March 2, 2010
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THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (10-19, 4-12) will play their final two regular season games on the road, beginning Wednesday with a trip to Madison, WI, to face the 15th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers (21-7, 11-5). Tip-off is set for 7:36 p.m. in the Kohl Center (17,230). It’s the only regular season meeting between Iowa and Wisconsin this year. Wednesday will be Wisconsin’s “Senior Night”, as the Badgers will honor two seniors Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon. Wisconsin enters the game in fourth place in the Big Ten, while Iowa is ninth.
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 (Ch. 196) and Sirius (Ch. 90) Satellite Radio.
Television: The Big Ten Network (HD) will televise Wednesday night’s game to a national cable audience. Wayne Larrivee and Tim Doyle will call the action.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,561 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,476-1,085 (.576). That includes a 934-339 (.734) record in home games, a 542-695 (.438) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 699-702 (.499) mark in Big Ten games and a 340-103 (.767) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
IOWA TOPS INDIANA IN HOME FINALE, 73-57
Iowa led start-to-finish, in its final home game, in a 73-57 victory over Indiana Sunday at Iowa City. Sophomore Matt Gatens poured in a game and career-high 25 points to lead the Hawkeyes. Sophomore Aaron Fuller contributed 17 points, while freshman Cully Payne added 13. Iowa forced 20 turnovers and converted the Hoosier miscues into 23 points. Indiana was whistled for 31 fouls and Iowa drained a season-high 26 free throws, including Payne making all eight of his tries in the final 1:19. Fuller and junior Jarryd Cole controlled a team-best eight rebounds. Sophomore Verdell Jones III scored a team-best 22 points for Indiana.
IOWA, INDIANA FAST BREAKS
? Both teams struggled from 3-point territory, shooting a combined 4-of-25 (16%). Iowa was 3-of-17, while Indiana was only 1-of-8. The three triples tied a season low for the Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes, who rank second in the conference in treys (7.8), have sank only three 3-pointers in each of their last two contests.
? Sunday was the final home game for Hawkeye senior Devan Bawinkel. The native of Winnebago, IL, scored one point on a free throw, the only bench points of the night for Iowa.
? Iowa made 12-of-16 (.750) from the free-throw line, while Indiana sank all eight of its attempts in the final five minutes of the game.
? Cully Payne, who sank a season-best 9-of-10 from the foul line, improved his free throw percentage from .585 to .627 after Sunday’s shooting performance.
? Iowa held Indiana to only 39 points for 36 minutes, but the Hoosiers generated 18 points the final 3:30 of the game.
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT SEEDING
Iowa (4-12) is currently alone in ninth place in the Big Ten standings with two regular season games remaining. Iowa holds a one-game lead over Penn State and Indiana (both 3-13). The Hawkeyes are two games behind Michigan and can’t be seeded higher than ninth at the Big Ten Tournament due to the Wolverines owning the tiebreaker over Iowa. If Iowa should finish in a three-way tie or tie either Indiana or Penn State, at the conclusion of the regular season, the Hawkeyes own all tiebreakers after beating Indiana twice and Penn State in the only meeting.
LICKLITER AFTER THE GAME
“I think we learned something Thursday (at Northwestern). I think we wanted it to be easier than what it was going to be and there’s no easy way to win a game. You have to go out and compete. You have to play with focus and purpose and do what you do. I thought on Thursday, that wasn’t the case. Today, I thought we learned a valuable lesson. We got to most of the loose balls, we were active, we were in tune and we were helping one another. We shot very poorly from behind the arc in the first half, but we had a lead because of effort and because we went to the glass and did things you have to do in order to win games when the shots aren’t falling. I’m encouraged by that. This team is disappointed, like I am, in the record, but I’m not disappointed in them. I’ve enjoyed coaching them. They practice correctly. They work hard and I really like the foundation they’re laying. We have a lot of opportunities ahead of us; a couple of tough ones coming up and then the tournament. This was a really good win.”
HAWKEYES PUT UP SOLID NUMBERS IN WINS
Iowa averages 71.7 points, 15.7 assists, makes 48% of its field-goal attempts and boasts a +6.7 rebounding margin in its 10 victories. Individually, Matt Gatens averages 4.1 more points and 1.3 more rebounds in wins compared to losses, while Aaron Fuller averages 4.5 more points and Eric May averages 2.7 more points.
IOWA FRESHMEN SCORING AMONG BIG TEN BEST
Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in true freshmen scoring. Indiana’s true freshmen have scored 907 points, followed by Iowa (634).
