Jan. 25, 2010
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THE SETTING
After playing the last two games on the road, Iowa (8-12, 2-5) returns home Wednesday night when it entertains 20th-ranked Ohio State (14-6, 4-3). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:36 p.m. (CST) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
After starting the year 5-11, Iowa has won three of its last four. The Buckeyes have also won three of their last four. Iowa won its last outing, 58-43, at Indiana Sunday, while Ohio State fell at 11th-ranked West Virginia Saturday, 71-65. The Buckeyes are in a three-way tie for third place in the Big Ten, while the Hawkeyes are in 10th position; only one game behind four teams tied for sixth.
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 XM Satellite Radio, Channel 196.
Television: The Big Ten Network will televise Wednesday night’s game to a national cable audience. Wayne Larrivee, Shon Morris and Charissa Thompson will call the action.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,492 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,474-1,018 (.591). That includes a 932-326 (.741) record in home games, a 542-691 (.440) record in games away from Iowa City, a 697-696 (.500) mark in Big Ten games and a 338-100 (.772) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HAWKEYES SNAP ROAD LOSING SKID, WIN AT INDIANA
Iowa snapped a 15-game road losing skid, which includes an 11-game Big Ten road losing streak, with a 58-43 triumph at Indiana Sunday night in Assembly Hall. The 43 points allowed are the fewest the Hoosiers have ever scored against the Black and Gold in Assembly Hall and the fewest they have scored in a Big Ten home game since a 32-26 victory over Minnesota on Feb. 10, 1951. Indiana cut Iowa’s led to 33-31 with 13:23 left in the game, but an Aaron Fuller free throw and consecutive 3-point baskets by reserve Brennan Cougill stretched the advantage back to nine (40-31) and Iowa maintained a comfortable cushion the rest of the contest. Fuller paced the Black and Gold with 13 points. Junior Jarrd Cole recorded his third career double-double and second of the season, posting 11 points and 10 rebounds. Cougill netted all 10 of Iowa’s bench points.
IOWA, INDIANA FAST BREAKS
? Iowa held Indiana without a 3-point bucket (0-of-9) for the first time in nine years. Indiana’s streak of 277 straight games with a 3-pointer was snapped. The last time the Hoosiers did not make a triple was on March 9, 2001, against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament.
? Iowa dominated the glass, outrebounding Indiana by 16 (39-23). The Hoosiers, who entered the game as the league’s second-best offensive rebounding team, were held to 10 offensive boards. Iowa’s Jarryd Cole pulled down eight offensive rebounds himself. The last time Iowa boasted a +16 rebounding margin or better in a Big Ten game was when it grabbed 17 more boards (42-25) in an 81-75 victory over Indiana on Feb. 3, 2007 in Iowa City.
? Iowa held Indiana to only three assists and forced 16 Hoosier turnovers. Iowa turned those 16 miscues into 20 points.
? Iowa started the contest 1-of-8 from long distance, but finished sinking four of its last six from 3-point territory.
? Brennan Cougill did not miss a shot attempt (3-3 FG, 2-2 3-PT FG, 2-2 FT).
? Iowa played its ninth game without sophomore Anthony Tucker, who has been suspended indefinitely. Tucker averages 11.9 points and 3.5 rebounds. Tucker has only played in four Big Ten contests during his time at Iowa. One of the four games he only played one minute (at Ohio State last season). Tucker returned to practice Monday afternoon.
LICKLITER AFTER THE GAME
“It’s hard to win in this league period; we have struggled even at home. With this crowd, there were a couple of times when they cut it to two or four and you would have thought by the reaction of the crowd that they were pulling away from us. But, our guys were able to weather it and it’s a good experience for them. Especially, you hear how hard it is as a young person, I’ve always thought it’s not quite as important who you play, where you play, when you play, it’s a lot more important how you play. How you play is determined so much by your approach. That doesn’t take anything away from it, it is hard. These environments are terrific; we just played in two of the best in the country, in my opinion, in Michigan State and Indiana. If you’re going to win, home or road, you have to execute. If you would have told me we would have 21 turnovers and win I wouldn’t have believed you. It goes to say that keeping your composure, staying poised and continuing to guard and rebound are huge.”
