Hawkeyes Return to Action at Boston College

Dec. 1, 2008

• Tickets for Big Ten home games now on sale
• Iowa and the Big Ten Network

Complete Release in PDF Format

THE SETTING
Iowa (6-1) travels to Boston College (4-2) Tuesday, Dec. 1 to take part in the 2008 ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Game time is 6:05 p.m. CT at the Silvio O. Conte forum (8,606). Iowa defeated Kansas State 65-63 in the consolation championship of the Las Vegas Invitational Saturday night in its latest outing. The Hawkeyes fell to West Virginia (68-87) in the semi-finals. Boston College defeated Alabama-Birmingham 83-77 last Friday in the consolation championship of the pre-season NIT.

ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. The network includes more than 40 stations that blanket the state of Iowa and include portions of Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, along with color commentator Bob Hansen. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pre-game show.
Television: ESPNU will televise the game to a national cable audience. Clay Matvick, Ron Perry and Andy Katz will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,446 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,456-990 (.595). That includes a 916-316 (.744) record in home games, a 540-674 (.445) record in games away from Iowa City, a 690-677 (.504) mark in Big Ten games and a 322-90 (.782) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 322-90 (.782) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 151-73 (.674) in Big Ten games and 171-17 (.910) in non-Big Ten games.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 46 of its last 56 games (.821) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) over the last three-plus seasons, including win streaks of 21 straight overall and 12 straight Big Ten Conference wins. Iowa has won 10 of its last 13 home games against ranked opponents. Iowa was a perfect 17-0 at home in 2006 and 14-2 in 2007 before posting a 10-8 home record a year ago. Iowa has compiled a 19-6 Big Ten Conference record in that time.

IOWA COACH Todd Lickliter
Todd Lickliter is in his second season as the head basketball coach at the University of Iowa and his eighth year overall as a college head coach. Lickliter spent six seasons (2001-07) as the head coach at Butler University. Lickliter holds a career mark of 150-81 (.649), including a 19-20 (.487) record at Iowa. Lickliter posted a 131-61 (.682) record as Butler’s head coach. 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 Boston College or Eagle Coach Al Skinner.

BC COACH AL SKINNER
Al Skinner is in his 21st season as a college head coach and his 12th season at Boston College. Skinner has posted a 214-139 record with the Eagles and his career mark stands at 352-265. Skinner posted a record of 138-126 in nine season at Rhode Island. Skinner was the 2000-01 National Coach of the Year and twice earned Coach of the Year honors in the Big East Conference before Boston College became a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Skinner enjoyed an outstanding playing career at Massachusetts and played in the NBA for several seasons before beginning his coaching career. He is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame at both UMass and Rhode Island Skinner has not coached against Iowa or Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.

IOWA IN ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE
Iowa has posted a 2-5 record in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge after dropping a 56-47 decision to Wake Forest last season in Iowa City. Iowa lost to Maryland, in Baltimore, in 2000, defeated Georgia Tech in 2001 in Iowa City, lost at Florida State in 2003 and lost to Duke, in Chicago, in 2002. Iowa did not take part in the event in 2003-04 and 2004-05. Boston College has posted a 2-0 record in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Eagles defeated Michigan State 65-58 in Boston on Nov. 29, 2006 and defeated Michigan 77-64 in Ann Arbor on Nov. 28, 2007.

THE SERIES
Boston College won the only previous meeting between the two programs, claiming an 86-81 victory in the consolation round of the Far West Classic on Dec. 30, 1974.

IOWA, BC NOTES

• Iowa holds an all-time record of 11-20 vs. the Atlantic Coast Conference, having played all current members at least once, with the exception of Miami, FL.
• Boston College is 20-17 all-time against members of the Big Ten Conference, having played all but Illinois and Minnesota.
• Boston College will be facing its second team from the Big Ten Conference. The Eagles dropped a 71-64 decision to Purdue on Nov. 26 in New York as part of the pre-season NIT.
• Iowa and Boston College played two common opponents last season, Michigan and Wake Forest. Iowa won one of three meetings with Michigan, winning in Ann Arbor. Boston College also won at Michigan, as part of the 2007 Challenge. Wake Forest defeated Iowa in Iowa City, while Boston College defeated Wake Forest in Boston.
• Tom Davis is Iowa’s all-time winningest coach, posting a record of 269-140 as the Hawkeye head coach from 1987-99. Davis also served as the head coach at Boston College, posting a 100-47 record from 1977-82.

