Dec. 20, 2009
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THE SETTING
Iowa (4-7) will have only one day to prepare for its next opponent, South Carolina State (6-2). The Hawkeyes and Bulldogs will meet Tuesday at 7:36 p.m. (CST) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Fans can purchase a four-pack to Monday’s game: 4 tickets, 4 cokes, 4 hot dogs for $40! Otherwise, tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for UI students and youths 18-and-under. Also, purchase a ticket and get one free when you show your official Orange Bowl souvenir patch at the UI Ticket Office window.
ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, along with color commentator Bob Hansen. The network includes more than 40 stations that blanket the state of Iowa and include portions of Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. The Hawkeye Radio Network coverage includes a 60-minute pregame show.
Television: The Big Ten Network will televise Saturday’s game to a national cable audience. Tom Werme and former Hawkeye Kenyon Murray will call the action.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,483 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,470-1,013 (.592). That includes a 929-323 (.742) record in home games, a 541-689 (.440) record in games away from Iowa City, a 695-691 (.501) mark in Big Ten games and a 335-97 (.775) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HAWKEYES BEAT DRAKE, 71-67
Three Hawkeyes posted double figures en route to a 71-67 triumph over in-state rival Drake in front of a season-high 9,921 fans Saturday night inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win snapped a three-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. Sophomores Matt Gatens and Anthony Tucker and freshman Eric May combined for 48 of Iowa’s 71 points. Gatens poured in a game-high 18 points, while Tucker contributed 17 and May added 13. Gatens also recorded game highs in rebounds (9) and assists (5). The Black and Gold outrebounded the Bulldogs by seven (35-28) and only allowed two offensive rebounds. Iowa also collected 16 assists and a season-low eight turnovers.
LICKLITER BACK ON THE BENCH
After missing the previous three games, Iowa Head Coach Todd Lickliter was back on the bench coaching the Black and Gold against Drake. Lickliter underwent a procedure on Dec. 5 to repair a torn carotid artery.
IOWA, DRAKE FAST BREAKS
? Both Iowa and Drake shot the ball well from 3-point range. The Hawkeyes shot 41% (12-of-29), while the Bulldogs shot 39% (11-of-28). Drake made nine of its 11 triples in the first half, while Iowa made six in each stanza. The Bulldogs’ 28 attempts from long distance are a season high for an Iowa opponent.
? Matt Gatens matched a career high with four triples. Anthony Tucker drained five, which is one shy of a personal best.
? Seven of Eric May’s 13 points came from the free throw line. The Dubuque, IA, native was 7-of-10 from the charity stripe, including 3-of-4 in the final minute.
? Iowa registered assists on 16 of its 23 field goals.
? Seven of Iowa’s eight players that played scored three points or more and had at least one assist.
? Iowa has scored 71 points in each of its last two contests. The Hawkeyes have scored exactly 50 points in three of their losses (UTSA, Duquesne and UNI).
? Drake had four players score in double figures, led by freshman Seth VanDeest (15 points).
? Saturday was the first of four consecutive home games for the Hawkeyes. Iowa will host South Carolina State Monday, followed by Purdue (Dec. 29) and Minnesota (Jan. 2).
? Iowa went 1-2 in games against in-state competition this season.
HAWKEYES MADE CLUTCH FREE THROWS TO SECURE WIN
Before Saturday’s game against Drake, Iowa attempted and made only five free throws under two minutes and one free throw under a minute through 10 games. The Hawkeyes attempted eight free throws under two minutes Saturday against Drake, making five, and were 5-of-6 under one minute to secure the four-point win over the Bulldogs. Freshman Eric May was 3-of-4 in the final minute, while sophomore Matt Gatens calmly swished two foul shots with 12 seconds remaining.
LICKLITER AFTER THE DRAKE GAME
“I thought it was a good win for us because we had contributions from a lot of people. We did a lot of good things down the stretch, but they came back on us and we were able to maintain our poise. Eric (May) hit some big free throws and we made some good plays. The plays were there to be made and we made them. It’s something to build on without question and it’s good for these guys. They work hard and it feels good for them to be rewarded. We need to realize what helps us play well and gravitate to those things. I’m appreciative of this win.”
