Hawkeye Men Travel to Indiana Wednesday

Feb. 2, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

THE SETTING
Iowa (12-10, 2-7) travels to Indiana (5-15, 0-8) Wednesday, Feb. 4 for the second meeting of the season with the Hoosiers. Game time is 5:35 p.m. CT in Assembly Hall (17,357). Iowa defeated Indiana 65-60 Jan. 3 at Iowa City. Iowa dropped a 62-54 decision at Illinois Sunday, while Ohio State won 93-81 at Indiana Saturday.

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

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,462 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,463-999 (.594). That includes a 922-318 (.744) record in home games, a 541-681 (.443) record in games away from Iowa City, a 692-684 (.503) mark in Big Ten games and a 328-92 (.781) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA WILL HOST OHIO STATE MARCH 3
Iowa’s men’s basketball home game against Ohio State will be played Tuesday, March 3. The game will have an 8 p.m. start time and will be televised to a national cable audience on the Big Ten Network. The Hawkeyes host Penn State, Saturday March 7 (1:05 p.m., BTN) in their final regular season contest after hosting the Buckeyes.

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 six 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. He led Iowa with 22 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Indiana.

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 11th nationally in scoring defense (58.8). The Hawkeyes are 17th in free throw percentage (.747) 22nd in three-point field goals per game (8.4) and 29th in three-point field goal percentage (.384).

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 seven of its first nine 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. Iowa lost 71-56 to No. 9/9 Michigan State and 62-54 at No. 19/20 Illinois. 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 10 teams that have defeated Iowa this season are having good results against other teams as well. As of Monday, the teams with wins over Iowa have a combined record of 162-54 (.750), and all have 14 or more wins. Eight of the 10 have been in the national rankings. Five of Iowa’s defeats have been by eight 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 156-90 (.634). He is 25-29 (.463) at Iowa, including 8-19 (.296) 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 3-4 vs. Indiana, 1-2 while at Iowa, and 1-0 vs. Hoosier Coach Tom Crean.

INDIANA COACH TOM CREAN
Tom Crean is in his first year as head coach at Indiana and his 10th year as a college head coach. He served as the head coach at Marquette University for nine seasons (1999-08). His first Hoosier team has posted a 5-15 record and his career mark stands at 195-111. Crean led Marquette to five appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a trip to the 2003 Final Four, while posting a 190-96 mark there. He earned the Coach Clair Bee Award in 2003 and was a finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award. Crean has served as an assistant coach at Michigan State (1989-90 and 1995-99), Western Kentucky (1990-94) and Pittsburgh (1994-95). He was associate head coach and recruiting coordinator his last two seasons at Michigan State. Crean is 0-1 vs. Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.

THE SERIES
Indiana holds a 93-69 advantage in the series that began with an 18-12 Hoosier win in 1909. Iowa has won six of the last nine meetings, including a 65-60 win Jan. 3 at Iowa City. The Hoosiers won both meetings in 2008, 79-76 Jan. 2 in Iowa City and 65-43 Jan. 23 in Bloomington. The teams split games in 2007, each winning at home. Iowa defeated the Hoosiers twice in 2006 and won single meetings in both 2005 and 2004. The Hoosiers won both meetings in 2003. Indiana holds a 54-26 advantage in games played in Bloomington, but the Hawkeyes have won two of the last four. Indiana had won four straight before Iowa’s wins in 2004 and 2006. The Hoosiers have won 11 of the last 14 meetings against Iowa in Assembly Hall. Four of the last seven games in Bloomington have been decided by three points or less, with the Hoosiers winning in one overtime in 2003 and Iowa winning in double overtime in 2004. Iowa leads 41-39 in games played at Iowa City, holding a 16-9 advantage in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Indiana won two straight in Iowa City before the Hawkeyes claimed four of the last five. The two teams have met twice at neutral sites in the Big Ten Tournament, with Iowa winning both, once in Chicago (2001) and once in Indianapolis (2002).