FOOTBALL TEAM, CLAYBORN TO BE HONORED VS. OSU
The 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl champion Iowa football team will be recognized during halftime of the Ohio State vs. Iowa men’s basketball game on Jan. 27. Additionally, DE Adrian Clayborn will be formally recognized and presented the College Football Performance Awards National Defensive Performer of the Year trophy during halftime. Promotions for this game include:
? Students can pick-up free tickets to this game at the IMU Box Office or Carver-Hawkeye Arena South Entrance
? Be Bold, Wear Gold!
? One lucky fan will win a round-trip airline ticket on Allegiant Air
? Free FedEx Orange Bowl Championship posters
? Select football players will be available for pregame autographs
? FedEx Orange Bowl trophy photo opportunity on the concourse
? UI Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night. UI Faculty/Staff can purchase a group ticket for only $14.
? Doors will open 90 minutes (6 p.m.) before tip-off
? Additional RED and BLUE Cambus Routes to Carver-Hawkeye Arena will be in service for pre and postgame.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa holds a 75-70 advantage over Ohio State in the series that began with a 17-16 Ohio State win in 1915. Ohio State defeated Iowa twice a year ago: 68-65 on Dec. 31, 2008 in Columbus and 60-58 on March 3, 2009 in Iowa City. The two teams split during the 2007-08 season, with each team winning on its home court. Iowa has won seven of the last 13 meetings, while the Buckeyes have won 11 of the last 19. The visiting team in the series has won nine of the last 18 games. Fifteen of the last 22 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less, with 11 decisions by five points or less. Iowa holds a 47-23 overall advantage in Iowa City and a 17-8 record vs. the Buckeyes in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa had won four straight at Iowa City before the Buckeyes won 60-58 in 2009. Ohio State has won three of five neutral site meetings, with the teams splitting four meetings in the Big Ten Conference Tournament. The Buckeyes won a conference playoff game at the conclusion of the 1968 season at West Lafayette, IN.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
Ohio State dropped a non-Big Ten contest at 11th-ranked West Virginia, 71-65, Saturday in Morgantown, WV. The Buckeyes have won three of their last four games. Ohio State is 1-5 in true road contests this season, including a 1-3 road mark in conference play. The Buckeyes rallied from double digits to win at nationally-ranked Purdue, but have fallen at Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Ohio State starts four juniors and a sophomore. Four starters average double figures in scoring, led by junior Evan Turner. Turner, who was a preseason second team all-American selection by espn.com, nearly averages a double-double (18.6 points and 9.8 rebounds). He also averages a team-best 5.4 assists. Turner, who missed six games (Dec. 12-Jan. 3) due to an injured back, opened the season by recording the first triple-double by a Big Ten player since January 13, 2001 and the second in school history (Dennis Hopson was the first) against Alcorn State University. Turner repeated the feat two weeks later against Lipscomb. He has eight double-doubles this season. Sophomore William Buford ranks second in team scoring (13.5) and assists (3.2). Junior Jon Diebler ranks third in scoring (13.4), second in steals (1.2) and first in the Big Ten in 3-pointers (62-138, .449). Junior David Lighty ranks first in thefts (1.8) and fourth in scoring (12.7). Junior Dallas Lauderdale ranks first in the league in blocks (2.4), second on the team in rebounding (5.1) and fifth in scoring (7.4). Ohio State ranks first in the conference in scoring margin (+13.9), field goal percentage (.498) and 3-point field goal percentage (.391), second in scoring defense (61.0), third in blocked shots (4.5), turnover margin (+3.25) and 3-pointers made (7.85), and fourth in scoring offense (74.9).
OHIO STATE COACH THAD MATTA
Thad Matta is in his sixth season as the head coach at Ohio State and his 10th year overall as a college head coach. Ohio State posted a 22-11 mark a year ago and competed in the NCAA Tournament, falling to Siena in the first round (74-72). The Buckeyes were 35-4 in 2007, advancing to the title game in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Florida (84-75). The Buckeyes posted a 26-6 record in 2006, winning the Big Ten title (12-4) by one game over Iowa and Illinois. After a loss to Iowa in the 2006 Big Ten Tournament championship game the Buckeyes claimed both the regular season and tournament titles in 2007. Matta led Ohio State to a 20-12 record in his first season in Columbus in 2005. He has won 20 games in each of his nine seasons as a head coach. His career mark stands at 243-83 (.745) and he is 141-52 (.731) at Ohio State. Matta joined the Ohio State staff after serving as the head coach at Xavier for three seasons. He posted a 78-23 record in three seasons at Xavier (2002-04) and had a one-year record of 24-8 as Butler’s head coach in 2000-01, taking his alma mater to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Matta was the 2006 and 2007 Big Ten Coach of the Year. He was also the 2001 Midwestern Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year as Butler won regular season and post-season tournament titles. In 2002 he led Xavier to regular season and post-season tournament titles in the Atlantic 10 Conference and was named Coach of the Year. He was a 2003 Naismith National Coach of the Year finalist and he was the 2004 Ohio Coach of the Year. Matta is 5-4 vs. Iowa and 4-1 vs. Coach Todd Lickliter.
