Iowa Travels to Illinois For Sunday Afternoon Contest

Jan. 30, 2009

• Iowa and the Big Ten Network

Complete Release in PDF Format

THE SETTING
Iowa (12-9, 2-6) is back on the road for two straight games, beginning with a contest at No. 19/20 Illinois (17-4, 5-3) Sunday, Feb. 1. Game time is 1:05 p.m. at Assembly Hall (16,618). Iowa dropped a 71-56 decision to No. 9/9 Michigan State Thursday in Iowa City. Three of Iowa’s six conference losses have been by four points or less. Illinois lost 59-36 Thursday evening at Minnesota.

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: The Big Ten Network will carry the game to a national cable audience. In its second year of operation, the Big Ten Network reaches over 70 million homes. The game can also be viewed on DIRECTV (channel 220) and the DISH Network (channel 439). Dave Revsine, Roy Marble and Kendall Gill will call the action.

IN THE RANKINGS
Illinois is ranked 19th this week by the Associated Press and 20th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ poll.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,461 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,463-998 (.594). That includes a 922-318 (.744) record in home games, a 541-680 (.443) record in games away from Iowa City, a 692-683 (.503) mark in Big Ten games and a 328-92 (.781) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

MARBLE ON THE BIG TEN NETWORK
Roy Marble, Iowa’s career scoring leader, will make his debut on the Big Ten Network Sunday when Iowa plays at Illinois. Marble will work the game with Dave Revsine and former Illinois standout Kendall Gill. Marble ended his Iowa career in 1989 with 2,116 points and remains Iowa’s career leader. He is also Iowa’s career leader in field goals, field goal attempts and free throws and he ranks second in free throw attempts and fourth in steals.

TATE OUT WITH INJURY
Senior forward Cyrus Tate suffered an injury with 12:08 left in the first half of the Jan. 8 loss to Minnesota and did not return to action. Tate has not played in Iowa’s last five games. Tate leads Iowa in rebounding (6.3) and is averaging 7.4 points per game. He is shooting 68.3% from the field and 74.4% from the foul line and led Iowa with 22 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Indiana.

TUCKER TO MISS SECOND SEMESTER
Freshman guard Anthony Tucker will miss the second semester due to being ruled ineligible in accordance with Big Ten Conference academic requirements. Tucker (6-4, 200) joined the Iowa program after a prep career at Minnetonka, MN HS. He started eight of the 14 games he played. Tucker averaged 10.4 points and three rebounds per game, shooting 43.8% from the field, including 42.7% from three-point range. Tucker scored a career-high 24 points in a loss to West Virginia and recorded his only double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Southeast Missouri State. He scored in double figures in eight games.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 52 of its last 64 games (.813) 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 15 home games against ranked opponents and is 10-2 at home this season. 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 19-7 Big Ten Conference record in that time.

HAWKEYES WORK OVERTIME
Iowa defeated Wisconsin Jan. 21 at home in its first overtime game of the season. The victory gives Iowa a 47-51 record in all overtime games, including a 38-38 record in single overtime games. Iowa had not played an overtime game since a loss in single overtime to Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 30, 2007. Iowa is 1-1 in overtime under Coach Todd Lickliter, collecting its first overtime win since a 76-72 triple overtime win over Minnesota on Jan. 18, 2006.

IOWA IN NCAA STATS
Iowa ranks fifth nationally in scoring defense (58.7). The Hawkeyes are 14th in three-point field goal percentage (.387), 15th in free throw percentage (.747) and 18th in three-point field goals per game (8.3). Individually, Matt Gatens is seventh in free throw percentage (.922) and Jeff Peterson is 21st (.838). Gatens had made 26 straight free throws, eight shy of Iowa’s school record (34, Chris Street, 1993), before a miss against Wisconsin.

HAWKEYES FEATURE YOUNG SQUAD
Following is statistical information on the youngest teams in Division I basketball, with figures provided by Stats, Inc. Based on a point system that gives one point for freshmen and four points for seniors, Iowa ranks as the 21st youngest team in Division I basketball. Matt Gatens is one of 21 freshmen in Division I basketball who has started every game this season. Iowa is one of 28 Division I teams that has a true freshman as its leading scorer, as Matt Gatens leads with a 10.9 scoring average. Iowa ranks 43rds among Division I schools with freshmen playing 35.8% of all minutes.