FULLER FINISHING STRONG
Aaron Fuller, who ranks first in Big Ten rebounding (8.0) and 19th 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 (59) rebounds as defensive (69), in league play. Fuller is averaging 13.7 points and 8.5 rebounds in Iowa’s last 13 games. He poured in a career-high 30 points and secured a personal-best 13 rebounds vs. Michigan Feb. 16. 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. In his last outing (Feb. 28), he totaled 17 points and eight rebounds vs. Indiana.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa holds a 77-74 advantage in the series that began with a 30-9 Wisconsin win in 1909. The teams split last year’s two meetings, with each team winning at home. Wisconsin beat the Hawkeyes twice in 2007 and 2008. The Badgers have won 11 of the last 13 meetings. Iowa won two of three meetings in 2002, the only time the teams have ever met three times in one season. In 2002, the Hawkeyes won in Iowa City and lost in Madison before defeating the Badgers in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. Wisconsin holds a 48-27 advantage in games played in Madison and the Badgers have won the last eight meetings. Iowa is 2-8 at the Kohl Center, winning there in 2000 (61-55) and 1998 (79-76). Iowa and Wisconsin have met three times at the Big Ten Tournament, with the Badgers winning twice. Wisconsin won in Chicago in 1999 and 2005 and Iowa won in Indianapolis in 2002.
SCOUTING WISCONSIN
Wisconsin will have had five days to prepare for Iowa. The Badgers were idle last weekend after cruising to a 78-46 win at Indiana last Thursday. Wisconsin has won five of its last seven games, with the two defeats coming to Illinois and Minnesota. The Badgers boast a 15-1 record at the Kohl Center this season, with the lone setback coming against the Fighting Illini (Feb. 9). Four Badger starters average double figures: Trevon Hughes (15.5), Jon Leuer (14.4), Jason Bohannon (12.4) and Jordan Taylor (10.1). Hughes ranks eighth in league scoring and fourth in steals (46). Leuer, who missed nine games due to injury, returned to action three games ago. He ranks first on the team in rebounding (5.8) and second in blocks (27). Taylor ranks first on the team in assists (102) and sixth in the country in assist/turnover ratio (2.9). Both Hughes and Bohannon have knocked down 63 triples each, to lead the team. Bohannon ranks fourth in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage (.414). Wisconsin recorded its largest road win in Big Ten play, in its last outing vs. Indiana, since a 54-20 win at the University of Chicago on Feb. 9, 1942. The Badgers toppled the Hoosiers, 78-46 at Assembly Hall. All five Badger starters netted double figures, led by Hughes’ 17 points. Wisconsin shot 55% (29-of-53) from the field, including a staggering 73% (8-of-11) from 3-point range. Leuer and Keaton Nankivil blocked four shots each. Wisconsin is tops in Big Ten scoring defense (56.7) and free throw percentage (.742), ranks second in rebounds allowed (30.2), third in 3-pointers (7.6), scoring margin (+11.1)and assist/turnover ratio (1.4) and fourth in turnover margin (+2.9) and 3-point field goal percentage (.358). The Badgers boast the toughest strength of schedule (14) and second-best RPI (17) in the Big Ten this season.
WISCONSIN WON THE LAST MEETING
Wisconsin defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 69-52, on Feb. 11, 2009 at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI, in the two teams’ last meeting. The Badgers led by 12 at halftime and maintained a double-digit advantage for the remainder of the contest. Wisconsin forced 14 Hawkeye turnovers and converted those miscues into 29 points. The Badgers also turned 10 offensive rebounds into 18 additional points. Wisconsin’s Trevon Hughes registered 14 points and a game-high six assists, while Jason Bohannon netted 15 points. Jake Kelly and Jeff Peterson were Iowa’s leading scorers at 17 and 10 points, respectively. Matt Gatens, Jarryd Cole, Devan Bawinkel, Andrew Brommer and Aaron Fuller were limited to a combined 18 points.
WISCONSIN HEAD COACH BO RYAN
Bo Ryan is in his ninth season at Wisconsin after leading the Badgers to back-to-back Big Ten regular season titles in 2002 and 2003. Last year, Ryan guided Wisconsin to a 20-13 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers won the Big Ten Tournament title in 2004. He was named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year in both 2003 and 2004. Ryan has posted a 214-80 (.728) record with the Badgers. Ryan is in his 26th season as a college head coach, with a career record of 597-183 (.765). Ryan moved to Madison after posting a 30-27 record in two seasons at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ryan’s UW-Milwaukee team posted a 15-13 record in 2001, including a narrow 83-79 loss to Iowa in Iowa City. Ryan was the head coach at Wisconsin-Platteville for 15 seasons, leading that school to four NCAA Division III national titles (1991, 1995, 1998 & 1999) and eight conference titles. Overall his record at Platteville was 353-76. Ryan has been named national Coach of the Year four times. He is the winningest coach in Division III history and was the winningest coach in the NCAA (all divisions) in the 1990’s. He served as an assistant coach for the gold-medal winning USA team at the 1995 World University Games and an assistant coach for the gold-medal winning North team at the 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival. Ryan previously was an assistant at Wisconsin for eight seasons (1977-84), working under Bill Cofield and Steve Yoder. Ryan is 12-5 vs. Iowa (12-4 while at Wisconsin) and 3-1 against Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.
