Hawkeyes Host Indiana to Open Big Ten Play

Dec. 31, 2007

THE SETTING
Iowa (7-6, 0-0) begins Big Ten Conference action Wednesday, Jan. 2 when it hosts No. 13/14 Indiana (11-1, 0-0). Game time is 8:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa concluded non-conference action with a 57-50 win over Southeastern Louisiana Dec. 29 in Iowa City. Indiana improved to 11-1 with a 97-59 home win over Chicago State Dec. 29, its seventh straight win.

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: The Big Ten Network will carry the game to a national cable audience. The game can also be viewed on DIRECTV (channel 220) and the DISH Network (channel 439). Mark Neely and Shon Morris will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,421 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,445-976 (.597). That includes a 908-311 (.745) record in home games, a 537-665 (.447) record in games away from Iowa City, a 684-665 (.507) mark in Big Ten games and a 314-85 (.787) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Wednesday night marks game No. 400 for Iowa in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa has compiled a 314-85 (.787) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is 147-68 (.684) in Big Ten games and 167-17 (.908) in non-Big Ten games.

OPENING THE CONFERENCE SEASON
Iowa is 8-2 in Big Ten Conference opening games over the past 10 years, but 1-2 the last three years. The Hawkeyes began Big Ten play a year ago with a 62-60 home win over Michigan State. Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter posted a 3-3 record in the first conference game of the season in his six years as Butler’s head coach.

IN THE RANKINGS
Indiana is ranked 13th in the Associated Press rankings and 14th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. The Hoosiers have been ranked as high as eighth. Indiana is the first ranked opponent the Hawkeyes have faced this season.

COLE TO MISS REMAINDER OF SEASON
Iowa freshman Jarryd Cole suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Iowa’s 57-50 win over Southeastern Louisiana Dec. 29 and will miss the remainder of the season. Cole is a 6-7, 250-pound forward who played in Iowa’s first 13 games, with six starts. The native of Kansas City, MO (Winnetonka HS) is averaging 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds, while shooting .667 from the field. He had season-bests of 15 points and nine rebounds against Iowa State. “I feel badly for Jarryd,” said Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter. “Injuries such as this are something you don’t anticipate or prepare for. I know he will attack his rehabilitation as aggressively as he has basketball and academics through the first semester of his college career.” Cole is expected to undergo surgery within the next week. Cole was in the starting line-up in Iowa’s final non-conference win, contributing four points and four rebounds. His dunk with 11:55 remaining gave Iowa a 32-31 advantage. The injury occurred just after his basket. “His presence has had an effect on our team,” added Lickliter. “While we are going to miss not having him on the court, our concern is for him personally. He’s in great hands with our medical staff. With time, we look forward to Jarryd’s complete recovery.” The injury to Cole is the second major injury suffered by a member of the Hawkeye program this season. Junior guard Tony Freeman has played in just three of 13 games after suffering a foot injury in Iowa’s pre-season exhibition game.

NEVER SAY NEVER . . .
It may have happened before 1920, but historical records of Iowa basketball do not show a game prior to Iowa’s 56-51 loss to Drake (Dec. 14) in which the Hawkeyes failed to record a free throw attempt. Drake was guilty of 10 fouls in the game, four in the first half. The Bulldogs were called for six fouls in the second half, the last at the 7:52 mark with Iowa holding a 39-38 advantage. Prior to the 1920-21 season, Iowa’s records do not show free throw attempts by game. From the beginning of the 1921-22 season, until the Dec. 14 contest vs. Drake, Iowa had made at least one free throw attempt in 2,147 consecutive games. Prior to the contest vs. Drake, Iowa’s lowest output from the free throw line, in recent history, occurred during a 61-53 loss to Michigan (March 1, 1979 in Iowa City) when the Hawkeyes made one of two free throw attempts.

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). Indiana Coach Kelvin Sampson earned National Coach of the Year honors in 1995 and 2002 while at Oklahoma.

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 138-67 (.673) after posting a 131-61 (.682) record as Butler’s head coach and beginning his first season at Iowa with a 7-6 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 posted a 2-2 record vs. Indiana as Butler’s head coach. Three of the four meetings were played at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with one game in Bloomington. Lickliter is 1-1 vs. Hoosier Coach Kelvin Sampson.

