Feb. 15, 2010
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THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (9-17, 3-10) return home to host the Michigan Wolverines (12-12, 5-7) Tuesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:06 p.m. (CST) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for UI students and youths.
Tuesday will conclude a stretch of playing five of seven road games for Michigan, while Tuesday will be the fourth contest in 10 days for Iowa.
TUESDAY PROMOTIONS
All fans are encouraged to wear black clothing for Tuesday is BLACKOUT event vs. Michigan. Also on Tuesday night, all concessions will be half price.
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 Tuesday night’s game to a national cable audience. Dave Revsine and Jim Jackson will call the action.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,498 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Overall Iowa’s record is 1,475-1,022 (.590). That includes a 933-328 (.740) record in home games, a 542-694 (.439) record in games away from Iowa City, a 698-701 (.499) mark in Big Ten games and a 339-102 (.769) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HAWKEYES FALL AT NO. 6 PURDUE SATURDAY
The sixth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers won their seventh consecutive game of the season and seventh straight over the Iowa Hawkeyes with a 63-40 victory Saturday afternoon at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN. The Boilermakers held Iowa to only 15 first-half points and a season-low 40 points. Purdue outscored the visitors 15-5 at the free throw line en route to victory. Cully Payne paced Iowa with team highs in points (11) and assists (6). Jarryd Cole contributed 10 points in only 14 minutes of action, as the junior was whistled for his fifth foul at the 13:16 mark of the second stanza. After only netting six points in the previous meeting against Iowa in Iowa City on Dec. 29, junior JaJuan Johnson erupted for 21 points and also tracked down 10 rebounds. E’Twaun Moore added 11 points and three steals for the Boilermakers.
IOWA, PURDUE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa held Purdue to only 2-of-12 (.167) shooting from 3-point territory. Iowa managed to sink seven of its 24 three-point attempts (.292).
? Freshman point guard Cully Payne dished out a game-high six assists for the second straight contest. Payne has now amassed a team-best 99 assists, which surpasses Ronnie Lester (1976-77) for sixth place for single-season assists by a Hawkeye freshman.
? Iowa’s 15 points equaled its lowest scoring first half output of the season (at Illinois).
? Purdue’s defense was able to shutdown the Hawkeye offense for long periods in the first and second halves. Iowa had an 8:22 scoring drought spanning the first and second halves and also went scoreless from the field for 5:53 later in the contest.
? Iowa was only able to chase down six offensive rebounds and score three points off those second chance opportunities.
? Iowa’s 14 field goals were a season low (15 at Illinois).
? Preferred freshman walk-on Nick Neari scored his first collegiate point with nine seconds left in the contest. Neari split a pair of free-throw attempts.
TUCKER GRANTED RELEASE FROM SCHOLARSHIP
Sophomore guard Anthony Tucker asked for and has been granted a release from his scholarship, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Todd Lickliter announced Feb. 12. 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 3.8 more points and 2.9 more rebounds in wins compared to losses, while Aaron Fuller averages 5.4 more points and Eric May averages 2.9 more points.
MARKED IMPROVEMENT
Iowa has seen marked defensive improvement in its last 10 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 (.271) by a wide margin and sixth in scoring defense (64.5), in Big Ten games only. Iowa started the season 5-11 and has since gone 4-6 against tougher competition. Four of its last six losses came to ranked opponents, including three on the road to top 15 squads.
DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
Iowa boasts the second-strongest strength of schedule amongst Big Ten teams in games played through Feb. 14. The Hawkeyes rank 30th nationally, according to: realtimerpi.com. Wisconsin leads the league with the 17th-toughest schedule in the country.
ROAD HAWKEYES
Iowa has a heavy road schedule coming down the stretch. The Hawkeyes conclude the regular season with three of their final five contests on the road, including playing their final two regular-season contests at Wisconsin (Mar. 3) and Minnesota (Mar. 7).
