Jan. 14, 2010
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THE SETTING
Iowa (6-11, 0-4) concludes a stretch of playing seven of eight at home Saturday when Penn State (8-8, 0-4) visits Iowa City. Tip-off is slated for 12:06 p.m. (CST) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Saturday will be the only regular season meeting between Iowa and Penn State. Tickets are $25 for adults, youths and UI students. Penn State enters Saturday’s game on a four-game losing skid, while Iowa snapped a four-game losing streak with Tuesday night’s triumph over Tennessee State (67-62).
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. Fans can also listen to the game on Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 91 and XM Channel 196.
Television: The Big Ten Network will televise Saturday afternoon’s game to a national cable audience. Craig Coshun and former Hawkeye Kenyon Murray will call the action.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,489 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,472-1,017 (.591). That includes a 931-326 (.741) record in home games, a 541-690 (.439) record in games away from Iowa City, a 695-695 (.500) mark in Big Ten games and a 337-100 (.771) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
STARTING THE BIG TEN SCHEDULE AT HOME
Iowa starts the Big Ten Conference schedule with four of its first five games at home. The last time that happened was during the 1962-63 campaign.
IOWA SNAPS FOUR-GAME LOSING SKID WITH VICTORY OVER TENNESSEE STATE
Cully Payne scored five of Iowa’s last seven points, including a key 3-pointer at the 1:45 mark with the game tied to lift Iowa to a 67-62 win over Tennessee State Tuesday night in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes were led by sophomore Aaron Fuller, who notched his first career double-double posting game and career highs in points (24) and rebounds (10). Sophomore Matt Gatens tallied 12 points and a game-high five assists, while Payne contributed 11 points and four assists. For the game, Iowa shot a season high 82% (14-of-17) from the free throw line, including making six-of-seven at the charity stripe in the final five minutes. Josh Sain netted a team-high 19 points for Tennessee State.
IOWA, TENNESSEE STATE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa led by two at halftime (35-33). The Hawkeyes are 5-1 this season when leading at the half.
? Eric May posted personal bests in assists (4) and steals (3).
? Iowa made three `and 1′ baskets in the first half, completing two of the three 3-point plays.
? Andrew Brommer played a season-high 18 minutes, scoring six points and collecting two rebounds and an assist.
? Iowa shot 50% (23-of-46) from the field, while it held Tennessee State to 40% (22-of-55) from the floor. The Hawkeyes are 6-0 when having a higher field goal percentage than their opponents this season.
? Iowa played its sixth game without sophomore Anthony Tucker, who has been suspended indefinitely. Tucker averages 11.9 points and 3.5 rebounds.
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.
LICKLITER AFTER THE TENNESSEE STATE GAME
“I knew Tennessee State would be difficult to play against when I watched tape. They won at Detroit and I know that is not an easy thing to do. They played well at Alabama and Vanderbilt. I thought we did a better job, throughout the course of the game, of handling the extended defense, which is a real positive for us. That’s a good thing because that is something we’re going to have to be able to attack better. I thought the pass Aaron Fuller made at the end to Cully Payne was a real nice play. Cully had to make the shot of course, but I really thought that was a nice play. Matt Gatens sprained his ankle in the first half; but he played the whole second half. He only sat out a few seconds in the first, or maybe it was in the second. He showed a lot of courage and toughness. I am hoping that playing through it will help him keep it loose. I appreciate his effort. And if he weren’t my son, I would say those two charges drawn by No. 34 (John Lickliter) were big plays. I thought those were really nice, savvy plays. I thought he gave us a lift by getting us the ball back those two times.”
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.
DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
Iowa boasts the strongest strength of schedule amongst Big Ten teams in games played through Jan. 13. The Hawkeyes rank 19th nationally, according to realtimerpi.com. The 11 teams Iowa has lost to boast a combined record of 143-36 (.799). No. 2 Texas is 16-0, followed by No. 4 Purdue (14-2), No. 10 Michigan State (14-3), Wichita State (16-2), Virginia Tech (13-2), Northern Iowa (15-1), Minnesota (12-5), Texas-San Antonio (12-3), Duquesne (9-8), Illinois (11-5) and Iowa State (11-5).
ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa holds a 21-11 advantage in the series that began with an 82-53 Iowa win in 1955. The two teams have split the last six games, the last three seasons with each team winning on its home court. Last year, Penn State rallied for a 63-59 win (Jan. 24) at University Park and Iowa won 75-67 in double overtime (March 7) at Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have won nine of the last 12 meetings. Iowa has won 13 of the last 18, 14 of the last 20 and 16 of the last 23 meetings. Penn State has won three of the last five. Iowa won both meetings in 2006 and single games in 2004 and 2005. Iowa holds a 12-3 advantage in games played at Iowa City, with all 15 meetings taking place in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes have won 10 of the last 11 meetings at Iowa City. Penn State’s last win (78-73) in Iowa City was in 2001. Three of the 32 meetings in the series have been in post-season action. The first meeting in 1955 was in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Evanston, IL, with Iowa winning 82-53 on its way to the Final Four. Penn State won 67-64 in Iowa City in 1995 in the quarter-finals of the NIT, earning a trip to New York City. Iowa won in the Big Ten Tournament semi-finals in 2001 and went on to win that event, as both teams earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa’s 67-48 win in 1962 took place in the first round of the Quaker City Tournament in Philadelphia, PA.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State enters Saturday’s game on a four-game losing streak, most recently falling at Illinois (54-53) Tuesday night in Champaign, IL. Saturday will be Penn State’s second straight road game and third contest away from home in five games. The Nittany Lions are 2-5 in games away from home, including 1-3 in true road contests. In its last game, Penn State lost another nail-bitter at Illinois, its fourth loss decided by three points or less this season. Junior Talor Battle had a shot at the end to win the game, but was unable to get the shot to fall. Battle who is the Big Ten’s second-leading scorer, was held to just nine points on 4-of-19 shooting from the field, including only 1-of-7 from long distance. Sophomore Chris Babb scored 15 points to lead the Nittany Lions. In addition to leading his team in scoring, Battle ranks first in assists (3.6), 3-pointers (35-of-108) and free throws (56-of-79). Babb ranks second in scoring (8.4). Redshirt junior Andrew Jones ranks first in team rebounding (5.0). Penn State ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring defense (61.2) and rebounding margin (+5.5), third in rebounds allowed (30.8) and fifth in rebounding (36.2). The Nittany Lions rank 10th in the league in scoring offense (66.4), field goal percentage (.430), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.365), steals (5.13), blocked shots (1.56) and assists (13.31).
PENN STATE COACH ED DECHELLIS
Ed DeChellis is in his seventh season as Penn State’s head coach and his 14th year as a college head coach. DeChellis is 92-111 (.453) at Penn State and his career mark stands at 197-204 (.491). Last season, DeChellis guided the Nittany Lions to a 27-11 record and the 2009 NIT Championship. He posted a 105-93 record in seven years as the head coach at East Tennessee State. A Penn State graduate, DeChellis led East Tennessee State to the Southern Conference Tournament championship in 2003, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. East Tennessee State then lost to second-seeded Wake Forest by a 76-73 margin. DeChellis began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Penn State, and later was an assistant coach at Salem College in West Virginia. He returned to Penn State as an assistant coach for 10 seasons before taking over at East Tennessee State. As a PSU assistant, DeChellis helped the Nittany Lions advance to post-season play four straight seasons (1989-92), while posting an 87-40 record in that time. DeChellis was named the National Coaches vs. Cancer Man of the Year in 2006. DeChellis is 3-7 against Iowa and 2-2 vs. Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.
DECHELLIS AS AN ASSISTANT
Penn State Coach Ed DeChellis served as a Nittany Lion assistant coach from 1986-96, during the time that Penn State moved from the Atlantic 10 Conference to the Big Ten. During his last two seasons as an assistant there, Penn State posted a 42-18 record, advancing to the NIT in 1995 and the NCAA Tournament in 1996. During his time as a Penn State assistant DeChellis helped PSU post a 4-3 record against Iowa.
IOWA, PENN STATE TIP-INS
? Iowa is 12-11 all-time in games played on Jan. 16.
? Saturday will be Iowa’s seventh home game in its last eight contests.
? Eighty-one percent of Iowa’s offense is generated by underclassmen (870 of 1,068 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.
