Dec. 27, 2009
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch (2009-10 Season)
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- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
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THE SETTING
Iowa (5-7, 0-0) opens Big Ten Conference play Tuesday night when the Hawkeyes welcome fourth-ranked Purdue (11-0, 0-0) to Iowa City. Tip-off is slated for 6:06 p.m. (CST) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Tuesday will be Iowa’s second game of the season against a ranked opponent (No. 3 Texas). Fans can purchase a four-pack to Tuesday’s game: 4 tickets, 4 cokes, 4 hot dogs for $50! Otherwise, tickets are $20 for adults and $10 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. The game can also be heard on XM Satellite Radio, Channel 196.
Television: The Big Ten Network will televise Tuesday’s game to a national cable audience. Dave Revsine and Jim Jackson will call the action.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,484 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,471-1,013 (.592). That includes a 930-323 (.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 336-97 (.776) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
OPENING THE CONFERENCE SEASON
Iowa is 8-4 in Big Ten Conference opening games over the past 12 years, but 1-4 the last five. The Hawkeyes began Big Ten play a year ago with a 68-65 loss at Ohio State. Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter has a 4-4 record in the first conference game of the season in his eight years as a head coach.
HAWKEYES BEAT SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
Four Hawkeyes tallied double figures en route to an 82-69 victory over South Carolina State last Monday night in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes shot a season-best 57% (29-of-51) from the field, with 21 of the 29 buckets coming in the paint. The Hawkeyes jumped out to a comfortable 46-30 advantage at the half. The 82 points and 46 first-half points are the most Iowa has ever scored in the Todd Lickliter era. Matt Gatens scored 20 points for the second time in three games to lead all scorers. The sophomore also contributed a career-high eight assists. Freshman Eric May scored a personal-best 18 points (7-11 FG, 2-3 FT) and also secured a game-high eight rebounds. Junior Jarryd Cole netted 19 points, while Aaron Fuller had 12.
IOWA, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa posted season bests in points (82), field goals made (29), field goal percentage (.569, 29-of-51), and free throws made (17) and attempted (24). The Black and Gold limited the Bulldogs to an Iowa-opponent season-low 13 three-point attempts.
? South Carolina State made 53% of its field goals, making 29 of its 55 attempts. Iowa’s win marked the first time under Coach Lickliter that the Hawkeyes were victorious when the opposition shot better than 50% (1-13).
? Iowa shot a blistering 61% (14-of-23) from the field in the second stanza.
? Redshirt freshman John Lickliter saw his first game action in his career. Lickliter saw five minutes, sinking both free-throw attempts, grabbing two rebounds and collecting an assist.
? Aaron Fuller made 11 trips to the charity stripe, making six. The 11 attempts and six made free throws both tie for the most made by a Hawkeye this season.
? Iowa converted seven offensive rebounds in 13 second-chance points.
? The game vs. South Carolina State was Iowa’s last non-conference tune up before the start of the Big Ten schedule.
LICKLITER AFTER THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GAME
“I thought we played a sounder game, where we were containing the ball and getting back. I thought we moved the ball well offensively and attacked well. We had two or three stretches where we got anxious. Not complacent, but it was anxiousness and they took advantage of it. I’d like it if we could stay consistent, regardless of the situation with the score. When we get to that point I think we’ll be playing the kind of basketball we have to play to be able to compete. We got contributions from everybody that played and that’s exciting. It’s good to see Aaron Fuller back healthy. We played Matt (Gatens) a lot of minutes again, but he has the whole vacation now to rest up so I’m sure he’ll recover. I’m really proud of Matt’s effort. He had a great game. He’s really raised his level of concentration and play.”
TUCKER SUSPENDED FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME
“Anthony Tucker was arrested for public intoxication,” said Iowa Director of Athletics Gary Barta. “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.”
“The status on him right now is that he’s taking a leave of absence indefinitely and we’re continuing an ongoing evaluation,” said Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter on Dec. 21.
LICKLITER BACK ON THE BENCH
After missing the three games (Prairie View A&M, Northern Iowa and Iowa State), Iowa Head Coach Todd Lickliter was back on the bench coaching the Black and Gold against Drake (Dec. 19) and South Carolina State (Dec. 21). Lickliter underwent a procedure on Dec. 5 to repair a torn carotid artery.
HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 60 of its 76 games (.789) 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 336-97 (.776) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 156-77 (.670) in Big Ten games and 180-20 (.900) in non-Big Ten contests.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Purdue holds an 80-70 advantage in the series that began with a 17-11 Boilermaker win in 1909. Purdue has won five straight games over Iowa, including a 75-53 win Jan. 18, 2009 at West Lafayette and a 49-45 decision Feb. 14, 2009 at Iowa City last season. The teams have split the last 12 meetings. Iowa’s last victory over Purdue came on Feb. 21, 2007 in Iowa City, 78-59. 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 semifinals. A consolation game was played at that time and Purdue defeated Iowa, 75-58. Iowa holds a 47-25 advantage in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have won seven of the last 11 meetings in Iowa City and hold a 13-10 edge in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
SCOUTING PURDUE
Purdue enters conference play as the only Big Ten team undefeated at 11-0. The Boilermakers won the Paradise Jam with victories over South Dakota State, Saint Joseph’s and Tennessee and also picked up non-conference wins over Wake Forest in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and a road game at Alabama. Most recently, the Boilermakers cruised to a 90-63 win over SIU-Edwardsville in West Lafayette on Dec. 22. Five players posted double figures, led by JaJuan Johnson (16 points), E’Twaun Moore (15 points) and Keaton Grant (13 points). Purdue collected a staggering 23 offensive rebounds and converted those second-chance opportunities into 20 additional points. The Boilermakers are led by their starting five, who have started all 11 games. Moore averages a team-best 16 points and ranks second in assists (27). Robbie Hummel ranks first in rebounding (6.8) and second in scoring (14.7). Additionally, he is the league’s best free throw shooter (.933, 42-of-45). Johnson averages 14.5 points and ranks second in the Big Ten in blocked shots (23). Chris Kramer averages 7.1 points, shooting at a team-best 57% clip, and ranks second in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio 3.36). Grant averages 6.6 points and has 23 assists. Purdue averages nearly 80 points per game (79.4) and boasts a Big Ten-best +7.2, turnover margin. The Boilermakers are also an excellent free throw shooting team, ranking first in the league (.754, 187-of-248).
PURDUE COACH MATT PAINTER
Matt Painter, a former Boilermaker player under Gene Keady, is in his fifth season as the head coach at Purdue after serving as associate head coach for one season. Painter holds a record of 94-50 (.653) at Purdue. He is in his sixth season as a head coach with a 119-55 (.684) record. Painter guided the Boilermakers to their first-ever Big Ten Tournament title, an NCAA Tournament “Sweet 16” appearance and a 27-10 overall record a year ago. 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 5-2 vs. Iowa and 4-1 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 in 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 in Indianapolis in 2006-07. Purdue defeated Iowa twice in 2008 and 2009.
IOWA, PURDUE TIP-INS
? Iowa is 16-10 all-time in games played on Dec. 29.
? 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.
? Purdue’s 16-player roster features student-athletes from four different states and Croatia. Eleven of the 16 players hail from its home state of Indiana; two are natives of Ohio and one each from Illinois, Florida and Croatia.
? Purdue has 10 underclassmen on its roster: eight freshmen and two sophomores. The Boilermakers also have three juniors and three seniors on their squad.
? The seven teams Iowa has lost to boast a combined record of 67-12 (.848). No. 3 Texas is 11-0, followed by Wichita State (11-1), Virginia Tech (10-1), Northern Iowa (9-1), Texas-San Antonio (8-2), Duquesne (9-4) and Iowa State (9-3).
? Iowa ranks 17th in the nation in 3-pointers made (9.1) and 21st in fewest fouls per contest (15.5).
? Purdue ranks sixth in the country in turnover margin (6.6), 15th in scoring margin (18.7) and 16th in free throw percentage (.761). Individually, Chris Kramer ranks 11th nationally in assist/turnover ratio (3.2), while Robbie Hummel ranks 15th in free throw percentage (.927).