WELCOME TO CONFERENCE ACTION
Iowa played five of its first six conference games against teams that were ranked at the start of conference play. Iowa opened conference play with a 68-65 loss at No. 23 Ohio State. Following a 65-60 win over Indiana, Iowa dropped a 52-49 decision to No. 19/22 Minnesota at home and a 64-49 decision at Michigan. Iowa lost 75-53 at No. 19/19 Purdue and defeated Wisconsin 73-69 in overtime. With a 71-56 loss to No. 9/9 Michigan State preceding the contest at No. 19/20 Illinois, seven of Iowa’s first nine conference games are against teams that are ranked, or have been in the rankings. A year ago Iowa began Big Ten play with games against Indiana (11th), Wisconsin (24th), Ohio State (receiving votes) and Michigan State (6th).

HAWKEYES FACE STRONG SCHEDULE
The nine teams that have defeated Iowa this season are having good results against other teams as well. As of Friday, the nine teams with wins over Iowa have a combined record of 140-46 (.753). Seven of those teams have been in the national rankings this season. Four of Iowa’s defeats have been by four points or less, including a two-point decision at Boston College, three-point losses at Ohio State and to Minnesota and a four-point loss at Penn State.

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 156-89 (.637). He is 25-28 (.472) at Iowa, including 8-18 (.308) in Big Ten games. 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 won three games over top 25 opponents (Tennessee, Gonzaga, Maryland) in 2006-07 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 0-1 vs. Illinois and Illini Coach Bruce Weber.

ILLINOIS COACH BRUCE WEBER
Bruce Weber is in his sixth season as the head coach at Illinois, but he was no stranger to Big Ten basketball when he accepted the position. Weber was an assistant coach at Purdue from 1981-98 before taking over as the head coach at Southern Illinois prior to the 1998-99 season. Weber is in his 11th year as a head coach and his career mark stands at 248-105, including a 145-51 record at Illinois and a 103-54 mark in his five seasons at Southern Illinois. Weber also served as an assistant coach for one season at Western Kentucky (under Gene Keady) before his stint at Purdue. Weber guided Illinois to the Big Ten regular season title in his first year at Champaign in 2004. Illinois swept the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles in 2005 while advancing to the NCAA championship game, concluding the year with a 37-2 record. The Fighting Illini reached the championship game of the 2008 Big Ten Tournament. Weber led Southern Illinois to three post-season appearances in his five years, including NCAA Tournament invitations in 2002 and 2003. The Salukis earned Missouri Valley Conference titles in both 2002 and 2003 and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2002. Weber is 7-2 against Iowa and 1-0 vs. Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.

THE SERIES
Illinois holds a 75-66 advantage in the series that began with a 46-36 Iowa win in 1908. The Fighting Illini won the only meeting in 2008, 58-47 in Iowa City, March 1. Illinois won the first meeting in 2007, 74-70 Jan. 10, in Champaign before Iowa won 60-53 March 3 in Iowa City. Iowa won 63-48 in 2006 in Iowa City before Illinois won 71-59 in Champaign. The Fighting Illini won both meetings in 2005 and 2004 and have won 11 of the last 15. The teams met just once in 2002 and 2003, with Illinois winning at home in 2002 and Iowa winning at home in 2003. Prior to 2001-02, Iowa and Illinois had met at least twice in every season since 1974. This season marks the 12th time in the last 15 meetings that Illinois has been ranked in the top 25, including No. 1 for both meetings in 2005. Illinois was ranked in the top 10 at the time of both games in 2006. Illinois holds a 57-14 advantage in games played in Champaign, where it has won seven straight over Iowa and 18 of the last 19 meetings. Iowa’s last win at Assembly Hall came by a 78-72 margin during the 1998-99 season. Iowa holds a 52-18 advantage in games played in Iowa City, including a 17-8 margin in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The teams have never met at a neutral site.