TUCKER SUSPENDED FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME
“Anthony Tucker was arrested for public intoxication last night,” said Iowa Director of Athletics Gary Barta. “I have communicated with Men’s Basketball Coach Todd Lickliter. At this point, I do not have all the details of the incident. I can tell you, we are able to confirm that Anthony Tucker was arrested. Based on that confirmation, Anthony will be suspended for an indefinite period of time. First and foremost, I wanted to make sure Anthony is okay from a physical safety standpoint, and he is. Certainly, I am disappointed because this is not the first legal incident involving alcohol.”
HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 59 of its 75 games (.787) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) over the last five 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 last year were to ranked opponents and by four points or less. Iowa was a perfect 17-0 at home in 2006, 14-2 in 2007, 10-8 in 2008 and 13-4 a year ago. Iowa has compiled a 24-10 Big Ten Conference record in that time.
IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 335-97 (.775) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 156-77 (.670) in Big Ten games and 179-20 (.899) in non-Big Ten contests.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Monday will be the first ever meeting between Iowa and South Carolina State. The Hawkeyes are a perfect 7-0 against current members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference having beaten Maryland-Eastern Shore four times, Coppin State twice and Morgan State once.
SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
South Carolina State enters Monday’s game winners of three of its last four, including a thrilling 93-91 overtime win at Furman last Friday night. After playing three consecutive home games to start the season, the Bulldogs are in the middle of a stretch of nine of 10 away from home, including seven-straight road contests. South Carolina State will next visit Clemson a week from Tuesday. In its last win, five players netted 12 or more points in its two-point overtime win at Furman. A jumper with four seconds left by junior guard Carrio Bennett, who was fouled on the play, sealed the win. Senior guard/forward Jason Flagler scored 19 points, while senior forward Arsenio Williams recorded his first career double-double (16 points and 12 rebounds). Flager averages a team-best 12.9 points and 5.6 rebounds through eight games. Junior guard Darnell Porter ranks second in team scoring (12.5 ppg) and first in steals (16). As a team, the Bulldogs average 71.4 points, 8.4 steals, 4.4 blocks and 14.4 assists. South Carolina State doesn’t shoot the ball that well from 3-point range, making only 5.4 per contest at a 33% clip. South Carolina State is coached by Tim Carter, who is a 1979 alum of Kansas. Carter is in his third season with the Bulldogs (36-36, .500) and his 14th season overall (196-188, .510).
IOWA, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE TIP-INS
? Iowa is 18-6 all-time in games played on Dec. 21.
? South Carolina State’s 14-player roster features student-athletes from eight different states; there are three players each from the states of Georgia and South Carolina. Other states represented include: California, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
? South Carolina State has nine upperclassmen on its roster: six juniors and three seniors.
? South Carolina State’s Carrio Bennett has missed only two free throws this season (18-of-20, .900). Iowa’s Matt Gatens has missed only five (31-of-36, .861).
? The seven teams Iowa has lost to boast a combined record of 60-12 (.833). No. 3 Texas is 10-0, followed by Wichita State (10-1), Virginia Tech (9-1), Northern Iowa (8-1), Texas-San Antonio (8-2), Duquesne (8-4) and Iowa State (7-3).
? Iowa ranks 18th in the nation in fewest fouls per contest (15.5) and 19th in 3-pointers made (9.1).
? Cully Payne is leading all Big Ten freshmen in assists per game (3.8).
? The Sporting News lists Iowa sophomore guard Matt Gatens as the Big Ten’s best shooter in its college basketball preview issue.
HAWKEYES REGAIN ITS SHOOTING TOUCH FROM LONG DISTANCE
After a sluggish start to the season shooting 3-pointers, Iowa has regained its shooting touch from 3-point territory as of late. The Hawkeyes have averaged 11.8 triples made their last five games. In its first six contests, Iowa averaged only 6.8 treys per game. For the season, Iowa ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (9.1). Individually, Matt Gatens has made four triples in each of the last three games, while Anthony Tucker has averaged four triples the last five outings.