PILING ON THE MILES
Iowa is currently in the midst of a 13-day period that has the Hawkeyes playing in South Carolina (70-48 win at The Citadel), Las Vegas (split with West Virginia and Kansas State) and Boston. Iowa traveled to Charleston (1,097 miles) Nov. 20, traveled to Las Vegas (1,535) for the Las Vegas Invitational (Nov. 28-29) and plays at Boston College (1,188) Dec. 1 as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. During the 13-day stretch the Hawkeyes will travel roughly 7,640 miles to play four games, along with hosting games in Iowa City on Nov. 23 (Oakland) and Nov. 25 (SE Missouri State).

IOWA HOLDS OFF KANSAS STATE
Iowa forward Cyrus Tate scored from just on front of the basket just before the final horn sounded to lift Iowa to a 65-63 win over Kansas State in the consolation championship of the Las Vegas Invitational, earning Coach Todd Lickliter career win No. 150. Tate’s basket came after Iowa had rushed the ball up the court following a tip-in by Kansas State that had tied the score with seven seconds remaining. Jake Kelly found Tate near the basket for the game winner, which replays showed took place with less than one second remaining. The Wildcats had rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit, taking their first lead of the game (53-52) with 5:12 remaining. The lead changed hands eight times and the game was tied five times in the final five minutes, with neither team leading by more than two points. Tate’s free throw gave Iowa a 61-59 advantage with 1:52 left. Kansas State tied the score on a pair of free throws with 31 seconds to play. Kelly hit a jumper to give Iowa a 63-61 advantage before Kansas State knotted the score for the final time on a rebound basket. Along with the assist on Iowa’s final basket Kelly also added a pair of steals in the final two minutes. Iowa got off to a good start in the first half, leading by as many as 13 points in the opening period before settling for a 36-25 halftime advantage. The Hawkeyes shot 41.7% from the field in the first half, including 54.5% (6-11) from three-point range. For the game Iowa shot just 36.4% from the field, but the Hawkeyes hit 26-37 (70.3%) free throws and were guilty of just 11 turnovers. Jeff Peterson led Iowa with 18 points (11-12 free throws) and six assists, as he was named to the all-tournament team. Tate added 10 points and joined Anthony Tucker and Aaron Fuller with seven rebounds.

BOSTCON COLLEGE TOPS UAB
Boston College concluded action in the pre-season NIT with an 83-77 win over Alabama-Birmingham in the consolation championship at Madison Square Garden. The Eagles got off to a slow start, shooting just 36.7% from the field in the opening 20 minutes and trailing 37-29 at halftime. That changed in the second half as Boston College shot 66.7% from the field and 63.6% (7-11) from three point range in holding a 54-40 scoring advantage over the final 20 minutes. For the game Boston College shot 50.9% from the field and made 0-20 (45%) three-point shots, compared to the 41.8% field goal percentage for Alabama-Birmingham. Guard Tyrese Rice led Boston College’s balanced scoring with 24 points, as he hit 7-9 field goals, 5-5 three-pointers and 5-6 free throws. Rakim Sanders added 16 points, Joe Trapani scored 12 and Reggie Jackson 11. Center Josh Southern led the Eagles with 10 rebounds and Trapani added seven rebounds and four assists.

NO TREYS FOR OPPONENT
Iowa held Southeast Missouri State without a three-point basket in a 75-41 win, as the Redhawks missed all 11 attempts from behind the arc. SE Missouri State became the first Iowa opponent in 125 games not to make at least one trey. The last time that happened was Dec. 10, 2004 when Iowa State missed all six three-point attempts in Iowa’s 70-63 win in Iowa City. In Iowa’s most recent outing the Hawkeyes allowed Kansas State just three treys in seven attempts.

IOWA SHOOTING IS ON TARGET
Iowa is shooting 49.8% from the field, second best among Big Ten Conference teams. The Hawkeyes have made over 50% of their field goal attempts in four games, with a best of 57.1% in the win over Texas-San Antonio. Iowa is also shooting 41.7% from three-point range, with a best of 52% (13-25) in the win at The Citadel. Iowa has made 13 three-point field goals in two games (13-30 vs. SE MO State and 13-25 at The Citadel). The 13 three-point field goals ties as the eighth most by an Iowa team in a single game. The Iowa record is 15, on two occasions. A year ago Iowa shot as well as 50% from the field in just four of 32 games, with a best of 57.5% at Penn State.

