Iowa Men Host Purdue Saturday Afternoon

Feb. 13, 2009

• Iowa and the Big Ten Network

Complete Release in PDF Format

THE SETTING
Iowa (13-12, 3-9) returns home Saturday, Feb. 14 for an afternoon contest with Purdue (18-6, 7-4). Game time is 3:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Purdue defeated Iowa 75-53 Jan. 18 at West Lafayette. Iowa dropped a 69-52 decision at Wisconsin Wednesday. Purdue stopped a two-game losing streak Wednesday with a 61-47 home win over Penn State.

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, Greg Kelser and Charissa Thompson will call the action.

IN THE RANKINGS
Purdue is ranked 20th this week in the Associated Press rankings and 23rd in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ poll.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,465 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,464-1,001 (.594). That includes a 923-318 (.744) record in home games, a 541-683 (.442) record in games away from Iowa City, a 693-686 (.503) mark in Big Ten games and a 329-92 (.781) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 329-92 (.781) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 154-75 (.672) in Big Ten games and 175-17 (.911) in non-Big Ten games.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 53 of its last 65 games (.815) 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 11-2 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 for $10 to all remaining home games. The price reflects a $17 savings on tickets for the three weekend games 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. Both the student who has purchased the season ticket and the student guest will need to present their student ID when entering the arena at the East entrance.

PETERSON INJURED AT WISCONSIN
Sophomore guard Jeff Peterson is not expected to play Saturday against Purdue due to injury. Peterson suffered an injury with nine minutes left in Wednesday’s contest at Wisconsin and did not return. Peterson is one of two Hawkeye players to start all 25 games. He leads the team in assists (4.2), steals (1.2) and minutes played (33.0) and is second in scoring (10.6). Junior Jermain Davis will likely start in Peterson’s place.

TATE HAMPERED BY INJURY
Senior forward Cyrus Tate has been hampered since an ankle injury occurred Jan. 8 against Minnesota. Tate missed seven games before returning to action in the 56-51 win over Northwestern on Feb. 7, but he sat out the Feb. 11 contest at Wisconsin. Tate started against the Wildcats, contributing two points and five rebounds in 13 minutes. Tate leads Iowa in rebounding (6.2) and is averaging 7.1 points per game. He is shooting 67.2% from the field and 75.6% from the foul line.

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

NOT AT FULL STRENGTH
Iowa has played a number of games over the past two seasons without being at full strength. Following are the reasons several key players have missed significant action in the last two years.

• Guard Tony Freeman suffered a stress fracture in his foot during an exhibition game prior to the start of the 2007-08 season. Freeman missed the first nine games of the season and 10 games overall. When playing, Freeman led Iowa in scoring (13.8) and assists (3.2).
• Forward Jarryd Cole suffered a major knee injury in 13th and final non-conference game of the 2007-08 season. Cole underwent surgery and missed the entire Big Ten season and the Big Ten Tournament. Cole had started six of 13 games prior to his injury, averaging 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds.
• Guard Jake Kelly suffered a broken middle finger on his left hand in pre-season practice this year. Kelly missed Iowa’s exhibition game, but then elected to not have surgery and has played in every game.
• Guard Jeff Peterson discovered a broken navicular bone in his left wrist following Iowa’s opening Big Ten game at Ohio State. Peterson has not missed any games and will have surgery after the season. Peterson missed the last 9:31 of Wednesday’s loss at Wisconsin as well and is not expected to play Saturday vs. Purdue.
• Forward Cyrus Tate suffered a sprained right ankle against Minnesota (Jan. 8) and played just eight minutes in a three point loss. Tate missed seven games before returning to action in a home win over Northwestern, but he was unable to play in the most recent loss at Wisconsin. Tate was averaging 7.4 points and a team-best 6.3 rebounds at the time of his injury.
• Freshman guard Anthony Tucker was Iowa’s leading scorer in non-conference action at just over 11 points per game. Tucker contracted mononucleosis in late November and his production began to trail off after a season-best 24 points in a loss to West Virginia. Tucker has been ruled academically ineligible for the second semester and will sit out the remainder of the season.

