Iowa Men host Penn State Saturday

Jan. 24, 2008

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THE SETTING
Iowa (9-11, 2-5) returns home to host Penn State (10-8, 2-4) Saturday, Jan. 26 as the Hawkeyes play three of their next four games at home. Game time is 5:05 p.m. CT in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa has won two of its last four games, but the Hawkeyes are coming off a 65-43 Wednesday night loss at #7/8 Indiana. Penn State opened Big Ten action with a pair of road wins before losing four straight. The Nittany Lions lost to Purdue 64-42 Wednesday night in State College.

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). Jim Kelly and Rich Zvosec will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,428 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,447-981 (.596). That includes a 909-313 (.744) record in home games, a 538-668 (.446) record in games away from Iowa City, a 686-670 (.506) mark in Big Ten games and a 315-87 (.784) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 315-87 (.784) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 148-70 (.679) in Big Ten games and 167-17 (.908) in non-Big Ten games.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa has played a ranked opponent in four of its seven Big Ten games, 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 No. 7/8 and Wisconsin was No. 24/25.

IOWA OFFERS STUDENT TICKET DEAL
The University of Iowa Athletic Department has introduced a great opportunity for University students to attend the final six home games on the Hawkeye men’s basketball schedule. For just $60 a student may purchase a ticket that includes admission to Hawkeye games against Penn State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan, Northwestern and Illinois. With the purchase of the six-game package, students will also receive a free “Hawkamanics” t-shirt, while supplies last. To purchase tickets, students can do so in person at the UI Athletics Ticket Office, located inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Payment with cash/VISA/MasterCard is acceptable. Students must present a valid UI student ID. One ticket per student, while supplies last.

LICKLITER VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter holds a 7-8 record when coaching against nationally ranked opponents, including a 1-3 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), 24th-ranked Wisconsin (51-64) and seventh-ranked Indiana (65-43). 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 12th in field goal defense (40.2%), and 36th in scoring defense (58.5). Senior guard Justin Johnson ranks 33rd nationally in three-point field goals per game (3.0).

IOWA TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 39 of its 46 games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the start of the 2004-05 season, including win streaks of 21 straight overall wins and 12 straight Big Ten Conference wins. Iowa has won 10 of its last 12 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.

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 Big Ten Conference head coaches have earned national Coach of the Year honors.

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 140-72 (.660) after posting a 131-61 (.682) record as Butler’s head coach and beginning his first season at Iowa with a 9-11 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 Penn State or PSU Coach Ed DeChellis.

PSU COACH ED DECHELLIS
Ed DeChellis is in his fifth season as Penn State’s head coach and his 12th year overall as a college head coach. DeChellis is 52-84 at Penn State and his career mark stands at 157-177. He posted a 105-93 record in seven years as the head coach at East Tennessee State. A Penn State graduate, DeChellis led East Tennessee State to the Southern Conference Tournament championship in 2003, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. East Tennessee State then lost to No. two seed Wake Forest by a 76-73 margin. DeChellis began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Penn State, and later was an assistant coach at Salem College in West Virginia. He returned to Penn State as an assistant coach for 10 seasons before taking over at East Tennessee State. As a PSU assistant, DeChellis helped the Nittany Lions advance to post-season play in four straight seasons (1989-92), while posting an 87-40 record in that time. DeChellis is 1-5 vs. Iowa and has not coached against Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.

DECHELLIS AS AN ASSISTANT
Penn State Coach Ed DeChellis served as a Nittany Lion assistant coach from 1986-96, during the time that Penn State moved from the Atlantic 10 Conference to the Big Ten. During his last two seasons as an assistant there, PSU posted a 42-18 record, advancing to the NIT in 1995 and the NCAA Tournament in 1996. During his time as a Penn State assistant DeChellis helped PSU post a 4-3 record against Iowa.

HAWKEYE, LION NOTES

• When the Hawkeyes won at Penn State in 1997 it marked PSU’s first defeat in the Bryce Jordan Center and ended the longest home court winning streak in the nation at the time.
• Iowa and Penn State have both been hit by season-ending injuries. Iowa freshman forward Jarryd Cole was injured in Iowa’s 13th and final non-conference game and will miss the remainder of the year. Penn State senior Geary Claxton was injured in PSU’s 16th game and will not return. Both players suffered ACL injuries. Claxton was named to the pre-season all-Big Ten team.
• Iowa and Penn State have both used a number of freshmen this season. Iowa’s three true freshmen have combined for 30 starts, although Jarryd Cole is now out for the season due to injury. Penn State has four freshmen who have combined to start 38 games. Two of the Nittany Lions rookies used the 2006-07 season to redshirt.
• Penn State junior Schyler King attended Tyler, TX Junior College, the same junior college that produced Iowa seniors Justin Johnson and Kurt Looby.
• Iowa and Penn State have played three common opponents within the Big Ten. Iowa lost at Wisconsin and the Badgers won at Penn State. Iowa lost at home to Purdue and the Boilermakers won at Penn State. Iowa dropped a pair of games to Indiana, while the Hoosiers defeated Penn State in Bloomington.
• Penn State assistant Kurt Kanaskie is no stranger to the Iowa basketball program, as he served as the head coach at Drake University in Des Moines for seven seasons. He held a 0-7 record vs. Iowa.
• Penn State assistant Dan Earl is a former Nittany Lion player. Earl began his playing career in 1993-94 and ended his career in 1998-99. He missed the 1996-97 season due to a back injury and missed all but five games in 1997-98 due to a knee injury, earning a medical hardship and a sixth season. In the games he played, Earl helped Penn State post a 4-2 record vs. Iowa, including a 67-64 win in Iowa City in the quarter-finals of the 1995 NIT.