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 (3.8) and minutes played (32.6). 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 (34.3), in Big Ten games only rankings.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Michigan holds an 85-57 advantage in the series that began with a 19-15 Wolverine win in 1912. The Wolverines beat the Hawkeyes earlier this season, 60-46, Jan. 30 in Ann Arbor. A year ago, Michigan defeated Iowa 64-49 Jan. 11 in Ann Arbor before Iowa won 70-60, in overtime, Feb. 22 at Iowa City. The Wolverines won by a 73-45 margin March 12 in the Big Ten Tournament at Indianapolis. The two teams have split the last 10 meetings, while Michigan has won five of the last seven. In 2007-08, both teams won on the road before Michigan won 55-47 at Indianapolis in the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes won the only meeting in 2007, 69-62 in Ann Arbor. Iowa also won the only meeting in 2006, 94-66 in Iowa City. Iowa had won three straight games in Ann Arbor, for the first time ever, before the loss last season. Iowa holds a 35-33 advantage in games played in Iowa City, including a 14-10 advantage in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has won five of the last eight games in Iowa City and six of the last 10. Michigan holds a 4-0 advantage in games played at neutral sites, all in the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan won 77-66 in 1998 at Chicago and 79-70 in the 2004 event at Indianapolis. Michigan has defeated Iowa in the first round at Indianapolis in each of the past two seasons, winning 55-47 in 2008 and 73-45 in 2009.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
Michigan has lost five of its last seven games. Nine of its 12 victories have come on its home court at Crisler Arena. The Wolverines are 2-6 in true road games, including a 2-4 mark away from home during Big Ten play. The Maize and Blue picked-up a much-needed road win in its most recent game last Thursday, 71-63, at Minnesota. In their last outing, the Wolverines DeShawn Sims and Manny Harris combined for 47 of Michigan’s 71 points. Sims led all scorers with 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from the foul line. Harris scored eight of his 20 points at the free-throw line. The Wolverines forced 15 Minnesota turnovers and converted those miscues into 21 points. Harris averages a team-best 18.4 points, 4.2 assists and ranks second in rebounding (6.3). His scoring average ranks third-best in the Big Ten. Earlier this season vs. Northern Michigan, Harris became only the second player to post a triple-double in school history. Sims ranks fifth in the conference in scoring (17.5) and pulls down a team-best 7.5 rebounds, which ranks fourth best in the Big Ten. Sophomore Zack Novak averages 7.1 points and 4.4 rebounds. Michigan has five players who have made 19 triples or more: Douglass (37), Harris (33), Novak (29), Laval Lucas-Perry (26) and Sims (19). As a team, the Wolverines rank third in the league in free throw percentage (.720), turnover margin (+3.54), assist/turnover ratio (1.39) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.312) and fourth in scoring defense (61.7).
MICHIGAN WON THE LAST MEETING
Michigan raced out to a 13-0 advantage and never looked back en route to 60-46 win over Iowa Jan. 30 at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, MI. The Hawkeyes missed their first 11 field-goal attempts and did not make their first bucket until the 10:34 mark on a Devan Bawinkel 3-pointer. The Wolverines controlled the boards, outrebounding Iowa by 13 (44-31). Michigan converted 19 offensive rebounds into 22 second-chance points. The duo of Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims combined for 40 of Michigan’s 60 points, with each player netting 20. Sims also was credited with a game-high 12 boards. Aaron Fuller led Iowa, scoring all of his team-high 16 points in the second half. Fuller also secured a team-best eight rebounds. Michigan was only whistled for eight team fouls. Despite never getting into the bonus, Iowa earned 10 free-throw attempts, missing only two (8-of-10, .800).
MICHIGAN COACH JOHN BEILEIN
John Beilein is in his third season as the head coach at Michigan and his 32nd year overall as a college head coach on the junior college, NAIA, NCAA Div. II and NCAA Div. I levels. Beilein is 43-48 (.473) at Michigan and his career mark is 594-366 (.619). Beilein is in his 18th year as a Division I head coach, posting an 89-62 record at Canisius (1993-97), a 100-53 record at Richmond (1998-2002) and a 104-60 mark at West Virginia (2003-07). He led West Virginia teams to four straight post-season appearances, including two trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 and a trip to the Elite Eight in 2005. West Virginia, won the NIT post-season tournament in 2007. Beilein has won over 300 games at the Division I level and has taken his team to post-season action in 11 of the last 17 seasons. Beilein’s teams have posted 27 winning seasons in 31 years, including 15 seasons of at least 20 wins. He ranks among the top 20 active Division I coaches in career wins. Beilein is 5-2 against Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.
IOWA, MICHIGAN TIP-INS
? Iowa is 15-16 all-time in games played on Feb. 16.
? Iowa is 8-2 when leading at the half, 1-12 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 percent of Iowa’s offense is generated by underclassmen (1,270 of 1,584 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.
? Michigan’s 16-player roster features student-athletes from six different states. Eight of the 16 players hail from Michigan, two from Indiana, New York and Illinois, and one from Virginia and California.
? Michigan’s roster breakdown includes two seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and nine freshmen (two of which are redshirt freshmen).
? Iowa ranks 21st in the nation in fewest fouls per contest (15.8) and 26th in 3-pointers made (8.1).
? Michigan ranks seventh in the country in fewest fouls per game (14.8), ninth in fewest turnovers (10.7), 12th in assist/turnover ratio (1.4), 22nd in turnover margin (+3.5) and 39th in scoring defense (61.7). Individually, Manny Harris ranks 55th in the nation in scoring (18.4).
? Michigan’s Manny Harris dished out a Big Ten season-best 11 assists vs. Creighton (Nov. 26). Michigan’s DeShawn Sims made a conference season-best 13 field goals vs. Ohio State (Jan. 3).
? In 2006-07, Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter led his Butler team to the preseason NIT championship with wins over Notre Dame, Indiana, Tennessee and Gonzaga. Michigan Coach John Beilein led West Virginia to the postseason NIT title with wins over Delaware State, Massachusetts, North Carolina State, Mississippi State and Clemson.