IOWA TWO-POINT FIELD GOALS
In a 56-51 win over Northwestern, Iowa attempted just 10 two-point field goals, and made just two of those attempts. Iowa made 12-30 three-point attempts and 16-18 free throws in the win. The two made field goals are the fewest two-point field goals for Iowa since the Hawkeyes had just six in a 43-36 home win over Michigan State last season. The 10 two-point attempts are the fewest since Iowa had 13 two-point attempts in a home win over Penn State a year ago. The two made and 10 attempted two-point field goals against Northwestern are the fewest ever for Iowa, in both categories, since the inception of the three-point field goal.

CLOSE GAMES ARE THE NORM
Twelve of Iowa’s 25 games have been decided by 10 points or less, with Iowa posting a 6-6 record in those games:

• Iowa held off Texas-San Antonio (73-67) in the second game of the season by making 14-15 free throws in the second half, including its final 14 attempts.
• Iowa led for 39 minutes in taking a 66-57 win over Oakland, but the Hawkeyes led by just two points with 2:54 remaining before pulling away in the final two minutes.
• Iowa collected a 65-63 win over Kansas State in the consolation game of the Las Vegas Invitational. Cyrus Tate scored from the lane as time expired for the winning basket. Kansas State had tied the score with an offense rebound with 14 seconds remaining.
• Iowa trailed at Boston College by 11 points with 4:45 to play before a 10-1 scoring run closed the final margin to 57-55 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Iowa had a chance to force overtime, but missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw opportunity with no time left on the clock.
• Iowa dropped a 68-65 decision at Ohio State in the first Big Ten Conference game of the season. Iowa made a season-high 14 three-point baskets, but missed two three-point shots in the final seconds that could have forced overtime.
• Iowa defeated Indiana 65-60 in Iowa City, surviving a late Indiana rally that saw the Hoosiers trim the Iowa advantage to two points with 22 seconds remaining. Iowa added three free throws to clinch the win.
• Iowa led Minnesota by as many as 13 points in the first half before the Gophers rallied for a 52-49 win in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes lost the services of senior forward Cyrus Tate eight minutes into the game due to an ankle injury. Iowa cut the deficit to one point with seven seconds to play, then missed a long, desperation three-point attempt after two Minnesota free throws.
• Iowa rallied from a seven point deficit, in the second half, to defeat Wisconsin 73-69 in overtime in Iowa City. The Badgers forced the overtime on a deep three-point basket in the final second before Iowa won in its first overtime of the season.
• Iowa led by 14 points in the second half at Penn State before the Nittany Lions rallied for a 63-59 win. The Hawkeyes missed three attempts to tie the score in the final two minutes before a Penn State free throw with four seconds left secured the win.
• Iowa led by three points at halftime in a 62-54 loss at Illinois, but the Illini shot 65% from the field in the second half to earn the win in Champaign.
• Iowa cut a 20-point second half deficit to just three with 44 seconds remaining at Indiana, but two turnovers in the final minute proved costly as the Hoosiers won 68-60.
• Iowa outscored Northwestern 11-5 in the final 1:05 to earn a 56-51 win in Iowa City. Devan Bawinkel gave Iowa a 48-46 advantage with 1:05 to play and Jeff Peterson came up with a steal on Northwestern’s next possession. Iowa made all 10 of its free throw attempts in the final minutes to earn the victory.

HAWKEYES FACE STRONG SCHEDULE
The 12 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 180-87 (.674). Nine of the 12 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 IN NCAA STATS
Iowa ranks 15th nationally in scoring defense (59.3). The Hawkeyes are 15th in free throw percentage (.743), 20th in three-point field goals per game (8.3) and 32nd in three-point field goal percentage (.382).

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 157-92 (.631). He is 26-31 (.456) at Iowa, including 9-21 (.300) 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 2-3 vs. Purdue and 1-3 vs. Boilermaker Coach Matt Painter.

