Iowa Travels to Face Indiana Wednesday

Jan. 22, 2008

THE SETTING
Iowa (9-10, 2-4) plays its second straight road game when it travels to #8/9 Indiana (16-1, 5-0) Wednesday, Jan. 23. Game time is 8:05 p.m. CT in Assembly Hall (17,456). Iowa has won two of its last three games, including a 68-60 win Saturday at Michigan. Indiana won its 12th straight game Sunday with an 81-65 home win over Penn State. The Hoosiers defeated Iowa 79-76 Jan. 2 in Iowa City. Indiana’s smallest margin of victory this season is its three point win at Iowa.

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). Wayne Larrivee and Shon Morris will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,427 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,447-980 (.596). That includes a 909-313 (.744) record in home games, a 538-667 (.446) record in games away from Iowa City, a 686-669 (.506) mark in Big Ten games and a 315-87 (.784) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IN THE RANKINGS
Indiana is ranked eighth in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll and ninth in the Associated Press rankings. Iowa has played a ranked opponent in three of its six Big Ten games to date, while Ohio State was also listed among teams receiving votes in both major polls. Michigan State was ranked sixth in both the Associated Press rankings and the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. Indiana was No. 11/12 and Wisconsin was No. 24/25.

LICKLITER VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter holds a 7-7 record when coaching against nationally ranked opponents, including a 1-2 mark at Iowa and a 6-5 record in six seasons at Butler. Iowa, this season, defeated sixth-ranked Michigan State (43-36), while dropping decisions to 11th-ranked Indiana (76-79) and 24th-ranked Wisconsin (51-64). Lickliter’s Butler teams defeated ranked opponents Louisville (14th), Maryland (18th), Mississippi State (20th), Ball State (21st), Tennessee (22nd) and Gonzaga (23rd). 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.

HAWKEYES IN NATIONAL STATS
In NCAA statistical rankings, Iowa ranks 15th in field goal defense (39.6%), and 43rd in scoring defense (58.1). Senior guard Justin Johnson ranks 23rd nationally in three-point field goals per game (3.1).

25 YEARS IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
The University of Iowa Athletic Department will celebrate 25 years in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Hawkeye men and women’s athletics teams moved into the facility in January of 1983 and this month completes 25 years in the Arena. Three celebrations honoring Carver-Hawkeye Arena will be held in February. Iowa’s men’s basketball game on Saturday, February 2nd, against Ohio State, will be the first athletic event to recognize the building’s silver anniversary. It will also be recognized the following day when the women’s basketball team plays host to Indiana and the evening of Feb. 17th when the Hawkeye wrestlers tangle with Michigan. A special commemorative program and video will be created for fans attending any, or all, of the three events. Athletes from all teams who have competed in the arena are being invited back for the celebrations. Bump Elliott and Dr. Christine Grant, Iowa’s athletic directors in 1983, are expected to take part in the celebration, along with former Iowa Wrestling Coach Dan Gable. It’s hopeful that some members of the Roy J. Carver family, the building’s namesake, will also be in attendance.

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). Five current head coaches in the Big Ten have earned national Coach of the Year honors, including Indiana’s Kelvin Sampson (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 140-71 (.664) after posting a 131-61 (.682) record as Butler’s head coach and beginning his first season at Iowa with a 9-10 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 is 2-3 vs. Indiana, 0-1 while at Iowa. Lickliter is 1-2 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 37-12 mark with the Hoosiers and his career record is 492-269. 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 2-1 vs. Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.

THE COACHES HAVE MET
Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter and Indiana Coach Kelvin Sampson have met on three occasions, including the meeting earlier this month in Iowa City. 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. Indiana won the earlier meeting this season, 79-76, in Iowa City.

