Dec. 31, 2009
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THE SETTING
Iowa (5-8, 0-1) remains home this weekend when it welcomes Minnesota (10-3, 1-0) to Iowa City. Tip-off is slated for 3:01 p.m. inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Tickets are $25 for adults, UI students and youths 18-and-under.
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. Mike Crispino and Tim Doyle will call the action.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,485 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,471-1,014 (.592). That includes a 930-324 (.742) record in home games, a 541-689 (.440) record in games away from Iowa City, a 695-692 (.501) mark in Big Ten games and a 336-98 (.774) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
STARTING THE BIG TEN SCHEDULE AT HOME
The last time Iowa started the Big Ten schedule with consecutive home games was during the 2003-04 season. Iowa opened with home contests against Purdue (Jan. 7) and Northwestern (Jan. 10). Furthermore, Iowa starts the conference schedule with four of its first five games at home. The last time that happened was during the 1962-63 campaign.
HAWKEYES FALL TO NO. 4 PURDUE AT HOME
A strong second half propelled fourth-ranked Purdue to a 67-56 win over Iowa in the conference opener Tuesday night in front of a season-high 12,468 fans in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Trailing by one at halftime, the Boilermakers outscored the Hawkeyes 41-29 the final 20 minutes. Purdue shot a blistering 65% (15-of-23) from the floor in the second half. The visitors were able to turn 16 Hawkeye turnovers into 18 points. Purdue’s E’Twaun Moore netted 15 of his game-high 21 points in the second half, missing only one field goal attempt (6-of-7). Iowa was paced by the duo of Aaron Fuller and Eric May. Fuller tallied a season-high 15 points and grabbed a career-high eight rebounds. May contributed 11 points and eight boards.
IOWA, PURDUE FAST BREAKS
? Aaron Fuller returned to the starting lineup and played a season-high 34 minutes. Fuller, who started Iowa’s first two games, has been out of the starting lineup since suffering an ankle sprain in Iowa’s game against Bowling Green (Nov. 20).
? Matt Gatens played all 40 minutes for the third time this season and the third time in the last four contests.
? Junior Jarryd Cole was in foul trouble most of the game, but still registered nine points, six rebounds and added a block and a steal in only 24 minutes.
? Iowa outrebounded Purdue by four (34-30). Additionally, 11 of Iowa’s 34 rebounds were offensive and outscored the Boilermakers 18-10 in second chance points.
? Redshirt freshman John Lickliter saw the most action of his collegiate career, playing eight minutes. Lickliter collected six points and a team-high two steals. Lickliter brought the Carver-Hawkeye Arena crowd to its feet on a couple fast break plays.
? Iowa played its second game without sophomore Anthony Tucker, who has been suspended indefinitely. Tucker averages 11.9 points and 3.5 rebounds.
? Purdue attempted seven more free throws than Iowa. The Boilermakers made only 11 of their 18 attempts (61%), while the Hawkeyes were 8-of-11 (73%) from the charity stripe.
? Iowa held its own in the first half in both games this year against top-five competition. The Hawkeyes and third-ranked Texas were tied (38-38) on Nov. 23 in Kansas City. Against fourth-ranked Purdue, the Black and Gold had a one-point lead (27-26) at the break.
LICKLITER AFTER THE PURDUE GAME
“I’m going to steal a line from Matt Painter. A few years ago, he had a younger team and I had veteran team and we played them. After the game he said, `I think we have a better team than we did two hours ago.’ That’s my hope for this team. I think they were very challenging but our guys responded well, had stretches of very good basketball but you’ve got to play at such a high level to compete with a team that plays as well as Purdue does. We just couldn’t put 40 minutes together tonight, that’s a hard thing to do but that is the goal. But we are better than we were and we have got to maintain the focus and consistency that’s required to grow and be the kind of team we want to be. This is a really new experience for a few of these guys, now they understand it and that should help them as far as their next challenge.”
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 three games (Prairie View A&M, Northern Iowa and Iowa State), Head Coach Todd Lickliter returned to the bench Dec. 19 against Drake. Lickliter underwent a procedure on Dec. 5 to repair a torn carotid artery.
DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
Iowa boasts the strongest strength of schedule amongst Big Ten teams in games played through Dec. 29. The Hawkeyes rank 31st nationally, according to realtimerpi.com. The eight teams Iowa has lost to boast a combined record of 82-15 (.845). No. 3 Texas is 12-0, followed by No. 4 Purdue (12-0), Wichita State (11-2), Virginia Tech (11-1), Northern Iowa (10-1), Texas-San Antonio (8-3), Duquesne (9-5) and Iowa State (9-3).