HAWKEYES FROM THE LINE
Iowa made 20-22 free throw attempts (90.9%) in a win over Texas-San Antonio, including 6-7 in the first half and 14-15 in the second half. Iowa made its last 14 attempts over the final 13 minutes of the game. The streak ended when the Hawkeyes missed their first free throw attempt at The Citadel. Iowa is shooting 71.3% from the line through seven games after shooting 70.3% (26-37) in the win over Kansas State. Iowa hit 16-22 (72.7%) free throws in the second half against the Wildcats. The 90.9% shooting from the line is the best for an Iowa team since Nov. 19, 2004 when the Hawkeyes established a school record by hitting all 20 of their free throw attempts in a win over Western Illinois. Jermain Davis led Iowa vs. UTSA, making all 10 of his attempts. He becomes the 24th Iowa player ever to shoot 100% from the free throw line in a game, with a minimum of 10 attempts. Davis is the seventh player (sixth Hawkeye) to make as many as 10 free throws in a game without a miss, in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Jake Kelly added 9-10 free throws in the loss to West Virginia and Jeff Peterson made 11-12 free throws in the win over Kansas State.

IOWA SOLID ON DEFENSE
Iowa has been solid on defense through its first seven games. The Hawkeyes are allowing just 58.7 points per game, holding three opponents to less than 50 points. Iowa opponents are shooting 42.2% from the field and 35.1% from three-point range. Iowa ranked fifth in the nation in scoring defense last season (58.0) and held opponents under 50 points in nine games. Iowa opponents shot 40.4% from the field.

BALANCED SCORING LEADS IOWA
Iowa has used a balanced scoring attack in its six wins, with at least three players scoring in double figures in four games and four reaching 10 points or more in the 73-67 win over Texas-San Antonio. Four different Hawkeyes have led the team in scoring and five are averaging more than eight points per game. Senior Cyrus Tate is shooting 71.9% from the field. He shot 66.7% from the field last season, including 70.2% in Big Ten games. Freshman Anthony Tucker led Iowa with 21 points in the win at The Citadel, as he hit 7-11 three-point shots. Tucker hit 8-12 field goals, including 6-9 three-pointers, in scoring 24 points in the loss to West Virginia. Tucker added 19 points vs. Oakland and 14 vs. SE Missouri State. Tucker is shooting 46.3% from the field and 44.5% from three-point range. The seven three-pointers by Tucker at The Citadel match the fifth best total in school history. Chris Kingsbury twice made nine treys, while Justin Johnson had eight three-pointers in two games.

HAWKEYE GAMES NOTES

• Iowa is 5-0 when controlling the opening tip and 1-1 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa had four players score in double figures in a win over Texas San Antonio and three players reach double figures vs. Charleston Southern, The Citadel, Oakland and West Virginia. Iowa is 1-0 when four players reach double figures, 3-1 when three score in double figures and 2-0 when two score 10 or more points. In 32 games last season, Iowa had more than three players score in double figures just four times.
• Iowa was guilty of six turnovers in the win at The Citadel, none by any of the Hawkeye guards. The six turnovers are a low for the Hawkeyes in 36 games under Coach Todd Lickliter. Iowa had seven in wins over Charleston Southern and SE Missouri State, matching the season low of last season (vs. Utah State), but were guilty of 19 turnovers against Texas-San Antonio, 16 vs. Oakland and 21 vs. West Virginia, (including 17 in the first half). The Hawkeyes had less than 10 turnovers in just two of 32 games a year ago and had 20 or more turnovers in seven games.
• Iowa is 3-0 when scoring between 70-80 points and 3-1 when scoring between 60-70 points.
• Iowa is 3-0 when holding its opponent to less than 50 points, 1-0 when the opponent scores between 50-60 points, 2-0 when the opponent scores between 60-70 points and 0-1 when the opponent scores over 80 points.
• Iowa is 6-0 when collecting more assists than the opponent and 0-1 when the opponent has more assists.
• Iowa is 4-0 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent and 2-1 when the opponent has fewer turnovers.
• Iowa is 4-0 when collecting more steals than its opponent and 2-1 when the opponent has more steals. Iowa allowed The Citadel no steals in taking the 70-48 road win.
• Iowa is 6-0 when leading at halftime and 0-1 when trailing at halftime.
• Iowa is 3-0 in games decided by 10 points or less, including 1-0 in its only game decided by less than five points.

HAWKEYE PLAYER NOTES

• Along with scoring the game winning basket vs. Kansas State, Cyrus Tate ended the game with 10 points and seven rebounds, just one night after failing to score in a loss to West Virginia.
• Jeff Peterson led Iowa with six assists against Kansas State, moving into the team lead in that department. Peterson led Iowa in assists last season as a true freshman. Peterson also made 11-12 free throw attempts against the Wildcats.
• Anthony Tucker, a true freshman scored in double figures in Iowa’s first six games before scoring just three points in the win over Kansas State. Tucker leads Iowa in scoring at 15.1 per game.
• True freshman Aaron Fuller had a season-best seven rebounds and seven points against Kansas State.
• True Freshman Matt Gatens has scored in double figures in four games, ranks second on the team in assists (26) and has missed just one free throw (13-14, 92.9%).