TOUGH START FOR IOWA
Iowa’s first four conference games included 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 92-68 advantage in the series that began with an 18-12 Hoosier win in 1909. Iowa has won five of the last seven meetings but the Hoosiers have won two of the last three. Indiana won 79-76 Jan. 2 in Iowa City after three straight losses in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The teams split games a year ago, each winning at home. Iowa defeated the Hoosiers twice in 2006 and won single meetings in both 2005 and 2004. The Hoosiers won both meetings in 2003. Indiana holds a 53-26 advantage in games played in Bloomington, but the Hawkeyes have won two of the last three. Indiana had won four straight before Iowa’s wins in 2004 and 2006. The Hoosiers have won 10 of the last 13 meetings against Iowa in Assembly Hall. Four of the last six games in Bloomington have been decided by three points or less, with the Hoosiers winning in one overtime in 2003 and Iowa winning in double overtime in 2004. The two teams have met twice at neutral sites in the Big Ten Tournament, with Iowa winning once in Chicago (2001) and once in Indianapolis (2002).

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
Five of Iowa’s last 10 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. Earlier this season, Iowa’s Justin Johnson scored 19 points in the final two minutes, but the Hoosiers held on for a 79-76 win. Three additional games in the last nine meetings have been decided by seven points or less.

INDIANA HOLDS OFF IOWA RALLY
Iowa rallied in the final two minutes after trailing by 13 points, but time ran out on the Hawkeyes as No. 11/12 Indiana left Carver-Hawkeye Arena Jan. 2 with a 79-76 win. The Hoosiers used an 11-1 scoring run to take a 70-57 advantage with 2:10 remaining before Iowa senior Justin Johnson went on a three-point spree that nearly carried Iowa to an upset victory. Johnson hit six three-point baskets in the final 1:55, and even added a free throw after being fouled on one of the attempts for a four-point play. His final trey came from roughly 45-feet with four seconds left to cut the deficit to 78-76. Indiana’s Lance Stemler then hit one of two free throws and Iowa was unable to get a final shot attempt as time expired. Johnson ended the game with a career-high 29 points (10-15 FG, 8-13 treys). He also collected six rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots. Tony Freeman added 12 points and nine assists and Seth Gorney had eight seven points and 10 rebounds. The Hoosiers led by as many as nine points in the first half, but Iowa rallied late in the period and the score was knotted at 34 at intermission. Iowa rallied from an eight point deficit in the second half and trailed 59-56 with 6:50 remaining before Indiana regained control with its scoring run over the next five minutes. Iowa shot 43.1% from the field, compared to 49.1% for Indiana. The Hoosiers connected on 71.9% from the foul line (23-32), compared to 60% (15-25) for Iowa. The rebounding was even. Freshman Eric Gordon led Indiana with 25 points, while D.J. White added 16 and collected 15 rebounds. Jamarcus Ellis added 15 points, seven assists and five steals and Jordan Crawford scored 12 points.

IOWA, HOOSIER NOTES

  • Iowa and Indiana both have started two true freshmen in the backcourt this season. Iowa’s Jeff Peterson has started 11 games and Jake Kelly has 12 starts. Indiana’s Eric Gordon has started 16 games and Jordan Crawford has six 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). Meyer also previously served as an assistant at Purdue.
  • Indiana assistant Ray McCallum was previously an assistant coach at Wisconsin and Michigan.
  • 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.

HAWKEYES WIN AT MICHIGAN
Iowa overcame an early deficit and held off a late rally in taking a 68-60 win at Michigan in its last outing. Michigan led 9-2 after three minutes as Iowa started slowly on offense. Iowa scored the last eight points of the first half over the final three minutes to take a 29-27 advantage at the break. Iowa shot just 38.5% in the first 20 minutes, including 30.8% from three-point range. The Hawkeyes outscored Michigan 12-3 over the first eight minutes of the second half to maintain control. Iowa built its advantage to as many as 16 points (52-36) with just under six minutes to play before the Wolverines rallied. Michigan found the range from three-point distance and quickly closed the gap, using a four-point play with 1:22 remaining to cut the margin to four. Jeff Peterson and Jake Kelly each added two free throws and Tony Freeman made 6-9 free shots in the final minutes as the Hawkeyes held on for its third straight win in Ann Arbor. Iowa shot 61.9% from the field in the second half and 48.9% for the game. Iowa also held a 37-25 rebounding advantage. Freeman led Iowa’s scoring attack with a career-best 28 points, and he added five rebounds. Junior forward Cyrus Tate recorded career-best in points (21) and rebounds (11), recording the second double-double of his career. Senior Seth Gorney led Iowa with a career-high 12 rebounds and freshman guard Jeff Peterson matched a career-high with nine assists.