ALL-TIME SERIES
Minnesota holds a 96-88 advantage over Iowa in the series that began with a 47-10 Gopher win in 1902. Minnesota defeated Iowa 63-50 in Minneapolis in the only meeting in 2008 and won 52-49 in Iowa City in 2009. Iowa won both meetings in 2007, 60-49 in Iowa City and 91-78 in Minneapolis. Iowa has won four of the last seven meetings. The teams split two games during the 2004-05 season after Iowa won both meetings in 2004. The Hawkeyes have won 11 of the last 17 meetings. The teams met just once in 2002 and 2003, with Minnesota winning both games. Iowa holds a 52-38 advantage in games played in Iowa City and a 17-8 advantage in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has won seven of the last nine meetings in Iowa City and four of the last five. The teams have met twice in the Big Ten Tournament. Along with the 2006 win in Indianapolis, Iowa defeated the Gophers 81-78 in the 2000 event at the United Center in Chicago. Iowa also defeated the Gophers at a neutral site (Los Angeles) early in the 1964-65 season.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
After losing three straight away from Minneapolis to Portland, Texas A&M and Miami, Minnesota has reeled off six consecutive victories, all at home. Saturday will be only the Gophers’ second true road game of the season. Minnesota lost its only true road game at Miami (63-58) on Dec. 2. Most recently, Minnesota registered a 75-70 win over Penn State Tuesday night at Williams Arena. The game was pretty even, featuring eight ties and four lead changes. Minnesota forced 16 Penn State turnovers and converted those miscues intop 13 points. Senior Lawrence Westbrook tied a career high with 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from distance, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. Junior Blake Hoffarber added 11 points for the Gophers. Westbrook averages a team-best 14.2 points, which ranks 14th-best in the Big Ten. Hoffarber averages 10.9 points and ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (2.77) and percentage (.486, 36-of-74). Junior Al Nolen averages 6.4 points and ranks 10th in the nation in steals (5.02.7) and 25th in the country in assists (5.0). Sophomore Ralph Sampson III ranks second in the conference in blocks (2.23) and averages 7.9 points and a team-best 5.9 rebounds. Minnesota ranks first in the Big Ten in steals (10.77), blocked shots (6.92) and field goal percentage defense (.365). The Gophers also rank second in scoring margin (+20.4), 3-point percentage (.393), assists (18.31) and turnover margin (+6.38), and third in scoring (80.3) and field goal percentage (.488).
MINNESOTA COACH TUBBY SMITH
Tubby Smith is in his third year as the head coach at Minnesota and his 19th season overall as a college head coach. Smith has led Minnesota to a 52-28 (.650) record and his career mark stands at 439-173 (.717). Smith posted a 79-43 mark in four seasons at Tulsa (1991-95), a 45-19 mark in two seasons at Georgia (1995-97) and a 263-83 record in 10 years at Kentucky (1997-07). He has also served as an assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth, South Carolina and Kentucky. Smith led the Gophers to a 22-11 finish a year ago and an NCAA Tournament appearance. He guided his first Minnesota team to an appearance in the 2008 NIT after coaching his team in the NCAA Tournament for 14 consecutive years while at Kentucky. He is one of four active Division I coaches to take three different teams to the Sweet 16 and he was national Coach of the Year in 1998, 2003 and 2005. His Kentucky teams won five SEC regular season titles and five SEC Tournament championships. Smith boasts a 29-13 record in the NCAA Tournament. Smith is 3-1 vs. Iowa and 2-0 against Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.
SMITH VS. IOWA
Minnesota Coach Tubby Smith held a 1-1 record against Iowa before taking over at Minnesota. In 2001, Smith led Kentucky to a 92-79 win over Iowa in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Early in the 2005-06 season, Iowa defeated Smith’s Kentucky team 67-63 in the semi-finals of the Guardians Classic in Kansas City. Smith was also an assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth in 1979-80 when Iowa defeated VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes advanced to the Final Four that season.
IOWA, MINNESOTA TIP-INS
? Iowa is 14-7 all-time in games played on Jan. 2.
? The last five contests played between the two teams in Iowa City have been decided by an average of 5.6 points, which includes an Iowa 76-72 double overtime triumph in 2006.
? Eighty percent of Iowa’s offense is generated by its underclassmen (663 of its 832 points). The Hawkeyes have only one senior (Devan Bawinkel) and one junior (Jarryd Cole) currently seeing time on the court. Junior transfer Devon Archie has been sidelined with an injury and is expected to redshirt.
? Minnesota’s 13-player roster features student-athletes from eight different states and Canada. Five of the 13 players hail from its home state of Minnesota and one each from Arkansas, Arizona, Louisiana, South Dakota, Georgia, Wisconsin, California and Canada.
? Minnesota’s roster breakdown includes three freshmen; three sophomores, four juniors and three seniors.
? Iowa ranks 17th in the nation in 3-pointers made (8.7) and 21st in fewest fouls per contest (15.4).
? Minnesota ranks sixth in the country in assists (18.3), seventh in turnover margin (6.38), ninth in field goal percentage defense (.365), 10th in scoring margin (20.4), 11th in steals (10.8), 13th in blocks (6.9), 18th in assist/turnover ratio (1.47) and 25th in 3-point percentage defense (.303).
? 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’s roster includes two players from the state of Minnesota, including sophomore Andrew Brommer (Rosemount) and Anthony Tucker (Minnetonka).
? Iowa assistant Chad Walthall is a native of Staples, MN.
? Iowa sophomore Anthony Tucker (Minnetonka HS) and Minnesota junior Blake Hoffarber (Hopkins HS) are both from Minnetonka, MN.
