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Hawkeye Men’s Hoops Closes with 15-17 RecordHawkeye Men’s Hoops Closes with 15-17 Record
Men's Basketball

Hawkeye Men’s Hoops Closes with 15-17 Record

April 9, 2009

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HAWKEYES PROGRESS & IMPROVE THROUGH 2009
Iowa ended the 2008-09 basketball season with a 15-17 record, showing a two-game improvement in the win column over the previous season. The Hawkeyes posted a 5-13 Big Ten Conference record for a 10th place finish. The record, however, doesn’t tell the entire story of how close the Hawkeyes were to a breakthrough season. Consider the fact that Iowa lost 10 games by eight points or less, including six by four points or less. That includes three games in which the Hawkeyes had a three-point attempt in the final seconds to either tie or win the game, and another where a pair of free throws could have forced overtime. The Hawkeyes also won five games by six points or less, including all three overtime games. Iowa was also forced to play the second half of the season at less than full strength. Freshman Anthony Tucker, who led the team in scoring in non-conference action, was academically ineligible for the second semester. Senior Cyrus Tate, the team’s leading rebounder, missed nine Big Ten games and the majority of three others due to injury. Sophomore Jeff Peterson, who led the team in assists the past two seasons, missed the final seven games of the year with a strained hamstring. Iowa’s schedule proved to be as demanding as usual, ranking 43rd in the nation in strength of opponents. Twenty-four of Iowa’s 32 games were against teams that advanced to post-season play, including 16 games (3-13) against teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Overall, 16 of Iowa’s 23 opponents played in the post-season, 10 in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa was 3-2 against three teams that made the NIT, including a 1-1 mark against champion Penn State. Iowa was 2-1 against three opponents that competed in the CollegeInsider.com event. Along with Penn State winning the NIT, Michigan State advanced to the NCAA Tournament championship game. Along with wins over Michigan, Wisconsin and Penn State, Iowa had near misses against Ohio State (three and two points), Minnesota (three), Purdue (four), Penn State (four) and Boston College (two). For the second straight season under Coach Todd Lickliter, Iowa ranked among the national leaders in scoring defense, ranking 14th by allowing 59.6 points per game. The Hawkeyes also ranked 26th in free throw percentage (.744) and 31st in three-point field goals per game (8.1). Kelly led the team in scoring at 11.6 per game and was named honorable mention all-Big Ten by both the league coaches and media. He averaged over 19 points in the last seven games after moving to point guard in Peterson’s absence. Freshman Matt Gatens was the only Hawkeye to start all 32 games. He ranked second in scoring (10.8) and set an Iowa single-season record for free throw percentage at .904 (75-83). He was named to the Big Ten Conference all-Freshman team. Along with leading the Big Ten in free throw percentage, Gatens ranked among conference leaders in field goal percentage and three-point accuracy. Looking ahead, Iowa’s non-conference slate next season will again include the three in-state rivals, along with a home game in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Iowa will also take part in the CBE Classic, which includes Pittsburgh, Texas and Wichita State.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,472 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,466-1,006 (.593). That includes a 925-320 (.743) record in home games, a 541-686 (.441) record in games away from Iowa City, a 695-690 (.502) mark in Big Ten games and a 331-94 (.779) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 330-94 (.778) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 155-77 (.668) in Big Ten games and 175-17 (.911) in non-Big Ten games.

HAWKEYES TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 55 of its 68 games (.809) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) over the last four seasons, including win streaks of 21 straight overall and 12 straight Big Ten Conference wins. Iowa has won 10 of its last 16 home games against ranked opponents and was 13-4 at home in 2008-09. Three of Iowa’s four home losses were to ranked opponents and three of the four losses were by four points or less. Iowa was a perfect 17-0 at home in 2006, 14-2 in 2007 and 10-8 in 2008. Iowa has compiled a 24-10 Big Ten Conference record in that time.

KELLY & GATENS EARN POST-SEASON HONORS
Jake Kelly earned honorable mention all-Big Ten recognition, while Matt Gatens was named to the all-Freshman team. Kelly was recognized by both the conference coaches and league media. He led Iowa in scoring (11.6) and averaged 19.1 points over Iowa’s last eight games. Kelly shot 44.7% from the field and 83.5% from the free throw line. He was named Big Ten Player of the Week twice during the final month of the season. The all-Freshman team is selected by Big Ten coaches. Gatens led all Big Ten players in free throw percentage (.904) and ranked among freshman leaders in scoring (10.8), field goal percentage (.422), three-point percentage (.403) and minutes played (34.0). He was the only Hawkeye to start all 32 games and he averaged 34 minutes per game while ranking second in rebounds (3.8) and third in assists (2.2) and steals (0.8).