STAY UNTIL THE END
Six of Iowa’s last 12 meetings with Indiana have come down to the final seconds, with two of the four going into overtime. Earlier this season, Iowa held off a late Indiana surge that saw the Hoosiers rally to within two points with 22 seconds remaining before the Hawkeyes converted three free throws to secure the win. Iowa defeated Indiana in the 2002 Big Ten Tournament semi-finals on a last second basket by Luke Recker, and Iowa won in 2004 on a basket by Jeff Horner with one second left in the second overtime. In 2003, a final three-point basket by Indiana’s Bracey Wright was the difference in Indiana’s overtime win at Bloomington, after Iowa had failed to win on a shot in the last seconds of regulation. In 2006, Iowa held off a late Indiana rally in Bloomington and survived when Indiana’s three-point shot at the buzzer was off the mark. In the first meeting in 2008, Iowa’s Justin Johnson scored 19 points in the final two minutes, but the Hoosiers held on for a 79-76 win. Three additional games in the last 10 meetings have been decided by seven points or less.

HAWKEYES WON FIRST MEETING
Iowa used scoring spurts midway through each half and then held off the Hoosiers at the end in recording a 65-60 win Jan. 3 in Iowa City. The score was tied five times and there were six lead changes in the opening 10 minutes. A basket and free throw by Cyrus Tate gave Iowa an 18-15 advantage and the Hawkeyes led the rest of the way. Iowa led by as many as 10 in the closing minutes of the half before Indiana rallied to trail by just six, 33-27, at the break. Iowa then scored the first five points of the second half to increase the advantage to 11 points. The teams played even over the next 12 minutes, with Indiana staying within striking distance and Iowa unable to close the door. The Hoosiers still trailed by 10, 60-50, at the four minute mark before one final rally. Indiana closed to within four points with 1:57 left before Jeff Peterson hit two free throws. The Hoosiers closed to within two points with 22 seconds remaining before Peterson connected on two additional free shots. Andrew Brommer collected a steal in the final seconds and hit one of two free throws with six seconds to play to conclude the scoring. Iowa shot 46.5% from the field and 74.1% from the free throw line, including 55.6% from the field in the opening half. The Hawkeyes held Indiana to 43.2% shooting, including just 37.5% over the final 20 minutes. Tate led the Hawkeyes with 22 points and 11 rebounds, collecting the sixth double-double of his career. He made all six of his field goal attempts and 10-11 free throws. Peterson added 16 points and five assists, Jake Kelly had 10 points and two steals and Jermain Davis contributed nine points and eight rebounds. Nick Williams led Indiana with 14 points, Devan Dumes contributed 12 points and seven rebounds and Tom Pritchard scored 11 points.

IOWA, HOOSIER NOTES

  • Iowa and Indiana rank as two of the younger teams in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have had six different freshmen start games, while three freshmen have been in the Iowa starting line-up. Indiana’s Tom Pritchard and Iowa’s Matt Gatens rank first and second, respectively, among freshmen in scoring and field goal percentage, while Gatens is first in minutes played and Pritchard is second. In three-point percentage, Gatens is first, followed by Indiana’s Matt Roth. In rebounding, Pritchard is first, followed by Indiana’s Nick Williams and Gatens. Gatens is third in assists, behind Indiana’s Daniel Moore and Verdell Jones, III. Roth ranks first in three-point field goals per game and Gatens is second.
  • Three members of the Iowa coaching staff previously coached at Butler University in Indianapolis, including Head Coach Todd Lickliter and assistants Joel Cornette and LaVall Jordan. All three played basketball at Butler and are Butler graduates. Lickliter is a native of Indianapolis. His son, Garrett, is a graduate manager with the Iowa program and his son John is a freshman walk-on for the Hawkeyes who is redshirting this season.
  • Indiana assistant Tim Buckley was an assistant coach at the University of Iowa during the 2006-07 season when the Hawkeyes posted a 17-14 overall record.
  • Indiana assistant Bennie Seltzer was an assistant coach at Oklahoma when the Sooners defeated Todd Lickliter’s Butler team 65-54 in the 2003 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen.
  • Indiana Coach Tom Crean is the son-in-law of Jack Harbaugh, who at one time served as an assistant football coach at Iowa.
  • Iowa’s roster includes two players from Indiana, including senior J.R. Angle (Franklin) and sophomore Jake Kelly (Carmel). Hawkeye freshman John Lickliter also played prep basketball in Indiana prior to moving to Iowa City (Iowa City HS) for his senior season in 2007-08.
  • Iowa’s Jake Kelly and Indiana’s Brett Finkelmeier both played high school basketball at Carmel, IN HS. The pair helped Carmel HS post a 17-7 record in 2005-06. Hoosier freshman Daniel Moore also attended Carmel HS.