? John Beilein led West Virginia to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2006, while Todd Lickliter led Butler to the “Sweet 16” in 2007.
? During the 2005-06 season, Iowa and John Beilein’s West Virginia team nearly met on two occasions. Both teams reached the semifinals of the Guardians Classic in Kansas City. Iowa defeated Kentucky in the semifinals, but Texas defeated West Virginia in the semifinals before defeating the Hawkeyes in the finals. West Virginia and Iowa were then sent to the same regional in the NCAA Tournament, with a chance to meet in the second round at the Palace of Auburn Hills. West Virginia defeated Southern Illinois in the first round, but Iowa was upset on a last second 3-point basket by Northwestern State.
? Hawkeye senior Devan Bawinkel played for Michigan Coach John Beilein as a freshman at West Virginia. Beilein left for Michigan after leading the Mountaineers to the 2007 NIT title. Bawinkel played his sophomore season at Highland, IL Community College before joining the Hawkeyes.
? Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter and Michigan Coach John Beilein each have a son as a member of their staff. Garrett Lickliter is a graduate manager for the Hawkeyes, while Patrick Beilein serves in the same capacity on the Michigan staff.
? Iowa Assistant Coach LaVall Jordan is a native of Albion, MI.
? Michigan Associate Head Coach Jerry Dunn previously served as the head coach at Penn State (1995-03). During that time the Hawkeyes posted a 9-5 record vs. the Nittany Lions. Dunn was also a Penn State assistant from 1983-95.
? Michigan Assistant Coach Mike Jackson was an assistant coach at Detroit (1996-01) when the Hawkeyes defeated Detroit 61-60 on Dec. 5, 1998 in Iowa City and 69-68 Dec. 28, 2000 in Honolulu.
? Michigan Administrative Assistant Jeff Meyer served as an assistant coach at Butler University for three seasons (2001-04) when Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter was the Bulldog head coach.
LICKLITER VS. MICHIGAN
Todd Lickliter led his Butler team against Michigan on two occasions prior to becoming Iowa’s head coach. The teams met early in the 2003-04 season at Conseco Fieldhouse at Indianapolis, with Michigan taking a 61-60 overtime win. Butler also dropped a 78-74 contest at Michigan early in the 2005-06 season.
IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 339-102 (.769) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 158-82 (.658) in Big Ten games and 181-20 (.900) in non-Big Ten contests.
HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 63 of its 84 games (.750) 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 19 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. The Hawkeyes are 8-8 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season.
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 13 conference games, Fuller leads the team in scoring (10.5) and rebounding (8.1). He has led or shared the team lead in rebounding eight of the last 10 games, including the last seven. In his last 10 games, Fuller is averaging 12.4 points and 8.7 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 (3.77), second in rebounding (8.1) and 27th in scoring (10.5). Fuller is only two rebounds shy of equaling Michigan State’s Draymond Green (8.2) 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 vs. Tennessee State (Jan. 12) and Penn State (Jan. 16). Against Tennessee State, 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, 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 next game vs. Northwestern (Feb. 10), Fuller was credited with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Prior to the last 10 games, Fuller was averaging 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. His sensational play has improved his averages to 8.2 points and 5.9 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 last Wednesday.
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 26 contests, including 12 of the last 19. 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.
BLOCKAGE
With his seven blocks the last six 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 24 shots, good for sixth best 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 9.2 points, five rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks. May has started 16 of the last 18 games, including the last 14. Fifteen of his 24 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 8.2 points, 3.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds. He has dished out six assists in Iowa’s last two games (Northwestern and Purdue). 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 last Wednesday, 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 the Northwestern contest, Bawinkel ranked 15th in the Big Ten in 3-point percentage in all games and 11th in conference games only. After last week’s two games, he is now ranked ninth overall in percentage and third in league contests. Bawinkel has made 90 career triples, 51 last year, 31 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 48, followed by Eric May (35), Cully Payne (32), Devan Bawinkel (31), Anthony Tucker (30), Brennan Cougill (18), John Lickliter (9), Aaron Fuller (6) and Jarryd Cole (2). Cole made his second career triple in Iowa’s last game at No. 6 Purdue Saturday afternoon. Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in triples made (8.12). 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 vs. Northwestern (Feb. 10) and a season-best 15 vs. Prairie View A&M on Dec. 5.
NO 3-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 207 straight games.
STARTING LINE-UPS
Iowa has used five different starting line-ups in its 26 games. Cully Payne (PG), Matt Gatens (SG), Eric May (SF), Aaron Fuller (PF) and Jarryd Cole (C) have started the last 14 games for the Hawkeyes; going 4-10 in those contests.
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
After Tuesday night’s contest, Iowa will be idle for eight days. The Hawkeyes return to action Feb. 25 at Northwestern. That game will be televised on either ESPN of ESPN2.