VALUABLE POSSESSIONS
Iowa is averaging 13.9 assists and 12.4 turnovers per game through seven games. Through seven games last season those averages were 13.3 assists and 17 turnovers per game.

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,457) 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.

HAWKEYES FEATURE YOUNG LINE-UP
Iowa’s starting line-up in all seven games has included three true freshmen, including forward Aaron Fuller and guards Matt Gatens and Anthony Tucker. Iowa’s starting line-up in four games last season included freshmen Jarryd Cole, Jeff Peterson and Jake Kelly. Cole later missed the final 19 games due to injury. Kelly started 25 games and Peterson 11. The three combined for 42 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.

NEWCOMERS CONTRIBUTE
With seven new players on a 13-man roster, Iowa will rely on newcomers throughout the year. In the opening win over Charleston Southern, Iowa newcomers contributed 37 of 68 points, 12 of 32 rebounds, eight of 14 assists and two of three steals, while playing 118 of the 200 minutes. Three newcomers, all freshmen, were part of the starting line-up. The Hawkeyes newcomers have scored 40 or more points in four games, with a high of 48 vs. Texas-San Antonio. The first-year Hawkeyes had a season-best 23 rebounds in a win over SE Missouri State. Freshman Matt Gatens led the newcomers with 15 points in the opening game and freshman Anthony Tucker has led Iowa’s scoring in three games. Gatens’ total matches the most points scored by a freshman in their first game since Jeff Horner had 15 points in the first game of the 2002-03 season. Tucker scored 24 points vs. West Virginia, 21 points at The Citadel and 19 vs. Oakland while leading Iowa in scoring at 17.2 points per game. Gatens is averaging 9.4 points and 3.7 assists.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its four home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 17.3 margin, shooting 52.4% from the field while holding its opponent to 36.1% shooting. Iowa holds a 33.0-27.8 rebounding advantage. In three games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa has outscored its opponents 67.7-66.0. The Hawkeyes are shooting 46.2% from the field while the opponents are shooting 51.1%. The opponents hold a 30.3-27.7 rebounding margin.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 19.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, compared to 13.3 points and 8.9 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 4-1 when the reserves outscore the opponent reserves and 2-0 when the opponent reserves score more points. Iowa is 4-0 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves and 2-1 when the opponent reserves have more rebounds.

OVERCOMING DEFICITS
The biggest deficit Iowa has overcome to earn a victory this season is seven points. In the season opening contest, Iowa trailed 7-0 before taking a 68-48 win over Charleston Southern. In Iowa’s one loss, West Virginia trailed by two points (11-9) before earning the win. Last season Iowa rallied from a 14-point deficit in two games, while two opponents defeated Iowa after trailing by 16 points.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has outscored its opponents 231-189 in the first half and 254-222 in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in its six wins and has been outscored by three opponents in the second half.

IOWA FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Iowa made over 70% of its free throws in three games, including 90.9% (20-22) vs. Texas-San Antonio. Iowa made at least 70% of its free throws in 12 games last season, with a season-best 88.9% (8-9) at Northern Iowa. Iowa is 3-0 this season when shooting over 70% from the foul line. Four of Iowa’s opponents have shot less than 60% from the foul line.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa is 23-27 (.852) from the free throw line in the final four minutes of its three games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 6-8 (.750) free throw attempts in the final four minutes. Iowa is 3-0 in games decided by 10 points or less.

IOWA IN TOURNAMENT PLAY
Iowa has fared well while taking part in regular-season tournaments over the past 22 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 ON THE BIG TEN NETWORK
The majority of Iowa games throughout the 2008-09 season can be seen on the Big Ten Network, a national cable television network that now reaches over 70 million homes in its second year. The Big Ten Network is available on Mediacom, which provides cable service to over 400,000 customers throughout Iowa and the Midwest. Iowa games telecast on the Big Ten Network are also available through the nation’s two satellite television companies, DirectTV and Dish Network.

TATE & COLE ARE IOWA CAPTAINS
Senior forward Cyrus Tate and sophomore forward Jarryd Cole will serve as Iowa’s captains in 2008-09. Tate averaged 8.3 points and 5.4 rebounds a year ago while starting 19 of the 31 games he appeared in. Tate shot 66.7% from the field for the season and 70.2% in Big Ten games. He led the conference in field goal percentage and was third in rebounding in conference games. Cole started six of the 13 games he played before a knee injury in Iowa’s final non-conference game forced him to miss the final 19 games. Cole averaged 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds, shooting 66.7% from the field.

