Hawkeyes Travel to Iowa State for Saturday Afternoon Contest

Dec. 7, 2007

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THE SETTING
Iowa (6-4) plays the second of three straight games against in-state rivals Saturday, Dec. 8 when it travels to face Iowa State (3-4). Game time is 1:05 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum (14,356). Iowa won its first true road game of the season Wednesday, taking a 62-55 decision at Northern Iowa for its second straight win after a four-game losing streak. Iowa State dropped a 79-44 decision Wednesday in its last outing.

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:ESPNU will televise the game to a national cable audience. Clay Matvick and Mike Kelly will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,418 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,444-974 (.597). That includes a 907-310 (.745) record in home games, a 537-664 (.447) record in games away from Iowa City, a 684-665 (.507) mark in Big Ten games and a 313-84 (.788) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IN-STATE SERIES CONTINUES
Saturday’s game marks the second of three straight for Iowa against in-state rivals. The Hawkeyes won 62-55 at Northern Iowa Wednesday and host Drake Saturday, Dec. 14 (7:05 p.m., BTN). Iowa State is playing its final in-state contest. The Cyclones dropped a 61-48 decision to Northern Iowa Nov. 27 in Ames and were defeated at Drake 79-44 Dec. 5. Northern Iowa and Drake meet Jan. 26 in Des Moines and Feb. 16 in Cedar Falls. Drake earned the mythical state title last season with a home win over Iowa, a road win at Iowa State and a sweep over Northern Iowa.

THE HY-VEE CY-HAWK SERIES
Iowa State holds a 12-3 advantage in the Cy-Hawk series through seven events, having won in football, men’s cross country, volleyball, men’s golf and women’s basketball. Iowa collected two points in women’s cross country, while the teams tied in women’s soccer. Women’s swimming and diving action is scheduled for Dec. 7 in Ames, and the wrestling teams meet in Ames Sunday. Iowa won the Cy-Hawk series last year and in 2004-05. Iowa State won the series in 2005-06. Following the men’s basketball game, competition remains in wrestling, women’s gymnastics (two meets) and softball. The football game is worth three points, while all other events are two points.

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).

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 137-65 (.678) after posting a 131-61 (.682) record as Butler’s head coach and beginning his first season at Iowa with a 6-4 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 Iowa State and he is 2-0 vs. ISU Coach Greg McDermott. Lickliter’s Butler team defeated McDermott’s Northern Iowa teams on two occasions, 77-65 on Dec. 15, 2001 in Indianapolis and 56-54 in Cedar Falls on Nov. 25, 2003.

ISU COACH GREG MCDERMOTT
Greg McDermott is in his second season as the head coach at Iowa State and his 14th year as a college head coach. McDermott holds an 18-20 mark with the Cyclones and his career record stands at 239-147. He is a native of Cascade, IA and a Northern Iowa graduate. McDermott was the head coach at Northern Iowa for five seasons, posting a 90-63 record. He led the Panthers to three straight 20-win seasons and appearances in the NCAA Tournament his last three seasons. UNI won the Missouri Valley Conference post-season tournament in 2004. McDermott posted a 116-53 record in six years at Wayne State (NE) and posted a 15-11 record in one season at North Dakota State. He enjoyed a successful playing career at UNI, leading the team in field goal percentage for three straight seasons. McDermott concluded his playing career under Eldon Miller in 1988. McDermott is 3-3 vs. Iowa (0-1 while at ISU) and 0-2 vs. Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.

THE SERIES
Iowa holds a 41-19 advantage in the series that began with a 30-27 Hawkeye win in 1910. Iowa earned a 77-59 win last season in Iowa City after the Cyclones had recorded a 72-60 win in Ames in 2005-06. The teams split games in 2003. That marked the first time since 1921 that the teams met twice in the same season and it was the first time the teams met in post-season action. Iowa has won five of the last eight meetings and seven of the last 11 and holds a 13-12 advantage over the last 25 games since 1984. Just seven of the last 18 games have had a final margin of eight points or less. The visiting team has won seven of the last 14 meetings, but the home team has won the last four. Iowa holds a 16-14 margin in games played at Ames. ISU has won the last two meetings in Ames, but the Hawkeyes have won on four of their last seven visits to Hilton Coliseum.