? Penn State’s 14-player roster features student-athletes from six different states, plus Serbia. Six of the 14 players hail from its home state of Pennsylvania, two from Texas and one each from Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Kentucky, Maryland and Serbia.
? Penn State’s roster breakdown includes five freshmen, two sophomores, seven true or redshirt juniors and zero seniors.
? Iowa and Penn State have played one common non-conference opponent: Virginia Tech. The Nittany Lions lost 66-64, while the Hawkeyes fell 70-64 to the Hokies. Both were home games for Penn State and Iowa.
? Iowa ranks 16th in the nation in fewest fouls per contest (15.0) and 20th in 3-pointers made (8.4).
? Penn State ranks 18th in the nation in fewest fouls per game (15.2), 23rd in fewest turnovers (11.6), 45th in scoring defense (61.2) and 51st in rebounding margin (+5.5). Talor Battle ranks 64th nationally in scoring (17.6).
? Cully Payne is leading all Big Ten freshmen in assists per game (3.59).
? Penn State assistant Kurt Kanaskie is no stranger to the Iowa basketball program, as he served as the head coach at Drake University in Des Moines for seven seasons.
? Penn State assistant Dan Earl is a former Nittany Lion player. Earl began his playing career in 1993-94 and ended his career in 1998-99. He missed the 1996-97 season due to a back injury and missed all but five games in 1997-98 due to a knee injury, earning a medical hardship and a sixth season. In the games he played, Earl helped Penn State post a 4-2 record vs. Iowa, including a 67-64 win in Iowa City in the quarter-finals of the 1995 NIT.
? Penn State Assistant Coach Lewis Preston was an assistant coach at Florida in 2006-07 when the Gators defeated Butler, coached by current Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter, in the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. Florida went on to win the national title.
? When the Hawkeyes won at Penn State in 1997 it marked the Nittany Lions’ first defeat in the Bryce Jordan Center and ended the longest home court winning streak in the nation at the time.
LIKING THE THREE-BALL
Iowa has not been shy about shooting the long ball, having more than 48.9% of its field goal attempts coming from downtown.
Highest Percent of FG Attempts from Three, Division IASamford 51.9% (341/657)Iowa 48.7% (426/874)
IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 337-100 (.771) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 156-80 (.661) in Big Ten games and 181-20 (.900) in non-Big Ten contests.
HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 61 of its 80 games (.763) 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.
MAY DAY
Freshman Eric May has performed well the last six games. He has averaged 10.5 points, seven rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.8 blocks the last six contests. In his last four starts against Big Ten competition, he has averaged 9.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 dimes and 1.0 blocks. He posted team bests in scoring (9) and assists (3) at Illinois on Jan. 5. May posted personal bests in assists (4) and steals (3) in a win over Tennessee State Tuesday night.
John Lickliter SEEING EXTENDED MINUTES
Redshirt freshman John Lickliter has seen game action since Anthony Tucker has been suspended. Lickliter, who is backing up starting point guard Cully Payne, has averaged 11.5 minutes the last six games. He is averaging 3.8 points and shooting 41% (7-of-17) from the field, including 38% (6-of-16) from 3-point range. Lickliter has made at last one triple in four of the last five contests.
BROMMER SEEING MORE TIME
Sophomore Andrew Brommer has seen more time on the court the last two games. Brommer, who has played in nine contests, has averaged 16 minutes, five points and 2.5 rebounds off the bench in Iowa’s last two games. The native of Rosemount, MN, made a career-high four free throws against Tennessee State. Last season, Brommer was 5-of-22 (.227) from the charity stripe, compared to 9-of-13 (.692) this season.
FULLER RETURNING TO FORM
Sophomore Aaron Fuller is returning to form after recovering from an ankle sprain sustained in Iowa’s third game of the year (vs. Bowling Green, Nov. 20). Fuller returned to the starting lineup in Iowa’s first conference game (vs. Purdue, Dec. 29). In league play, the native of Mesa, AZ, ranks second in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (3.25) and eighth in overall rebounds (7.0). He’s also contributed offensively, ranking third on the team in scoring (9.3) through four Big Ten games. Fuller registered his first career double-double in Iowa’s last game vs. Tennessee State posting game and career highs in scoring (24) and rebounds (10). He netted the 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line. After last game, he saw his scoring average increase by 1.3 points and his rebounding average rise 0.4.
