Iowa Basketball Hosts Northwestern Saturday

Feb. 5, 2009

• Iowa and the Big Ten Network

Complete Release in PDF Format

THE SETTING
Iowa (12-11, 2-8) returns home to host Northwestern (13-7, 4-5) Saturday, Feb. 7 for its first weekend home game since Jan. 3. Game time is 5:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa dropped a 68-60 decision at Indiana Wednesday. Northwestern defeated Chicago State 75-63 Wednesday at home for its third straight win.

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 2,463 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,463-1,000 (.594). That includes a 922-318 (.744) record in home games, a 541-682 (.442) record in games away from Iowa City, a 692-685 (.503) mark in Big Ten games and a 328-92 (.781) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 328-92 (.781) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 153-75 (.671) in Big Ten games and 175-17 (.911) in non-Big Ten 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 21-8 Big Ten Conference record in that time.

TICKET DISCOUNT FOR REMAINING HOME GAMES
The University of Iowa is selling reserved seat tickets assigned to seats located behind the baskets of Carver-Hawkeye Arena for $10 to all five remaining home games. The price reflects a $17 savings on tickets for the four games that will be played on Saturday or Sunday, and a $12 savings on tickets for Iowa’s game against Ohio State, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Mar. 3. Tickets can be purchased over the telephone by calling 1-800-IA-HAWKS, online at hawkeyesports.com, and in person at the UI Athletics Ticket Office in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

STUDENTS CAN BRING A FRIEND
All current UI students who purchased either a student season ticket or the five-game “March to March” ticket package will be allowed to bring a friend to each of Iowa’s remaining home games for free. Students can take advantage of this offer by logging on to their season ticket account at hawkeyesports.com and printing a ticket for the game, or games, of their choice. Free pizza will once again be served to the first 200 students to arrive at Carver-Hawkeye Arena for Saturday’s game against Northwestern. The arena will open at 3:30 p.m.

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 seven 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 (59.2). The Hawkeyes are 17th in free throw percentage (.743) 22nd in three-point field goals per game (8.3) and 29th in three-point field goal percentage (.381).

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 an 11.3 scoring average.
• Iowa ranks 43rd among Division I schools with freshmen playing 34.6% 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 11 teams that have defeated Iowa this season are having good results against other teams as well. As of Thursday, the teams with wins over Iowa have a combined record of 171-73 (.701). Eight of the 11 have been in the national rankings. Six 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 156-91 (.632). He is 25-30 (.455) at Iowa, including 8-20 (.286) 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 2-0 vs. Northwestern and Wildcat Coach Bill Carmody.

NORTHWESTERN COACH BILL CARMODY
Bill Carmody is in his ninth season at Northwestern and his 13th year as a college head coach. Carmody holds a career mark of 208-167, which includes a 116-142 mark at Northwestern. Carmody posted a record of 92-25 in four seasons at Princeton University, where he was a member of the basketball staff for a total of 18 seasons. His record in Ivy League games as the head coach at Princeton was 50-6 and Carmody led Princeton to four straight post-season appearances. Carmody was the head coach at Fulton County (NY) Community College for one season, 1975-76, he was an assistant coach at Union College from 1976-80 and he was an assistant at Providence College for one season before joining the staff at Princeton in 1982. Carmody is 6-8 vs. Iowa and 0-2 vs. Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.

THE SERIES
Iowa holds a 106-51 advantage over Northwestern in the series that began with a 24-23 Wildcat win in 1905. The Hawkeyes won both meetings in 2008, 53-51 on Feb. 19 at Iowa City and 67-62 on March 4 at Evanston. While Iowa has won the last three meetings, the teams have split the last eight games. Iowa scored a 66-58 win in Iowa City in the only meeting in 2007. Northwestern rallied for a 51-48 win in Evanston in the only meeting in 2006. Each team won at home during the 2005 season. Iowa has won 23 of the last 30 meetings and four of the last five. Iowa holds a 61-16 advantage in games played in Iowa City, including a 21-2 record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa holds a 43-35 advantage in games played in Evanston, but the Wildcats have won three of the last four (all on last second shots) and five of the last seven home games in the series. Iowa won eight straight games in Welsh-Ryan Arena prior to losses in 2001 and 2002. Iowa won the only neutral site meeting, winning 72-55 at the United Center in the first round of the 2001 Big Ten Tournament.