GATENS AMONG TOP BIG TEN FRESHMEN
Matt Gatens ranked among Big Ten freshman leaders in several categories. Gatens is first in three-point percentage (.403), free throw percentage (.904) and minutes played (34.0) and second in scoring (10.8) and three-point field goals per game (1.6).

IN THE RECORD BOOK
Iowa equaled or set several records during the course of the season.

  • Freshman Matt Gatens set a single-season record for free throw percentage at 90.4% (75-83). The previous record of 88.5% (108-122) was set by Luke Recker in 2001-02.
  • Junior Devan Bawinkel made 8-13 three-point attempts in a home loss to Ohio State, becoming the third Hawkeye player to make as many as eight in a game (the Iowa record of nine is held by Chris Kingsbury (twice). Bawinkel’s 13 attempts tie as the fifth most in a game by an Iowa player.
  • Among Iowa freshmen, Gatens ranks first in free throw percentage (.904), second in three-point percentage (.403) and seventh in total points (345).
  • Jermain Davis tied a single-game record for free throw percentage by making all 10 of his attempts in an early season win over Texas-San Antonio. A total of 24 Hawkeyes have been perfect from the free throw line (minimum 10 attempts). Glenn Vidnovic (2/4/69 vs. Purdue) is the only player to be perfect with 13 attempts. Davis is one of seven Iowa players to be perfect on 10 or more attempts in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
  • As a team, Iowa made 258 of 709 attempts from three-point range. Both figures rank second best for a single season. Iowa made 274 of 743 attempts in 1995.
  • Iowa shot 74.4% (369-496) from the free throw line, the fourth best single-season performance. The Hawkeyes shot 78% in 1970, 77.1% in 1969 and 74.7% in 1971.

THREE POST DOUBLE-DOUBLE
In Iowa’s double overtime win over Penn State to close the regular season, three Hawkeye players recorded double-doubles. Jake Kelly had 22 points and 11 assists, while Cyrus Tate added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Jarryd Cole collected 14 points and 11 rebounds. Iowa had not had three players with a double-double in the same game since an 86-78 loss at Cal-Irvine on Dec. 29, 1993. In that game, Jess Settles had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Russ Millard had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Jim Bartels had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

HAWKEYES FACED STRONG SCHEDULE
Iowa’s schedule strength ranked 43rd in the nation. Sixteen of Iowa’s 23 opponents advanced to post-season play and the Hawkeyes played 24 of 32 games against those teams. Iowa was 3-13 against teams in the NCAA Tournament, with wins over Wisconsin, Michigan and Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes were 3-2 against three teams (Penn State, Kansas State, Northwestern) that participated in the NIT and 2-1 against three teams (Oakland, The Citadel, Drake) that took part in the CollegeInsider.com post-season event. Five of Iowa’s 13 non-conference opponents won over 20 games and eight were .500 or better for the season. Iowa dropped two games to Michigan State, who lost in the NCAA title game. The Hawkeyes split two games with NIT champion Penn State. Seven of Iowa’s losses were to teams ranked in the top 25 at the time of the game.

IOWA RECORD BY CONFERENCE
Iowa played teams from the Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big South, Big 12 (two), Missouri Valley (two), Ohio Valley, Southern, Southland and Summit (two) conferences in non-conference action. Outside of the Big Ten, Iowa’s foes included Boston College (22-11), West Virginia (23-11), Kansas State (21-11), Northern Iowa (23-11), The Citadel (18-13) and Oakland (22-12). Northern Iowa won both the regular season and post-season tournament championships in the Missouri Valley.