IOWA, ISU NOTES

• Iowa’s all-time record against current members of the Big 12 Conference is 88-47. Iowa State is the only Big 12 team on the 2007-08 Iowa schedule.
• Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter is 0-1 vs. Big 12 teams, as his Butler team was defeated by Oklahoma (65-54) in the Sweet 16 of the 2003 NCAA Tournament in Albany, NY.
• ISU Coach Greg McDermott is 4-6 against the Big Ten, having faced Iowa (3-3), Minnesota (1-1), Ohio State (0-1) and Wisconsin (0-1).
• Iowa State is 46-93 all-time against current members of the Big Ten Conference, including a loss to Minnesota earlier this season in Ames. The Cyclones meet Purdue Dec. 22 in Las Vegas.
• Iowa and Iowa State have played one common opponent. Northern Iowa defeated Iowa State 61-48 in Ames, while Iowa defeated the Panthers 62-55 in Cedar Falls.
• Iowa State senior Alex Thompson began his college career at Iowa. Thompson played for Iowa in 2005 and 2006 before transferring and redshirting a year ago at ISU.
• ISU junior Sean Haluska is the younger brother of former Iowa player Adam Haluska. Sean is in his first season at Iowa State after attending Indian Hills CC. Adam was a senior last season, earning first team all-Big Ten honors while leading the league in scoring. Adam, who played his freshman season at Iowa State, now plays for the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA. The Haluska family is from Carroll, IA.

JUMPING INTO THE FIRE
Iowa junior Tony Freeman started the first game of his career two years ago in Iowa State’s 72-60 win in Ames. As a freshman, Freeman started in place of senior Jeff Horner, who had suffered a knee injury in Iowa’s previous game at Northern Iowa. Freeman collected eight points, three steals, two assists and had five turnovers in 30 minutes.

IOWA WON IN IOWA CITY
Iowa’s defense held Iowa State to 38.6% shooting from the field and forced 26 turnovers as the Hawkeyes defeated the Cyclones 77-59 in Iowa City last Dec. 8. Iowa scored the first four points of the game, led 9-3 after four minutes and never trailed. Iowa shot 50% from the field in the first half, including 66.7% (4-6) from three-point range. The Hawkeyes led 42-30 at intermission after leading by as many as 17 in the first half. The Hawkeyes built a 46-30 advantage early in the second half before Iowa State rallied to within eight points, 46-38, and had the ball with a chance to cut further into the Iowa advantage at the 15 minute mark. Iowa responded with a 5-0 run and regained a comfortable 59-41 advantage with eight minutes to play. Iowa shot 45.9% from the field for the game and added 15-19 (78.9%) free throws, while collecting 17 assists and 13 steals and committing just 12 turnovers. Senior Adam Haluska led Iowa’s scoring with 18 points. Freshman Tyler Smith added 16 and Tony Freeman scored 11. Kurt Looby led Iowa with six rebounds, Smith collected a career-high six assists and Freeman led the team with three steals. Iowa State was led by Mike Taylor and Wesley Johnson with 13 points each, while Jiri Hubalek and Dodie Dunson each added 10. Rahshon Clark led ISU with 11 rebounds.

FREEMAN RETURNS TO ACTION
Junior guard Tony Freeman saw his first action of the season in Iowa’s 62-55 win at Northern Iowa. He missed Iowa’s first nine games after suffering a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during Iowa’s exhibition win over Simpson College Nov. 1. Freeman played 24 minutes against the Panthers, collecting 15 points, three assists and one rebound. He hit 5-7 field goal attempts, including all three three-point shots. He also made both of his free throw attempts.