THEIR PATHS HAVE CROSSED
Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter and Ohio State Coach Thad Matta go way back in the world of college basketball. Lickliter was an assistant coach at Butler University, his alma mater, in 1988-89 when Matta was a junior starter for the Bulldogs. Matta returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach prior to the 1996-97 season and served as Butler’s head coach in 2000-01. Lickliter rejoined the Butler staff in 1999-00, working as an assistant coach with Matta and then as an assistant under Matta in 2000-01. When Matta was named head coach at Xavier University following the 2001 season, Lickliter took over as the head coach at Butler, holding that position for six years before taking the head position at Iowa following the 2007 season. Both Lickliter and Matta earned conference Coach of the Year recognition as Butler’s head coach. In addition, Matta was an assistant coach at Butler throughout the playing career of Iowa assistant LaVall Jordan. Matta was Butler’s head coach in 2000-01 when Iowa assistant Joel Cornette was a sophomore for the Bulldogs and was responsible for recruiting Cornette to Butler.
THEY’VE MET FIVE TIMES
While Todd Lickliter and Thad Matta have been together at times during their careers, they have met five times as head coaches. Matta’s 2006 Ohio State team scored an early season 79-69 overtime win over Lickliter’s Butler squad in Columbus. Butler posted a 20-13 record that season and lost in the second round of the post-season NIT. Two years ago, the Buckeyes defeated Iowa 79-48 in Columbus and Iowa won 53-48 in Iowa City. Ohio State won both meetings last season, 68-65 at Columbus and 60-58 at Iowa City.
IOWA, OHIO STATE TIP-INS
? Iowa is 12-2 all-time in games played on Jan. 27.
? Iowa is 7-1 when leading at the half, 1-10 when trailing and 0-1 when tied at halftime. Additionally, the Hawkeyes are 8-3 when recording more assists and 7-3 when getting to the free-throw line more than their opponents. Iowa is also a perfect 7-0 when having a higher field goal percentage than its opponents.
? In two games against Ohio State last year, Iowa went 14-of-28 (.500) in Columbus and 12-of-29 (.414) in Iowa City from 3-point range.
? Eighty-one percent of Iowa’s offense is generated by underclassmen (1,021 of 1,256 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.
? Ohio State’s 14-player roster features student-athletes from four different states, plus Greece and Serbia. Eight of the 14 players hail from its home state of Ohio, two from Illinois, and one each from Minnesota, Indiana, Greece and Serbia.
? Ohio State’s roster breakdown includes five seniors, six juniors, three sophomores and zero freshmen.
? Iowa ranks 16th in the nation in fewest fouls per contest (15.4) and 29th in 3-pointers made (8.1).
? Ohio State ranks ninth in the country in field goal percentage (.498), 17th in scoring margin (+13.9), 27th in fewest fouls per game (15.9) and 33rd in turnover margin (3.3). Individually, Jon Diebler ranks 11th in the nation in 3-point percentage (.449) and 20th in treys made (3.1).
? Cully Payne is leading all Big Ten freshmen in assists per game (3.65). He ranks ninth overall in the league.
? Iowa and Ohio State each earned one of the Big Ten titles in 2006 before the Buckeyes won both titles in 2007. Ohio State won the regular season title in 2006, finishing one game ahead of second place Iowa and Illinois. The Hawkeyes claimed the Big Ten tournament title with a win over Ohio State.
? Iowa and OSU have met in four of the last eight Big Ten Tournaments. Iowa won 75-66 in the quarter-finals in 2001 and went on to win the tournament. The teams met in the championship game in 2002, with the Buckeyes winning 81-64. OSU defeated Iowa 66-64 in the first round of the 2003 Big Ten Tournament and the Buckeyes went on to the title game before placing second. In 2006, Iowa, the No. two seed, defeated the top-seeded Buckeyes 67-60 for the tournament title. The teams also met at a neutral site in 1968, with OSU defeating Iowa 85-81 in a playoff game at West Lafayette, IN, after the teams tied for the Big Ten regular season title.