PURDUE COACH MATT PAINTER
Matt Painter, a former Boilermaker player under Gene Keady, is in his fourth season as the head coach at Purdue after serving as associate head coach for one season. Painter holds a record of 74-46 at Purdue. He is in his fifth season as a head coach with a 99-51 record. He led Purdue to a 9-18 mark in his first season after posting a 25-5 record in one season at Southern Illinois. Painter was the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2004, leading the Salukis to a 17-1 league record and a No. 15 national ranking. He previously served as an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois (1995-98) and Southern Illinois (1998-2003). Painter was a four-year (1990-93) letterman at Purdue and served as a team captain as a senior. He earned all-Big Ten honorable mention recognition and helped Purdue earn four straight post-season invitations, including three NCAA Tournament invitations. Painter is 4-2 vs. Iowa and 3-1 vs. Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.

LICKLITER VS. THE BOILERMAKERS
Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter collected two wins over Purdue during his tenure as Butler head coach. Butler defeated Purdue 74-68 early in the 2001-02 season at West Lafayette in Lickliter’s fifth game as a college head coach. Butler scored a 68-65 win over Purdue in the John Wooden Tradition at Conseco Fieldhouse at Indianapolis in 2006-07. Purdue defeated Iowa twice in 2008.

THE SERIES
Purdue holds a 79-70 advantage in the series that began with a 17-11 Boilermaker win in 1909. Purdue has won four straight games over Iowa, including a 75-53 win Jan. 18 at West Lafayette. The Boilermakers won both meetings last season, 67-62 at Iowa City and 51-50 at West Lafayette. The teams split two games in 2007. Iowa won 78-59 at Iowa City during the regular season. Purdue later scored a 74-55 win in the quarter-finals of the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa has won six of the last 11 meetings. Iowa scored a 77-68 win at Purdue in the only meeting in 2006. Iowa won two of three meetings in 2005 and both meetings in 2004, while Purdue won the only meeting in 2003. Iowa and Purdue have met four times at a neutral site, with three of the four meetings taking place in the Big Ten Tournament and two of the four taking place in Indianapolis. Iowa defeated the Boilermakers 71-52 in the 2005 Big Ten Tournament in Chicago and 87-72 in the 2002 Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. Purdue defeated Iowa in the 2007 event in Chicago. In addition, the Hawkeyes and Boilermakers both advanced to the 1980 Final Four at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, and both lost in the semi-finals. A consolation game was played at that time and Purdue defeated Iowa 75-58. Iowa holds a 47-24 advantage in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have won seven of the last 10 meetings in Iowa City and hold a 13-9 advantage in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Boilermakers hold a 53-21 advantage in games played in West Lafayette. Iowa has won three of the last seven meetings in Mackey Arena.

IOWA, PURDUE NOTES

• The Iowa roster includes two players from Indiana, senior J.R. Angle (Franklin) and sophomore Jake Kelly (Carmel).
• Iowa freshman John Lickliter also attended high school in Indianapolis before joining his father in Iowa City and graduating from Iowa City HS. Prior to his senior season Lickliter was a prep teammate of Purdue’s JaJuan Johnson.
• Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter is an Indianapolis native who played at Butler and later was the Bulldog head coach for six seasons before taking over at Iowa.
• Iowa assistant coaches LaVall Jordan and Joel Cornette also are Butler graduates and former Bulldog players. Jordan played at Butler when the Bulldogs dropped a 63-54 contest to Purdue at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis in 1998-99. Cornette played for the Bulldogs when they scored a 74-68 win at Purdue in 2001-02.
• Purdue posted a 4-3 record vs. Iowa during the playing career of Boilermaker Coach Matt Painter (1990-93).
• Purdue assistant Paul Lusk began his college career at Iowa. Lusk, who had followed his uncle’s footsteps to Iowa, suffered a broken leg early in his Iowa career and completed his career at Southern Illinois. Lusk scored over 1,000 points in his three seasons at Southern Illinois. Lusk was also the head coach at the University of Dubuque for one season (2002-03).
• Purdue Assistant Coach Rick Ray attended Grand View College in Des Moines.
• Iowa and Purdue played one common opponent during the non-conference season. Iowa lost at Boston College (55-57) and Purdue defeated Boston College (71-64) at a neutral site.