IOWA WINS AT NORTHERN IOWA
Iowa used a solid shooting night, a dominating performance on the backboards and a solid defensive effort in taking a 62-55 win over Northern Iowa in the McLeod Center. The attendance of 7,043 set a record for a basketball game in the facility. The two teams battled back and forth throughout the night, as the game was tied six times and included seven lead changes. Iowa shot 56.5% in the first half, connecting on 6-8 (75%) three-point attempts. Northern Iowa led 27-23 with 3:30 left in the period before a 10-3 scoring run gave Iowa a 33-30 advantage at the break. The Panthers connected on a pair of three-pointers to start the second half, gaining the lead at 38-35 with 15 minutes to play. A three-point basket by Justin Johnson tied the score and Iowa took the lead for good on a pair of free throws by Jake Kelly with 14:33 remaining. The Hawkeyes led the rest of the way, building their biggest advantage to eight with just under six minutes left. Northern Iowa closed the gap to three points (58-55) and had a three-point attempt to tie the score with just under one minute remaining. Iowa rebounded the miss and added to the lead on two free throws by Tony Freeman with 35 seconds left. The Hawkeyes ended the game with a 37-16 rebounding advantage while shooting 50% from the field and 58.8% from three-point range. The Hawkeyes made their final eight free throw attempts and shot 88.9% from the foul line. Kelly led Iowa with a career-high 19 points, while Freeman, in his first action of the season, scored 15 and Johnson had 13. Kurt Looby led Iowa with seven rebounds.

DRAKE SHOOTS PAST ISU
Drake took advantage of some hot shooting from three-point range in taking a 79-44 win over Iowa State Wednesday in Des Moines. The Bulldogs hit six three-point baskets in the first half in building a 35-20 halftime advantage. For Iowa State, it only got worse after the break. Drake began the second half with a 17-2 scoring run to put the game away. The Bulldogs shot 65.2% from the field in the second half and added five additional treys. For the game Drake shot 52.4% (11-21) from three-point range and 50% from the field, overall. Iowa State struggled with its shooting, hitting just 37.8% from the field, 35.7% from three-point range and 55.6% from the foul line. Drake won the rebounding battle 30-27 and collected 15 steals while forcing 21 Cyclone turnovers. Iowa State’s Wesley Johnson scored 10 points, but he was the only Cyclone with more than six points. Center Jiri Hubalek added five points and led ISU with seven rebounds.

HAWKEYES FEATURE YOUNG LINE-UP
Iowa’s starting line-up in two games has included freshmen Jarryd Cole, Jeff Peterson and Jake Kelly. Iowa had not started three freshmen in a game since the 2000-01 season. That season, Brody Boyd, Jared Reiner and Glen Worley started in a game at Illinois. Boyd, Worley and Sean Sonderleiter started in a game at Michigan State and Boyd, Worley and Cortney Scott started in a game at Michigan.

HAWKEYES HIT THE BOARDS
In a 62-55 win at Northern Iowa, the Hawkeyes held a 37-16 rebounding advantage. No Northern Iowa player had more than five rebounds and only four of the nine Panthers who played had any rebounds. Kurt Looby led Iowa with seven rebounds, while six Hawkeyes had at least four. The plus 21 rebounding advantage is the largest for Iowa since the second game of the 2006-07 season when the Hawkeyes held a 51-30 rebounding advantage in a 78-65 win over Toledo in the Paradise Jam.

IOWA GAME NOTES

• Iowa is allowing just 55.7 points per game, as five of nine opponents have been held under 50 points and only three have scored over 60.
• Iowa opponents are shooting 38.8% from the field as six opponents have shot less than 40%.
• Iowa opponents are shooting 32.6% from three-point range as four opponents have shot less than 30% from three-point range.
• Iowa holds a +6.3 rebounding advantage while collecting more rebounds than the opponent in seven of 10 games.
• In a 62-55 win at Northern Iowa, the Hawkeyes made their final eight free throw attempts of the game. After missing the first attempt and making 1-2 in the first half, Iowa made all seven attempts in the final 20 minutes for a season-best 88.9% accuracy. Iowa has been over 80% from the foul line in three games.
• Senior guard Justin Johnson leads Iowa in scoring at 16.4 points per game. He has scored 19 or more points in five games and has scored 21 or more points in three games, with a career-best 26 against Louisiana-Monroe.
• Senior forward Kurt Looby leads Iowa in rebounding (8.0), field goal percentage (.757) and blocked shots (1.9). He has 10 or more rebounds in three games, with a career-best 12 against Louisiana-Monroe.