INDIANA COACH KELVIN SAMPSON
Kelvin Sampson is in his second season as the head coach at Indiana and his 25th year overall as a college head coach. He has posted a 32-12 mark with the Hoosiers and his career record is 487-269. Sampson held a record of 279-109 in 12 seasons at Oklahoma. He led the Sooners to 11 NCAA Tournaments and nine straight 20-win seasons. Oklahoma won three straight Big 12 titles from 2001-03, reaching the NCAA Final Four in 2002 and the Elite Eight the following season. He earned national Coach of the Year honors in 1995 and 2002. Sampson posted a 103-103 record in seven years at Washington State (1987-94) and a record of 73-45 in four years at Montana Tech (1981-85). He was an assistant at Washington State for two seasons (1985-87). Sampson attended Pembrooke State University, where he was a four-year basketball letterman. Sampson is 1-1 vs. Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.

THE COACHES HAVE MET
Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter and Indiana Coach Kelvin Sampson have met on two occasions. In the 2003 NCAA Tournament, Sampson’s Oklahoma team defeated Lickliter’s Butler squad 65-54 in the Sweet 16. The Sooners lost in the Elite Eight to Syracuse, the eventual national champion. Last season, Lickliter’s Bulldogs defeated Sampson’s Indiana squad, 60-55, in the quarter-finals of the pre-season NIT. The Bulldogs went on to defeat Tennessee and Gonzaga in New York to win that tournament.

LICKLITER VS. RANKED TEAMS
Todd Lickliter holds a 6-5 record when coaching against nationally ranked opponents. His teams are 0-3 vs. top five opponents, including losses to third ranked Oklahoma in 2003, third ranked Florida in 2007 and fifth ranked Duke in 2003.

TOUGH START FOR IOWA
Iowa’s first four conference games include home games with Indiana and Michigan State and road games at Wisconsin and Ohio State. The Spartans were picked to win the Big Ten in media voting in October, with Indiana and Ohio State picked for second and third, respectively. Ohio State has won the regular season Big Ten title in each of the past two seasons, compiling a 27-5 conference record. Other top records in the past two years include Wisconsin (22-10), Iowa (20-12), Illinois (20-12) and Indiana (19-13).

THE SERIES
Indiana holds a 91-68 advantage in the series that began with an 18-12 Hoosier win in 1909. Iowa has won five of the last six meetings after the teams split a pair of games a year ago. Indiana won the first meeting in Bloomington, 71-64, snapping Iowa’s four-game win streak in the series. Iowa later scored an 81-75 win in Iowa City. Iowa defeated the Hoosiers twice in 2006 and won single meetings in both 2005 and 2004. The Hoosiers won both meetings in 2003. Iowa leads 40-38 in games played at Iowa City, holding a 15-8 advantage in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Indiana won two straight in Iowa City before the Hawkeyes claimed each of the last three meetings. The two teams have met twice at neutral sites in the Big Ten Tournament, with Iowa winning once in Chicago and once in Indianapolis.

FATHER KNOWS BEST
As a high school player in Indianapolis, Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter played for his father, Arlan at North Central HS. Another player who attended North Central and played under Coach Arlan Lickliter was Eric Gordon, the father of current Indiana freshman Eric Gordon.

STAY UNTIL THE END
Four of Iowa’s last nine meetings with Indiana have come down to a final shot, with two of the four going into overtime. Iowa defeated Indiana in the 2002 Big Ten Tournament semi-finals on a last second basket by Luke Recker, and Iowa won in 2004 on a basket by Jeff Horner with one second left in the second overtime. In 2003, a final three-point basket by Indiana’s Bracey Wright was the difference in Indiana’s overtime win in Bloomington, after Iowa had failed to win on a shot in the last seconds of regulation. In 2006, Iowa held off a late Indiana rally in Bloomington and survived when Indiana’s three-point shot at the buzzer was off the mark. Three additional games in the last nine meetings have been decided by seven points or less.

THEY SPLIT LAST SEASON
Iowa and Indiana split last season, with the Hoosiers winning 71-64 in Bloomington on Jan. 16 and Iowa taking an 81-75 victory in Iowa City on Feb. 3. Indiana used a strong defensive effort in the first half and a solid shooting performance in the second half in winning at Bloomington, snapping Iowa’s four-game win streak in the series. The Hoosiers held the Hawkeyes scoreless for seven minutes and built a 29-17 advantage at the midway point. The Hawkeyes improved their shooting to 54.5% from the field in the second half and shot 45.5% for the game. Iowa also had just four second half turnovers and won the overall rebounding battle (33-32). Indiana shot 51.9% in the second half and built a 21-point advantage with just under nine minutes remaining before Iowa rallied. The seven point final margin was as close as Iowa would get. Adam Haluska led Iowa with 21 points. Tyler Smith added 17 points, six rebounds and six assists and Seth Gorney added a career-best 12 points (5-7 FGs). D.J. White led the Hoosiers with 23 points and 12 rebounds, hitting 10-13 field goal attempts. Roderick Wilmont added 15 points and Armon Bassett scored 10.