PURDUE WON FIRST MEETING
Purdue hit four consecutive three-point baskets in a span of less than two minutes, breaking open a close game on the way to a 75-53 win at West Lafayette. Iowa played its second straight game without senior forward Cyrus Tate, who suffered an ankle injury in the Jan. 8 loss to Minnesota. The Hawkeyes trailed by seven, 35-28, at the 16:04 mark of the second half after David Palmer converted a pair of free throws. The Boilermakers took over from there, as four different players connected on a three-point basket as the Purdue lead expanded to 49-28 before Iowa scored again at the 13:34 mark. Purdue shot 53.6% from the field in the second half, connecting on 7-9 (77.8%) three-point attempts and 9-10 free throws. The Boilermakers shot 49% overall, including 10-15 (66.7%) three-pointers and 15-18 (83.3%) from the free throw line. Iowa fell behind by six in the early going before scoring six straight to tie the game after six minutes. Iowa rallied again late in the first half, cutting a nine-point deficit to just four, 26-22, in the final minute. Purdue closed the half with a three-pointer at the buzzer for a 29-22 advantage at the break. Purdue’s aggressive defense forced Iowa into 19 turnovers, which the Boilermakers turned into 17 points. Iowa shot just 25% (8-25) from the field in the opening half before improving to 36% for the game. Iowa made 9-20 (45%) three-point shots and hit just 57.1% (8-14) from the foul line. Iowa was led by Palmer, who scored 19 points and added eight rebounds, both career highs for the junior forward. Palmer hit 7-14 field goals and 3-4 free throws while starting for the first time in his career. Freshman Matt Gatens added 11 points and five rebounds and Jeff Peterson contributed eight assists and two steals. E’Twaun Moore led Purdue with 13 points, Keaton Grant scored 12 and Nemanja Calasan had 10. Robbie Hummel contributed nine points and eight rebounds.

IOWA FALLS AT WISCONSIN
Wisconsin scored seven points in the last 23 seconds of the first half to take a 36-24 halftime advantage and the Badgers went on to a 69-52 win over Iowa in Madison. Iowa trailed by just five, 24-29, in the final minute of the half when the Badgers got a steal and a lay-up. Wisconsin added two free throws following a technical foul and closed the half with a three-point shot just before the buzzer. The last 23 seconds erased an Iowa rally that saw the Hawkeyes cut a 27-17 deficit to three points, 27-24, with two minutes remaining in the half. Iowa was guilty of 10 turnovers in the first half, which Wisconsin turned into 22 points. Wisconsin used an 8-3 scoring advantage in the opening four minutes of the second half to increase its advantage to 44-27. Iowa cut the deficit to 12 points with eight minutes to play, but could get no closer. Wisconsin shot 53.1% from the field in reversing an overtime loss to the Hawkeyes in Iowa City. The Badgers added 7-12 (58.3%) three-point shots and held a 27-21 rebounding advantage. Iowa ended the contest with 14 turnovers, as Wisconsin held a 29-8 margin in points off turnovers and an 18-6 advantage in second chance points. The Hawkeyes shot 50% from the field. Jake Kelly led Iowa with 17 points, hitting 7-9 field goal attempts. Jeff Peterson added 10 points before leaving the game midway through the second half with an injury. Jarryd Cole led Iowa with eight rebounds.

PURDUE STOPS PENN STATE
Purdue stopped a two-game losing streak Wednesday night with a 61-47 win over Penn State at West Lafayette. The Boilermakers held a two point lead, 28-26, at intermission before holding Penn State to 32% shooting in the second half. Purdue shot 50% from the field in the final 20 minutes in leading by as many as 18 midway through the half. Purdue’s reserves combined to score 25 points. The Boilermakers forced 12 turnovers to overcome a 33-28 Penn State rebounding advantage. Purdue also held PSU’s Talor Battle, the Big Ten’s leading scorer, to no points. JaJuan Johnson led Purdue with 14 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots. Reserves Bobby Riddell and Nemanja Calasan added 13 and 12 points, respectively, and E’Twaun Moore scored 10. Riddell and Calasan combined to make 9-13 field goal attempts, including 4-6 treys.