JOHNSON AMONG SINGLE GAME LEADERS
Senior guard Justin Johnson has made 36 three-point field goals through 10 games, shooting 39.6% from behind the arc. Johnson has made seven treys in two games (Idaho State and Eastern Illinois), a figure that ranks third best for a single game at Iowa. Chris Kingsbury holds the Iowa 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 set a Hawkeye Challenge record with 13 three-point baskets in two games last weekend. He had a career-high 26 points vs. Louisiana-Monroe and added 25 points vs. Eastern Illinois in earning a spot on the all-tournament team. Johnson was also named to the all-tournament squad at the South Padre Island Invitational. He recorded his first career double-double against Louisiana-Monroe with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Johnson leads Iowa with a 16.4 scoring average while collecting 4.9 rebounds per game.

LOOBY IN THE PAINT
Senior Kurt Looby has played well in the paint through Iowa’s first 10 games. Looby is averaging a team-best eight rebounds and is scoring 6.2 points a game while shooting 75.7% (28-37) from the field. Looby, who had a career-best 12 rebounds against Louisiana-Monroe, also leads Iowa with 19 blocked shots. Looby has 72 career blocks, just nine shy of ranking in Iowa’s career top 10. He had 12 points and eight rebounds in a loss to Bradley and 10 points and eight rebounds vs. Utah State. He has 10 or more rebounds in three games. Looby leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage, ranks fourth in blocked shots and sixth in rebounds.

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 7.6 points and a team-best four assists per game.

COLE HAS BEST NIGHT
Freshman forward Jarryd Cole had the best game of his young college career in Iowa’s loss to Wake Forest. He came off the bench to score 14 points (7-10 FGs) and grab seven rebounds in 33 minutes. Cole, who started for the first time against Louisiana-Monroe, added 10 points and four rebounds in a win over Eastern Illinois. He is averaging 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 58.3% from the field.

KELLY SHARING THE BALL
Freshman guard Jake Kelly moved into the starting line-up in Iowa’s last three games and led the team in assists in two of the three games. He scored a career-high 19 points in a win at Northern Iowa, hitting 6-13 field goal attempts and 3-5 treys while collecting two steals. Kelly had six assists against Louisiana-Monroe and four assists in the win over Eastern Illinois. Kelly is averaging seven points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its seven home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 7.9 margin, shooting 44.7% from the field while holding its opponent to 36.1% shooting. Iowa holds a 36.4-29.6 rebounding advantage. In three games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (including two neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 65.7-60. The Hawkeyes are shooting 45.8% from the field while opponents are shooting 45.3%. Iowa holds a 31.7-26.7 rebounding margin.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 18.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, compared to 12.2 points and 6.9 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 5-4 when the reserves outscore the opponent’s reserves and 1-0 when the opponent reserves scored more points. Iowa is 4-3 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves, 2-0 when the opponent reserves have more rebounds and 0-1 when rebounding by the reserves is even.

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 16, that by Louisiana-Monroe in a 72-67 overtime win over Iowa.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 272-261 in the first half and a 311-279 in the second half. The Hawkeyes have been outscored 17-12 in their only overtime period. Iowa has led at halftime in seven games and has outscored its opponent in the second half in six 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 three games and at least 70% of its free throws in four games, with a season-best 88.9% (8-9) at Northern Iowa. Iowa has posted a 4-1 record when shooting at least 70% from the free throw line.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa is 12-23 (.522) from the free throw line in the final four minutes of its three games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 11-20 free throw attempts in the final four minutes. Those figures include all free throw attempts in Iowa’s single overtime game. Iowa is 1-2 in games decided by 10 points or less, including one overtime loss.