IOWA, ILLINOIS GAME NOTES
Iowa (.747) and Illinois (.726) rank second and third, respectively, in Big Ten free throw accuracy for the season. However, Iowa shot just 44.4% (4-9) and Illinois 57.1% (4-7) in Thursday night losses. Iowa’s roster includes two players from Illinois, junior Devan Bawinkel (Winnebago) and senior Cyrus Tate (Chicago). Iowa junior David Palmer and Illinois sophomore Alex Legion both attended Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, but not at the same time. Illinois is the only team Iowa has not played at least once in the Big Ten Conference post-season tournament. Iowa and Illinois are two of the four Big Ten teams that have won more than one Big Ten Conference Tournament. Iowa claimed the title in 2001 and 2006, and lost in the title game in 2002. Illinois earned the title in 2003 and 2005. The fighting Illini were also in the title game in 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2008.

ILLINOIS WON LAST YEAR
Illinois built an early lead and held off an Iowa rally in taking a 58-47 win over the Hawkeyes in Iowa City last March 1. The Fighting Illini built an 11 point lead late in the first half, but Iowa scored the final five points over the last two minutes of the period, cutting the halftime deficit to 29-23. Illinois maintained its advantage throughout the second half, holding a 43-31 lead with 10 minutes remaining. The Hawkeyes rallied from there, cutting the margin to five points on two occasions, the last at 50-45 with 2:21 to play. Illinois responded with a field goal with 1:48 remaining and added six straight free throws in the final 1:02 to seal the win. Iowa, which enjoyed its best shooting performance of the season three days earlier in a loss at Penn State, shot just 35.9% from the field. Iowa made only 3-16 (18.8%) three-point attempts and shot just 59.3% (16-27) from the free throw line. The Iowa defense held Illinois to 38.8% shooting, but the Fighting Illini shot 84.2% (16-19) from the foul line, won the rebounding battle 26-27 and forced 13 Hawkeye turnovers. Illinois also held an 18-4 advantage in bench scoring. Tony Freeman led Iowa with 21 points, while Jake Kelly added 10. Cyrus Tate contributed eight rebounds and two steals. Shaun Pruitt led Illinois with 18 points and seven rebounds and Trent Meacham added 10 points.

MICHIGAN STATE STOPS IOWA
Michigan State scored the first eight points and never trailed in taking a 71-56 win Thursday night in Iowa City. Iowa trailed by nine in the early going before back-to-back three-point baskets by Matt Gatens closed the deficit to 13-8. The Spartans led by six at the midway point in the half before pulling away to a 38-25 halftime advantage. MSU shot 50% from the field in the first half, compared to 40% for Iowa. Michigan State started the second half with a 12-2 scoring run to open its biggest advantage of the game, 50-28 with 15 minutes remaining. Iowa kept battling, eventually closing the gap to nine points, 61-52, with six minutes remaining following a three-point basket by Jermain Davis. The Spartans responded with five straight points to seal the win. Iowa shot just 42.3% from the field, including 30.8% (8-26) from three-point range. The Hawkeyes also shot just 44.4% (4-9) from the foul line, their lowest percentage of the season. Michigan State ended the game shooting 51.9% from the field, including 55.6% (5-9) from three-point range. The Spartans also held a 35-28 rebounding advantage, scored 14 fast break points and held a 28-22 scoring advantage in the paint. Jeff Peterson led Iowa with 14 points and five assists. Matt Gatens added 13 points, four rebounds and three steals. Iowa’s reserves scored 22 points, with Jarryd Cole scoring a season-high 10 points and David adding nine. Cole led Iowa with eight rebounds and Aaron Fuller had five.

MINNESOTA TOPS ILLINOIS
Minnesota used a solid defensive effort to take a 59-36 win over Illinois Thursday at Minnesota. Illinois shot just 29.4% from the field and no Fighting Illini player scored more than nine points. Illinois made just 2-16 (12.5%) three-point shots and 4-7 (62.5%) free throws. Minnesota built a 22-16 halftime advantage before shooting 48.1% from the field in the second half in outscoring the visitors 37-20. Minnesota held a 44-29 rebounding advantage and a 15-4 scoring advantage from the free throw line. Reserve Dominique Keller led Illinois with nine points. Trent Meacham added seven and Demetri McCamey scored six. Calvin Brock led Illinois with five rebounds.