HAWKEYES SEEING IMPROVED NUMBERS AGAINST ELITE COMPETITION
So far, the Hawkeyes have played the sixth-toughest schedule in the country. Although the team has not been rewarded with more wins, statistically the numbers are up, through 17 games, from a year ago. The Hawkeyes are averaging three more two-pointers this year from last, 2.9 more rebounds, including 1.6 more offensive rebounds. Iowa has scored the exact same number of points (1,068) as last season after 17 games.
BALANCED SCORING
Iowa has five 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, South Carolina State, Minnesota and Michigan State), Anthony Tucker (Duquesne, Virginia Tech and Prairie View A&M), Eric May (UTSA, Bowling Green and Illinois) and Aaron Fuller (Purdue and Tennessee State). Additionally, Gatens has reached double figures a team-best 11 times, while Tucker and Payne have five times.
REACHING 20-POINT PLATEAU
The Hawkeyes have had one player score 20 points or more in six of the last 11 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), Matt Gatens posted 20 at Iowa State (Dec. 11) and vs. South Carolina State (Dec. 21) and Aaron Fuller accomplished the feat in the last game vs. Tennessee State (Jan. 12).
HITTING THE GLASS
Iowa has owned the rebounding advantage in 10 of its 17 contests, including eight of the last 10. 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), Minnesota (2) and Tennessee State (4). The Hawkeyes are 5-5 in games they have a positive rebounding margin. Iowa ranks fourth in Big Ten rebounds allowed (31.4).
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.
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 EXPECTED TO REDSHIRT
Junior transfer Devon Archie was sidelined seven weeks after sustaining an injury to his left shoulder during Iowa’s second practice, Oct. 17. Archie is practicing with the team, but is expected to redshirt after missing a majority of the 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.
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 9.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. May has started eight of the last 10 games, including the last five. May averaged 12 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in Iowa’s first two league games (Purdue and Minnesota). May posted team highs in points (9) and assists (3) and secured eight rebounds at Illinois. May registered personal bests in assists (4) and steals (3) Tuesday night vs. Tennessee State. He 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 8.4 points, 3.6 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. Payne netted five of his 11 points in the last two minutes in Iowa’s five-point win over Tennessee State, including draining a crucial 3-pointer with the game tied with 1:45 left in the game. He scored 12 points vs. UTSA and dished out a game-high six assists against Duquesne. He also collected six assists vs. No. 3 Texas. Payne 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 vs. Drake.
Cougill averages 4.9 points and 3.2 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.
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.
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.”
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. Matt Gatens leads the team with 32, followed by Anthony Tucker (30), Cully Payne (22), Devan Bawinkel (18), Eric May (16), Brennan Cougill (9), John Lickliter (5), Aaron Fuller (3) 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 198 straight games.
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.
SCORING BY HALVES
Hawkeye opponents have outscored Iowa 552-514 in the first half through 17 games. Hawkeye opponents own a 580-554 advantage in the second half. Iowa has led at halftime in five of its six victories.
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.
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.
“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: Jan. 18, Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 15, Feb. 22, March 1 and March 8.
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.
THIS WEEK IN BIG TEN BASKETBALL
Each Sunday at 8:30 p.m. (CST), “This Week in Big Ten Basketball” airs on the Big Ten Network. Dave Revsine will host the show alongside Jim Jackson and Dan Dakich, former Indiana player and head coach. Every Sunday night, This Week in Big Ten Basketball will provide a comprehensive breakdown of all of the Big Ten hoops action of the week, jam-packed with action footage, highlights, and awards for game and player of the week. The 30-minute shows will also preview the week ahead.
ON THE HORIZON
After playing seven of eight games at home, the Iowa Hawkeyes hit the road for a two-game road trip. First the Hawkeyes travel to East Lansing, MI, to take on 10th-ranked Michigan State on Jan. 20 (5:30 p.m. CST). Iowa will then visit Bloomington, IN, and face the Indiana Hoosiers on Jan. 24 (4:05 p.m. CST).