Feb. 12, 2010
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THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (9-16, 3-9) visit West Lafayette, IN, Saturday to compete against the sixth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers (20-3, 8-3). Tip-off is slated for 3:36 p.m. (CST) in Mackey Arena (14,123). Iowa snapped a four-game losing skid Wednesday night with a 13-point victory over Northwestern in Iowa City. Purdue enters the contest having won its last six games. The Hawkeyes are in the middle of a stretch of playing four games in 10 days. Following the four contests, Iowa will be idle for eight days.
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. Craig Coshun and Shon Morris will call the action.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,497 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,475-1,022 (.591). That includes a 933-328 (.740) record in home games, a 542-693 (.439) record in games away from Iowa City, a 698-700 (.499) mark in Big Ten games and a 339-102 (.769) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HAWKEYES SNAP FOUR-GAME LOSING SKID, TRIP NORTHWESTERN
Four Hawkeyes scored in double figures and Iowa never trailed in a 78-65 victory over Northwestern Wednesday night in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win snapped a four-game losing skid. Iowa started the game strong, scoring on four of its first five possessions to establish control. The Hawkeyes shot a blistering 50% (12-of-24) from 3-point range against the Wildcats’ zone, which is a season best. Iowa’s long-range attack was led by senior co-captain Devan Bawinkel, who sank a season-high five triples and finished with a season-best 15 points. Sophomore Matt Gatens netted 11 of his team-high 16 points in the second half. Sophomore Aaron Fuller posted his second straight and fourth double-double of the season (13 points and 11 rebounds), while senior Jarryd Cole added 13 points and seven boards. Northwestern junior Michael Thompson led all scorers with 20 points.
IOWA, NORTHWESTERN FAST BREAKS
? Iowa outrebounded Northwestern by eight (36-28). Iowa has owned the rebounding advantage in 14 of its 25 contests, including 12 of the last 18.
? In addition to his five points, freshman Cully Payne dished out a game-high six assists. Payne has amassed a team-best 93 assists, which surpasses Jeff Peterson (2007-08) for seventh place for single-season assists by a Hawkeye freshman.
? Iowa managed to limit its turnovers, having only two in the first half and eight for the entire contest. The eight turnovers equal a season low (Drake).
? Iowa made 12 triples, marking the ninth time this season the Hawkeyes have sank 10 treys or more in a game. Additionally, Iowa has made 12 triples or more five times this season. Iowa made a season-best 15 vs. Prairie View A&M on Dec. 5. The Black and Gold rank second in Big Ten 3-pointers made (8.2).
? Iowa’s bench outscored Northwestern’s reserves, 23-16. The 23 points by Iowa’s bench is the second-most this season (28 vs. Minnesota).
? Brennan Cougill played only four minutes off the bench, but the freshman contributed six points, making his first two 3-point attempts.
? Sophomore Andrew Brommer played six minutes, scoring two points. It marked his first game action since Michigan (Jan. 30).
? Iowa made (20) and attempted (30) season highs in free throws against Northwestern. The Hawkeyes made their first 10 free-throws, before going 10-of-20 the last 4:24 of the contest.
? Matt Gatens was a perfect 6-of-6, while Aaron Fuller was 7-of-8 at the free-throw line.
LICKLITER AFTER THE GAME
“I thought our guys were very in tune. We were there on shots and it seemed like we made (Northwestern) play from the perimeter more than they were used to. It seemed like they got it inside more when we were scouting, so I want to praise our guys for working hard and trying to take that away. It’s not easy. I think in (Northwestern’s) last game vs. Indiana, they had 25 field goals on 21 assists and 12 assists tonight. They are just an excellent passing team, so I thought I guys were very in tune. We got production off the bench. Andrew Brommer, Devan Bawinkel and Brennan Cougill, all gave us very good minutes and our starters were equally in tune. I think there’s a lot to be said about guys who don’t give up and persevere. We’ve been playing good basketball. We finally played good basketball for a long period of time.”