Iowa overcame a fast start by Indiana in taking an 81-75 win in Iowa City. Indiana hit six of its first eight three-point attempts in building an eight point advantage midway through the first half. Iowa rallied to pull even at 28-28 with 4:19 left in the half and the teams were tied at 37 at intermission. Iowa took the lead on a three-point basket by Adam Haluska and held a slim advantage throughout most of the half, building the margin to seven, 61-54, with just under six minutes to play. Iowa made its final 12 free throw attempts in the last 1:23 as Indiana was never able to gain possession with a chance to tie. Tyler Smith hit two free shots with 18 seconds left to give Iowa a 79-75 advantage. The Hawkeyes made 32-37 free throws, including 20-22 (90%) in the second half. Iowa also held a 42-25 rebounding advantage. Indiana shot 48.1% from the field, but connected on just two of its last 12 three-point shots. Haluska led Iowa’s scoring with 33 points, a career-high in Big Ten play. Smith added 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Indiana was led by Wilmont with 24 points, while Earl Calloway scored 16 and A.J. Ratliff added 15 points and five rebounds.

IOWA, HOOSIER NOTES

  • Iowa and Indiana both have started two true freshmen in the backcourt this season. Iowa’s Jeff Peterson has started 10 games and Jake Kelly has five starts. Indiana’s Eric Gordon has started 11 games and Jordan Crawford has three starts.
  • Three members of the Iowa coaching staff were at Butler University in Indianapolis a year ago, including Head Coach Todd Lickliter and assistants Joel Cornette and LaVall Jordan. All three played basketball at Butler and are Butler graduates. Lickliter is a native of Indianapolis.
  • Iowa’s roster includes two players from Indiana, including junior J.R. Angle (Franklin) and freshman Jake Kelly (Carmel).
  • Iowa’s Jake Kelly, a true freshman, and Indiana’s Brett Finkelmeier, a redshirt freshman, both played high school basketball at Carmel, IN HS. The pair helped Carmel HS post a 17-7 record in 2005-06.
  • Indiana Coach Kelvin Sampson was an assistant coach at Michigan State in 1979-80 when the Spartans split a pair of games with Iowa, each winning at home.
  • Indiana assistant Jeff Meyer served as an assistant coach at Butler University under Coach Todd Lickliter for three seasons (2001-04).
  • Indiana assistant Ray McCallum was previously an assistant coach at Wisconsin and Michigan and IU assistant Jeff Meyer previously served as an assistant at Purdue.
  • Iowa has played two teams this season with former Indiana players serving as assistant coaches, including Eastern Illinois (Michael Lewis) and Louisiana-Monroe (Tom Coverdale).
  • Iowa guard Tony Freeman’s father (Tony) played one season at Indiana, helping the Hoosiers win the 1987 national championship as a true freshman.

FREEMAN RETURNS TO ACTION
Junior guard Tony Freeman saw his first action of the season in Iowa’s 62-55 win at Northern Iowa. Freeman played 24 minutes against Northern Iowa, 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. He did not play Dec. 8 in the loss at Iowa State, but returned to play 22 minutes in the loss to Drake, contributing nine points. He added 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals in 34 minutes in Iowa’s most recent win over Southeastern Louisiana. 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.