? OSU Coach Thad Matta was an administrative assistant at Butler when Iowa defeated the Bulldogs (114-92) early in the 1991-92 season in Tampa, FL.
? Iowa assistant Joel Cornette is a native of Cincinnati, OH.
? OSU assistant Brandon Miller played one season at Missouri State under former Iowa Coach Steve Alford before completing his playing career at Butler.
ACTION AT THE END
Seven recent games between Iowa and Ohio State have been decided in the final seconds. Here is how those games ended: ? Ohio State held on at the end for a 60-58 win at Iowa City March 3, 2009. The game featured 10 ties and 14 lead changes. OSU scored the winning basket with 2:09 remaining on a jumper by Evan Turner. The teams traded turnovers before Iowa missed a three-point shot with 55 seconds remaining. Iowa had a chance to tie in the closing seconds, but OSU’s Dallas Lauderdale blocked a lay-up attempt with seven seconds remaining. Iowa had one final shot after OSU missed a free throw, but a final 3-point shot was off target at time expired.
? Ohio State won 68-65 when the teams met Dec. 31 in Columbus. Jake Kelly gave Iowa a 65-64 advantage with a 3-point basket with 3:31 remaining, before OSU reclaimed the lead on two Evan Turner free throws with 3:17 to play. Iowa missed the first of a one-and-one free throw opportunity with 1:27 left and OSU leading 67-65, then missed 3-point shots in the final minute that could have forced an overtime period.
? Iowa won 67-62 in Iowa City in 2006, hitting four free throws in the final 24 seconds. OSU did not score a field goal in the final six minutes and had a costly turnover when trailing by three points in the last minute.
? Iowa won 74-72 in Iowa City in 2005 on a Jeff Horner basket with 3.4 seconds remaining.
? OSU won 66-64 on March 13, 2003 when Brent Darby scored in the final seconds at the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago.
? OSU won 69-68 on Feb. 7, 2001 in Iowa City. OSU’s Sean Connolly made two free throws with 25 seconds remaining to give his team a 68-65 lead and Brent Darby added one free throw with four seconds left before Iowa closed the final margin on a 3-point basket by Dean Oliver at the buzzer.
? Iowa won 67-64 on Feb. 9, 2000 in Columbus when Kyle Galloway hit a 3-pointer from deep in the corner in the final seconds as Iowa held off a furious Buckeye rally.
OHIO STATE WON THE LAST MEETING
Evan Turner sank a jumper with 2:09 left in the game to lift Ohio State to a slim 60-58 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes on March 3, 2009 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Neither team was able to score the last 2:08 of the game. Iowa had three opportunities to tie or take the lead down the stretch but failed to convert. Devan Bawinkel drained a career-high eight 3-points to lead all scorers with 24 points. The eight triples rank as the third-most in a single-game at Iowa. Iowa’s Matt Gatens contributed 11 points. The Buckeyes were led by Turner’s 22 points and nine assists. Jon Diebler chipped-in 12 points and five rebounds.
TUCKER RETURNED TO PRACTICE ON MONDAY
Anthony Tucker was arrested for public intoxication on Dec. 20 and was suspended indefinitely. Tucker, who is Iowa’s second leading scorer, has missed the last nine games due to the suspension. The sophomore averages 11.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11 contests. Tucker was with the team and practiced Monday afternoon. When asked if Tucker will be available for the Ohio State game, Lickliter said, “we’ll use good judgment and see how everything transpires.”
DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
Iowa boasts the fifth-strongest strength of schedule amongst Big Ten teams in games played through Jan. 24. The Hawkeyes rank 41st nationally, according to: realtimerpi.com.
HAWKEYES IMPROVING
Iowa has seen better play as of late and has been rewarded, winning three of the last four games. The Hawkeye defense has seen the most improvement, allowing 7.1 fewer points per game compared to the first 16 games of the season. Additionally, Iowa is pulling down 2.1 more rebounds and has grabbed two more steals a game. The Black and Gold have also been feeding the basketball inside more, with 42% of its field-goal attempts coming from beyond the arc, as opposed to 49% the first 16 contests.
IOWA SEEING IMPROVED STATS THIS SEASON
So far, the Hawkeyes have played the 41st-toughest schedule in the country. Although the team has not been rewarded with more wins, statistically the numbers are up, through 20 games, from a year ago. The Hawkeyes are averaging three more two-pointers this year from last, 3.4 more rebounds, including 2.0 more offensive rebounds and 1.0 more assists. Additionally, Iowa has scored three more points (1,256-1,253) this year compared to last, though 20 contests.