FOUR TIMES AS THE HEAD COACH
While Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter has faced the Badgers four times as a head coach, he has been a part of several games involving both Wisconsin and current Badger Coach Bo Ryan. Lickliter was an assistant coach at Butler in 1988-89 when Wisconsin won 63-53 at Butler and in 2000-01 when Butler won 58-44 at Wisconsin. Lickliter was also an assistant at Butler during the two seasons in which Ryan was the head coach at Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1999-01). Butler defeated UW-Milwaukee three times during the 1999-00 season and twice during the 2000-01 campaign.
IOWA, WISCONSIN TIP-INS
? Iowa is 19-9 all-time in games played on March 3.
? Iowa is 9-2 when leading at the half, 1-15 when trailing and 0-2 when tied at halftime. Additionally, the Hawkeyes are 10-5 when recording more assists and 9-4 when getting to the free-throw line more than their opponents. Iowa is also 9-1 when having a higher field goal percentage than its opponents.
? Eighty-one percent of Iowa’s offense is generated by underclassmen (1,456 of 1,792 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.
? Wisconsin’s 16-player roster features student-athletes from seven different states. Six of the 16 players hail from Wisconsin, four from Minnesota, and one each from Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and Texas.
? Wisconsin’s roster breakdown includes two seniors, six juniors (two redshirt), three sophomores and five freshmen (two redshirt).
? Iowa ranks 37th in the nation in fewest fouls per contest (16.3) and 45th in 3-pointers made (7.8).
? Wisconsin is tops in the country in fewest turnovers (9.2), fourth in scoring defense (56.7), 12th in assist/turnover ratio (1.4), 20th in scoring margin (11.1) and 24th in free throw percentage (74.2).
? Iowa assistants LaVall Jordan and Joel Cornette played against Wisconsin during their college careers at Butler, helping the Bulldogs post a 58-44 win in Madison on Jan. 30, 2001. Jordan contributed seven points and five rebounds in 35 minutes, while Cornette added seven points and six rebounds in 29 minutes.
? Wisconsin Assistant Coach Gary Close was an assistant coach at Iowa for 13 seasons (1987-99) under Tom Davis. He later was the head boys basketball coach at Regina High School in Iowa City for three years, leading his team to the state tournament his last two seasons.
? Wisconsin senior Jason Bohannon is a native of Marion, IA. His father, Gordy, played quarterback for the Hawkeye football team.
? Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter and Wisconsin Coach Bo Ryan each have a son on their staff. Garrett Lickliter is a graduate manager for the Hawkeyes, while Matt Ryan serves as Wisconsin’s video coordinator.
GREAT GAMES IN THE TOURNAMENT
Iowa and Wisconsin have met three times in the Big Ten Tournament, and two of those would qualify as “Instant Classics”. The Badgers have won two of three, beginning with a 77-64 win in the quarterfinals of the 1999 tournament in Chicago. The teams met again in 2002, with ninth seeded Iowa winning 58-56 over the top-seeded Badgers in Indianapolis. Iowa tied the game on a three-point play by Duez Henderson with 41 seconds remaining and regained possession following a Wisconsin turnover with eight seconds remaining. Luke Recker scored the winning basket on a jump shot from the lane with two seconds on the clock. Iowa advanced to the title game before falling to Ohio State. The Badgers were the second-seed in 2005 when Wisconsin and Iowa met in the semi-finals at the United Center. Iowa, the seventh seed, tied the score with 3.7 seconds remaining on a tip-in basket by Greg Brunner. Following a timeout, Wisconsin’s Alando Tucker hit a running jump shot from approximately 35 feet to lift the Badgers to a 59-56 win. Wisconsin was defeated in the title game by Illinois.
MARKED IMPROVEMENT
Iowa has seen marked defensive improvement in its last 13 games. Iowa is an extremely young basketball team and the numbers show the team getting better with each game. Iowa ranks first in the league in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.297) by a wide margin and seventh in scoring defense (65.6), in Big Ten games only. Iowa started the season 5-11 and has since gone 5-8 against tougher competition. Four of its last eight losses came to ranked opponents, including three on the road to top 15 squads.
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), minutes played (33.1) and sixth in scoring (8.6). May ranks first in blocked shots (0.9), second in steals (1.2) and rebounding (4.9) and fifth in scoring (9.1). Payne is the only Big Ten freshman starting at point guard this season. May is the only conference freshman to be ranked among the Big Ten leaders in blocks (eighth), steals (12th) and rebounding (20th). Payne (109 assists) will become only the fourth freshman to lead the Hawkeyes in assists since 1974-75. Dean Oliver (131 assists) led Iowa as a rookie in 1997-98, Jeff Horner (140 assists) paced the Hawkeyes in 2002-03 and Jeff Peterson (92 assists) accomplished the feat in 2007-08.
