals and 0-1 when steals are equal.
• Iowa is 0-0 when five reach double figures, 0-0 when four reach double figures; 0-2 when three score in double figures, 3-0 when two players score in double figures and 1-0 when one scores in double figures.
• Iowa is 4-0 when leading at halftime, 0-2 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime.
• Iowa is 3-2 when controlling the opening tip and 1-0 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 0-0 in games decided by 10 points or less, including a 0-0 record in games decided by five points or less.
• Iowa is 0-2 in neutral site games, dropping contests to Bradley and Utah State at the South Padre Island Invitational in late November.

IOWA ON THE TUBE
All remaining games throughout the 2007-08 season will be televised. The majority of Iowa’s non-conference games are scheduled for the Big Ten Network. Iowa’s home game with Wake Forest will be televised on ESPN2. The contest at Northern Iowa will air on FOX and the game at Iowa State will appear on ESPNU.

IOWA ON THE BIG TEN NETWORK
A majority of Iowa’s games throughout the 2007-08 season will appear on national cable television via the Big Ten Network. The Big Ten Network is available on the basic level of service offered by 67 locally-owned and locally-operated cable television systems across the state of Iowa. It is also available through the nation’s two satellite television companies, DirectTV and Dish Network. Currently, more than 50 percent of the homes in Iowa have access to the Big Ten Network, as do more than 30 million homes nationwide. The Big Ten Network is the fastest growing television network in television history, reaching 30 million homes in its first 30 days of existence.

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,442) with a 79-46 victory over Texas-San Antonio on Nov. 26, 2005. Iowa ranks 34th on the all-time list for victories and is one of 41 NCAA Division I programs with as many as 1,400 wins. Iowa’s basketball history includes 73 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.

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2007-08

• Season tickets are available for 2007-08, including general public ($336), UI faculty and staff ($272) and UI students ($95).
• Weekend package tickets for four Big Ten Conference home games are on sale for $100. The package includes games vs. Michigan State (Jan. 12), Penn State (Jan. 26), Ohio State (Feb. 2) and Illinois (Mar. 1-2).
• Single game tickets are available for $20 for all games except Big Ten Conference weekend games, Wisconsin, Drake and Monday’s Big Ten/ACC Challenge against Wake Forest. Tickets for those games are $25. UI students can purchase single game tickets for $15 on the day of the game, when available.
• A $10 youth ticket (age 18 and below) is available for games vs. Southeastern Louisiana and both nights of the Hawkeye Challenge this weekend.
• 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.

HAWKEYES SET ARENA RECORD
Iowa set a Carver-Hawkeye Arena (opened in 1983) record with 12 consecutive Big Ten Conference home wins over the course of the 2006 and 2007 seasons. The streak was snapped Jan. 28 when second-ranked Wisconsin won in Iowa City. Following the loss to Wisconsin the Hawkeyes concluded the 2007 season by winning their final four home games, improving to 15-1 in Big Ten games and 31-2 overall over the past two seasons in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 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.

HAWKEYES HOST CHALLENGE
Iowa will host the 26th annual Hawkeye Challenge Friday and Saturday. Iowa will meet Louisiana-Monroe in the first round, while Rice will face Eastern Illinois in the opening game Friday evening. Rice participated in the event early in the 1997-98 season, while Louisiana-Monroe and Eastern Illinois will take part for the first time. Iowa was won four previous meetings with Eastern Illinois and all three meetings against Louisiana-Monroe when that school was named Northeast Louisiana. Iowa’s only meeting with Rice resulted in an 81-52 Hawkeye win in the Hawkeye Challenge. Iowa will meet either Rice or Eastern Illinois in the second game Saturday evening, with tip-off slated for 8:05 p.m.

HAWKEYE SCHEDULE NOTES

• Iowa’s schedule includes 19 home games. This marks the third straight season Iowa has opened with an exhibition contest against a member of the Iowa Conference.
• For the first time since 1997, Iowa will host nine Big Ten Conference games, as the league has expanded the schedule to include 18 league games. Iowa does not play at Illinois this season, while Minnesota does not visit Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
• Iowa will meet Louisiana-Monroe in the first round of the Hawkeye Challenge. The Hawkeyes own a 3-0 series advantage of the school that was previously known as Northeast Louisiana University. In the 1993 NCAA Tournament, Iowa played both Louisiana-Monroe (W, 82-69) and Wake Forest (L, 78-84). The Hawkeyes, this week, will meet both teams again, facing Wake Forest Nov. 26 and Louisiana-Monroe Nov. 30, both in Iowa City.

IOWA IN LAS VEGAS NEXT SEASON
Iowa will take part in the Las Vegas Invitational during the early portion of the 2008-09 season. The 2008 event will take place Nov. 28-29, 2008 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Iowa’s bracket of opponents in Las Vegas will include Kentucky, Kansas State and West Virginia. Similar to the South Padre Island Invitational this season, Iowa will have two home games in the event before traveling to Las Vegas for two games. Possible first and second round opponents include Southeast Missouri State, Oakland University, Delaware State and Longwood University. Kansas defeated eventual national champion Florida in the championship game of the tournament a year ago, while North Carolina and Louisville highlight the field this year. Participating schools will each have their share of tickets available to sell after this season in completed. The general public will have a chance to purchase a limited number of tickets for the final rounds in Las Vegas beginning Saturday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. EST at the Orleans Arena. For ticket information, please contact the Orleans Arena at (702) 284-7777 or on the web at www.orleansarena.com.

POST-SEASON OPPONENTS
Iowa’s 2007-08 schedule includes 15 games against teams that advanced to post-season play a year ago. Iowa will play 11 games against six Big Ten opponents that appeared in the 2007 NCAA Tournament, including two games with national runner-up Ohio State. The Hawkeyes have four games against teams that were in the NIT a year ago (Michigan twice, Bradley, Utah State).

IOWA IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Iowa made its 22nd appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2006. 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.

HALK TALK WITH Todd Lickliter
Fans of the University of Iowa basketball program may join Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter and radio announcer Gary Dolphin each week during the season for the “Hawk Talk with Todd Lickliter” radio call-in show. The show takes place each week at Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Café in Iowa City from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The dates are Nov. 27; Dec. 3, 10 and 17; Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25; and Mar. 3 and 10.

A BUSY WEEK
The Hawkeyes host their own Hawkeye Challenge Friday and Saturday, meeting Louisiana-Monroe Friday evening (8:05 p.m., BTN). Rice and Eastern Illinois meet in the first game of the tournament at 5:45 p.m. Iowa will meet either Rice or Eastern Illinois at 8:05 p.m. (BTN) Saturday evening.

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