HAWKEYES WERE SHORT HANDED
Iowa played a number of games during the Big Ten Conference season without its entire roster. Freshman guard Anthony Tucker missed the final 15 conference games after being ruled ineligible in accordance with Big Ten Conference academic requirements. Tucker averaged 10.4 points in the 14 games in which he played, leading Iowa in scoring through the 13 non-conference games. Senior Cyrus Tate missed nine games entirely due to a sprained ankle. Tate also played just four minutes in a home win over Michigan, eight minutes in a home loss to Minnesota and 13 minutes in a home win over Northwestern. Tate was Iowa’s rebounding leader (5.7) while averaging seven points a game. Sophomore guard Jeff Peterson suffered a strained hamstring in a loss at Wisconsin and did not play in Iowa’s final seven games. Peterson led Iowa in assists (4.2) for the second straight year and averaged 10.6 points per game. Junior guard Jermain Davis missed the home game vs. Michigan and a road game at Michigan State due to a bruised knee. Davis started 11 games throughout the season.

TUCKER MISSED SECOND SEMESTER
Freshman guard Anthony Tucker did not play during 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 and 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.

  • 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. He did not play vs. Wisconsin and Purdue, but saw increased minutes in the last six games.
  • Guard Jeff Peterson was discovered to have a broken navicular bone in his left wrist following Iowa’s opening Big Ten game at Ohio State. Peterson did not miss any games due to the injury and had surgery after the season. Peterson missed the last 9:31 of the Feb. 11 loss at Wisconsin due to a strained hamstring and did not see action in Iowa’s last seven games.
  • 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 Nov. 28 loss to West Virginia. Tucker was ruled academically ineligible for the second semester.
  • Junior guard Jermain Davis suffered a bruised knee Feb. 10 during practice and was unable to play in games vs. Michigan and Michigan State.
  • 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 the 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.

IOWA PROGRAM REACHES 1,400 WINS
The Iowa basketball program reached 1,400 wins (now at 1,466) 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 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 in 2007-08. The 10 two-point attempts are the fewest since Iowa had 13 two-point attempts in a home win over Penn State in 2007-08. 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.

HAWKEYES WORK OVERTIME
With a 75-67 double overtime win over Penn State, Iowa improved to 3-0 in overtime games in 2008-09, all in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes defeated Wisconsin (73-69) Jan. 21 and Michigan (70-60) Feb. 22 in single overtime games. Iowa closed the regular season with a 75-67 double overtime win over Penn State. Iowa won three overtime games in a season for the first time since the 1976-77 season. That year, Iowa defeated Illinois 84-81 and Ohio State 74-70 in single overtime and stopped Wisconsin 94-93 in two overtimes. Those three games were all on the road. The victory over Penn State marked Iowa’s first double overtime win since an 84-82 victory at Indiana on Feb. 7, 2004. Iowa had not had a double overtime win at home since a 99-94 win over Missouri on Dec. 16, 2000. Iowa is 49-51 in all overtime games, including a 39-38 record in single overtime and a 7-9 mark in two overtimes. Iowa is 3-1 in overtime under Coach Todd Lickliter.

CLOSE GAMES WERE THE NORM
Eighteen of Iowa’s 32 games were decided by 10 points or less, with Iowa posting an 8-10 record in those games. Twelve of those games were decided by six points or less, and Iowa won three overtime 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. 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 at 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 at 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.
  • Iowa dropped a 49-45 home decision to No. 20/23 Purdue when the Boilermakers used a 10-4 scoring run over the final seven minutes. Iowa trailed by just three points with 17 seconds remaining and forced a missed shot, but Purdue collected the offensive rebound and sealed the win by hitting three of four free throws.
  • Iowa rallied from a four point deficit in the final minute to force overtime, before scoring a 70-60 win over Michigan. Matt Gatens hit four straight free throws to force the overtime and Jake Kelly added nine points in the overtime period to secure the win.
  • Iowa shot 55% from the field in the second half, but it wasn’t enough in a 62-54 loss at Michigan State. The Hawkeyes closed a 10-point halftime deficit to five points with just over eight minutes to play, but the Spartans connected on six straight free throws and Iowa was never closer.
  • Iowa dropped a 55-49 contest at Northwestern after leading by as many as seven in the second half. Iowa tied the score at 47 with just over four minutes to play and trailed by just two when Northwestern hit a three-point basket with 54 seconds remaining.
  • Ohio State used a basket by Evan Turner in the final two minutes to win at Iowa, 60-58. OSU blocked a lay-up attempt with seven seconds remaining and survived when a three-point shot by the Hawkeyes was off target at the final buzzer.
  • Iowa scored the final 11 points in the second overtime period to defeat Penn State 75-67 at Iowa City. Iowa led by as many as nine points in the final minutes of regulation before needing a basket with 10 seconds remaining to force the first overtime.