THE SERIES
Iowa holds a 19-9 advantage in the series that began with an 82-53 Iowa win in 1955. The Hawkeyes had won seven straight before Penn State won 74-72 near the end of last season in State College. Iowa has won 11 of the last 14, 12 of the last 16 and 14 of the last 19 meetings. The Hawkeyes pulled away in the second half to defeat Penn State 79-63. Iowa won both meetings in 2006 and single games in 2004 and 2005. Three of the 28 meetings in the series have been in post-season action. The first meeting in 1955 was in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Evanston, IL, with Iowa winning 82-53 on its way to the Final Four. Penn State won 67-64 in Iowa City in 1995 in the semi-finals of the NIT, earning a trip to New York. Iowa won in the Big Ten Tournament semi-finals in 2001 and went on to win that event as both teams earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa’s 67-48 win in 1962 took place in the first round of the Quaker City Tournament in Philadelphia, PA. Iowa holds a 10-3 advantage in games played in Iowa City, with all 13 meetings taking place in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes have won eight of the last nine meetings in Iowa City.

THEY SPLIT LAST SEASON
The teams split games last season, with Iowa winning 79-63 in Iowa City Jan. 24 and the Nittany Lions scoring a 74-72 home win Feb. 28. Iowa used a solid second half performance in the win at Iowa City. The Hawkeyes started slow and trailed 25-17 with five minutes remaining in the first half. Iowa started finding its shooting touch from there, using an 11-2 scoring run to close the half and take a 28-27 halftime advantage. The score was tied at 37 five minutes into the second half when Iowa gained control. Adam Haluska hit three free throws, Mike Henderson added a basket and Haluska hit a three-pointer to give Iowa an eight point advantage with 13 minutes remaining. The margin was never closer than five points the rest of the way and Iowa led by as many as 18 in the final minutes. The Hawkeyes shot 65.4% from the field in the second half and 51.9% for the game, including 47.1% from three-point range. Iowa had just eight turnovers, two in the final 20 minutes, but was outrebounded, 44-32. The Hawkeye defense held Penn State to 35% shooting and the Nittany Lions hit on only 6-23 (26.1%) three-point attempts. Haluska led Iowa’s scoring with 24 points, while Tyler Smith added 19 and Henderson scored a season-high 12. Kurt Looby and Seth Gorney each had six rebounds. Geary Claxton led Penn State with 20 points and he had seven rebounds. Jamelle Cornley added 16 points and 11 rebounds.

A slow start proved costly in Iowa’s 74-72 loss at Penn State. The Hawkeyes did not score in the first four minutes and trailed 11-0 in the early going. Iowa closed the deficit to 33-30 at halftime and led at different points late in the game. After PSU led the entire first half, there were five ties and 12 lead changes in the second half. The Hawkeyes took their first lead on a three-point basket by Tony Freeman with just under 18 minutes to play. Neither team led by more than three points until Iowa took a four point advantage (59-55) with just under eight minutes left. Iowa’s biggest lead was 65-60 before the game was tied for the final time at 69-69 with 2:29 to play. Penn State took a 73-69 lead on four straight free throws before Adam Haluska’s three-pointer cut the margin to one with 53 seconds left. Iowa forced a turnover with 22 seconds remaining, but failed to get a shot until Mike Henderson’s three-point attempt was off target with less than one second on the clock. Iowa shot 46.6% from the field, but just 29% from three-point range. The Hawkeyes added 9-11 (81.8%) free throws and 17 assists, but lost the battle of the boards, 32-26. Penn State shot 48.1% from the field, including 55.6% (10-18) from three-point range. Haluska led Iowa with 30 points and eight rebounds. Tyler Smith added 14 points and Freeman collected 11 points, six rebounds and five assists. Cornley led Penn State 20 points and 13 rebounds. Geary Claxton added 18 points and Mike Walker scored 17.

HAWKEYES FALL AT INDIANA
Iowa played well in the early going, but cold shooting in the second half proved costly as the Hawkeyes dropped a 65-43 decision at No. 7/8 Indiana. Iowa scored the first two baskets of the game and was in the game throughout the majority of the first half, trailing just 28-24 with three minutes left. Indiana used a 9-2 run to close the half with a 37-26 advantage. Iowa was never closer than 11 after the Hoosiers opened the second half with a 6-2 run. The Hawkeyes shot 56.3% in the first half and connected on four of their first 10 field goal attempts in the second half. Indiana’s defense gained control from there, as Iowa made just two of its final 18 field goal attempts. Iowa shot 34.1% for the game, including 29.4% 9-17) from three-point range. The Hoosiers were on target most of the night, shooting 59.3% in the first half and 53.2% for the game. Indiana scored 31 points following 20 Iowa turnovers and collected 32 points in the paint. The 20 miscues by the Hawkeyes mark a high in Big Ten games this season. Indiana collected 10 steals and held a 30-28 rebounding advantage. Tony Freeman led Iowa’s scoring with 14 points and Cyrus Tate added eight. Tate and Seth Gorney led Iowa with five rebounds.