LICKLITER VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter holds a 7-14 record when coaching against nationally ranked opponents, including a 1-9 mark at Iowa and a 6-5 record in six seasons at Butler. Iowa, this season, dropped a 68-65 contest at No. 23 Ohio State Dec. 31, lost a 52-49 decision to No. 19/22 Minnesota Jan. 8 in Iowa City, was defeated 75-53 Jan. 18 at No. 19/19 Purdue and lost 71-56 to No. 9/9 Michigan State Thursday at home. In 2007-08, Iowa defeated sixth-ranked Michigan State (43-36), while dropping decisions to 11th-ranked Indiana (76-79), 24th-ranked Wisconsin (51-64), seventh-ranked Indiana (43-65), eighth-ranked Wisconsin (54-60) and 17th-ranked Michigan State (52-66). 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.

GATENS AMONG TOP BIG TEN FRESHMEN
Iowa freshman Matt Gatens ranks among Big Ten freshman leaders in several categories. Gatens is first in three-point percentage (.500), free throw percentage (.922), three-point field goals per game (1.8) and minutes played (32.3), second in scoring (10.9) and field goal percentage (.474) and third in rebounding (4.3).

HAWKEYES FROM THE LINE
Iowa is shooting 74.7% from the free throw line to rank second in the Big Ten and 12th in the nation. Iowa was a perfect 8-8 in a win over Northern Iowa and made 20-22 (90.9%) in a win over Texas-San Antonio, including 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 also shot 88.9% (8-9) in a loss at Boston College, 90.9% (10-11) in a loss to Minnesota, 90% (9-10) in a loss at Michigan and 93.8% (15-16) in a loss at Penn State. The perfect performance against Northern Iowa 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. Iowa’s accuracy from the free throw line is led by freshman Matt Gatens, who is shooting 92.2% (47-51) to lead all players in the Big Ten. His percentage would rank third nationally, but he is just under the minimum of 2.5 made per game. Gatens made 26 straight free throws over a 16-game span, from a win over Texas-San Antonio on Nov. 17 to missing his first attempt against Wisconsin on Jan. 21. Jeff Peterson (fifth, .838) and Cyrus Tate (12th, .744) rank among the Big Ten Conference leaders in free throw percentage. Tate shot just 58.5% from the line a year ago. Jermain Davis led Iowa vs. UTSA, making all 10 of his attempts. He is 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 a loss to West Virginia, Peterson made 11-12 free throws in a win over Kansas State and Tate made 10-11 against Indiana.

IOWA HITS 14 TREYS AT OSU
Iowa made 14 three-point baskets in a 68-65 loss at Ohio State to open Big Ten play. The 14 three-point baskets tie as the second highest total in school history. Iowa has made 15 in two games, the most recent against Northwestern on Jan. 3, 1998. Iowa shot an even 50% (14-28) against the Buckeyes. The Hawkeyes made 14 three-point baskets in five games prior to this season. Iowa had a season-low four three-point baskets in the 63-59 loss at Penn State, shooting just 23.5% (4-17) before making eight treys against Michigan State.

IOWA SHOOTING ON TARGET
Iowa is shooting 45.8% from the field through 21 games. Iowa is second in the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game (8.3) and third in three-point percentage (38.7%). Iowa connected on a season-high 14 in a Dec. 31 loss at Ohio State and had nine in a loss at Purdue. Overall, the Hawkeyes have made at least 50% of their field goal attempts in six games. Iowa has single-game bests of 57.1% from the field in a win over Texas-San Antonio and 52% (13-25) from three-point range in a win at The Citadel. Iowa shot 52.3% from the field at Ohio State. Iowa has made 13 three-point field goals in two games (at The Citadel and vs. SE MO State). The 13 three-point field goals ties as the 10th most by an Iowa team in a single game. 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.

IOWA GETS DEFENSIVE
Iowa’s defensive play has been a constant throughout the season, as the Hawkeyes rank ninth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 58.7 points per game. Iowa opponents are shooting 42.4% from the field, including 35% from three-point range. Iowa held Bryant University to just 36 points in a 61-36 win and allowed Northern Iowa just 24 points in the second half of a 65-46 win. The 36 points by Bryant match the fewest allowed by Iowa under Coach Todd Lickliter. Iowa held Michigan State to just 36 points in a 43-36 win over the Spartans last season in Iowa City. Bryant shot just 29.7% from the field, including 33.3% from three-point range. The 14 points scored by Bryant in the first half mark the fewest Iowa has allowed under Lickliter as well. The Hawkeyes have held six opponents to less than 50 points. Iowa held No. 19/22 Minnesota to 52 points and 33.9% shooting from the field in a 52-49 loss. 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.

