Hawkeyes Travel to Northwestern Thursday

Feb. 23, 2010

Complete Release in PDF Format

THE SETTING
After being idle for the last eight days the Iowa Hawkeyes (9-18, 3-11) return to action Thursday when they travel to Evanston, IL, to face the Northwestern Wildcats (17-10, 6-9). Tip-off is scheduled for 6:02 p.m. in Welsh-Ryan Arena (8,117).

The Hawkeyes will look to snap a two-game losing streak, while the Wildcats enter Thursday’s game losers of three of their last four. Iowa won the first meeting between the two teams, 78-65, on Feb. 10 in Iowa City.

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: ESPN (HD) will televise Thursday night’s game to a national cable audience. Bob Wischusen and Stephen Bardo will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,559 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,475-1,084 (.576). That includes a 933-329 (.739) record in home games, a 542-694 (.439) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 698-702 (.499) mark in Big Ten games and a 339-103 (.767) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

HAWKEYES DROP OVERTIME HEARTBREAKER TO MICHIGAN
Michigan’s DeShawn Sims drained a 3-pointer with 6.1 seconds left to tie and send the game into overtime. The Wolverines would ultimately escape with an 80-78 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. A pair of Aaron Fuller free throws with 22 seconds left in regulation gave the Hawkeyes a 65-60 advantage. However, Sims converted a 3-point play on a lay-up and a free throw seven seconds later to make the score, 65-63. Cully Payne split a pair of free throws to give Iowa a three-point advantage before Sims sank the game-tying triple. Michigan led by as many as five points in the extra session and a Payne triple at the buzzer made the final score, 80-78. Fuller finished with game highs in points (30) and rebounds (13), while Matt Gatens netted 21 points and Payne 13. Sims finished with a team-high 27 points, while Manny Harris contributed 20. Both Harris and Sims pulled down 10 rebounds apiece.

IOWA, MICHIGAN FAST BREAKS
? The game featured 10 ties and 14 lead changes.
? Point guard Cully Payne had his best assist/turnover ratio of the season. The freshman dished out a game-high seven assists, which matched a personal best, and had only one turnover.
? Aaron Fuller scored 26 of his 30 points and grabbed all 13 of his rebounds in regulation. The native of Mesa, AZ, made 11 of his 13 field goals (.846) and eight of 11 (.727) from the charity stripe. Fuller scored Iowa’s first eight points of the game.
? Matt Gatens scored 15 of his 21 points from 3-point range. The sophomore made his first five attempts, finishing 5-of-7, from long distance. The five treys are a career high, besting four made four previous times.
? Both teams shot and made the same number of free throws (12-of-16, .750) and nearly had the same number of field goal numbers. Michigan was 27-of-62 (.435), while Iowa was 28-of-60 (.467). Iowa’s Aaron Fuller made eight of Iowa’s 12 free throws.
? Four of Iowa’s starters logged 42 minutes or more in the overtime game. Matt Gatens played all 45 minutes, while Eric May and Payne each played 43 minutes and Fuller 42.
? Aaron Fuller’s 30 points and 13 rebounds marked his team-leading fifth double-double of the year, including his fourth during conference play (Penn State, Ohio State, Northwestern and Michigan).
? Michigan shot 51.9% (14-of-27) from 3-point territory. The 14 triples are a season best by an Iowa opponent. It also marked only the second time this season the opposition shot at a 50% clip or better (Wichita State — 52.4%).

LICKLITER AFTER THE GAME
“I was concerned that we needed to get our offense fixed, but I think we got it fixed. We struggled to defend. They shoot well and ran sets that got them good shots. To our guys’ credit, it was a hard fought, good basketball game. Much different than when we went up there. It doesn’t surprise me with our guys. Our guys have tremendous character and fought hard.”