IOWA WON BOTH LAST SEASON
Iowa won a pair of close decisions over the Wildcats last season, 53-51 at home on Feb. 19 and 67-62 at Evanston on March 4. Iowa rallied from a 14-point deficit in the final 13 minutes to win at Iowa City. Both teams struggled throughout the first half, which ended with Northwestern holding a 17-15 advantage. Iowa was held to its lowest first half scoring total of the season, shooting just 21.1% while committing eight turnovers. The Wildcats started fast in the second half, racing to a 36-22 advantage with 12:25 remaining. The deficit was still 10 when Tony Freeman connected on three straight three-point baskets, cutting the margin to 39-38 with 7:25 to play. A steal and a lay-up by Dan Bohall gave Iowa its first lead of the second half and a basket by Cyrus Tate gave Iowa the lead for good at 42-41 with six minutes remaining. Iowa’s biggest advantage (six points) came with 2:39 to play. Tate added two free throws with two minutes left for a 53-48 advantage before Northwestern’s Craig Moore hit his fourth three-pointer of the half with 1:43 remaining. The Hawkeye defense allowed just 12 points over the final nine minutes, but the Wildcats had a final chance with nine seconds to play following two missed free throws. Following a timeout, Moore’s final three-point attempt was off the mark in the final seconds. The Hawkeyes shot 54.2% from the field and had just two turnovers in the second half. Northwestern shot 38% from the field. Tate scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half. He also had 11 rebounds and added three steals. Freeman scored 14 points and Jake Kelly had 12 points and five assists. Moore led Northwestern with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and he added four assists and three steals. Kevin Coble added 12 points.

Iowa started fast, enjoyed one of its best shooting nights of the season, then held off a late Wildcat rally in taking a 67-62 win at Northwestern to close the regular season. The Hawkeyes scored the first 10 points of the game and led by as many as 17 in the first half before settling for a 33-27 advantage at the break. Iowa shot 54.2% from the field in the opening half, held Northwestern to 39.1% shooting and committed just four turnovers. Iowa scored the first five points of the second half to expand the lead back to 11 and led by 13 (56-43) with eight minutes to play before Northwestern rallied. The Wildcats scored 12 straight points over the next five minutes, pulling to within a point, 56-55 with four minutes to play. A free throw by Cyrus Tate broke the Iowa scoring drought and Tony Freeman hit a three-pointer to give Iowa a 60-56 advantage. Jake Kelly added Iowa’s final three-pointer with 1:27 remaining, but Northwestern closed to within one with 1:10 left. Seth Gorney grabbed a defensive rebound with 50 seconds to play, then added an offense rebound with 14 seconds left, and was fouled. Gorney’s two free throws gave Iowa a 65-62 advantage. After a final Wildcat three-point attempt was off target Gorney again grabbed the rebound with four seconds to play and added two more free throws to secure the win. Iowa shot 55% and matched a season-high with 12 treys. Iowa also shot 52.2% from three-point range and 78.6% from the foul line. Kelly led Iowa’s balanced attack with 18 points. Justin Johnson hit five three-pointers while scoring 17 and Freeman and Tate each added 14. Johnson had seven rebounds and Tate six. Kevin Coble scored 15 points to lead Northwestern and Michael Thompson added 14. Jeremy Nash and Ivan Peljusic each grabbed six rebounds.

IOWA, NORTHWESTERN NOTES

• Iowa’s two victories over Northwestern in 2008 gave the Hawkeyes their first season sweep of Northwestern since the 2002-03 season. Seven of the last eight meetings have been decided by 10 points or less, with five of those decided by five points or less.
• Northwestern is in the midst of playing six of seven games at home. The Wildcats have won three straight home games (Indiana, Wisconsin, Chicago State) and return home after their visit to Iowa City to host Illinois, Michigan and Ohio State. Northwestern closes the season playing four of its final five games on the road, closing the home season Feb. 28 against Iowa.
• The Iowa roster includes two players from Illinois, including senior Cyrus Tate (Chicago) and junior Devan Bawinkel (Winnebago).
• Iowa freshman Aaron Fuller (Mesa) and Northwestern junior Kevin Coble (Scottsdale) both left the Phoenix, AZ area to play Big Ten basketball.
• Along with its 79 games against Northwestern in Welsh-Ryan Arena, Iowa has played four NCAA Tournament games in the facility. Iowa won two games in Evanston to advance to the 1955 Final Four. The following season Iowa advanced to the Final Four in Evanston, losing to San Francisco in its only appearance in the national championship game.
• Iowa and Northwestern have met just once in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa defeated the Wildcats 72-55 in the first round on the way to winning the 2001 tournament title.