HOOSIERS STOP PENN STATE
Indiana took control down the stretch in taking an 81-65 home win over Penn State Sunday afternoon. The Hoosiers held a slim 37-34 halftime advantage after the Nittany Lions shot 75% from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes. After making 6-8 treys in the first half, Penn State made just 2-8 three-point attempts in the second half. The Nittany Lions held a 52-51 advantage in the second half before Indiana used a 30-13 scoring run to close out the win. Indiana shot 50% from the field in the first half before improving to 63% (17-27) in the second half. The Hoosiers also added 11-23 (47.8%) three-point baskets and shot 70.6% from the free throw line. Freshman guard Eric Gordon led Indiana with 25 points, six rebounds and three assists. D.J. White added 22 points and seven rebounds. Armon Bassett added 17 points and Jamarcus Ellis scored 12.

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. He had surgery Friday, Jan. 4. 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. 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. The injury to Cole is the second major injury suffered by a member of the Hawkeye program this season. Junior guard Tony Freeman played in just three of Iowa’s 13 non-conference games after suffering a foot injury during Iowa’s pre-season exhibition game.

IOWA GAME NOTES

  • Iowa’s win at Michigan marked its third straight win in Ann Arbor. After trailing 9-2 in the opening minutes, Iowa used a 20-3 scoring run during the last three minutes of the first half and the first eight minutes of the second half to take control.
  • Iowa’s victory at Michigan was keyed by four players who reached career-bests in three different categories. Tony Freeman (28) and Cyrus Tate (21) had scoring highs, Seth Gorney (12) and Tate (11) had rebounding bests and Jeff Peterson matched his career best with nine assists.
  • With the 43-36 win over sixth-ranked Michigan State, Iowa has won 10 of its last 12 home games against ranked opponents.
  • In defeating Michigan State 43-36, Iowa won a game while scoring less than 50 points for the first time since Nov. 30, 2005 when the Hawkeyes defeated North Carolina State, also in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
  • The 36 points scored by Michigan State in Iowa’s 43-36 win are the fewest scored by an Iowa opponent since the Hawkeyes defeated Penn State 65-38 in Iowa City on March 1, 2006. The last time an Iowa opponent scored less than 36 points occurred Dec. 4, 1992 when Iowa defeated Texas-Pan American, 85-29.
  • In scoring 36 points in a loss at Iowa on Jan. 12, Michigan State was held to its lowest scoring output in 13 seasons under Coach Tom Izzo.
  • The 36 points scored by Michigan State tie for the second lowest total an opponent has scored against a Todd Lickliter team in his seven seasons as a college head coach. Butler allowed 34 points to Birmingham Southern in a 70-34 win on Dec. 1, 2001 and the Bulldogs defeated Detroit 56-36 Feb. 24, 2007.
  • Iowa is allowing just 58.1 points per game, as seven opponents have been held to 50 points or less and only seven have scored over 60.
  • Iowa opponents are shooting 39.6% from the field as 10 opponents have shot less than 40%.
  • Iowa opponents are shooting 33.1% from three-point range as seven opponents have shot less than 30% from beyond the arc.
  • Iowa holds a +3.1 rebounding advantage while collecting more rebounds than the opponent in 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.
  • Junior guard Tony Freeman is averaging 16.6 points in nine games and senior guard Justin Johnson is averaging 13.4. Freeman is averaging 22.5 points over the last four games, scoring 19 or more in each outing. Johnson has scored 19 or more points in six games and has scored 21 or more points in four games, with a career-best 29 against Indiana.
  • Senior forward Kurt Looby leads Iowa in rebounding (6.3), field goal percentage (.683) 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 59 three-point field goals, shooting 35.8% from behind the arc. He connected on six straight three-point shots in the final two minutes against Indiana, and even converted one of the attempts into a four-point play after being fouled. Johnson made 8-13 three-point attempts against Indiana while scoring a career-best 29 points, 19 of those in the final two minutes. He made his first two three-point shots at Wisconsin, giving him eight straight over two games before his first miss against the Badgers. The eight three-pointers against Indiana are the third most in a single game in Iowa history. Chris Kingsbury twice had nine treys during the 1994-95 season. Johnson’s eight treys are the most by a Hawkeye in a Big Ten game and tie for ninth place in the Big Ten Conference. Johnson also made seven treys in two games (Idaho State and Eastern Illinois) this season. Johnson set a Hawkeye Challenge record with 13 three-point baskets in two games. He had 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 is averaging 13.4 points and five rebounds per game. He ranks second in the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game (3.1) and is second in minutes played (35.1).