PENN STATE FALLS TO PURDUE
Purdue used a strong shooting performance and an aggressive defense to take a 64-42 win at Penn State Wednesday. The Boilermakers started fast, shooting 51.7% in the first half in building a 39-18 advantage at the break. Penn State shot just 31.8% in the opening 20 minutes, including 1-4 from three-point range. The Boilermakers cooled to just 41.7% shooting in the second half, but the Nittany Lions were not able to get back in the game. Penn State had just 39 total field goal attempts as it was guilty of 13 turnovers and lost the battle of the boards, 31-25. Reserve guard Mike Walker led Penn State with 10 points, while Jamelle Cornley added nine points and four rebounds. Jeff Brooks led Penn State with five rebounds.

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, the first time Iowa has won more than two consecutive games there. 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 fourth straight victory over the Wolverines is its longest in the series since a four-game streak in 1980-82.
• 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 58.5 points per game, as seven opponents have been held to 50 points or less and only eight have scored over 60.
• Iowa opponents are shooting 40.2% from the field as 10 opponents have shot less than 40%.
• Iowa opponents are shooting 32.7% from three-point range as eight opponents have shot less than 30% from beyond the arc.
• Iowa holds a +2.9 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 16.3 points in 10 games and senior guard Justin Johnson is averaging 13. Freeman is averaging 20.8 points over the last five games, with a career-best 28 at Michigan. 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 (6.2), field goal percentage (.688) 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 60 three-point field goals, shooting 35.5% from behind the arc. He connected on six straight three-point shots in the final two minutes at home against Indiana, and even converted one of the attempts into a four-point play after being fouled. Johnson made 8-13 three-point attempts in that game 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 points and five rebounds per game. He ranks second in the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game (3.0) and third in minutes played (35.0).

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 is averaging 20.8 points in Iowa’s last five games, scoring 19 or more in four straight games before adding 14 points at Indiana. 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 16.3 points and 3.1 assists in nine games. He leads the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game (3.4) in league games only.

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 seven Big Ten games, averaging 10.6 points and seven rebounds per game, while shooting 70.3% from the field. He leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage for league games only. Tate had eight points and five rebounds at Indiana, 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 6.6 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 6.2 rebounds and is scoring 5.2 points a game while shooting 68.8% (44-64) 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 4.7 rebounds after collecting five rebounds at Indiana. Gorney’s numbers have improved in conference action, where he is averaging 3.4 points and seven 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 13 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 three days later. 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, 2.1 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 5.4 points and 3.3 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. The three have combined for 30 starts. 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 eight games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena (including two neutral site games), Iowa has been outscored 65.1-54.6. The Hawkeyes are shooting 40.8% from the field while opponents are shooting 44.4%. Iowa holds a 33.1-30.6 rebounding margin.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 15.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, compared to 13.3 points and 8.2 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 7-6 when the reserves outscore the opponent’s reserves, 2-4 when the opponent reserves score more points and 0-1 when reserve scoring is even. Iowa is 5-6 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 562-512 in the first half and holds a 617-590 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 5-7 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 8-3 when holding its opponent to less than 60 points, 1-5 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, 4-6 when the opponent has more assists and 0-0 when assists were even.
• Iowa is 3-0 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 6-10 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 0-1 when turnovers are equal.
• Iowa is 4-0 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 5-10 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 2-5 when one scores in double figures.
• Iowa is 8-1 when leading at halftime, 1-9 when trailing at intermission and 0-1 when tied at halftime.
• Iowa is 7-7 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

• UI students may purchase a ticket for Iowa’s final six home games for just $60. Games remain against Penn State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan, Northwestern and Illinois. With the purchase of the six-game package, students will also receive a free “Hawkamanics” t-shirt, while supplies last.
• 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 in 2006-07, while North Carolina won the event in 2007-08. 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 138 straight games.

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.

IOWA INFORMATION ON THE WEB
Iowa basketball information is available on the University of Iowa’s web site, hawkeyesports.com. Once you have entered the web site, you may obtain biographical information on Iowa players and coaches, game notes, game stories and box scores from all games throughout the season, plus team and individual cumulative stats and a pdf version of Iowa’s History and Record book. Members of the media who wish to have this information forwarded via e-mail throughout the season may do so by contacting the Iowa Sports Information office with your e-mail address.

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.

AFTER THIS
Iowa travels to Purdue Wednesday, Jan. 30 (6:05 p.m. CT, BTN). The Hawkeyes host Ohio State Feb. 2 (5:05 p.m., BTN) and Wisconsin Feb 6 (8:05 p.m., BTN).

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