March 5, 2010
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THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (10-20, 4-13) will play its regular season finale Sunday at Minnesota (17-12, 8-9). Tip-off is set for 5:06 p.m. in Williams Arena (14,625). Both Iowa and Minnesota are looking to rebound after double-digit setbacks on the road earlier in the week. The Hawkeyes lost by 27 at Wisconsin (67-40), while the Gophers fell by 28 at Michigan (83-55). Sunday will be Minnesota’s “Senior Night”, as the Gophers will honor Devron Bostick, Damian Johnson and Lawrence Westbrook. Sunday marks the third time since the 1989-90 season that Iowa finishes its regular season with two straight road contests.
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. 143) and Sirius (Ch. 122) Satellite Radio.
Television: The Big Ten Network (HD) will televise Wednesday night’s game to a national cable audience. Wayne Larrivee and Shon Morris will call the action.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,562 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,476-1,086 (.576). That includes a 934-339 (.734) record in home games, a 542-696 (.438) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 699-703 (.499) mark in Big Ten games and a 340-103 (.767) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HAWKEYES FALL AT WISCONSIN, 67-40
Wisconsin used an 18-0 first-half run to propel it to a 67-40 triumph over the Iowa Hawkeyes Wednesday night at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI. The Badgers built a 20-point halftime cushion (36-16) and never looked back. Wisconsin shot 55% (28-of-51) from the field, while Iowa struggled from the floor shooting only 37% (16-of-43). For the third consecutive game, Iowa managed only three triples. Sophomore Aaron Fuller paced the Hawkeyes with 14 points. Junior Jarryd Cole netted nine, while freshman Eric May added eight. Wisconsin junior Jon Leuer led all scorers with 18 points. Seniors Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon contributed 15 and 11 points, respectively, in their home finale.
IOWA, WISCONSIN FAST BREAKS
? Aaron Fuller led Iowa in scoring (14 points) for the second time in four games.
? Iowa’s 40 points, three 3-pointers and five offensive rebounds all tied season lows. The Hawkeyes’ six assists were also a season low.
? Wednesday was the fastest Iowa game this season. The game started at 7:36 p.m. and ended at 9:15 p.m. (1:39 minutes).
? Cully Payne, who sank a season-best 9-of-10 from the foul line, improved his free throw percentage from .585 to .627 after Wednesday’s shooting performance.
? Iowa was whistled for a season-low six fouls, while Wisconsin was only called for 10 infractions.
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT SEEDING
With one game remaining, some of the Big Ten Tournament seeds have already been solidified. Ohio State is seeded first, Illinois is fifth and Iowa is ninth. Purdue, Michigan State and Wisconsin are battling for sports two-four, Minnesota Northwestern and Michigan are positioning for sports sixth-eighth, while Indiana and Penn State head into the final regular season contest tied and fighting for the last two seeds. Iowa will play Thursday at 1:30 p.m. (CST) on ESPN2.
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 -4.3 more points and 1.5 more rebounds in wins compared to losses, while Aaron Fuller averages 4.2 more points and Eric May averages 2.7 more points.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, John Lickliter AND Cully Payne
Redshirt freshman John Lickliter will celebrate his 21st birthday Monday, March 8, while true freshman Cully Payne will celebrate his 20th on Tuesday, March 9.
IOWA FRESHMEN SCORING AMONG BIG TEN BEST
Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in true freshmen scoring. Indiana’s true freshmen have scored 939 points, followed by Iowa (642).
FULLER FINISHING STRONG
Aaron Fuller, who ranks first in Big Ten rebounding (7.8) and 19th in scoring (12.1), 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 is averaging 13.7 points and 8.2 rebounds in Iowa’s last 14 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. Against Indiana (Feb. 28), he totaled 17 points and eight rebounds vs. Indiana.
MINNESOTA WON THE LAST MEETING
Minnesota led start-to-finish recording an 86-74 win over Iowa, at Iowa City, on Jan. 2. The visitors sprinted out to a 21-4 lead in the first 5:17 of the game. The Gophers forced an Iowa season-high 25 turnovers and turned the Hawkeye miscues into 45 points. Additionally, 25 of Minnesota’s 35 field goals were scored in the paint. The Hawkeyes trailed by as many as 26 in the second half, but closed the game strong on a 20-6 run. Sophomore Matt Gatens posted a team-high 14 points and a season-best nine rebounds. Freshman Eric May and sophomore Aaron Fuller each secured eight rebounds. May netted 13 points, while Fuller added 10. Sophomore Andrew Brommer, who is a Rosemount, MN, native posted a career-high eight points. Minnesota was led by junior Blake Hoffarber, who poured in a game-high 24 points, 17 of which were scored the first 11:20 of the contest. Senior Damian Johnson contributed 13 points.
DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
Iowa boasts the third-strongest strength of schedule amongst Big Ten teams in games played through March 3. The Hawkeyes rank 41st nationally, according to: realtimerpi.com. Wisconsin leads the league with the 26th-toughest schedule in the country.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Minnesota holds a 97-88 advantage over Iowa in the series that began with a 47-10 Gopher win in 1902. Minnesota beat Iowa (86-74) earlier this season. The Gophers defeated the Hawkeyes (63-50) in Minneapolis in the only meeting in 2008 and won (52-49) in Iowa City in 2009. Iowa won both meetings in 2007. The teams have split the last eight meetings. The teams split two games during the 2004-05 season after Iowa won both meetings in 2004. The Hawkeyes have won 11 of the last 18. The teams met just once in 2002 and 2003, with Minnesota winning both games. The Gophers hold a 58-33 advantage in games played at Minnesota. Iowa has won three of the last seven and four of the last 10 meetings in Williams Arena. The teams have met twice in the Big Ten Tournament. Along with the 2006 win in Indianapolis, Iowa defeated the Gophers 81-78 in the 2000 event at the United Center in Chicago. Iowa also defeated the Gophers at a neutral site (Los Angeles) early in the 1964-65 season.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
After starting the year 11-3, Minnesota has gone 6-9 in its last 15 games. The Gophers have split their last four contests, notching wins over Illinois and Indiana, but losing to Purdue and Michigan. Four of Minnesota’s nine conference losses have come by three points or less, including two in overtime. The Gophers lost by one point to both nationally-ranked Purdue (59-58) and Michigan State (65-64) at home. In both contests, Minnesota had the last shot and the opportunity to win. Minnesota boasts a 13-3 home record this season. Most recently, Minnesota lost 83-55, at Michigan, Tuesday night. The Wolverines shot a blistering 60% (32-of-53) from the field, including 67% (16-of-24) in the second stanza. The Gophers shot 45.5% (25-of-55) from the field, but only 19% (3-of-16) from 3-point territory. Senior Damian Johnson and sophomore Colton Iverson scored 13 points and 10 points, respectively, to lead Minnesota. Westbrook averages a team-best 12.6 points, which ranks 16th-best in the Big Ten. He also ranks second in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage (.422, 28-of-43). Hoffarber averages 10.8 points and ranks second in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (2.6) and first in percentage (.474, 74-of-156). Sophomore Ralph Sampson III ranks fourth in the conference in blocks (1.8), seventh in rebounding (6.3) and averages 8.7 points. Sampson did not play against Iowa in the Jan. 2 meeting in Iowa City due to injury. Senior Damian Johnson ranks first in league steals (1.9) and third in blocked shots (1.9). Minnesota ranks first in the Big Ten in steals (8.1), 3-point field goal percentage (.393) and blocked shots (5.7), and second in field goal percentage defense (.400). The Gophers also rank third in rebounding (35.4), scoring (72.9) and field goal percentage (.471).
MINNESOTA COACH TUBBY SMITH
Tubby Smith is in his third year at Minnesota and his 19th season as a college head coach. Smith has led Minnesota to a 59-37 (.615) record and his career mark stands at 446-182 (.710). Smith posted a 79-43 mark in four seasons at Tulsa (1991-95), a 45-19 mark in two seasons at Georgia (1995-97) and a 263-83 record in 10 years at Kentucky (1997-07). He has also served as an assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth, South Carolina and Kentucky. Smith led the Gophers to a 22-11 finish a year ago and an NCAA Tournament appearance. He guided his first Minnesota team to an appearance in the 2008 NIT, after coaching his team in the NCAA Tournament for 14 consecutive years while at Kentucky and Georgia. He is one of four active Division I coaches to take three different teams to the Sweet 16. He was national Coach of the Year in 1998, 2003 and 2005. His Kentucky teams won five SEC regular season titles and five SEC Tournament championships. Smith boasts a 29-13 record in the NCAA Tournament. Smith is 4-1 vs. Iowa and 3-0 against Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter.
IOWA, MINNESOTA TIP-INS
? This year marks the first time since the 1973-74 season that Iowa will conclude the regular season against Minnesota. Iowa won at Minnesota (60-50) on March 9, 1974.
? Iowa is 11-10 all-time in games played on March 7.