GATENS CATCHING FIRE
Matt Gatens was the Hawkeyes’ leading player in Iowa’s three games against in-state competition. The Iowa City native played 119-of-120 minutes and averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 4.0 three-pointers. Gatens, who is a perimeter shooter, shot a blistering 60% (12-of-20) from 3-point range. He led Iowa in points (18), rebounds (9), assists (5) and steals (1) in Iowa’s victory over Drake Saturday night.
BALANCED SCORING
Iowa has four players who have each led the team in scoring at least twice this season. They are Jarryd Cole (Texas and NC Central), Matt Gatens (Texas, Northern Iowa, Iowa State and Drake), Anthony Tucker (Duquesne, Virginia Tech and Prairie View A&M) and Eric May (UTSA and Bowling Green). Additionally, Gatens has reached double figures a team-best seven times, while Tucker has five times and Cully Payne four times. The Hawkeyes have had one player score 20 points or more in four of the last six games. Jarryd Cole tallied 24 vs. NC Central (Nov. 28), Anthony Tucker netted 24 against Virginia Tech (Dec. 1) and 20 vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 5) and Matt Gatens posted 20 at Iowa State (Dec. 11).
TUCKER REGAINS SHOOTING TOUCH
Anthony Tucker reached the 20-point plateau in consecutive contests two week’s ago. The sophomore netted 20 points against Prairie View A&M (Dec. 5) and 24 vs. Virginia Tech (Dec. 1) to lead all scorers. He has made a combined 20 triples in Iowa’s last five outings (4.0 avg.). Tucker made a combined 10 triples in Iowa’s first six games.
A YOUNG SQUAD
Iowa’s roster of 12 players includes four freshmen, one redshirt freshman, four sophomores, two juniors and one senior. The freshmen are forward Brennan Cougill (6-9, 260), guard/forward Eric May (6-5, 225), guard Nick Neari (6-2, 185) and guard Cully Payne (6-1, 190). The redshirt freshman is John Lickliter. The sophomores are Andrew Brommer, Aaron Fuller, Matt Gatens and Anthony Tucker. In addition, junior forward Devan Archie (6-9, 215) is in his first year at Iowa after attending a junior college in Indianapolis. He has not played this season due to injury.
PAYNE NAMED TO CBE CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Freshman Cully Payne was recognized on the CBE Classic All-Tournament team. The native of Schaumburg, IL, averaged 13 points, five assists and two rebounds in games against third-ranked Texas and Wichita State in Kansas City, MO. Additionally, Payne brought the fans at the Sprint Center to their feet, sinking a 75-footer at the halftime buzzer to tie Texas, 38-38.
ARCHIE SIDELINED AFTER SUSTAINING INJURY
Junior transfer Devon Archie is expected to be sidelined four-to-seven weeks after sustaining an injury to his left shoulder during Iowa’s second practice, Oct. 17. Archie is out of a sling and has begun limited non-contact drills in practice. The 6-9, 215-pounder is expected to bolster the Hawkeye front court after playing the last two seasons at Vincennes Community College. A two-time team captain at Vincennes, he averaged 6.8 points, six rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots, starting 19 of 30 games last season as a sophomore.