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 16 conference games, Fuller leads the team in scoring (11.9) and rebounding (8.0). He has led or shared the team lead in rebounding 10 of the last 13 games, including nine of the last 10. Only one player in the country has improved their rebounding numbers in conference play compared to non-conference action more than Fuller. Wofford’s Tim Johnson leads the nation, improving his rebounding numbers (+5.8), followed by Fuller (+4.7). In his last 13 games, Fuller is averaging 13.7 points and 8.5 rebounds and has attempted 73 free throws, making 53 (.726). 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 rebounds (8.0) and offensive rebounds (3.7), and 19th in scoring (11.9). Fuller has registered a team-best five double-doubles this season, four have come in conference action and in three of the last five 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 13 games, Fuller was averaging 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. His sensational play has improved his averages to 9.3 points and 6.1 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 69-of-99 (.697) this season. He has attempted the most free throws on the team and ranks second in makes. He has made 31 of his last 42 (.738) free-throw attempts.
HITTING THE GLASS
Iowa has owned the rebounding advantage in 18 of its 29 contests, including 15 of the last 22 and six of the last seven. 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 and 4), Illinois (6), Ohio State (2), Northwestern (8 and 3) and Michigan (1). The Hawkeyes are 9-9 in games they have a positive rebounding margin.
DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
Iowa boasts the second-strongest strength of schedule amongst Big Ten teams in games played through Feb. 25. The Hawkeyes rank 38th nationally, according to: realtimerpi.com. Wisconsin leads the league with the 15th-toughest schedule in the country. Indiana’s strength of schedule ranks 73rd.
ROAD HAWKEYES
Iowa has a heavy road schedule coming down the stretch. The Hawkeyes conclude the regular season with their final two contests away from Iowa City: at Wisconsin (Wednesday) and at Minnesota (Sunday).
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.
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).
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 11 players includes four freshmen, one redshirt freshman, three 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 and Matt Gatens. 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, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks. May has started 20 of the last 22 games, including the last 17. 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 8.6 points, 3.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds. He has averaged 4.4 assists the last five games, dishing out six each against Northwestern and Purdue and a career-best seven vs. Michigan. Payne drained nine free throws, a personal best, in the last 1:19 in Iowa’s home win over Indiana Feb. 28. 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 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.
STARTING LINE-UPS
Iowa has used five different starting line-ups in its 29 games. Cully Payne (PG), Matt Gatens (SG), Eric May (SF), Aaron Fuller (PF) and Jarryd Cole (C) have started the last 17 games for the Hawkeyes; going 5-12 in those contests.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Wednesday will be Iowa’s eighth game against a ranked opponent this season. Iowa lost the previous seven (No. 3 Texas, No. 4 and No. 6 Purdue, No. 6 and No. 10 Michigan State, and No. 13 and No. 20 Ohio State). Iowa has lost 17 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. These are Iowa’s most recent wins vs. nationally ranked opponents:
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 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 five contests, he is now ranked 10th overall in percentage and sixth in league contests. Bawinkel, who is Iowa’s only senior, has made 91 career triples, 51 last year, 32 this season and eight his freshman campaign at West Virginia.
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 210 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 55, followed by Eric May (37), Cully Payne (37), Devan Bawinkel (32), Anthony Tucker (30), Brennan Cougill (18), John Lickliter (10), Aaron Fuller (6) and Jarryd Cole (2). Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in triples made (7.8). Iowa has made 10 triples or more 10 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.
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.”
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.
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.
WAYNE DUKE TO BE INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME
University of Iowa graduate and former Big Ten Commissioner, Wayne Duke, will be inducted into the 2010 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Duke will go into the Hall of Fame as a contributor. Duke, a native of Burlington, IA, graduated from Iowa with a journalism degree in 1950. He is now 81 years old. He’ll join five others as members of the 2010 Hall of Fame Class. The 2010 induction ceremonies will be held on Sunday, November 21, 2010, at the College Basketball Experience (CBE) and the historic Midland Theatre in Kansas City, MO. The CBE, a world-class entertainment facility that provides a multi-faceted interactive experience for fans, shares a common lobby with Sprint Center and is the home of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Other inductees include: Christian Laettner, David Thompson, Jerry West, Davey Whitney, Sidney Wicks and Tex Winter.
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.
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.
ON THE HORIZON
Iowa concludes the regular season with its second straight road game, at Minnesota (5 p.m.), Sunday. The Hawkeyes will compete at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, March 11-14. Iowa will leave Wednesday afternoon for Thursday’s first round game.