SOLID IN THE SECOND HALF
Iowa’s defense was solid in the second half in several games, but not as effective in the second half recently. At Boston College, Iowa allowed just seven field goals in the second half of a two-point loss. Iowa held Bryant University to just six field goals and 22 points in the second half in expanding a 26-14 halftime advantage to a 61-36 win. Iowa led Northern Iowa 23-22 at halftime of a 65-46 win, limiting the Panthers to 10 field goals in the final 20 minutes. In a win over Iowa State, the Hawkeyes expanded a 34-32 halftime margin to a 73-57 win. Iowa led by as many as 26 points while holding the Cyclones to 10 field goals and 25 points in the second half. In a loss at Drake, Iowa held the Bulldogs to six field goals and 25 points in the second half. Iowa allowed Western Illinois just 20 points in the second half, as the Leathernecks made just seven field goals (25%) and 1-5 (20%) three-point attempts. In conference play, Purdue scored 46 second half points, the most scored against Iowa in the second half in 53 games under Coach Todd Lickliter. Purdue shot 53.6% overall in the half, including 77.8% from three-point range, and added 90% from the free throw line. In Iowa’s overtime win over Wisconsin, the Badgers shot 51.9% (14-27) in the second half, but just 33.3% (3-9) in the overtime period. Penn State’s rally in Iowa’s 63-59 loss was aided by 51.9% shooting from the field as the Nittany Lions scored 41 points in the second half. Michigan State shot 54.2% in the second half of a 71-56 win in Iowa City.

TAKING CARE OF TURNOVERS
During the non-conference portion of the schedule, Iowa averaged 11.5 turnovers in 13 games. In eight Big Ten Conference games, Iowa is averaging 14.3 turnovers per contest. A year ago, Iowa averaged 17.2 turnovers in its 13 non-conference games before reducing that number to 14.8 during the 18-game conference schedule.

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. Iowa allowed Kansas State just three treys in seven attempts in a 65-63 Hawkeye win. Boston College made just 2-10 three-point attempts in its 57-55 win over Iowa and Western Illinois was 2-7 in its 58-43 loss to the Hawkeyes.

BALANCED SCORING LEADS IOWA
Iowa has featured a balanced scoring attack, with at least three players scoring in double figures in nine games and four reaching 10 points or more in four games. Eight different players have led the team in scoring and four are averaging more than 9.5 points per game. Senior Cyrus Tate is shooting 68.3% from the field, followed by guards Matt Gatens (47.4%) and Jeff Peterson (46.5%). Tate shot 66.7% from the field last season, including 70.2% in Big Ten games.

HAWKEYE GAMES NOTES

• Iowa is 8-3 when controlling the opening tip and 4-6 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 3-1 when four players reach double figures, 6-2 when three score in double figures, 3-3 when two score 10 or more points and 0-2 with just one player in double figures. In 32 games last season, Iowa had more than three players score in double figures just four times.
• Iowa was guilty of five turnovers in a win over Northern Iowa, the fewest for the Hawkeyes under Coach Todd Lickliter. Iowa had six turnovers in a win at The Citadel, seven in wins over Charleston Southern and SE Missouri State and nine in an overtime win over Wisconsin. Iowa was guilty of 19 turnovers against Texas-San Antonio, 16 vs. Oakland and 21 vs. West Virginia, (including 17 in the first half). More recently, Iowa had 17 turnovers vs. Minnesota and Michigan and 19 at Purdue. 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 5-0 when scoring between 70-79 points, 6-2 when scoring between 60-69 points and 1-7 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 6-0 when holding its opponent to less than 50 points, 2-2 when the opponent scores between 50-59 points, 4-4 when the opponent scores between 60-69 points, 0-2 when the opponent scores between 70-79 points and 0-1 when the opponent scores over 80 points.
• Iowa is 11-3 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 0-5 when the opponent has more assists and 1-1 when assists are even.
• Iowa is 8-0 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 2-7 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 2-2 when turnovers are even.
• Iowa is 9-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 3-7 when the opponent has more steals and 0-1 when steals are even. Iowa allowed The Citadel no steals in taking the 70-48 road win.
• Iowa is 10-2 when leading at halftime and 2-7 when trailing at halftime.
• Iowa is 5-4 in games decided by 10 points or less, including 3-4 in games decided by five points or less and 1-0 in overtime.