FRESHMEN TRIO MAKING IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Freshmen Brennan Cougill, Eric May and Cully Payne have made an immediate impact on the team. Thirty-seven percentage of Iowa’s offense has been generated by the freshmen trio. Cougill averages six points and 4.4 rebounds. The native of Sioux City, IA, posted his first career double-double the other night at Iowa State. He registered personal bests in scoring (12) and rebounds (10) against the Cyclones. He netted eight points, including a clutch 3-point play late in the contest vs. Duquesne to give Iowa a one-point lead. Cougill followed up that performance with his first career start, amassing eight points and a game and personal-high eight rebounds vs. Bowling Green. He had 11 points in each game at Kansas City against No. 3 Texas and Wichita State. Cougill had nine points and nine rebounds vs. NC Central. May averages 8.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists. May tallied 10 of his 13 points in the second half off the bench in Iowa’s win over Drake. He tallied a team-high 13 points against UTSA, a game-high 16 points vs. Bowling Green and blocked a team-high two shots vs. Duquesne. The native of Dubuque, IA, made all four 3-point attempts in Iowa’s 22-point triumph over Bowling Green. May had nine points vs. Wichita State and a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) in his first career start vs. Prairie View A&M. He started three of the last four games. Payne, who is Iowa’s first lefty point guard since Dean Oliver, averages nine points, 3.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds. The native of Schaumburg, IL, was honored on the CBE Classic All-Tournament team. He netted a personal-best 18 points vs. Wichita State in the tournament’s consolation game. He scored 12 points vs. UTSA and dished out a game-high six assists against Duquesne. He also collected four assists against Bowling Green and six helpers against No. 3 Texas. Payne contributed 11 points and four assists vs. NC Central. He had eight points, four rebounds and three assists vs. Virginia Tech and eight points, a personal-best six rebounds and four assists against Prairie View A&M. Payne scored 11 of his 15 points at Iowa State in the final 2:05 of the game. He contributed eight points, three assists and equaled a personal high with six rebounds.
IOWA CRACKS THE RECORD BOOK FROM 3-POINT RANGE
Iowa attempted a school-record 37 triples against No. 3 Texas (Nov. 23), making 10. The 37 attempts breaks the previous mark of 36 (15 made) attempted against Long Island on Dec. 17, 1994. The Hawkeyes tied the school record for 3-pointers made against Prairie View A&M (Dec. 5). Iowa sank 15-of-31 attempts to match the record accomplished twice before (15 vs. Long Island in 1994 and Northwestern in 1998).
HAWKEYES IN BIG TEN RANKINGS
Jarryd Cole ranks fourth in Big Ten field goal percentage (.606, 40-of-66) and 12th in Big Ten rebounding (5.9); Cully Payne ranks seventh in assists (3.82) and 13th in 3-pointers (1.73); Matt Gatens ranks second in minutes played (36.36), sixth in free throw percentage (.861, 31-of-36), seventh in 3-pointers (2.0), 12th in assists (3.27), 14th in 3-point percentage (.386, 22-of-57) and 17th in scoring (12.8); Anthony Tucker ranks third in 3-pointers made (2.73) and 21st in scoring (11.9). As a team, Iowa ranks second in Big Ten rebounds allowed (30.8) and third in 3-pointers (9.09).
SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa opponents have outscored the Hawkeyes 341-331 in the first half through 11 games. Hawkeye opponents own a 377-363 advantage in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in all three of its wins.
BALANCED 3-POINT ATTACK
Every Hawkeye on this year’s team is comfortable shooting the three. Iowa mainly runs an eight-player rotation and all eight have attempted and made at least one 3-pointer. Anthony Tucker leads the team with 30, followed by Matt Gatens (22), Cully Payne (19), Devan Bawinkel (12), Eric May (9), Brennan Cougill (6), Aaron Fuller (1) and Jarryd Cole (1).
NO THREE-POINTERS
Since the 3-point shot became part of the college game, Iowa has played 14 games in which it has failed to make a 3-point attempt. Iowa had made at least one 3-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 3-point basket in 192 straight games.
OFF THE BENCH
The Hawkeye reserves are averaging 13.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, compared to 16.5 points and 8.6 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 4-2 when the reserves outscore the opponent reserves and 0-5 when the opponent reserves score more points. Iowa is 1-3 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves and 3-4 when the opponent reserves have more rebounds.
FIVE STATE CHAMPS
Iowa’s roster of 12 players includes five players who won state titles. Matt Gatens and John Lickliter won a state title for Iowa City HS in 2008. Eric May won a state title for Dubuque Wahlert HS in 2008. Brennan Cougill’s Bishop Heelan HS captured the state title in 2009, while Anthony Tucker won a state title his senior year at Minnetonka HS.
YOUTHFUL HAWKEYES
Iowa, Indiana, Michigan and Michigan State have the second-most underclassmen (9) on their rosters, behind Purdue (11).