IOWA STOPS SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
Iowa rallied for a 57-50 win over Southeastern Louisiana Dec. 29 in Iowa City to conclude non-conference action. The Hawkeyes trailed by 14 points in the first half and by seven at halftime before winning for the first time this season after trailing at intermission. The Hawkeyes started the game by hitting their first two field goal attempts to take a 5-0 advantage in the first minute. Iowa was then held scoreless for nearly 13 minutes as the visitors ran off 17 straight points. The Hawkeyes used two three-point baskets by J.R. Angle and one by Tony Freeman to cut the margin to 25-18 at the break. Southeastern LA led by nine in the second half before Iowa rallied. A lay-up by Jarryd Cole tied the game at 29 with 13:20 to play and a dunk by Cole at the 11:55 mark gave Iowa the lead for the first time since the opening minute. Cole, however, was injured just after his basket, suffering a torn ACL in his left knee. Southeastern LA rallied and led by as many as three points with 3:58 remaining. A lay-up by Cyrus Tate cut the deficit to a single point and a three-pointer by Freeman with 3:01 left gave Iowa the lead for good. Another Tate basket gave Iowa a 48-44 advantage. Iowa sealed the game by hitting its final nine free throw attempts. Iowa shot just 37.2% from the field and lost the rebounding battle by a 37-28 margin. The Hawkeyes collected 13 assists on their 16 made field goals and had a season-high 12 steals. Freeman led Iowa with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Angle added career bests in points (10) and steals (three), Tate added 10 points and six rebounds and Justin Johnson contributed 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.

INDIANA TOPS CHICAGO STATE
Indiana improved its non-conference record to 11-1 with a 97-69 win over Chicago State in Bloomington. The Hoosiers have won seven straight games since an 80-65 loss to Xavier. The Hoosiers started fast against Chicago State, racing to a 48-19 halftime advantage. Indiana held the visitors to 21.2% shooting in the first half. After shooting just 34.2% from the field in the opening half, the Hoosiers shot 61.8% (21-34) in the second half in coasting to the win. The Hoosiers shot 47.3% for the game, 44.4% from three-point range and 91.3% (21-23) from the foul line. Indiana also won the rebounding battle by a 56-26 margin. Freshman guard Eric Gordon led Indiana with 22 points, including 14-14 free throws. D.J. White added 21 points and 15 rebounds, along with collecting four of Indiana’s 11 blocked shots. Jordan Crawford added 15 points and Armon Bassett scored 13.

HAWKEYES FEATURE YOUNG LINE-UP
Iowa’s starting line-up in four of its first 13 games included freshmen Jarryd Cole, Jeff Peterson and Jake Kelly. Cole is now out of action for the remainder of the season. 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.

IOWA GAME NOTES

  • Iowa is allowing just 57.7 points per game, as six opponents have been held to 50 points or less and only three have scored over 60.
  • Iowa opponents are shooting 38.2% from the field as eight opponents have shot less than 40%.
  • Iowa opponents are shooting 32% from three-point range as six opponents have shot less than 30% from three-point range.
  • Iowa holds a +4.2 rebounding advantage while collecting more rebounds than the opponent in eight of 13 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 14.7 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 (7.1), field goal percentage (.667) and blocked shots (1.7). 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 43 three-point field goals through 13 games, shooting 36.4% 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. 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 14.7 scoring average while collecting 4.8 rebounds per game. He ranks second in the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game (3.3) and minutes played (35.7).

LOOBY IN THE PAINT
Senior Kurt Looby has played well in the paint through Iowa’s first 13 games. Looby is averaging a team-best 7.1 rebounds and is scoring 5.1 points a game while shooting 66.7% (30-45) from the field. Looby, who had a career-best 12 rebounds against Louisiana-Monroe, also leads Iowa with 22 blocked shots. Looby has 75 career blocks, just six 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 ranks fourth in the Big Ten in blocked shots and is tied for eighth in rebounds.

COLE HAS BEST NIGHT
Freshman forward Jarryd Cole had the best game of his young college career in Iowa’s loss at Iowa State. Cole connected on 7-10 field goal attempts, scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds, both season-bests. He made all six of his field goal attempts while scoring 12 points and collecting five rebounds against Drake. In an earlier 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 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 66.7% from the field. He will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn left ACL in a win over Southeastern Louisiana.

KELLY SHARING THE BALL
Freshman guard Jake Kelly moved into the starting line-up in Iowa’s last six games and led the team in assists three times. 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. At Iowa State he contributed 13 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kelly is averaging 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game and ranks second in the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage (48.1%).

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 6.6 points and a team-best 3.6 assists per game, while sharing the team lead with 12 steals.

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 4.9 points and 2.7 assists and is shooting 80% from the free throw line.