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. Tate turned in solid defensive performances in wins over Northern Iowa and Iowa State, adding 10 points and eight rebounds against the Cyclones. He leads Iowa in rebounding (6.3) and is scoring 7.4 points per game. He recorded the sixth double-double of his career with 22 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Indiana. He played just eight minutes in the loss to Minnesota due to injury and has not played in Iowa’s last five games.
• Jeff Peterson leads Iowa is assists at 4.2 per game, including 5.1 in Big Ten games. Peterson scored a season-high 18 points in wins over Kansas State and Northern Iowa and is averaging 10.2 points per game. He added 16 points and seven assists in a win over Wisconsin. He is shooting 46.5% from the field and leads the team in free throws (67) and attempts (80), shooting 83.8%. Peterson led Iowa in assists (3.1) last season as a true freshman.
• True freshman Matt Gatens has scored in double figures in 14 games. He recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Western Illinois and added a season-best 22 points in a loss at Ohio State. He ranks third on the team in assists (51) and leads the Big Ten in free throw percentage (92.2%, 47-51) and three-point percentage (.500). He made 26 straight free throws over 16 games before missing his first attempt in a win over Wisconsin.
• Junior Devan Bawinkel had a season-best 15 points in a loss at Ohio State, hitting 5-8 three-pointers. He added 12 points against Boston College and Iowa State, connecting on 4-7 three-pointers at Boston College and 4-5 vs. Iowa State. Through 21 games, 72 of his 74 field goal attempts are three-point attempts. He also has not attempted a free throw and has committed just three turnovers.
• Junior Jermain Davis had his best game against Iowa State, recording season-bests in points (16), rebounds (six), assists (five) and steals (one). Davis had 10 points in the loss at Boston College and added 13 points and eight rebounds in a win over Western Illinois. He had nine points and eight rebounds in a win over Indiana, eight rebounds in a loss to Minnesota and nine points vs. Michigan State.
• Sophomore Jake Kelly, still shaking off the effects of a broken middle finger on his shooting (right) hand, contributed 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in a win over Northern Iowa. He added 13 points in a win over Western Illinois, 11 points at Ohio State and 10 points vs. Indiana. Kelly matched his career-high with 19 points in a loss at Penn State. He leads the team with 24 steals, is second with 55 assists and is averaging 9.6 points. Kelly scored 12 points, all in the last 15 minutes of action, in a win over Wisconsin.
• True freshman Aaron Fuller had a season-best seven rebounds and seven points against Kansas State, and he added seven points in a win over Bryant. Fuller had a career-best 16 points, along with four rebounds, in a loss at Penn State. Fuller started the first eight games and has returned to the starting line-up in Iowa’s last four games.
• Junior forward David Palmer started for the first time in his career at Purdue and responded with 19 points and eight rebounds. He added 21 points (8-12 FG’s) and seven rebounds in a win over Wisconsin and had eight rebounds and six points at Penn State. He is shooting 48.8% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 76.2% from the free throw line. In four games as a starter he is averaging 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds.
• Sophomore Jarryd Cole had his most productive game of the season against Michigan State, hitting all five of his field goal attempts while scoring 10 points and collecting eight rebounds and two blocked shots.

VALUABLE POSSESSIONS
Iowa is averaging 12.5 assists and 12.6 turnovers per game. Through 21 games last season those averages were 12.5 assists and 16.2 turnovers per game.