HAWKEYE SCHEDULE NOTES
? Iowa’s schedule includes 18 regular season home games.
? Thirteen of Iowa’s first 18 games will be played in the friendly confines of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, with two other contests being played on a neutral floor.
? Within the Big Ten, the Hawkeyes play two games against four of the top six teams in the league a year ago. Iowa meets Penn State (home) and Wisconsin (away) just once. Iowa opens Big Ten play with four of five games at home, while it concludes the conference slate with three of four on the road. The Big Ten Tournament is held in Indianapolis.
? Iowa’s Big Ten opener vs. Purdue (Dec. 29) is its earliest conference opener since the 1952 season. That year the Hawkeyes opened with Michigan Dec. 13 in an 18-game league schedule.
? Iowa’s Big Ten slate includes four weekend home dates and five games during the week.
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.
FORMER UI STANDOUT GIVES $100,000 FOR CHA RENOVATION
Ronnie Lester, former All-American basketball player at the University of Iowa, has made a $100,000 gift to the UI Foundation to support the Carver-Hawkeye Arena Enhancements Campaign. The assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, Lester is a member of the committee that is leading the fundraising effort to upgrade the 26-year-old facility. At the request of Lester, the UI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will name the training room at the remodeled Carver-Hawkeye Arena in honor of longtime UI athletic trainer John Streif. Streif, of Iowa City, and Lester, of Manhattan Beach, Calif., have been close friends since Lester’s playing days as an Iowa Hawkeye, beginning in the mid-1970s. “John Streif has been a terrific friend to me for more than 30 years. He has worked tirelessly to support me and numerous other athletes for over four decades now,” said Lester, a 1981 UI graduate who was a member of the Hawkeye men’s basketball team from 1977 to 1980. “His dedication to the Hawkeyes is legendary, and I’m honored to name the training room for him. “As a member of the Carver-Hawkeye Arena campaign committee, I am pleased to step forward to make this gift,” Lester continued. “Coach Lickliter has the program moving in the right direction, and I want to do my part to help this important project.” The goal of the Carver-Hawkeye Arena Enhancements Campaign is to raise at least $20 million to modernize the current facility, according to UI Director of Athletics Gary Barta. No state funding will be used for the project. “We are thrilled to receive this gift from Ronnie Lester. He is one of the all-time great basketball players at Iowa,” said Barta. “It’s always special to see former student-athletes reach back and support the Hawks. On top of his generosity, it is terrific that Ronnie has chosen to honor John Streif. I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
“HAWK TALK WITH Todd Lickliter”
University of Iowa basketball fans may join Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter and radio announcer Gary Dolphin 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 Cafe in Iowa City from 7-8:30 p.m. The dates are: Dec. 28, Jan. 6, Jan. 11, Jan. 18, Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 15, Feb. 22, March 1 and March 8.
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 16”. Four current Big Ten Conference head coaches have earned national Coach of the Year honors.
ALL-SESSION BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE NOW
All-session tickets for the 2010 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament is on sale to the general public. Tickets can be purchased at the UI Athletic Ticket Office, Conseco Fieldhouse box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is the site of the men’s tournament from March 11-14. For the men’s basketball tournament, all-session tickets for the lower and club level are available for $275 through the 11 Big Ten universities only. All-session tickets for the upper level are available for $220 or $165 (depending on seat location) through Ticketmaster or the Conseco Fieldhouse box office only. Orders will be limited to 12 all-session tickets. In addition, the men’s basketball tournament for the first time will also feature a special discounted rate of $50 for all-session tickets available only to students of the 11 Big Ten universities. Student section seating will be available in eight balcony sections and orders will be limited to four all-session tickets. The Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament will call Indianapolis and Conseco Fieldhouse home through 2012. The 2010 tournament marks the sixth time Indianapolis has hosted the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse.
ON THE HORIZON
After a Tuesday morning practice, the Iowa Hawkeyes will have three days off to rest and enjoy Christmas. Iowa will return to practice Saturday and begin preparation for its Big Ten opener, Dec. 29, at home against nationally-ranked Purdue. Four of Iowa’s first five conference contests will be played in Iowa City.