LICKLITER VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter holds a 7-17 record when coaching against nationally ranked opponents, including a 1-12 mark at Iowa (0-7 in 2008-09) and a 6-5 record in six seasons at Butler. Iowa, in 2008-09, dropped a 68-65 contest at No. 23 Ohio State Dec. 31 and lost a 52-49 decision to No. 19/22 Minnesota Jan. 8 in Iowa City. Iowa was defeated 75-53 Jan. 18 at No. 19/19 Purdue and the Boilermakers won at Iowa City (49-45) while ranked No. 20/23. Iowa lost 71-56 to No. 9/9 Michigan State at home 62-54 to the No. 9/9 Spartans at East Lansing, and 62-54 at No. 19/20 Illinois. 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.

HAWKEYES FROM THE LINE

  • Iowa shot 74.4% from the free throw line to rank second in the Big Ten and 24th in the nation. That figures also ranks fourth best at Iowa for an entire season.
  • Iowa made all eight free throw attempts in a win over Northern Iowa. That perfect performance 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.
  • Iowa made 12-13 (92.3%) free throws at Michigan State, making its first 12 before missing a final attempt.
  • Iowa’s accuracy from the free throw line was led by freshman Matt Gatens, who shot 90.4% (75-83) to lead all players in the Big Ten. He ranked as high as fourth in the nation, but finished the year under the minimum made per game (2.5). 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.
  • 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 included 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, 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 and made just 4-8 attempts in a loss at Northwestern.
  • 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 averaged 8.1 three-point field goals per game and 22.2 attempts per game. Iowa shot 36.4% from three-point range overall and 34.2% in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes ranked third in the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game and fifth in three-point percentage.
  • Overall, 48.3% (709-1,469) of Iowa’s field goal attempts were the three-point variety. Iowa attempted a season-high 30 three-pointers against Southeast Missouri State (13 made), a home win over Northwestern (12 made) and a home win over Penn State (10 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 made 15 in two games, the most recent against Northwestern on Jan. 3, 1998. Iowa shot an even 50% (14-28) against Ohio State. The Hawkeyes made 14 three-point baskets in five games prior to this season.
  • Iowa made 13 three-point field goals in two games (at The Citadel and vs. SE MO State). The 13 three-point field goals tie as the 10th most by an Iowa team in a single game.
  • Devan Bawinkel made 8-13 treys in a home loss to Ohio State, becoming just the third Iowa player to make as many as eight in a single game. Chris Kinsgbury twice made nine in a game and Justin Johnson made eight twice.
  • Iowa had a season-low two three-point baskets in a 49-45 home loss to Purdue, with 19 three-point attempts (10.5%). Iowa had just four three-point baskets in a 63-59 loss at Penn State, shooting just 23.5% (4-17).

IOWA SHOOTING ON TARGET
Iowa shot 44.2% from the field in all games and 42.7% in Big Ten Conference games. Overall, the Hawkeyes 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.

IOWA GETS DEFENSIVE

  • Iowa’s defensive play was a constant throughout the season, as the Hawkeyes rank 16th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 59.6 points per game. Iowa held Purdue to 49 points, just the second time in 26 games the Boilermakers failed to score more than 50. Iowa held Michigan State to 62 points and Ohio State to just 60. Penn State scored 56 points in regulation and 67 points in two overtimes, shooting just 25% from the field in the extra 10 minutes.
  • In an overtime win over Michigan, the Hawkeyes allowed the Wolverines just 56 points in regulation and four points in the extra session. Michigan shot just 32.2% from the field, including 10% (1-10) in the overtime.
  • Iowa opponents shot 43.4% from the field, including 35.3% from three-point range. Iowa’s non-conference opponents shot 32.8% from three-point range, while Big Ten opponents shot 36.2%.
  • 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 held seven 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. No. 20/23 Purdue scored just 49 points in a narrow 49-45 win at Iowa City.
  • Iowa’s non-conference opponents averaged 54.6 points and league foes averaged 62.5 points.
  • Iowa ranked fifth in the nation in scoring defense in 2007-08 (58.0) and held opponents under 50 points in nine games.