FREEMAN HITS SCORING BEST
Junior guard Tony Freeman scored a career-high 28 points in Iowa’s most recent win at Michigan, hitting a career-best six three-point field goals and adding 6-9 free throws. He has scored 19 or more points in four straight outings, averaging 22.5 per game. Freeman suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during Iowa’s exhibition win over Simpson College Nov. 1. He saw his first action of the season in Iowa’s 62-55 win at Northern Iowa (Dec. 5). Freeman played 24 minutes against Northern Iowa, collecting 15 points, three assists and one rebound. After missing the Iowa State game, he 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 win over Southeastern Louisiana and added 12 points and nine assists against Indiana. Freeman scored 21 points in Iowa’s loss at Ohio State and added 22 and four steals in the win over Michigan State. He is averaging 16.6 points and 3.3 assists in nine games.

TATE STEPPING UP
Junior Cyrus Tate has improved his numbers while stepping in and playing more minutes due to Jarryd Cole’s injury. He reached career high marks in Iowa’s win at Michigan with 21 points (8-10 FGs) and 11 rebounds. The double-double is the second of his career, as he had 11 points and 10 rebounds a year ago in a win over Purdue. Tate has started Iowa’s six Big Ten games, averaging 11 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 71.9% from the field. He leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage for league games only. Tate had 10 points at Ohio State and 10 points and five rebounds against Purdue. He led Iowa with eight rebounds at Wisconsin, seven against Indiana and six at Ohio State. He collected nine points and seven rebounds in the win over Michigan State and for the season is averaging 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds.

LOOBY IN THE PAINT
Kurt Looby has played well in the paint during his senior season. Looby is averaging a team-best 6.4 rebounds and is scoring 5.2 points a game while shooting 68.3% (43-63) from the field. Looby, who had a career-best 12 rebounds against Louisiana-Monroe, also leads Iowa with 33 blocked shots. Looby has 86 career blocks, moving into Iowa’s career top 10. He matched his career-high for the sixth time with six blocked shots against Purdue. His 86 blocks are the most by any two-year player at Iowa. Looby 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 and had nine points and eight rebounds in a win over Michigan State. Looby ranks fourth in the Big Ten in blocked shots and 13th in rebounds.

GORNEY GETS REBOUND BEST
Senior Seth Gorney led Iowa’s rebounding efforts in the win at Michigan with a career-best 12 rebounds. He added four points and two assists in the road win and for the season is averaging 3.2 points and 4.6 rebounds. Gorney’s numbers have improved in conference action, where he is averaging 3.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. He had a season-best 10 points against Purdue.

KELLY SHARING THE BALL
Freshman guard Jake Kelly moved into the starting line-up in Iowa’s last 12 games and led the team in assists four times. He played just five minutes against Indiana after suffering an ankle injury in the opening minutes of the game, but he was back in the starting line-up the last five games. He scored 12 points in the loss to Purdue and added six points, including two free throws in the final minutes, in the win at Michigan. He scored 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 6.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and two assists per game.