FULLER FINISHING STRONG
Aaron Fuller, who ranks first in Big Ten rebounding (8.4) and 20th in scoring (11.9), is having an outstanding finish to his sophomore season. Fuller has posted a total of five double-doubles this year. Four of his five double-doubles have come during conference play, which ranks second-best behind Ohio State’s Evan Turner. Fuller nearly has as many offensive (55) rebounds as defensive (63), in league play. Fuller is averaging 14 points and 9.1 rebounds in Iowa’s last 11 games. He poured in a career-high 30 points and secured a personal-best 13 rebounds in Iowa’s last game vs. Michigan. Fuller became the first Hawkeye to post 30 points or more in a single-game since Adam Haluska registered 30 at Penn State on Feb. 28, 2007. Additionally, the 11 field goals are the most by a Hawkeye in a conference game since Greg Brunner drained 12 at Wisconsin on Feb. 9, 2005. Fuller became the 11th Big Ten player to score 30 points this year.

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 3.2 more points and 1.9 more rebounds in wins compared to losses, while Aaron Fuller averages four more points and Eric May averages 2.9 more points.

MARKED IMPROVEMENT
Iowa has seen marked defensive improvement in its last 11 games. 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 (.300) by a wide margin and sixth in scoring defense (65.6), in Big Ten games only. Iowa started the season 5-11 and has since gone 4-7 against tougher competition. Four of its last seven losses came to ranked opponents, including three on the road to top 15 squads.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa holds a 108-52 advantage over Northwestern in the series that began with a 24-23 Wildcat win in 1905. Iowa won 78-65 earlier this season on Feb. 10 in Iowa City. The teams split last season’s two meetings with each team winning on their home court. The Hawkeyes won both meetings in 2008. Iowa has won six of the last 11 meetings and 25 of the last 33. Iowa holds a 44-35 advantage in games played at Evanston, but the Wildcats have won four of the last five (three of those on last second shots) and six of the last eight home games. Iowa won eight straight games in Welsh-Ryan Arena, prior to losses in 2001 and 2002. Iowa won the only neutral site meeting, winning 72-55 at the United Center in the first round of the 2001 Big Ten Tournament.

SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
After starting the season 16-7, Northwestern has lost three of its last four games, two coming on the road at Iowa and Wisconsin. The Wildcats boast a 13-4 mark at home this season, including a 5-3 record during league play. Northwestern lost its last home game, 81-70, vs. Penn State Feb. 17. In its last game, Northwestern lost 70-63 at Wisconsin Sunday afternoon. Sophomore John Shurna poured in a game-high 26 points in the losing effort. Fourteen of Northwestern’s 21 field goals came in the paint, outscoring Wisconsin by 14 in the post. Wisconsin scored on almost every offensive rebound, scoring 15 points off eight offensive boards. In addition to Shurna’s 26 points, four other Wildcat starters each netted eight points. Shurna averages a team-best 18.1 points, 2.3 three-pointers, 6.1 rebounds and 0.9 blocks. In conference play, Shurna ranks second-best in scoring (19.5). Junior Michael Thompson ranks first on the team in 3-pointers (62), assists (108), minutes played (37.9) and second in scoring (13.3) and steals (27). In conference play, Thompson ranks fifth in the Big Ten in assists (4.07) and second in assist/turnover ratio (2.54). Freshman Drew Crawford ranks third in team scoring (11.0), while Nash averages 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds. As a team, Northwestern ranks first in Big Ten 3-pointers made (9.22), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.313) and assist/turnover ratio (1.53), third in 3-point field goal percentage (.364) and assists (16.44) and fourth in free throw percentage (.713). Forty-eight percent of Northwestern’s field goal attempts come from 3-point territory. Northwestern is without two of its returning players from a year ago, Kevin Coble and Jeff Ryan. Both are out with season-ending injuries. Coble averaged 15.5 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Ryan averaged 2.1 points last season.

IOWA WON THE LAST MEETING
Four Hawkeyes scored in double figures and Iowa never trailed in a 78-65 victory over Northwestern on Feb. 10, 2010, 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. Iowa made (20) and attempted (30) season highs in free throws. The Hawkeyes made their first 10 free-throws, before going 10-of-20 the last 4:24 of the contest. 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.