NO TREYS FOR OPPONENT
Iowa held Southeast Missouri State without a three-point basket in a 75-41 win, as the Redhawks missed all 11 attempts from behind the arc. SE Missouri State became the first Iowa opponent in 125 games not to make at least one trey. The last time that happened was Dec. 10, 2004 when Iowa State missed all six three-point attempts in Iowa’s 70-63 win in Iowa City. Iowa allowed Kansas State just three treys in seven attempts in a 65-63 Hawkeye win. Boston College made just 2-10 three-point attempts in its 57-55 win over Iowa and Western Illinois was 2-7 in its 58-43 loss to the Hawkeyes.

TAKING CARE OF TURNOVERS
During the non-conference portion of the schedule, Iowa averaged 11.9 turnovers. In Big Ten Conference games, Iowa averaged 13 turnovers. In 2007-08, Iowa averaged 17.2 turnovers in its 13 non-conference games before reducing that number to 14.8 during the 18-game conference schedule.

VALUABLE POSSESSIONS
Iowa averaged 11.7 assists and 12.5 turnovers per game. Those averages were 12.3 assists and 15.8 turnovers per game in 2007-08.

BALANCED SCORING LEADS IOWA
Iowa featured a balanced scoring attack, with at least three players scoring in double figures in 17 games and four reaching 10 points or more in six games. Eight different players led Iowa in scoring and four averaged more than 10.3 points per game. Jake Kelly led Iowa in scoring (11.6), followed by Matt Gatens (10.8), Jeff Peterson (10.6) and Anthony Tucker (10.4). Senior Cyrus Tate shot 66.7% from the field and sophomore Jarryd Cole 67.6% in a more limited role.

HAWKEYE GAMES NOTES

  • Iowa was 8-7 when controlling the opening tip and 7-10 when not controlling the tip.
  • Iowa was 5-1 when four players reached double figures, 6-5 when three scored in double figures, 4-9 when two scored 10 or more points and 0-2 with just one player in double figures.
  • Iowa was 8-10 in games decided by 10 points or less, including 4-6 in games decided by five points or less and 3-0 in overtime.
  • 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 and seven in wins over Charleston Southern and SE Missouri State. Iowa had eight in a home loss to Purdue. Iowa reduced its turnover average to 12.5 per game from 15.8 in 2007-08. 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 was guilty of 19 turnovers against Texas-San Antonio, 16 vs. Oakland and 21 vs. West Virginia, (including 17 in the first half). In Big Ten play, Iowa had 17 turnovers vs. Minnesota, Michigan and Northwestern and 19 at Purdue.
  • Iowa was 7-0 when scoring between 70-79 points, 6-3 when scoring between 60-69 points and 2-14 when scoring less than 60 points.
  • Iowa was 6-1 when holding its opponent to less than 50 points, 3-3 when the opponent scored between 50-59 points, 6-9 when the opponent scored between 60-69 points, 0-3 when the opponent scored between 70-79 points and 0-1 when the opponent scored over 80 points.
  • Iowa was 13-3 when collecting more assists than the opponent, 1-13 when the opponent had more assists and 1-1 when assists were even.
  • Iowa was 8-3 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent, 5-12 when the opponent had fewer turnovers and 2-2 when turnovers were even.
  • Iowa was 10-3 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 5-12 when the opponent had more steals and 0-2 when steals were even. Iowa allowed The Citadel no steals in taking the 70-48 road win.
  • Iowa was 11-4 when leading at halftime, 3-13 when trailing at halftime and 1-0 when tied at halftime.

HAWKEYES FEATURED 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. Iowa’s final line-up included two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior. Iowa freshmen earned 59 starts overall.

NEWCOMERS CONTRIBUTE
With seven new players on a 13-man roster, Iowa relied on newcomers in 2008-09. Three newcomers, all freshmen, started Iowa’s first eight games. Four of the newcomers led the team in scoring in at least one game. The Hawkeye newcomers 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, 38 at Indiana and 35 in overtime win over Michigan. 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 both games against Michigan. The newcomers averaged 28.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while playing 107.1 minutes per outing. 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 matched 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 averaged 10.8 points per game and Tucker averaged 10.4 in 14 games.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa was outscored 882-837 in the first half, but held a 1,044-1,002 advantage in the second half and a 46-24 margin in four overtime periods. Iowa led at halftime in 15 games (one tie), and outscored its opponent in the second half 17 times.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In 17 home games, Iowa outscored its opponents by an 8.9 point margin, shooting 46.2% from the field while holding its opponents to 40% shooting. Iowa held a 31.5-28.5 rebounding advantage. In 15 games away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including three neutral site games, Iowa was outscored 64.9-56.1. The Hawkeyes shot 42% from the field while the opponents shot 47.5%. The opponents held a 30.5-26.2 rebounding margin.