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,463) with a 79-46 victory over Texas-San Antonio on Nov. 26, 2005. Iowa ranks 36th on the all-time list for victories and is one of 40 NCAA Division I programs with as many as 1,450 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 its first eight games included three true freshmen, including forward Aaron Fuller and guards Matt Gatens and Anthony Tucker. Iowa then started one senior, one junior, two sophomores and one freshman in seven games before sophomore Jarryd Cole replaced senior Cyrus Tate in the starting line-up at Michigan. In its last four games Iowa’s line-up has included two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior. 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 freshmen this season have earned 41 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 is relying on newcomers this season. Three newcomers, all freshmen, started Iowa’s first eight games. Four of the newcomers have led the team in scoring in at least one game. The Hawkeye newcomers have scored 40 or more points in six 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 and 21 in a win over Western Illinois and a loss at Michigan. Freshman Matt Gatens led the newcomers with 15 points in the opening game and freshman Anthony Tucker has led Iowa’s scoring in five 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. Gatens leads Iowa in scoring at 10.9 points per game.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its 12 home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by an 11.3 point margin, shooting 48.1% from the field while holding its opponent to 39.6% shooting. Iowa holds a 30.8-27.9 rebounding advantage. In nine games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa has been outscored 65.0-58.6. The Hawkeyes are shooting 42.6% from the field while the opponents are shooting 46.3%. The opponents hold a 31.1-26.7 rebounding margin.

STARTING LINE-UPS
Iowa has used four starting line-ups in its 21 games, including three different line-ups in eight conference games. Iowa used five different starting line-ups a year ago, but the same line-up in all 18 Big Ten games.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves are averaging 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, compared to 13.0 points and 7.4 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 6-5 when the reserves outscore the opponent reserves, 6-3 when the opponent reserves score more points and 0-1 when bench scoring is even. Iowa is 6-3 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves, 6-5 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 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. Iowa trailed 22-15 in the first half of a 65-46 win over Northern Iowa and the Hawkeyes trailed Wisconsin by seven points with 12 minutes left in the game Jan. 21 before winning in overtime. In Iowa’s losses, Minnesota trailed by 13 points in the first half before earning a 52-49 win. Penn State trailed by 14 points in the second half before winning 63-59. 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 577-567 in the first half, 719-656 in the second half and 13-9 in one overtime period. Iowa has led at halftime in 12 games, and has outscored its opponent in the second half 12 times.

IOWA FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Iowa has made over 70% of its free throws in 13 games, including 100% (8-8) vs. Northern Iowa, 93.8% (15-16) at Penn State, 90.9% (20-22) vs. Texas-San Antonio and Minnesota (10-11), 90% (9-10) at Michigan and 88.9% (8-9) at Boston College. 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 9-6 this season when shooting over 70% from the foul line, but just 2-3 when shooting 90% or better. Iowa made a season-low 44.4% (4-9) in a home loss to Michigan State.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa is 53-65 (.815) from the free throw line in the final four minutes and overtime of its nine games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 24-35 (.686) free throw attempts in the final four minutes. Iowa is 5-4 in games decided by 10 points or less, 3-4 in games decided by five points or less and 1-0 in overtime.

AMONG SINGLE SEASON BESTS
Iowa made 222 three-point field goals while attempting 640 three-point shots a year ago, averaging 6.9 made treys and 20 three-point attempts. 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 21 games this season, Iowa is averaging 8.3 made three-point field goals and 21.5 attempts.

BIG TEN CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
In a continued effort to commemorate the achievements of African-Americans on Big Ten campuses, 22 student-athletes will be recognized on the Big Ten’s Black History Month website. Throughout February, the website will feature stories on current and former student-athletes from each institution. The site can be accessed at www.bigten.org. The distinguished group includes: Illinois’ Willie Williams (men’s track and field) and Jonelle Polk (women’s basketball), Indiana’s Mike Woodson (basketball) and Danielle Carruthers (women’s track and field), Iowa’s Andre Tippett (football) and Tia Jackson (women’s basketball), Michigan’s Scooter Vaughn (hockey) and Tiffany Ofili (women’s track and field), Michigan State’s Charles Thornhill (football) and Lauren Aitch (women’s basketball), Minnesota’s Jim Brewer (men’s basketball) and Corinne Bolder (women’s soccer), Northwestern’s Rohan Gardner (wrestling) and Katrina Savage (women’s tennis), Ohio State’s Michael Redd (men’s basketball) and Tracey Hall (women’s basketball), Penn State’s John Amaechi (men’s basketball) and Nadia Edwards (women’s volleyball), Purdue’s Forest Farmer (football) and Cheryl Flowers (women’s volleyball) and Wisconsin’s Marcus Landry (basketball) and Chavon Robinson (women’s track and field). Iowa’s Tippett will be featured on Monday, Feb. 9 and Jackson will be featured Thursday, Feb. 26. The Black History Month website also features stories on the conference’s first African-American student-athlete – – Moses “Fleetwood” Walker – – and arguably the most famous track and field athlete of all-time in Jesse Owens. The website also includes archived stories on student-athletes previously recognized on the Big Ten’s Black History Month website. In addition, the site features information on the Big Ten’s contributions through the Advisory Commission, the SCORE (Success Comes Out of Reading Everyday) program and the C.D. Henry internship.