ILLINOIS DEFEATS IOWA
Illinois used a hot shooting second half and solid free throw shooting in the final minutes to rally for a 62-54 win over Iowa in Champaign. Iowa outscored the Illini 10-3 over the final nine minutes of the first half to take a 25-22 halftime advantage, as Illinois shot just 35.7% in the first half and made just 1-7 three-point attempts. Illinois made 9-10 field goals to open the second half and gain the advantage, but Iowa trailed by just one, 46-45, with 8:46 remaining after a David Palmer free throw. Illinois built the lead back to seven on four occasions before a three-point basket by Jeff Peterson closed the gap to 58-54 with 20 seconds remaining. Illinois made all eight of its free throw attempts in the final minute to secure the win. Both teams shot 75% from the free throw line, with Illinois hitting 12-16 and Iowa 3-4. The Illini ended the contest shooting 47.9% and held a 35-22 rebounding advantage. The Illini had a 10-5 advantage in points off turnovers. Iowa shot 41.2% for the game, including 33.3% (9-27) from three-point range. The Hawkeyes collected 14 assists on 21 field goals and had just 11 turnovers. Peterson led Iowa with 12 points and six assists and the sophomore point guard played 36 minutes with no turnovers. Matt Gatens and Jarryd Cole each added 10 points, as Cole made all five of his field goal attempts for the second straight game. Jermain Davis led Iowa with six rebounds. Senior forward Cyrus Tate missed his sixth straight game with an ankle injury.

OHIO STATE SURVIVES INDIANA
Ohio State shot 63% from the field, including 76.2% (16-21) in the second half, to survive an outstanding shooting night by Indiana as the Buckeyes won 93-81 Saturday in Bloomington. The Hoosiers made 15-28 (53.6%) three-point shots, including 9-11 shooting by freshman Matt Roth, who scored 29 points in a reserve role. Indiana held a 39-37 halftime advantage, but could not keep up with the Buckeyes in the second half. Ohio State made 7-9 (77.8%) three-point shots in the second half and added 17-21 (81%) free throws. For the game the Buckeyes shot 58.8% (10-17) from three-point range and 83.3% (25-30) from the foul line. Indiana made 9-16 (56.3%) of its three-point shots in the second half, but was just 5-9 (55.6%) from the free throw line. The Hoosiers had 57 field goal attempts, compared to 46 for Ohio State, and had 20 assists. Devan Dumes added 13 points for Indiana and Nick Williams added 11. Williams, Tom Pritchard and Verdell Jones, III each had six rebounds and Jones added six assists.

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 (.488), free throw percentage (.925) and minutes played (32.7), second in scoring (10.9), three-point field goals per game (1.8) and field goal percentage (.469) and third in rebounding (4.2) and assists (2.4).

HAWKEYES FROM THE LINE
Iowa is shooting 74.7% from the free throw line to rank second in the Big Ten and 17th 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. Iowa had a season low in made free throws (three) and free throw attempts (four) in the most recent loss at Illinois. 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 92.5% (49-53) 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 (11th, .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 and nine at Illinois.