LICKLITER TO REDSHIRT
Freshman guard John Lickliter, who joined the Iowa program as a walk-on to play for his father, Coach Todd Lickliter, plans to use the 2008-09 season to redshirt. Lickliter started every game at year ago at Iowa City High, helping the Little Hawks claim the Class 4-A state title.

A YOUNG SQUAD
Iowa’s roster of 13 players includes five freshmen, three sophomores, three juniors and two seniors. The sophomores are Jarryd Cole, Jake Kelly and Jeff Peterson. The freshmen include forward Andrew Brommer (6-9, 235), forward Aaron Fuller (6-6, 210), guard Matt Gatens (6-5, 215), guard John Lickliter (5-11, 175) and guard Anthony Tucker (6-4, 200). In addition, junior guards Devan Bawinkel (6-5, 210) and Jermain Davis (6-4, 200) are both in their first year at Iowa after attending junior colleges a year ago. Along with two players from the state of Iowa, the roster includes two players from Illinois and Indiana, three from Minnesota, two from Missouri and one from Arizona and Tennessee.

HAWKEYE SCHEDULE NOTES

• Along with an opening win over Charleston Southern, Iowa traveled to The Citadel on Nov. 20. Both Charleston Southern and The Citadel are located in Charleston, South Carolina.
• Iowa’s schedule includes 17 home games, including nine Big Ten Conference games and home dates with in-state opponents Northern Iowa and Iowa State. In conference play, Iowa does not play at Illinois, while Minnesota does not visit Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
• Iowa’s Big Ten schedule includes five weekend home dates and four games during the week.
• After playing a number of games a year ago with a start time of 8 p.m., Iowa has just two home games this season that start as late as 7:30 p.m., a non-conference game vs. Bryant University and a Big Ten contest against Wisconsin.
• Iowa’s schedule includes at least three neutral site games, including two games in the Las Vegas Invitational. Iowa defeated Kansas State to split its two games in Las Vegas as the Hawkeyes earned their first neutral site win since a 78-65 win over Toledo on Nov. 17, 2006 at the Paradise Jam.
• Iowa could play between one and four neutral site games while taking part in the Big Ten Conference Tournament in Indianapolis, IN at the end of the season.

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 seven 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, Florida State, Kansas, Maryland, SMU and Tennessee. Four current Big Ten Conference head coaches have earned national Coach of the Year honors.

AMONG SINGLE SEASON BESTS
Iowa made 222 three-point field goals while attempting 640 three-point shots a year ago. Both of those figures rank second best at Iowa for a single season. The Hawkeyes set single season records in 1995 when they made 274 of 743 three-point attempts. Through five games this season, Iowa is averaging 10 made three-point field goals and 24.2 attempts, compared to 6.9 made treys last season on an average of 20 attempts.

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 6 to 7:30 p.m. The dates are Dec. 8, 15, 22; Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; and March 2 and 9.

TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2008-09
Season tickets are available for 2008-09, including general public ($364), UI faculty and staff ($294) and UI students ($80). Single game tickets for non-conference home games are also on sale. Single game tickets cost $22 for weekday games and $27 for weekend games and the Iowa State game. Youth tickets (high school age and younger) priced at $10 each are available for all non-conference games, except the Iowa State game. For additional information on selected ticket packages, visit the UI athletic ticket office in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, contact the ticket office at 1-800-IA-HAWKS or visit the official UI athletic website, www.hawkeyesports.com. 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.

IOWA ON THE TUBE
All remaining games throughout the 2008-09 season are scheduled to be televised. The majority of Iowa games will appear on the Big Ten Network. Iowa games against Boston College, Northern Iowa, Drake and Western Illinois will appear on ESPNU. Big Ten games against Minnesota (home) and Michigan State (away) will appear on ESPN/ESPN2 and all games in the Big Ten post-season tournament will be televised.

AFTER THIS
Iowa travels to Boston, MA at face Boston College Tuesday, Dec. 2 (6 p.m. CT, ESPNU) as part of the 2008 ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Following the contest at Boston College, the Hawkeyes do not play outside the state of Iowa again until beginning Big Ten Conference action at Ohio State on Dec. 31. Iowa returns home to host Bryant University Friday, Dec. 5 (7:30 p.m., BTN). The Hawkeyes then host Northern Iowa Dec. 9 and Iowa State Dec. 12.