HAWKEYE GAME NOTES & TRENDS

• Iowa is 0-0 when scoring 80 points or more, 0-0 when scoring between 70-80 points, 3-2 when scoring between 60-70 points and 3-2 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 6-1 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 0-2 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 0-1 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
• Iowa is 4-3 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 2-1 when the opponent has more assists and 0-0 when assists were even.
• Iowa is 1-0 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 5-3 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 0-1 when turnovers are equal.
• Iowa is 2-0 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 4-3 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; 1-2 when three score in double figures, 4-0 when two players score in double figures and 1-2 when one scores in double figures.
• Iowa is 6-1 when leading at halftime, 0-3 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime.
• Iowa is 5-4 when controlling the opening tip and 1-0 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 1-2 in games decided by 10 points or less, including a 0-1 record in games decided by five points or less and a 0-1 mark in overtime.
• 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 but one Iowa game throughout the 2007-08 season will be televised, with the only exception being the final round of the South Padre Island Invitational against Utah State. The majority of Iowa’s non-conference games are scheduled for the Big Ten Network. Iowa’s home game with Wake Forest was televised on ESPN2. The contest at Northern Iowa was on FOX 28 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 1,444) 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.

BIG TEN SINGLE GAME TICKETS ON SALE
Single game tickets for Iowa’s nine Big Ten Conference home games are now on sale. Tickets may be purchased online at www.hawkeyesports.com, by calling the UI Athletics Ticket office at 1-800-IA-HAWKS, or in person at the Athletics Ticket Office in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa opens Big Ten action by hosting Indiana Jan. 2. Iowa also hosts Michigan State (Jan. 12), Purdue (Jan. 16), Penn State (Jan. 26), Ohio State (Feb. 2), Wisconsin (Feb. 6), Michigan (Feb. 14), Northwestern (Feb. 19) and Illinois (Mar. 1 or 2).

IOWA OFFERS FAMILY FOUR PACK
University of Iowa men’s basketball fans can take advantage of the “Family Four Pack” at upcoming games. The family pack includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four drinks. The cost of the “Family Four Pack” is $65 and the special pricing is available for Iowa’s final non-conference home game against Southeastern Louisiana on Dec. 29 and the Big Ten Conference game against Northwestern on February 19. Tickets may be purchased in person at the UI Athletic Ticket Office in Carver-Hawkeye Arena or by calling 1-800-IAHAWKS.

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).
• Single game tickets for Big Ten Conference games are now on sale.
• 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).
• “Family Four Pack” tickets are available for home games Dec. 29 vs. Southeastern Louisiana and Feb. 19 vs. Northwestern. The “Family Four Pack” includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four drinks for a cost of $65.
• Single game tickets are available for $20 for all games except Big Ten Conference weekend games, Wisconsin and Drake. 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 the final non-conference game vs. Southeastern Louisiana Dec. 29.
• 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.

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE
All-session and single session tickets for the 2008 Big Ten Conference men’s basketball tournament go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m. CT Saturday, Dec. 8. Tickets are available at all 11 Big Ten university ticket offices, the Conseco Fieldhouse box office, Ticketmaster outlets at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (317) 239-5151. The 11th annual Big Ten Tournament will be held March 13-16, 2008 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. All session tickets are on sale for $150 or $275, depending on seat location. Single-session tickets range from $30 to $85, based on seat location and session. Orders are limited to 12 all-session tickets or 12 single-session tickets.

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.

IOWA ATTENDANCE IMPROVES AGAIN
Iowa drew an average of 12,196 fans for its 16 home games during the 2006-07 season. That average ranks as an improvement over each of the last two seasons, as Iowa averaged 12,006 fans in 2006. Iowa annually ranks among the top teams in the nation in home attendance.

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 Dec. 10 and 17; Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25; and Mar. 3 and 10.

HAWKEYES BACK AT HOME
Iowa returns home for its final contest before semester exams and the holiday break when the Hawkeyes host Drake Friday, Dec. 14. Game time is 7:05 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.

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