CLOSE CALLS AT NORTHWESTERN
Iowa has lost close games in three of its last four visits to Welsh-Ryan Arena. In the only meeting in 2006, Iowa held a 42-34 advantage with just over six minutes to play before Northwestern rallied. A three-point play by Vedran Vukusic with 29 seconds remaining gave Northwestern a 49-48 advantage. Vukusic added two free throws in the final seconds after Iowa had missed a potential game-winning shot. In 2005, the Wildcats scored on a three-point basket as time expired in overtime to take a 75-74 win over Iowa. The Hawkeyes had led by 12 points in the last four minutes and missed a shot at the end of regulation that would have earned the win. In 2004 The Wildcats scored a 51-49 win as Vukusic hit a 17-foot jumper with seven-tenths of a second remaining. Iowa’s Jeff Horner had tied the score with 14 seconds remaining before Vukusic hit the game winner. Iowa stopped the three-game losing streak in Evanston with a 67-62 win in 2008, holding off a late Northwestern rally. Iowa held a comfortable lead most of the game before the Wildcats used a 12-0 scoring run to close within one point. Iowa needed four straight free throws in the final 14 seconds to hold on for the win.

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.

IOWA FALLS AT INDIANA
Indiana held off a late rally by the Hawkeyes in taking a 68-60 win over Iowa in Bloomington to earn a season split. The Hoosiers led by 20 points, 49-29, at the 11:58 mark before Iowa rallied. The Hawkeyes closed to within nine with 7:33 to play before two Indiana baskets pushed the margin back to 13. Aaron Fuller and Devan Bawinkel connected on back-to-back three-point shots to narrow the deficit to six points with 2:40 left. Jarryd Cole added two free throws to make it a three point game and a lay-up by Jeff Peterson left Iowa trailing 63-60 with 44 seconds left. Indiana added one free throw with 36 ticks left on the clock before two turnovers in the final seconds spoiled Iowa’s final chances. Iowa was guilty of 14 turnovers and the Hoosiers turned those mistakes into 20 points. There were eight lead changes in the early going, with a jumper by Peterson giving Iowa its last lead at 16-15 with 7:41 left in the first half. Indiana used an 18-4 scoring run to end the half with a 33-20 advantage. Iowa shot 41.7% from the field, including 30% from three-point range, after making just 1-8 three-point attempts in the first half. Iowa shot 41.7% from three-point range in the second half and connected on 11-13 (84.6%) free throws. The Hoosiers shot 48.9% overall, including 50% in the second half and 53.8% from three-point range for the night. Freshman Matt Gatens led Iowa with 22 points, matching his career high. Gatens scored 21 of his points in the second half and added four rebounds. Peterson added 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. Cole led Iowa with six rebounds as the Hawkeyes held a 32-30 advantage on the glass.

NORTHWESTERN TOPS CHICAGO STATE
Northwestern claimed its third straight victory Wednesday with a 75-63 home win over Chicago State. Northwestern trailed by two in the opening minutes, but quickly gained control and led the rest of the way, opening a 22-point margin midway through the second half. The Wildcats hit 12 three-point shots, including 7-14 (50%) in the second half in which they shot 50% from the field overall. Craig Moore scored 19 points and John Shurna added 18 as the two combined to make 9-17 three-point shots. Kevin Coble added 15 points, six rebounds and six assists. The Wildcats were credited with 24 assists on their 27 made field goals.

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 (.473), free throw percentage (.915) and minutes played (33.0), second in scoring (11.3), three-point field goals per game (1.9) and field goal percentage (.469) and third in rebounding (4.2) and assists (2.3).

HAWKEYES FROM THE LINE

• Iowa is shooting 74.3% from the free throw line to rank second in the Big Ten and 17th in the nation.
• Iowa made all eight free throw attempts in a win over Northern Iowa. 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 connected on 20-22 attempts (90.9%) in a win over Texas-San Antonio, including its last 14 attempts over the final 13 minutes.
• 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.
• Iowa single-game free throw bests also include 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.
• Iowa’s accuracy from the free throw line is led by freshman Matt Gatens, who is shooting 91.5% (54-59) 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.
• Jake Kelly made 9-10 free throws in a loss to West Virginia, Jeff Peterson made 11-12 free throws in a win over Kansas State and Cyrus Tate made 10-11 in a home win over Indiana.

IOWA FROM THREE-POINT RANGE

• Iowa is averaging 8.3 three-point field goals per game and 21.7 attempts per game. Iowa is shooting 38.1% from three-point range overall and 35.2% in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes are third in the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game.
• Overall, 47.3% (499-1054) of Iowa’s field goal attempts have been of the three-point variety.
• Iowa made a season-high 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 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.
• Iowa had a season-low four three-point baskets in a 63-59 loss at Penn State, shooting just 23.5% (4-17). Iowa connected on eight treys against Michigan State and nine in losses at Purdue and Illinois.