IOWA SHOOTING ON TARGET
Iowa is shooting 45.5% from the field through 22 games. Iowa is second in the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game (8.4) and third in three-point percentage (38.4%). Iowa connected on a season-high 14 in a Dec. 31 loss at Ohio State and had nine in losses at Purdue and Illinois. 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 11th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 58.8 points per game. Iowa opponents are shooting 42.7% from the field, including 34.8% 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 earlier in the season, 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 54 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 and Illinois shot 65% (13-20) from the field while scoring 40 points in the second half.

TAKING CARE OF TURNOVERS
During the non-conference portion of the schedule, Iowa averaged 11.5 turnovers in 13 games. In nine Big Ten Conference games, Iowa is averaging 13.9 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.

HAWKEYE GAMES NOTES

  • Iowa is 8-4 when controlling the opening tip and 4-6 when not controlling the tip.
  • Iowa is 3-1 when four players reach double figures, 6-3 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. Iowa had nine in an overtime win over Wisconsin and 11 in a loss at Illinois. 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 1-8 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, 4-5 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, 0-6 when the opponent has more assists and 1-1 when assists are even.
  • Iowa is 8-0 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 2-8 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 2-2 when turnovers are even.
  • Iowa is 9-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 3-8 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 10-3 when leading at halftime and 2-7 when trailing at halftime. Iowa has lost it last two games (at Penn State and at Illinois) in which it led at halftime.
  • Iowa is 5-5 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 six games.
  • Jeff Peterson leads Iowa is assists at 4.3 per game, including 5.2 in Big Ten games. Peterson scored a season-high 18 points in wins over Kansas State and Northern Iowa and is averaging 10.3 points per game. He added 16 points and seven assists in a win over Wisconsin. He is shooting 45.8% 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 15 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 (53) and leads the Big Ten in free throw percentage (92.5%, 49-53) and three-point percentage (.488). 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 22 games, 74 of his 76 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, nine points vs. Michigan State and six rebounds and three assists at Illinois.
  • 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 56 assists and is averaging 9.5 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 five 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 50% from the field, 41.2% from three-point range and 73.9% from the free throw line. In five games as a starter he is averaging 11 points and 5.2 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. Cole added 10 points in the loss at Illinois, again making all of his five field goal attempts. Cole has made 11 straight field goal attempts since a miss at Michigan on Jan. 11 and is shooting 76.9% from the field.

VALUABLE POSSESSIONS
Iowa is averaging 12.5 assists and 12.5 turnovers per game. Through 22 games last season those averages were 12.3 assists and 16.4 turnovers per game.

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 five 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 43 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 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 10 games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including two neutral site games, Iowa has been outscored 64.7-58.1. The Hawkeyes are shooting 42.5% from the field while the opponents are shooting 46.5%. The opponents hold a 31.5-26.2 rebounding margin.

STARTING LINE-UPS
Iowa has used four starting line-ups in its 22 games, including three different line-ups in nine 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 15.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, compared to 13.3 points and 7.5 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 6-5 when the reserves outscore the opponent reserves, 6-4 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, 6-6 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.

IOWA FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Iowa has made over 70% of its free throws in 14 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 9-7 this season when shooting over 70% from the foul line, but just 2-3 when shooting 90% or better. Iowa shot a season-low 44.4% (4-9) in a home loss to Michigan State and had season low marks for made free throws (three) and attempts (four) at Illinois.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa is 53-65 (.815) from the free throw line in the final four minutes and overtime of its 10 games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 32-44 (.727) free throw attempts in the final four minutes. Iowa is 5-5 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 22 games this season, Iowa is averaging 8.4 made three-point field goals and 21.8 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 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.

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 last Sunday’s contest at Illinois. The Hawkeyes play at home each of the next three weekends.
  • After playing a number of games a year ago with a start time of 8 p.m., Iowa’s March 3 contest against Ohio State is the only home game with an 8 p.m. start time this season. Two home games started at 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 172 straight games.

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).

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.

AFTER THIS
Iowa returns home to host Northwestern Saturday, Feb. 7 (5:05 p.m., BTN). Iowa plays at Wisconsin Wednesday, Feb. 11 (7:35 p.m., BTN) and hosts Purdue Saturday, Feb. 14 (3:05 p.m., BTN).