? Minnesota Assistant Coach Ron Jirsa was the head coach at Georgia in 1998 when the Bulldogs scored a 100-93 win over Iowa in the first round of the NIT in Iowa City.
? Minnesota Assistant Coach Vince Taylor previously served as an assistant Coach at Louisville (1999-05). During that time Iowa defeated the Cardinals on two occasions. Iowa won 70-69 in overtime in the John Wooden Tradition in Indianapolis in 2003-04. The following season the Hawkeyes defeated Louisville 76-71 in the first round of the Maui Classic. Iowa placed second in that event, falling in the final to eventual national champion North Carolina.
? Minnesota Assistant Coach Saul Smith played for his father, Tubby, at Kentucky during his college career. Smith was a member of the 2001 Wildcat team that defeated Iowa 92-79 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Long Island, NY. Smith contributed eight points, five assists and three rebounds in 35 minutes of action.
MINNESOTA WON ONLY MEETING LAST YEAR
Minnesota used a 28-18 surge the last 17 minutes of the contest to escape with a 52-49 win over Iowa on Jan. 8, 2009 in Iowa City. It was the only meeting of the season between Iowa and Minnesota. The Gophers took advantage of a depleted Iowa frontcourt, as starting Iowa center Cyrus Tate suffered an ankle sprain in the first half and did not return. The game was decided on the glass, with Minnesota collected 18 offensive rebounds and outscoring the Black and Gold 16-2 in second-chance opportunities. Matt Gatens tallied 11 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Jeff Peterson was the game’s leading scorer with 16 points. Travis Busch and Lawrence Westbrook each netted 10 points to pace Minnesota.
HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 60 of its 77 games (.779) 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 336-98 (.774) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 156-78 (.667) in Big Ten games and 180-20 (.900) in non-Big Ten contests.
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 10.3 triples made their last seven 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 (8.7). Individually, Matt Gatens has made four triples in four of Iowa’s last five contests.
STAT SHEET STUFFER
Matt Gatens was the Hawkeyes’ leading player in Iowa’s five games. The Iowa City native played 198 of a possible 200 minutes and averaged 16.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.6 three-pointers. Gatens, who is a perimeter shooter, shot a blistering 62.1% (18-of-29) 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.
HITTING THE GLASS
Iowa has owned the rebounding advantage in eight of its 13 contests. The Hawkeyes had a positive rebounding margin against UTSA (11), Bowling Green (2), NC Central (21), Prairie View A&M (4), UNI (2), Iowa State (2), SC State (3), Purdue (4). The Hawkeyes are 4-4 in games they have a positive rebounding margin.
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.
REACHING 20-POINT PLATEAU
The Hawkeyes have had one player score 20 points or more in five of the last eight 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).
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 and is expected to redshirt this season.
VALUABLE POSSESSIONS
Iowa has the same number of assists and turnovers through 13 games (181, 13.9 avg.). Last season, the Hawkeyes averaged 11.7 assists and 12.5 turnovers in 32 games.
FRESHMEN TRIO MAKING IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Freshmen Brennan Cougill, Eric May and Cully Payne have made an immediate impact on the team. Thirty-six percentage of Iowa’s offense has been generated by the freshmen trio. May averages 9.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists. May has started four of the last six games. 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. Last game, he totaled 11 points and shared game-high rebounding honors with eight vs. No. 4 Purdue. Payne, who is Iowa’s first lefty point guard since Dean Oliver, averages 8.5 points, 3.9 assists and 2.8 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 5.5 points and 3.8 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.
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).
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. He is expected to redshirt this season. 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.
BALANCED 3-POINT ATTACK
Every Hawkeye on this year’s team is comfortable shooting the three. Nine Hawkeyes have attempted and made at least one 3-pointer this season. Anthony Tucker leads the team with 30, followed by Matt Gatens (28), Cully Payne (19), Devan Bawinkel (13), Eric May (12), Brennan Cougill (7), Aaron Fuller (2), John Lickliter (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 194 straight games.
YOUTHFUL HAWKEYES
Iowa, Indiana, Michigan and Michigan State have the second-most underclassmen (9) on their rosters, behind Purdue (11).
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.
OFF THE BENCH
The Hawkeye reserves are averaging 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, compared to 16.8 points and 8.7 rebounds by the opponent reserves. Iowa is 5-2 when the reserves outscore the opponent reserves and 0-6 when the opponent reserves score more points. Iowa is 1-3 when the Hawkeye reserves have more rebounds than the opponent reserves and 4-5 when the opponent reserves have more rebounds.
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.
SCORING BY HALVES
The Hawkeyes have outscored their opponents 404-397 in the first half through 13 games. Hawkeye opponents own a 457-428 advantage in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in four of its five victories of its wins.
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.”
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.
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.
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 travel to Champaign, IL, for its first conference road test when it faces Illinois Tuesday. Tip-off is slated for 8:06 p.m. inside Assembly Hall. The Hawkeyes will then return to Iowa City to entertain nationally-ranked Michigan State on Jan. 9 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Four of Iowa’s first five conference contests will be played in Iowa City.