IOWA SHOOTING ON TARGET

• Iowa is shooting 45.4% from the field through 23 games.
• 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, its best performance in Big Ten action.
• 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 59.2 points per game.
• Iowa opponents are shooting 42.9% from the field, including 35.5% from three-point range. Iowa’s non-conference opponents shot 32.8% from three-point range, while Big Ten opponents are shooting 35.2%.
• 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’s non-conference opponents averaged 54.6 points and league foes are averaging 65.2 points.
• 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 55 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. Illinois shot 65% (13-20) from the field while scoring 40 points in the second half and Indiana shot 50% in the second half, including 57.1% from three-point range.

TAKING CARE OF TURNOVERS
During the non-conference portion of the schedule, Iowa averaged 11.5 turnovers in 13 games. In 10 Big Ten Conference games, Iowa is averaging 13.9 turnovers. 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.

BALANCED SCORING LEADS IOWA
Iowa has featured a balanced scoring attack, with at least three players scoring in double figures in 10 games and four reaching 10 points or more in four games. Eight different players have led Iowa in scoring and four are averaging more than nine points per game. Senior Cyrus Tate is shooting 68.3% from the field and sophomore Jarryd Cole is shooting 71% in a more limited role. Guards Matt Gatens (46.9%) and Jeff Peterson (46%) and forward David Palmer (49%) are also near 50%. Cole recently had a streak of 12 straight made field goals before his first miss in the loss at Indiana. Tate shot 66.7% from the field last season, including 70.2% to lead all players in Big Ten games only.

HAWKEYE GAMES NOTES

• Iowa is 8-4 when controlling the opening tip and 4-7 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 3-1 when four players reach double figures, 6-3 when three score in double figures, 3-4 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, 6-3 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, 4-6 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, 0-7 when the opponent has more assists and 1-1 when assists are even.
• Iowa is 8-0 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 2-9 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 2-2 when turnovers are even.
• Iowa is 9-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 3-9 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 2-8 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 5-6 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 seven games.
• Jeff Peterson leads Iowa in 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 10.4 points per game. He added 16 points and seven assists in a win over Wisconsin. He is shooting 46% from the field and leads the team in free throws (70) and attempts (85), shooting 82.4%. Peterson led Iowa in assists (3.1) last season as a true freshman.
• True freshman Matt Gatens has scored in double figures in 16 games, with a season-best of 22 in road games at Ohio State and Indiana. He recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Western Illinois. He ranks third on the team in assists (53) and leads the Big Ten in free throw percentage (91.5%, 54-59) and three-point percentage (.473). 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 23 games, 77 of his 80 field goal attempts are three-point attempts. He also has not attempted a free throw and has committed just four 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 eight points and four rebounds at Indiana when returning to the starting line-up.
• 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 25 steals, is second with 61 assists and is averaging 9.2 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 has started 13 of 23 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 49% from the field, 41.2% from three-point range and 72% from the free throw line. In five games as a starter he averaged 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 returned to the starting line-up at Indiana and had seven points and six rebounds. Cole added 10 points in the loss at Illinois, again making all of his five field goal attempts. Cole made 12 straight field goal attempts before a miss at Indiana and is shooting 71% from the field.

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 most recent contest Iowa’s line-up included one freshman, three sophomores and a junior. Iowa’s starting line-up included three freshmen in four games last season, included Jarryd Cole, Jeff Peterson and Jake Kelly. Cole later missed the final 19 games due to injury. Kelly started 25 games and Peterson 11 as the three combined for 42 starts. Iowa freshmen this season have earned 44 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. In Big Ten play, the newcomers had 40 points at Ohio State and 38 at Indiana. 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 11.3 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 11 games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including two neutral site games, Iowa has been outscored 65.0-58.3. The Hawkeyes are shooting 42.4% from the field while the opponents are shooting 46.7%. The opponents hold a 31.4-26.7 rebounding margin.

STARTING LINE-UPS
Iowa has used four starting line-ups in its 23 games, including three different line-ups in 10 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 15.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, compared to 13.3 points and 7.4 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 6-5 when the reserves outscore the opponent reserves, 6-5 when the opponent reserves score more points and 0-1 when bench scoring is even. Iowa is 6-4 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 56-69 (.812) from the free throw line in the final four minutes and overtime of its 11 games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 36-50 (.720) free throw attempts in the final four minutes. Iowa is 5-6 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 23 games this season, Iowa is averaging 8.3 made three-point field goals and 21.7 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.

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 aired 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.

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 173 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. 9, 16, 23; and March 2 and 9.

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 on the Big Ten Network. All games in the Big Ten post-season tournament will be televised by the Big Ten Network, ESPN or CBS.

AFTER THIS
Iowa plays at Wisconsin Wednesday, Feb. 11 (7:35 p.m., BTN) and hosts Purdue Saturday, Feb. 14 (3:05 p.m., BTN). Iowa is then idle until hosting Michigan Sunday, Feb. 22 (4:05 p.m., BTN).