TUCKER GRANTED RELEASE FROM SCHOLARSHIP
University of Iowa sophomore guard Anthony Tucker has asked for and been granted a release from his scholarship, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Todd Lickliter announced Friday. A Minnetonka, MN native, Tucker played and in first 11 games this season. In his two years with the Hawkeyes, Tucker saw action in 25 games, with 19 starts, averaging 11 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
HAWKEYES PUT UP SOLID NUMBERS IN WINS
Iowa averages 71.6 points, 16.4 assists, makes 48.3% of its field-goal attempts and boasts a +7.0 rebounding margin in its nine victories. Individually, Matt Gatens averages 3.4 more points and 2.2 more rebounds in wins compared to losses, while Aaron Fuller averages 5.1 more points and Eric May averages 2.8 more points.
MARKED IMPROVEMENT
Iowa has seen marked defensive improvement in its last nine games compared to the first 16 contests. Iowa is an extremely young basketball team and the numbers show the team is getting better with each game. Iowa ranks first in the league in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.277) and sixth in scoring defense (64.6), in Big Ten games only. Iowa started the season 5-11 and have since gone 4-5 against tougher competition. Three of the last five losses came to ranked opponents, including two on the road.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Purdue holds an 81-70 advantage in the series that began with a 17-11 Boilermaker win in 1909. Purdue has won six straight games over Iowa, including a 67-56 triumph Dec. 29, in Iowa City earlier this season. The Boilermakers have won seven of the last 13 meetings. Iowa’s last victory over Purdue came on Feb. 21, 2007 in Iowa City, 78-59. The Boilermakers hold a 53-21 advantage in games played in West Lafayette. Iowa has won three of the last seven meetings in Mackey Arena. The Hawkeyes’ last victory at Mackey Arena came on Feb. 1, 2006 (77-68). 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, 74-55. In addition, the Hawkeyes and Boilermakers both advanced to the 1980 Final Four at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis where both lost in the semifinals. A consolation game was played, at that time, and Purdue defeated Iowa, 75-58.
SCOUTING PURDUE
Purdue is ranked sixth in the nation in both major polls. The Boilermakers started the season winning their first 14 games, lost three in a row, and have since won six straight. Purdue is 11-1 in games played at Mackey Arena, with the one loss coming to Ohio State, who rallied from 13 points down in the second half to win. The Boilermakers rank fifth in Big Ten attendance, averaging 13,534 fans. Purdue won a huge road game Tuesday night at 10th-ranked Michigan State, 76-64. The Boilermakers led by as many as 18 in the second half and held off a surging Spartan team late in the contest. Purdue shot a blistering 57% (25-of-44) from the field and 91% (20-of-22) from the foul line en route to victory. Junior E’Twaun Moore led all scorers with 25 points, while classmates JaJuan Johnson and Robbie Hummel contributed 19 and 15 points, respectively. Purdue ranks first in Big Ten free throw percentage (.742) and turnover margin (+4.7), second in scoring (75.0), scoring margin (12.8) and blocked shots (4.9), third in field goal percentage defense (.401), and fourth in scoring defense (62.2) and steals (7.3). Individually, Hummel ranks seventh in Big Ten scoring (16.4), fifth in rebounding (7.1) and first in free throw percentage (.886). Johnson ranks sixth in conference rebounding (6.9) and fourth in blocks (2.04). Moore ranks fifth in league scoring (17.5) and 12th in steals (1.35). Lewis Jackson, who has missed a majority of the season due to injury and did not play against Iowa in the first meeting on Dec. 29 in Iowa City, has returned. He has played in four contests, averaging 14 minutes of action.
PURDUE WON THE LAST MEETING
A strong second half propelled fourth-ranked Purdue to a 67-56 win over Iowa in the conference opener on Dec. 29, 2009 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. 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, who returned to the starting lineup after missing eight starts with an injured ankle, tallied a season-high 15 points and grabbed a career-high eight rebounds. May contributed 11 points and eight boards. Matt Gatens played all 40 minutes for the Black and Gold, registering six points.
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 has a record of 103-53 (.660) at Purdue. He is in his sixth season as a head coach with a 128-58 (.688) 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 6-2 vs. Iowa and 5-1 vs. Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.
IOWA, PURDUE TIP-INS
? Iowa is 8-2 when leading at the half, 1-11 when trailing and 0-1 when tied at halftime. Additionally, the Hawkeyes are 9-4 when recording more assists and 8-3 when getting to the free-throw line more than their opponents. Iowa is also a perfect 8-0 when having a higher field goal percentage than its opponents.
? Eighty-one percent of Iowa’s offense is generated by underclassmen (1,243 of 1,544 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 will redshirt.