? Cully Payne is leading all Big Ten freshmen in assists per game (3.92).
? The Sporting News lists Iowa sophomore guard Matt Gatens as the Big Ten’s best shooter in its college basketball preview issue.
? Iowa redshirt 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 Associate Coach 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.
PURDUE WON THE LAST MEETING
Nationally-ranked Purdue escaped with a 49-45 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes on Feb. 14, 2009 in Iowa City. The Boilermakers led by one point (44-43) with 4:38 remaining and held on for the win. The Hawkeyes were only able to score two points the last four minutes of the game, making only one of its final seven field-goal attempts. Both teams struggled from 3-point territory; Iowa shot just 11% (2-of-19), while Purdue shot 19% (3-of-16). Jake Kelly led all scorers with 19 points, while Jarryd Cole added 13 points and five rebounds. Matt Gatens played all 40 minutes, but shot only 2-of-13 from the field for four points. E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson led Purdue, scoring 16 and 13 points, respectively. Moore also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.
IOWA REGAINS 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 triples made their last six 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 (8.9). Individually, Matt Gatens has made four triples in each of the last four games.
STAT SHEET STUFFER
Matt Gatens was the Hawkeyes’ leading player in Iowa’s four games. The Iowa City native played 158-of-160 minutes and averaged 19 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.0 three-pointers. Gatens, who is a perimeter shooter, shot a blistering 61.5% (16-of-26) from 3-point range. He led Iowa in points (18), rebounds (9), assists (5) and steals (1) in Iowa’s victory over Drake (Dec. 21). Gatens also paced the Black and Gold in points (20) and assists (8) in a win over South Carolina State.
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, Drake and South Carolina State), 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 eight times, while Tucker has five times and Cully Payne four times.
REACHING 20-POINT PLATEAU
The Hawkeyes have had one player score 20 points or more in five of the last seven 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) and vs. South Carolina State (Dec. 21).
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. May averages 9.2 points, 4.7 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 posted a personal-best 18 points and also secured eight rebounds in Iowa’s win over South Carolina State. May 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. Payne, who is Iowa’s first lefty point guard since Dean Oliver, averages 8.8 points, 3.9 assists and three 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. Cougill averages 5.9 points and 4.1 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.
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.
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 second in Big Ten field goal percentage (.632, 48-of-76) and 12th in Big Ten rebounding (5.8); Cully Payne ranks seventh in assists (3.92); Matt Gatens ranks second in minutes played (36.58), sixth in 3-pointers (2.17), seventh in free throw percentage (.868, 33-of-38) and 3-point percentage (.413, 26-of-63), ninth in assists (3.67) and 16th in scoring (13.4); Anthony Tucker ranks fourth in 3-pointers made (2.73) and 21st in scoring (11.9). As a team, Iowa ranks second in Big Ten rebounds allowed (30.4), third in 3-pointers (8.92) and eighth in free throw percentage (.672, 131-of-195).
YOUTHFUL HAWKEYES
Iowa, Indiana, Michigan and Michigan State have the second-most underclassmen (9) on their rosters, behind Purdue (11).
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.
SCORING BY HALVES
The Hawkeyes have outscored their opponents 377-371 in the first half through 12 games. Hawkeye opponents own a 416-399 advantage in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in four of its five victories of its wins.
BIG TEN/ACC CHALLENGE RECAP
The Big Ten Conference captured its first Big Ten/ACC Challenge this year, winning six of the 11 competitions. Boston College, Miami, North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia Tech earned victories for the ACC Conference. Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State, Northwestern and Purdue captured wins for the Big Ten.
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 (26), Cully Payne (19), Devan Bawinkel (12), Eric May (11), Brennan Cougill (7), 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 193 straight games.
OFF THE BENCH
The Hawkeye reserves are averaging 14.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, compared to 17.3 points and 9.2 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 5-2 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 4-4 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.
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 slate includes four weekend home dates and five games during the week.
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.”
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.
“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. 30, 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
Iowa will remain in Iowa City for its second conference game when it hosts Minnesota Saturday, Jan. 2 at 3 p.m. inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Four of Iowa’s first five conference contests will be played in Iowa City.