LICKLITER VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter holds a 7-15 record when coaching against nationally ranked opponents, including a 1-10 mark at Iowa and a 6-5 record in six seasons at Butler. Iowa, this season, dropped a 68-65 contest at No. 23 Ohio State Dec. 31, lost a 52-49 decision to No. 19/22 Minnesota Jan. 8 in Iowa City and was defeated 75-53 Jan. 18 at No. 19/19 Purdue. In its last two outings, Iowa lost 71-56 to No. 9/9 Michigan State at home and lost 62-54 at No. 19/20 Illinois Sunday. In 2007-08, Iowa defeated sixth-ranked Michigan State (43-36), while dropping decisions to 11th-ranked Indiana (76-79), 24th-ranked Wisconsin (51-64), seventh-ranked Indiana (43-65), eighth-ranked Wisconsin (54-60) and 17th-ranked Michigan State (52-66). Lickliter’s Butler teams defeated ranked opponents Louisville (14th), Maryland (18th), Mississippi State (20th), Ball State (21st), Tennessee (22nd) and Gonzaga (23rd). His teams are 0-3 vs. top five opponents, including losses to third-ranked Oklahoma in 2003, third-ranked Florida in 2007 and fifth-ranked Duke in 2003.

GATENS AMONG TOP BIG TEN FRESHMEN
Iowa freshman Matt Gatens ranks among Big Ten freshman leaders in several categories. Gatens is first in three-point percentage (.465), free throw percentage (.923), three-point field goals per game (1.8) and minutes played (32.5), second in scoring (11.2) and third in field goal percentage (.463).

HAWKEYES FROM THE LINE
Iowa is shooting 74.3% from the free throw line to rank second in the Big Ten and 15th 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. Iowa made 16-18 (88.9%) free throw attempts in a 56-51 win over Northwestern. The Hawkeyes hit 13-14 in the second half, including all 10 attempts in the final 3:08. 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 and 88.9% (16-18) in a win over Northwestern. Iowa had a season low in made free throws (three) and free throw attempts (four) in a loss at Illinois. Iowa’s accuracy from the free throw line is led by freshman Matt Gatens, who is shooting 92.3% (60-65) 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 21.8 attempts per game. Iowa is shooting 38.2% from three-point range overall and 35.9% in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes are third in the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game. Overall, 48.1% (545-1,132) of Iowa’s field goal attempts have been of the three-point variety. Iowa attempted a season-high 30 three-pointers against Southeast Missouri State (13 made) and Northwestern (12 made). 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 SHOOTING ON TARGET
Iowa is shooting 45.1% from the field through 25 games and 42.8% in 12 Big Ten Conference games. Overall, the Hawkeyes have made at least 50% of their field goal attempts in seven 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, and 50% in a loss at Wisconsin. 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 15th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 59.3 points per game. Iowa opponents are shooting 43.1% from the field, including 35.6% from three-point range. Iowa’s non-conference opponents shot 32.8% from three-point range, while Big Ten opponents are shooting 38.3%. 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 64.3 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 57 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. In a recent win over Northwestern, Iowa held the Wildcats to 37.5% shooting overall. Northwestern shot just 26.9% (7-26) from three-point range and had only 10 free throw attempts. Iowa held a 33-26 rebounding advantage.