? Purdue’s 16-player roster features student-athletes from four different states and Croatia. Eleven of the 16 players hail from 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.
? Iowa ranks 20th in the nation in fewest fouls per contest (15.7) and 31st in 3-pointers made (8.2).
? Purdue ranks sixth in the nation in turnover margin (+4.7), 17th in fewest turnovers (11.3), 18th in scoring margin (+12.8) and 23rd in assist/turnover ratio (1.3). Individually, Robbie Hummel ranks 18th in the nation in free throw percentage (.886).
? Iowa redshirt freshman John Lickliter, who averages 10.6 minutes a game, has a 2.0 assist/turnover ratio.
? 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 are also 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 won 74-68 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.
DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
Iowa boasts the fourth-strongest strength of schedule amongst Big Ten teams in games played through Feb. 10. The Hawkeyes rank 40th nationally, according to: realtimerpi.com.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa has played six games this season against ranked opponents, losing all six (No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Purdue, No. 6 and No. 10 Michigan State, and No. 13 and No. 20 Ohio State). Iowa has lost 16 straight games to nationally-ranked opponents. The Hawkeyes’ last victory over a ranked foe came against sixth-ranked Michigan State (43-36) in Iowa City on Jan. 12, 2008.
ROAD HAWKEYES
Iowa has a heavy road schedule coming down the stretch. The Hawkeyes conclude the regular season with four of its final six contests on the road, including playing their final two regular-season contests at Wisconsin (Mar. 3) and Minnesota (Mar. 7).
IOWA SEEING IMPROVED STATS THIS SEASON
So far, the Hawkeyes have played the 40th-toughest schedule in the country. Although the team has not been rewarded with more wins, statistically the numbers are up, through 25 games, from a year ago. The Hawkeyes are averaging three more two-pointers this year from last, 4.1 more rebounds, including 2.2 more offensive rebounds and 1.0 more assists.
IOWA FRESHMEN RANK HIGH
Iowa freshmen, Cully Payne and Eric May, lead Big Ten freshmen in a couple statistical categories. Payne is leading all conference freshmen in assists per game (3.72) and minutes played (32.4). May ranks first in blocked shots (0.92). Payne is the only Big Ten freshman starting point guard this season. May is the only conference freshman to be ranked among the Big Ten leaders in rebounding (20th) and blocks (7th). Additionally, May averages the most minutes among all Big Ten freshman (34.33), in Big Ten games only rankings.
FULLER RETURNING TO FORM
Sophomore Aaron Fuller has had a stellar season after recovering from an ankle sprain sustained in Iowa’s third game of the year (vs. Bowling Green, Nov. 20). Fuller has 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 12 conference games, Fuller leads the team in scoring (11.3) and rebounding (8.2). He has led the team in rebounding seven of the last nine games, including the last five. Additionally, he paced the Hawkeyes in scoring four of the last nine contests. In his last nine games, Fuller is averaging 13.6 points and 8.9 rebounds and has attempted 47 free throws, making 35 (.745). 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 (3.92), second in rebounding (8.2) and 22nd in scoring (11.1). Fuller is only one rebound shy of equaling Michigan State’s Draymond Green (8.3) for the conference lead. Fuller has registered a team-best four double-doubles this season, both coming in consecutive games. He posted the first double-doubles of his career in vs. Tennessee State (Jan. 12) and Penn State (Jan. 16). Against Tennessee State 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, Fuller registered 20 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-6, 230-pounder registered his third double-double at No. 13 Ohio State (Feb. 7), putting up 11 points and 10 rebounds. In Iowa’s last game vs. Northwestern (Feb. 10), Fuller was credited with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Prior to the last nine games, Fuller was averaging 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. His sensational play has improved his averages to 8.5 points and 5.8 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 51-of-73 (.699) this season. He ranks second on the team in free throws made and attempted. He has made 13 of his last 16 (.813) free-throw attempts, including 7-of-8 (.875) in Iowa’s win over Northwestern Wednesday night.
MAY DAY
Two of May’s better games this year came against the nationally-ranked Buckeyes. The Dubuque, IA, native scored 17 of his 18 points in the final 14:37 vs. No. 20 Ohio State on Jan. 27. The 18 points was a team best and equaled a personal high. He also blocked a game-high three shots and drained a career-high five triples, all in the second half against the Buckeyes. Ten days later at Columbus, he netted a team-high 16 points against No. 13 Ohio State. 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).