OVERCOMING DEFICITS
The biggest deficit Iowa overcame to earn a victory was seven points. In the season opening contest, Iowa trailed 7-0 before defeating Charleston Southern 68-48. 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 to play 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 at Iowa City. Penn State trailed by 14 points in the second half before winning 63-59 at State College.

STARTING LINE-UPS
Iowa used nine starting line-ups in 2008-09, including eight different line-ups in 18 conference games. Iowa used five different starting line-ups in 2007-08, but the same line-up in all 18 Big Ten games.

IOWA FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Iowa made over 70% of its free throws in 22 games, including 100% (8-8) vs. Northern Iowa, 93.8% (15-16) at Penn State, 92.3% (12-13) at Michigan 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 was 11-10 when shooting over 70% from the foul line, but just 2-4 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.

OFF THE BENCH
The Iowa reserves averaged 13.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, compared to 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds by the opponent reserves. In 32 games, opponent reserves outscored Iowa’s reserves 421-419. Iowa was 7-6 when the reserves outscored the opponent reserves, 8-9 when the opponent reserves scored more points and 0-2 when bench scoring was even. Iowa was 7-6 when the Hawkeye reserves had more rebounds than the opponent reserves, 8-10 when the opponent reserves had more rebounds and 0-1 when rebounding by the reserves was even.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa is 89-113 (.788) from the free throw line in the final four minutes and overtime of its 18 games that have been decided by 10 points or less. Iowa’s opponents in those games have made 52-73 (.712) free throw attempts in the final four minutes. Iowa is 8-10 in games decided by 10 points or less, 4-6 in games decided by five points or less and 3-0 in overtime.

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.

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.

IOWA IN CBE CLASSIC
Iowa is one of four regional round host teams that will take part in the 2009 O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic in Kansas City. Other host teams, which will compete in a four-team bracket in Kansas City, include Pittsburgh, Texas and Wichita State. The O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic will be held at Sprint Center in Kansas City on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 23-24. Prior to traveling to Kansas City, Iowa will host two preliminary round games in Iowa City. Opponents and dates for those games have not yet been announced. The event includes a 12 team field and will tip-off November 15-18 at the four regional sites. The four regional hosts advance to the championship rounds in Kansas City, regardless of regional round results. The CBE Classic, in partnership with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), was initially established in 2001 as the Guardians Classic. Tickets for the championship round at the Sprint Center go on sale Wednesday, March 18 at 10 a.m. CT. Tickets may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or via the internet at Ticketmaster.com. For more information on the event, visit CBEClassic.com. Iowa will be making its third appearance in Kansas City since the 2001-02 season. The Hawkeyes finished second in the inaugural Guardians Classic early in the 2001-02 season, defeating Memphis (75-71) in the semi-finals before falling to Missouri (78-77) in the title game at Kemper Arena. Iowa returned to the Guardians Classic early in the 2005-06 season. Iowa defeated Kentucky (67-63) in the semi-finals before a 68-59 loss to Texas in the title game at the Municipal Auditorium. Iowa holds a 2-1 series advantage over the Longhorns. Iowa is 4-3 all-time vs. Wichita State, with the Shockers winning the last meeting, 60-56, in the first round of the 1981 NCAA Tournament at Wichita. The Hawkeyes are 2-5 against Pittsburgh. Iowa won the most recent meeting, 103-80, in the consolation game of the Lobo Classic on Dec. 30, 1976. The event is named after the College Basketball Experience, the award-winning and highly interactive college hoops fan facility adjacent to the Sprint Center, which also features the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. The College Basketball Experience is the nation’s only facility that celebrates, in its entirety, the sport of men’s collegiate basketball. In its second year of operation, the College Basketball Experience has played host to over 160,000 enthusiastic fans and visitors.