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 9.3 points per game. Senior Cyrus Tate is shooting 67.2% from the field and sophomore Jarryd Cole is shooting 69.4% in a more limited role. Guards Matt Gatens (46.3%) and Jeff Peterson (45%) and forward David Palmer (50%) are also near 50%. Cole recently had a streak of 12 straight made field goals before his first miss in a 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 8-5 when controlling the opening tip and 5-7 when not controlling the tip.
• Iowa is 3-1 when four players reach double figures, 6-3 when three score in double figures, 4-5 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, Michigan and Northwestern 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 2-9 when scoring less than 60 points.
• Iowa is 6-0 when holding its opponent to less than 50 points, 3-2 when the opponent scores between 50-59 points, 4-7 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 12-3 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 0-8 when the opponent has more assists and 1-1 when assists are even.
• Iowa is 8-0 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 3-10 when the opponent has fewer turnovers and 2-2 when turnovers are even.
• Iowa is 9-1 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 4-10 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 11-3 when leading at halftime and 2-9 when trailing at halftime.
• Iowa is 6-6 in games decided by 10 points or less, including 4-4 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 (6.2) and is scoring 7.1 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 a loss to Minnesota due to injury and missed seven games. Tate returned to play 13 minutes against Northwestern before missing Iowa’s last outing at Wisconsin.
• Jeff Peterson leads Iowa is assists at 4.2 per game, including 4.9 in Big Ten games, and also leads the team with 30 steals. Peterson scored a season-high 18 points in wins over Kansas State and Northern Iowa and is averaging 10.6 points per game. He added 16 points and seven assists in a win over Wisconsin. He is shooting 45% from the field and leads the team in free throws (80) and attempts (97), shooting 82.5%. Peterson led Iowa in assists (3.1) last season as a true freshman and had a career-best four steals vs. Northwestern. Peterson will miss the Purdue game Saturday due to injury.
• True freshman Matt Gatens has scored in double figures in 17 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 (92.3%, 60-65) and is second in three-point percentage (.465). 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 25 games, 90 of his 95 field goal attempts are three-point attempts. He also has not attempted a free throw and has committed just six turnovers. His three-point basket with 1:05 to play gave Iowa a 48-46 advantage in the 56-51 win over Northwestern.
• Junior Jermain Davis had his best game against Iowa State, recording season-bests in points (16), rebounds (six), assists (five) and steals (one). Davis had 10 points in the loss at Boston College and added 13 points and eight rebounds in a win over Western Illinois. He had nine points and eight rebounds in a win over Indiana, eight rebounds in a loss to Minnesota and nine points vs. Michigan State.
• Sophomore Jake Kelly, still shaking off the effects of a broken middle finger on his shooting (right) hand, contributed 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in a win over Northern Iowa. Kelly matched his career-high with 19 points in a loss at Penn State and had a career-best six rebounds in a win over Northwestern. He scored 17 points (7-9 FG’s) in the loss at Wisconsin. He ranks second on the team in steals (27) and assists (66) and is averaging 9.4 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 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 and 44.4% from three-point range. 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 69.4% from the field. He had seven rebounds in a win over Northwestern and eight at Wisconsin.

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 one 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 46 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 11.2 points per game.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In its 13 home games, Iowa has outscored its opponents by a 10.8 point margin, shooting 47.2% from the field while holding its opponent to 39.4% shooting. Iowa holds a 31.0-27.8 rebounding advantage. In 12 games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including two neutral site games, Iowa has been outscored 65.3-57.8. The Hawkeyes are shooting 42.9% from the field while the opponents are shooting 47.2%. The opponents hold a 31.0-26.3 rebounding margin.

STARTING LINE-UPS
Iowa has used six starting line-ups in its 25 games, including five different line-ups in 12 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 14.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, compared to 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 6-5 when the reserves outscore the opponent reserves, 7-6 when the opponent reserves score more points and 0-1 when bench scoring is even. Iowa is 6-5 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves, 7-6 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.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has been outscored 670-679 in the first half, but holds an 848-794 advantage in the second half and a 13-9 margin in one overtime period. Iowa has led at halftime in 14 games, and has outscored its opponent in the second half 14 times.

IOWA FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Iowa has made over 70% of its free throws in 17 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, 88.9% (8-9) at Boston College and 88.9% (16-18) vs. Northwestern. 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 10-7 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 66-79 (.835) from the free throw line in the final four minutes and overtime of its 12 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 6-6 in games decided by 10 points or less, 4-4 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 25 games this season, Iowa is averaging 8.3 made three-point field goals and 21.8 attempts.

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.

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 175 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. 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.

AFTER THIS
Iowa is idle until hosting Michigan Sunday, Feb. 22 (4:05 p.m., BTN). The Hawkeyes play at Michigan State Wednesday, Feb. 25 (7:35 p.m. CT, BTN) and at Northwestern Saturday Feb. 28 (1:05 p.m., BTN).