HITTING THE GLASS
Iowa has owned the rebounding advantage in 15 of its 25 contests, including 12 of the last 18. 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), Indiana (16), Illinois (6), Ohio State (2) and Northwestern (8). The Hawkeyes are 8-7 in games they have a positive rebounding margin.
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.
REACHING 20-POINT PLATEAU
The Hawkeyes have had one player score 20 points or more seven times this season. 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 against Tennessee State (Jan. 12) and Penn State (Jan. 16). Eric May was only two points from netting 20 points for the first time in his collegiate career against No. 20 Ohio State (Jan. 27).
BLOCKAGE
With his six blocks the last five games, May has cracked Iowa’s single-season freshman blocked shots chart. Many of his blocks have been highlight reel material. The 6-5, 225-pounder has rejected 23 shots, tying Kenyon Murray (1992-93) and Michael Payne (1981-82) for sixth on the list. Chris Street (1990-91) ranks first with 52. May is the only Hawkeye in double-figure blocks and will become the first Iowa freshman to lead the team since Ryan Bowen averaged 1.0 blocks in 1995. Furthermore, standing 6-foot-5, May would be the shortest player to lead the team in blocked shots since 6-foot-5 James Winters led the Hawkeyes in 1994 with 26 rejections.
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 9.3 points, five rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks. May has started 15 of the last 17 games, including the last 13. Fourteen of his 23 blocks have come in Big Ten action. The Dubuque, IA, native matched career highs in scoring (18) and blocks (3) and sank a personal best five triples against Ohio State on Jan. 27. He posted a team-high 16 points, bolstered by 4-of-7 shooting from long distance, at Ohio State on Feb. 7. 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) 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. He 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 8.0 points, 3.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds. The native of Schaumburg, IL, was honored on the CBE Classic All-Tournament team. He netted a personal-best 18 points vs. Wichita State in the tournament’s consolation game. The freshman dished out a team-high six assists and tied a personal best with six rebounds vs. No. 20 Ohio State on Jan. 27. 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.
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.
BAWINKEL SINKS NORTHWESTERN
Senior Devan Bawinkel was 5-of-8 from 3-point territory against Northwestern Wednesday night, including making four of his first five triples. The co-captain finished the game with 15 points, marking only the second time this season he posted double figures (11 vs. Prairie View A&M). Before Wednesday’s game, Bawinkel ranked 15th in the Big Ten in 3-point percentage in all games and 11th in conference games only. After Wednesday’s performance, he is now ranked seventh overall in percentage and second in league contests. Bawinkel has made 89 career triples, 51 last year, 30 this season and eight his freshman campaign at West Virginia.
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.”
HAWKEYES AMONGST BIG TEN REBOUNDING LEADERS
Iowa, Michigan State and Ohio State are the only schools with three players ranked in the top 20 in Big Ten rebounding. Aaron Fuller ranks 13th (5.8), followed by 17th-ranked Jarryd Cole (5.3) and 20th-ranked Eric May (5.0). In conference games only stats, Fuller ranks first in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (3.92) and second in overall rebounds (8.2), while Cole ranks sixth in offensive rebounds (2.25).
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 47, followed by Eric May (33), Cully Payne (31), Anthony Tucker (30), Devan Bawinkel (30), Brennan Cougill (17), John Lickliter (9), Aaron Fuller (6) and Jarryd Cole (1). Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in triples made (8.2). Iowa has made 10 triples or more nine times this season. Additionally, it has made 12 triples or more five times. Iowa sank 12 treys in its last outing vs. Northwestern (Feb. 10) and a season-best 15 vs. Prairie View A&M on Dec. 5.
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 206 straight games.
FOUR STATE CHAMPS
Iowa’s roster of 11 players includes four 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, while Brennan Cougill’s Bishop Heelan HS captured the state title in 2009.
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.
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.
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. 15, Feb. 22, March 1 and March 8.
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 conclude this difficult stretch of playing four games in 10 days Tuesday night when it entertains Michigan. Tip-off is slated for 8:06 p.m. (CST) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. After Tuesday’s contest, Iowa will be idle for eight days. All fans are encouraged to wear black clothing for Tuesday night’s BLACKOUT event. Also on Tuesday night, all concessions will be half price.