? Iowa is 9-2 when leading at the half, 1-16 when trailing and 0-2 when tied at halftime. Additionally, the Hawkeyes are 10-5 when recording more assists and 9-1 when having a higher field goal percentage than its opponents.
? Eighty-one percent of Iowa’s offense is generated by underclassmen (1,487 of 1,832 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.
? Minnesota’s 13-player roster features student-athletes from eight different states and Canada. Five of the 13 players hail from its home state of Minnesota and one each from Arkansas, Arizona, Louisiana, South Dakota, Georgia, Wisconsin, California and Canada.
? Minnesota’s roster breakdown includes three freshmen; three sophomores, four juniors and three seniors.
? Iowa ranks 37th in the nation in fewest fouls per contest (16.0) and 45th in 3-pointers made (7.7).
? Minnesota ranks seventh in the country in assists (17.0), 11th in 3-point field goal percentage (.393), 17th in blocked shots (5.7), 18th in assist/turnover ratio (1.3), 22nd in field goal percentage defense (.400), 33rd in field goal percentage (.471) and 34th in steals (8.1). Blake Hoffarber ranks second nationally in 3-point percentage (.474).
? Iowa’s roster includes one player from the state of Minnesota: sophomore Andrew Brommer (Rosemount).
? Iowa assistant Chad Walthall is a native of Staples, MN.
? Minnesota Assistant Coach Ron Jirsa was the head coach at Georgia in 1998 when the Bulldogs scored a 100-93 win over Iowa in the first round of the NIT in Iowa City.
? Minnesota Assistant Coach Vince Taylor previously served as an assistant Coach at Louisville (1999-05). During that time Iowa defeated the Cardinals on two occasions. Iowa won 70-69 in overtime in the John Wooden Tradition in Indianapolis in 2003-04. The following season the Hawkeyes defeated Louisville 76-71 in the first round of the Maui Classic. Iowa placed second in that event, falling in the final to eventual national champion North Carolina.
? Minnesota Assistant Coach Saul Smith played for his father, Tubby, at Kentucky during his college career. Smith was a member of the 2001 Wildcat team that defeated Iowa 92-79 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Long Island, NY. Smith contributed eight points, five assists and three rebounds in 35 minutes of action.
ROAD HAWKEYES
Iowa will finish the regular season with four of six games on the road.
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.
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 (33.2) and sixth in scoring (8.3). May ranks first in blocked shots (0.9), second in steals (1.1) and rebounding (4.8) 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 (13th) and rebounding (20th). Payne (114 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 17 conference games, Fuller leads the team in scoring (12.1) and rebounding (7.8). He has led or shared the team lead in rebounding 10 of the last 14 games, including nine of the last 11. 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 (+4.5). In his last 14 games, Fuller is averaging 13.7 points and 8.2 rebounds and has attempted 78 free throws, making 55 (.705). 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 offensive rebounds (3.5), fourth in overall rebounding (7.8) and 19th in scoring (12.1). Fuller has registered a team-best five double-doubles this season, four have come in conference action and in three of the last six 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 14 games, Fuller was averaging 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. His sensational play has improved his averages to 9.5 points and six 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 71-of-104 (.683) this season. He has attempted the most free throws on the team and ranks second in makes.
HITTING THE GLASS
Iowa has owned the rebounding advantage in 18 of its 30 contests, including 15 of the last 23 and six of the last eight. 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.
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).
STARTING LINE-UPS
Iowa has used five different starting line-ups in its 30 games. Cully Payne (PG), Matt Gatens (SG), Eric May (SF), Aaron Fuller (PF) and Jarryd Cole (C) have started the last 18 games for the Hawkeyes; going 5-13 in those contests.
BLOCKAGE
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 26 shots, good for sixth best on the list. Chris Street (1990-91) ranks first with 52. May is one of only two Hawkeyes (Jarryd Cole) 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, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks. May has started 21 of the last 23 games, including the last 18. Seventeen of his 26 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, 3.8 assists and three rebounds. He has averaged 4.5 assists the last six 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.
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 five contests, he is now ranked ninth overall in percentage and fourth 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 211 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 56, followed by Eric May (39), 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 (7.7). 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. Iowa has struggled as of late from long distance, making only three treys in each of the last three contests.
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.
ARCHIE 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 will 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.
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.
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.
“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 Monday at Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Cafe in Iowa City from 7-8:30 p.m.
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 will compete at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, March 11-14. Iowa will leave Wednesday afternoon for Thursday’s first round game.