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.

BTN CLASSIC GAMES INCLUDES IOWA
The Big Ten Network, for the second straight season, will televise a series of “Greatest Games” of the Big Ten Conference throughout the season. Iowa games featured include an overtime win over Oklahoma in the Sweet 16 of the 1987 NCAA Tournament and a double overtime win at Indiana during the 2003-04 season. The victory over Indiana will air at 7 p.m. CT on Feb. 3 and the win over Oklahoma can be seen at 7 p.m. on Feb. 24. An Iowa loss at Northwestern during the 2004-05 season can be seen again at 11 a.m. CT on Feb. 28.

TATE & COLE ARE IOWA CAPTAINS
Senior forward Cyrus Tate and sophomore forward Jarryd Cole are serving as Iowa’s captains. 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. He has started every game this season and is averaging 7.6 points and 7.5 rebounds. 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. He has played in all 11 games this season.

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.

HAWKEYE SCHEDULE NOTES

• During the non-conference portion of the schedule, Iowa traveled roughly 7,640 miles during a 13-day stretch to play games in Charleston, SC (at The Citadel), Las Vegas (Las Vegas Inv.) and Boston (at Boston College). Iowa also played two home games during that stretch.
• 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. The Iowa schedule includes four straight weekend road games, concluding with Sunday’s contest at Illinois. After playing a number of games a year ago with a start time of 8 p.m., Iowa’s contest against Wisconsin was its second and final home game this season with a start time as late as 7:30 p.m.
• 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.

POST-SEASON OPPONENTS
Fifteen of Iowa’s 31 games during the regular season are against teams that advanced to post-season play last season. That includes 11 games against teams that participated in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa will play eight games against four Big Ten opponents that appeared in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, along with a single game at Drake and games against West Virginia and Kansas State. During the non-conference portion of the schedule Iowa faced teams from the Big East (West Virginia), Atlantic Coast (Boston College), Big 12 (Iowa State and Kansas State) and Missouri Valley (Drake and Northern Iowa) conferences. Iowa, in 2007-08, played 14 of 32 games against teams that advanced to post-season play. That included five teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament (1-8), three opponents who competed in the NIT (1-3) and one opponent who participated in the initial College Basketball Invitational (0-1).

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.

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 171 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.

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 Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; and March 2 and 9.

TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2008-09
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. Single game tickets for Big Ten home games are on sale. Single game tickets cost $22 for weekday games and $27 for weekend games.

Additional ticket packages on sale include the following:

Big Ten Weekend-er ($135) – – includes a ticket to remaining games vs. Northwestern (Feb. 7), Purdue (Feb. 14), Michigan (Feb. 22) and Penn State (Mar. 7).

Youngsters are Hawk Fans, Too ($10) – – Youth tickets available to games vs. Michigan (Feb. 22) and Ohio State (Mar. 3-5).

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.

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE
All-session and single session tickets for the 2009 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 12th annual Big Ten Tournament will be held March 12-15, 2009 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. All session tickets are on sale for $175 or $275, depending on seat location. Orders are limited to 12 all-session tickets. The bracket for the 2009 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, along with information on tickets, travel, lodging, tournament history and more can be found at both www.bigten.org and www.indianasportscorp.com.

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, while the home contest against Ohio State is still to be determined. All games in the Big Ten post-season tournament will be televised by either the Big Ten Network, ESPN or CBS.

AFTER THIS
Iowa travels to Indiana Wednesday, Feb. 4 (5:35 p.m., CT, BTN) before returning home to host Northwestern Saturday, Feb. 7 (5:05 p.m., BTN). Iowa plays at Wisconsin Wednesday, Feb. 11 (7:35 p.m., BTN).