NORTHWESTERN COACH BILL CARMODY
Bill Carmody is in his 10th season at Northwestern and his 14th year as a college head coach. Carmody holds a career mark of 229-184 (.554), which includes a 137-159 (.463) mark at Northwestern. Last season, Carmody guided the Wildcats to a 17-14 overall record and an appearance in the NIT. Carmody posted a record of 92-25 in four seasons at Princeton University, where he was a member of the basketball staff for 18 seasons. His record in Ivy League games, as the head coach at Princeton, was 50-6. Carmody led Princeton to four straight post-season appearances. Carmody was the head coach at Fulton County (NY) Community College for one season, 1975-76, he was an assistant coach at Union College from 1976-80 and he was an assistant at Providence College for one season before joining the staff at Princeton in 1982. Carmody is 7-10 vs. Iowa and 1-4 vs. Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.

IOWA, NORTHWESTERN TIP-INS
? Iowa is 13-9 all-time in games played on Feb. 25.
? 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) seeing time on the court. Junior transfer Devon Archie has been sidelined with an injury and will redshirt.
? Northwestern’s 16-player roster features student-athletes from four different states, plus Serbia and Croatia. Nine of the 16 players hail from Illinois, three from Michigan, and one each from Arizona, Indiana, Croatia and Serbia.
? Northwestern’s roster breakdown includes four seniors, three juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen.
? Iowa ranks 2nd in the nation in fewest fouls per contest (15.8) and 3-pointers made (8.2).
? Northwestern ranks fifth in the country in 3-pointers (9.22) and assist/turnover ratio (1.53), 11th in fewest turnovers (10.7) and 14th in assists (16.44). Individually, Michael Thompson and Jeremy Nash rank 27th (2.45) and 26th (2.28), respectively, in the nation in assist/turnover ratio.
? Iowa’s two victories over Northwestern in 2008 gave the Hawkeyes their first season sweep of Northwestern since the 2002-03 season. Nine of the last 10 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less, with six of those decided by five points or less.
? The Iowa roster includes two players from Illinois. They are freshman Cully Payne (Schaumburg) and senior Devan Bawinkel (Winnebago).
? Iowa sophomore Aaron Fuller (Mesa) and Northwestern senior Kevin Coble (Scottsdale) both left the Phoenix, AZ area to play Big Ten basketball.
? Along with its 80 games against Northwestern in Welsh-Ryan Arena, Iowa has played four NCAA Tournament games in the facility. Iowa won two games in Evanston to advance to the 1955 Final Four. The following season Iowa advanced to the Final Four in Evanston, losing to San Francisco in its only appearance in the national championship game.
? Iowa and Northwestern have met just once in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa defeated the Wildcats 72-55 in the first round on its way to winning the 2001 tournament title.

IOWA RANKS SECOND IN BIG TEN FRESHMEN SCORING
Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in true freshmen scoring. Indiana’s true freshmen have scored 861 points, followed by Iowa (593).

CLOSE CALLS AT NORTHWESTERN
Iowa has lost close games in four of its last five visits to Welsh-Ryan Arena. In the only meeting in 2006, Iowa held a 42-34 advantage with just over six minutes to play before Northwestern rallied. A three-point play by Vedran Vukusic with 29 seconds remaining gave Northwestern a 49-48 advantage. Vukusic added two free throws in the final seconds after Iowa had missed a potential game-winning shot. In 2005, the Wildcats scored on a three-point basket as time expired, in overtime, to take a 75-74 win. The Hawkeyes led by 12 points in the last four minutes and missed a shot at the end of regulation that would have earned the win. In 2004 The Wildcats scored a 51-49 win as Vukusic hit a 17-foot jumper with seven-tenths of a second remaining. Iowa’s Jeff Horner tied the score with 14 seconds remaining before Vukusic hit the game winner. Iowa stopped the three-game losing streak in Evanston with a 67-62 win in 2008, holding off a late Northwestern rally. Iowa held a comfortable lead most of the game before the Wildcats used a 12-0 scoring run to close within one point. Iowa needed four straight free throws in the final 14 seconds to hold on for the win. Northwestern rallied from a seven-point deficit in the final 11 minutes to win 55-49 in 2009. Iowa tied the game at 47 with just over four minutes to play but scored just two points from there. A three-point basket by Craig Moore gave the Wildcats at 52-47 advantage with 54 seconds remaining and Iowa could get no closer.

DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
Iowa boasts the second-strongest strength of schedule amongst Big Ten teams in games played through Feb. 21. The Hawkeyes rank 32nd nationally, according to: realtimerpi.com. Wisconsin leads the league with the 15th-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 four 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 (3.9) and minutes played (33.0). May ranks first in blocked shots (0.93). 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 blocks (seventh), steals (12th) and rebounding (20th). Additionally, May averages the most minutes among all Big Ten freshman (34.9), 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 14 conference games, Fuller leads the team in scoring (11.9) and rebounding (8.4). He has led or shared the team lead in rebounding nine of the last 11 games, including the last eight. In his last 11 games, Fuller is averaging 14 points and 9.1 rebounds and has attempted 58 free throws, making 43 (.741). 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 rebounding (8.4) and offensive rebounds (3.93), and 20th in scoring (11.9). Fuller has eight more rebounds than second-place Robbie Hummel. Fuller has registered a team-best five double-doubles this season, four have come in conference action and in three of the last four 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. Fuller posted career highs in points (30) and rebounds (13) in an overtime loss to Michigan. Prior to the last 11 games, Fuller was averaging 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. His sensational play has improved his averages to 9.1 points and 6.2 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 59-of-84 (.702) this season. He has attempted the most free throws on the team and ranks second in makes. He has made 21 of his last 27 (.778) free-throw attempts, including 7-of-8 (.875) in Iowa’s win over Northwestern Feb. 10.

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.

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.

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 16 of its 27 contests, including 13 of the last 20 and four of the last five. 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), Northwestern (8) and Michigan (1). The Hawkeyes are 8-8 in games they have a positive rebounding margin.

BLOCKAGE
With his eight blocks the last seven 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 25 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 will 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 9.1 points, five rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks. May has started 18 of the last 20 games, including the last 15. Sixteen of his 25 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 8.3 points, 3.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds. He has averaged 6.3 assists the last three games, dishing out six each against Northwestern and Purdue and a career-best seven vs. Michigan. 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 was 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 on Feb. 10, 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 Iowa’s last three contests, he is now ranked eighth overall in percentage and fifth in league contests. Bawinkel, who is Iowa’s only senior, 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 ninth (6.2), followed by 19th-ranked Jarryd Cole (5.0) and 20th-ranked Eric May (5.0). In conference games only stats, Fuller ranks first in the Big Ten in overall rebounds (8.4) and offensive rebounds (3.93), while Cole ranks seventh in offensive rebounds (2.07).

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 208 straight games.

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 53, followed by Eric May (36), Cully Payne (36), Devan Bawinkel (31), Anthony Tucker (30), Brennan Cougill (18), John Lickliter (9), Aaron Fuller (6) and Jarryd Cole (2). Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in triples made (8.19). Iowa has made 10 triples or more 10 times this season, including two of the last three contest. 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.

STARTING LINE-UPS
Iowa has used five different starting line-ups in its 27 games. Cully Payne (PG), Matt Gatens (SG), Eric May (SF), Aaron Fuller (PF) and Jarryd Cole (C) have started the last 15 games for the Hawkeyes; going 4-11 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: March 1 and March 8.

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT SINGLE-SESSION TICKETS ON SALE
Both all-session and single-session tickets for the 2010 Big Ten Basketball Tournament (March 11-14) is on sale to the general public. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000, and through the Conseco Fieldhouse box office and www.consecofieldhouse.com. Single-session tickets range from $30 to $75 depending on session and seat location. All-session tickets are available for $220 or $165 depending on seat location, which represents a savings of almost 20 percent over purchasing single-session tickets for all five sessions. Orders will be limited to 12 all-session or single-session tickets.

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 returns home Sunday to host Indiana in its last home contest of the season. The game will be the final home game for senior Devan Bawinkel. Tip-off is slated for 5:06 (CST) p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.