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.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its nine home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 6.3 margin, shooting 43.6% from the field while holding its opponent to 36.6% shooting. Iowa holds a 35.1-30.8 rebounding advantage. In four games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (including two neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 65.2-55.8 The Hawkeyes are shooting 40.6% from the field while opponents are shooting 41.2%. Iowa holds a 36.4-33.8 rebounding margin.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 18.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, compared to 11.3 points and 7.3 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 6-5 when the reserves outscore the opponent’s reserves and 1-1 when the opponent reserves score more points. Iowa is 5-4 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves, 2-1 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 14 points, that in a 57-50 win over Southeastern Louisiana. The Hawkeyes trailed by seven at halftime. The biggest deficit overcome by an Iowa opponent is 16, that by Louisiana-Monroe in a 72-67 overtime win at Iowa.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has been outscored 341-333 in the first half and holds a 405-361 advantage 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 eight games. The second half scoring was even in the win over Idaho State.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa is 24-39 (.615) from the free throw line in the final four minutes of its six games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 22-38 (.579) free throw attempts in the final four minutes. Those figures include all free throw attempts in Iowa’s single overtime game. Iowa is 2-4 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 4-4 when scoring less than 60 points.
  • Iowa is 7-3 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 4-4 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 3-2 when the opponent has more assists and 0-0 when assists were even.
  • Iowa is 2-0 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 5-5 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 0-1 when turnovers are equal.
  • Iowa is 3-0 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 4-5 when the opponent had more steals and 0-1 when steals are equal.
  • Iowa is 0-0 when five reach double figures, 1-0 when four reach double figures; 1-2 when three score in double figures, 4-1 when two players score in double figures and 1-3 when one scores in double figures.
  • Iowa is 6-1 when leading at halftime, 1-5 when trailing at intermission and 0-0 when tied at halftime.
  • Iowa is 6-5 when controlling the opening tip and 1-0 when not controlling the tip.
  • Iowa is 2-4 in games decided by 10 points or less, including a 0-2 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 SEEKS EIGHTH STRAIGHT
Iowa is seeking its eighth straight winning campaign, which would establish a school record. Iowa’s current streak began with a 23-12 record in 2000-01 and includes three seasons of more than 20 wins and six post-seasons appearances (three NCAA, three NIT). Iowa also had seven straight winning seasons 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 seven seasons, joining Illinois, Michigan State and Wisconsin.

IOWA TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 38 of its last 43 games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including win streaks of 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.

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 1,445) 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 Wednesday, hosting Indiana. 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).

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 Iowa’s home game 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 and the Wisconsin game. Tickets for those games are $25. UI students can purchase single game tickets for $15 on the day of the game, when available.
  • 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 TOURNAMENT PLAY
Iowa has fared well while taking part in regular-season tournaments over the past 25 years. In that time Iowa has won the Great Alaska Shootout (1986-87), the Cal-Irvine Anteater Classic (1986-87), the Maui Classic (1987-88), the San Juan Thanksgiving Shootout (1992-93), the San Juan Christmas Shootout (1997-98), the Big Ten Conference Tournament in 2001 and 2006 and its own invitational 24 times. In addition, Iowa was runner-up in the 1985-86 Far West Classic, the 1987-88 All-College Tournament, the 1988-89 Chaminade Classic, the 1991-92 Tampa Tribune Holiday Invitational, the 1994-95 Rainbow Classic, the 1995-96 Great Alaska Shootout, the 1999-00 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, the 2001-02 Guardians Classic, the 2005-06 Guardians Classic, the 2002 Big Ten Conference Tournament and the 2004 Maui Invitational.

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’s Big Ten schedule includes four weekend home dates and five games during the week. Iowa plays at home on Saturday, Jan. 12, Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and either Saturday or Sunday, March 1 or 2.

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.

NO THREE-POINTERS
Since the three-point shot became part of the college game, Iowa has played 14 games in which it has failed to make a three-point attempt. Iowa had made at least one three-point basket in 53 straight games before missing all five attempts in a 71-61 home win over Purdue in 2004. Iowa’s current streak includes at least one three-point basket in 131 straight games.

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 VS. THE FIELD
Iowa posted a 6-10 record while playing 11 teams that advanced to post-season play last season. That included a 4-9 record against eight teams that competed in the NCAA Tournament and a 2-1 record against three teams that were in the NIT.

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

IOWA HITS THE ROAD
Iowa hits the road for consecutive games at Wisconsin, Saturday, Jan. 5 (11:05 a.m., BTN) and Ohio State, Wednesday, Jan. 9 (6:05 p.m. CT, BTN). The Hawkeyes return home to host Michigan State Saturday, Jan 12 (7:35 p.m., BTN).

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