PETERSON STEPS RIGHT IN
Freshman guard Jeff Peterson has started 12 games and ranks third 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 contributed six points and four assists vs. Indiana and had eight points at Wisconsin. Peterson matched his career-high with nine assists in the win at Michigan and added a pair of key free throws in the closing minutes. He is averaging 5.5points and 3.4 assists per game, while leading the team with 16 steals.

COLE HAD 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 averaged 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 66.7% from the field in 13 games. He will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn left ACL in a win over Southeastern Louisiana.

HAWKEYES FEATURE YOUNG LINE-UP
Iowa’s starting line-up in four games included freshmen Jarryd Cole, Jeff Peterson and Jake Kelly. Cole is now out of action for the remainder of the season due to injury. Kelly has started 12 games and Peterson 11. 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.

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.

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 12 home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 4.7 margin, shooting 42.3% from the field while holding its opponent to 37.4% shooting. Iowa holds a 35.0-31.9 rebounding advantage. In seven games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (including two neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 65.1-56.3 The Hawkeyes are shooting 41.7% from the field while opponents are shooting 43.3%. Iowa holds a 33.9-30.7 rebounding margin.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 16.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, compared to 13.6 points and 8.4 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 7-6 when the reserves outscore the opponent’s reserves and 2-4 when the opponent reserves score more points. Iowa is 5-5 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves, 4-4 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 525-486 in the first half and holds a 600-562 advantage in the second half. The Hawkeyes have been outscored 17-12 in their only overtime period. Iowa has led at halftime in nine games and has outscored its opponent in the second half in 10 games. The first half scoring was even in the loss to Indiana and 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 five games, with a season-best 88.9% (8-9) at Northern Iowa. Iowa has posted a 4-2 record when shooting at least 70% from the free throw line.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa is 43-92 (.597) from the free throw line in the final four minutes of its 10 games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 39-61 (.639) free throw attempts in the final four minutes. Those figures include all free throw attempts in Iowa’s single overtime game. Iowa is 4-6 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, 0-1 when scoring between 70-80 points, 4-3 when scoring between 60-70 points and 5-6 when scoring less than 60 points.
  • Iowa is 8-3 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 1-4 when holding its opponent between 60-70 points and 0-3 when the opponent scores over 70 points.
  • Iowa is 5-5 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 4-5 when the opponent has more assists and 0-0 when assists were even.
  • Iowa is 3-0 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 6-9 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 0-1 when turnovers are equal.
  • Iowa is 4-0 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 5-9 when the opponent had more steals and 0-1 when steals are equal.
  • Iowa is 0-0 when five reach double figures, 1-1 when four reach double figures; 1-2 when three score in double figures, 5-3 when two players score in double figures and 2-4 when one scores in double figures.
  • Iowa is 8-1 when leading at halftime, 1-8 when trailing at intermission and 0-1 when tied at halftime.
  • Iowa is 7-6 when controlling the opening tip and 2-4 when not controlling the tip.
  • Iowa is 4-6 in games decided by 10 points or less, including a 0-4 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.

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, 2007 when second-ranked Wisconsin won in Iowa City. Following the loss to Wisconsin the Hawkeyes concluded the 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. Iowa’s record for consecutive home wins in league play is 14 straight. That mark was set during the 1980-81 and 1981-82 seasons when home games were played at the Iowa Field House.

IOWA 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 appeared on 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 appeared 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 1,447) 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 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. Home game remain against Penn State (Jan. 26), Ohio State (Feb. 2), Wisconsin (Feb. 6), Michigan (Feb. 14), Northwestern (Feb. 19) and Illinois (Mar. 1 or 2).

TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2007-08

  • 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 remaining games vs. 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 are currently on sale. 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.

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 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. 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25; and Mar. 3 and 10.

HAWKEYES BACK ON THE ROAD
Iowa returns home to host Penn State Saturday, Jan. 26 (5:05 p.m., BTN) before traveling to Purdue, Wednesday, Jan. 30 (6:05 p.m. CT, BTN).

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