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.
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 has nearly doubled his productivity in conference games compared to non-league games. Fuller played in 11 non-Big Ten contests and averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. In seven conference games, Fuller leads the team in scoring (11.9) and rebounding (7.3). He has led the team in scoring three of the last four contests and rebounding in two of the last four. 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 first in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (3.43), sixth in field goal percentage (.526), seventh in rebounding (7.3) and 14th in free throw percentage (.714). Fuller posted the first career double-doubles of his career in two of the last four contests. Against Tennessee State (Jan. 12), he notched 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. Against Penn State (Jan. 16), Fuller registered 20 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-6, 230-pounder was only one rebound from posting his third consecutive double-double at Michigan State on Jan. 20 (13 points and nine rebounds). Prior to the last four games, Fuller was averaging 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. His overall averages now stand at 7.9 points and 4.8 boards. Fuller has also improved his free throw shooting from a year ago. Last season, Fuller was 11-of-25 (.440) from the charity stripe, compared to 32-of-48 (.667) this season.
STARTING THE BIG TEN SCHEDULE AT HOME
Iowa started 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.
MAY DAY
Freshman Eric May (102) currently ranks second in team rebounding, only seven rebounds shy of leader Jarryd Cole (109). The native of Dubuque is trying to become just the fourth Iowa freshman to lead the team in rebounding since the 1955-56 season. Michael Payne accomplished the feat in 1981-82 (6.9), followed by Jess Settles in 1995-96 (7.5) and Tyler Smith in 2006-07 (4.9). May has performed well the last nine games. He has averaged 9.6 points, six rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks the last nine contests. 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 (Jan. 12). The 6-5, 225-pounder posted team highs in blocks (2) and steals (3) at sixth-ranked Michigan State on Jan. 20. May is on pace to crack the Iowa single-season freshman blocked shots chart. The 6-5, 225-pounder has rejected 17 shots so far and is only six from tying Kenyon Murray (1992-93) and Michael Payne (1981-82) for sixth on the list.
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 11.3 minutes the last nine games. He is averaging 2.9 points and has made at last one triple in five of the last eight contests.
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 twice against Michigan State), Anthony Tucker (Duquesne, Virginia Tech and Prairie View A&M), Eric May (UTSA, Bowling Green and Illinois) and Aaron Fuller (Purdue, Tennessee State, Penn State and Indiana). Additionally, Gatens has reached double figures a team-best 13 times. Fuller has accomplished the feat seven times, Payne six times and Tucker five times.
REACHING 20-POINT PLATEAU
The Hawkeyes have had one player score 20 points or more in seven of the last 14 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 two of the last four outings vs. Tennessee State (Jan. 12) and Penn State (Jan. 16).
HAWKEYES PUT UP SOLID NUMBERS IN WINS
Iowa averages 70.8 points, 16.3 assists, makes 48% of its field-goal attempts and boasts a +6.9 rebounding margin in its eight victories.
HITTING THE GLASS
Iowa has owned the rebounding advantage in 11 of its 20 contests, including nine of the last 13. 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), Tennessee State (4) and Indiana (16). The Hawkeyes are 6-5 in games they have a positive rebounding margin. Iowa ranks fifth in Big Ten rebounds allowed (31.7).
IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 338-100 (.772) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 157-80 (.662) in Big Ten games and 181-20 (.900) in non-Big Ten contests.
HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 62 of its 81 games (.765) 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.
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).
FRESHMEN DUO MAKING IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Freshmen Eric May and Cully Payne have made an immediate impact on the team.
May averages 8.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists. May has started 10 of the last 12 games, including the last seven. 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, 3.7 assists and 2.6 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.
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.
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.
BALANCED 3-POINT ATTACK
Every Hawkeye on this year’s team is comfortable shooting the three-ball. Nine Hawkeyes have attempted and made at least one 3-pointer this season. Matt Gatens leads the team with 38, followed by Anthony Tucker (30), Cully Payne (27), Devan Bawinkel (21), Eric May (21), Brennan Cougill (12), John Lickliter (7), Aaron Fuller (5) 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 201 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.
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: 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
Iowa will return to the state of Michigan and face the Michigan Wolverines Saturday (3:35 p.m. CST). The Hawkeyes return home Feb. 3 to host Illinois (7:35 p.m.).