April 9, 2010
- Coach McCaffery Press Conference Photo Gallery
- Coach McCaffery Pep Rally
- Watch: McCaffery Press Conference
- What they’re saying about Fran McCaffery
- Watch: McCaffery Discusses Iowa
- Watch: McCaffery on BTN
- Register for ticket information online
Complete Release in PDF Format
HAWKEYES FINISH NINTH IN BIG TEN
Iowa ended its 2009-10 season with a 10-22 record and a 4-14 mark in conference play. The Hawkeyes tied Indiana for ninth place in the Big Ten standings, but defeated the Hoosiers twice to earn the tiebreaker and ninth seed at the Big Ten Tournament.
Iowa’s roster was dominated by underclassmen, with a majority of the youngsters seeing game action. In fact, 81% of Iowa’s offense in 2009-10 was generated by freshmen and sophomores. Freshmen Eric May and Cully Payne were asked to log significant minutes and contribute. The duo were named to the five-member all-Big Ten freshman team by Sporting News. May was also recognized on the Big Ten Conference’s all-freshman squad.
Iowa’s schedule, again, proved to be demanding, ranking 57th in the nation in strength of schedule. Eighteen of Iowa’s 32 games were against teams that advanced to postseason play, including 11 contests against teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Overall, 12 of Iowa’s 23 opponents played in the postseason, seven in the NCAA Tournament, four in the NIT and one in the CBI.
Iowa swept its season series against Indiana, marking the only the third time the Hawkeyes accomplished that feat since the 1997-98 campaign. Iowa also notched Big Ten victories over Northwestern and Penn State at home. Iowa had near-misses against Michigan (two points in overtime) and Virginia Tech (six points).
Sophomore Matt Gatens led the team in scoring at 12.3 points per game and was named honorable mention all-Big Ten by league coaches. Also earning honorable mention accolades was classmate Aaron Fuller. Fuller led the team in scoring (12.3) and rebounding (7.6) during conference play.
Gatens, Payne and junior Jarryd Cole were the only Hawkeyes to start all 32 games. Payne was the only freshman Big Ten starting point guard and finished his campaign with 122 assists, the third most by a Hawkeye rookie in a single-season.
Looking ahead, Iowa’s non-conference slate next season will again feature three in-state rivals, along with a road game in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Iowa will also participate in the Paradise Jam (Nov. 19-22), which includes Xavier, Clemson, Seton Hall, Long Beach State, Alabama, Old Dominion and St. Peter’s.
COACH LICKLITER DISMISSED
On March 15, Iowa Director of Athletics Gary Barta announced that Head Coach Todd Lickliter would not return as Iowa’s head men’s basketball coach. Lickliter served as Iowa’s head coach for three seasons and posted a 38-58 (.396) overall record and 15-39 (.278) conference mark.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,504 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,476-1,028 (.589). That includes a 934-329 (.740) record in home games, a 542-699 (.437) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 699-704 (.498) mark in Big Ten games and a 340-103 (.767) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
MCCAFFERY NAMED IOWA’S NEW HEAD COACH
Fran McCaffery was named the University of Iowa’s 22nd head men’s basketball coach March 29, 2010. McCaffery, 50, comes to Iowa after spending five successful seasons at Siena. He has served as a head coach for 14 seasons, posting a 251-178 (.585) career record.
McCaffery’s five years at Siena have been the best in its 70-year history. He led the Saints on an incredible run that ended with three straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. In so doing, Siena became the only program in the country to win its regular season and postseason title the last three years.
McCaffery’s Saints owned a 112-51 record in his five years with the program. After orchestrating the fifth greatest turnaround in Division I play his first year, McCaffery led Siena to a 20-win season and a MAAC Championship game appearance in his second. In 2007-08, Siena took its biggest step forward under his direction, earning the MAAC regular-season and tournament championship, as well as an NCAA Tournament first round win over Vanderbilt. In 2008-09, Siena repeated the feat, winning the regular-season title outright before capturing the tournament crown. The Saints went on to defeat Ohio State 74-72 in double overtime in one of the tournament’s most exciting games.
This past season, McCaffery led Siena to its fourth straight 20-win season, something never before achieved in program history. Siena ran away with the league title, clinching the No. 1 seed in the tournament on Feb. 8 with four conference games remaining. The Saints came from behind in each of their three MAAC Tournament games, culminating with a 72-65 overtime win against Fairfield in the MAAC Championship. Siena’s bid for a third consecutive NCAA Tournament first round victory was ended by No. 4 seed Purdue in Spokane, Wash. Down 15 points with five minutes left, the Saints rallied to within three points with one minute remaining, but eventually fell 72-64. For his efforts, he was named the NABC District I Coach of the Year.
The 2009 MAAC Coach of the Year is the third winningest coach, by percentage, in league history (68-22, .756). He is the only coach to guide a MAAC program to two NCAA Tournament wins.
Prior to Siena, McCaffery was the head coach at UNC-Greensboro for six seasons (1999-05), posting a 90-87 (.508) record. He was an assistant coach at Notre Dame for 11 years (1988-99) before starting his head coaching career at Lehigh (1985-88), where he was 49-40 (.551). At 26, McCaffery was the nation’s youngest Division I head coach when hired by Lehigh in 1985.
PAYNE, MAY EARN ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION
Eric May and Cully Payne were named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team by Sporting News. May and Payne join Illinois’ D.J. Richardson, Indiana’s Christian Watford and Northwestern’s Drew Crawford on the team.
May (6-5, 225) started 23 of the last 25 games, including the last 20. The native of Dubuque, IA, ranked first amongst his Big Ten classmates in steals (19), blocks (17) and minutes (34.2), second in rebounding (4.6) and fourth in scoring (9.2), in conference games only. May, who was also recognized on the Big Ten Conference’s all-freshman team, was Iowa’s third leading scorer and led the team in blocks and steals in 18 Big Ten games. In all games, May ranked third in 3-pointers made (41). The 41 triples rank fourth-best by an Iowa freshman in a single season.
Payne (6-1, 190) started all 32 games, directing the Hawkeye offense. He was the only starting freshman point guard in the league in 2009-10. Payne ranked sixth in Big Ten assists (3.8), the most of any league freshman. He amassed 122 assists, which are the third most in a single-season by a Hawkeye rookie. The native of Schaumburg, IL, is Iowa’s first lefty point guard since Dean Oliver. He averaged 8.7 points and three rebounds to go along with his 3.8 assists. Payne, who was named to the CBE Classic all-tournament team in November, averaged 4.4 assists the last eight contests.
IOWA TIP-INS
? Matt Gatens scored in double figures a team-best 20 times, followed by Aaron Fuller (14) and Eric May (10). Gatens has netted 10 points or more 41 times in his career. Furthermore, Gatens poured in 20 points or more six times in 2009-10.
? Aaron Fuller grabbed double-digit rebounds six times and in each of those contests he also scored in double figures to give him six double-doubles.
? Cully Payne averaged 4.4 assists in Iowa’s last eight contests, dishing out six each against Northwestern and Purdue and a career-best seven vs. Michigan and at Minnesota.
? Iowa was 9-2 when leading at the half, 1-18 when trailing and 0-2 when tied at halftime. Additionally, the Hawkeyes were 10-5 when recording more assists and 9-2 when having a higher field goal percentage than their opponents.
? Iowa was 6-3 when scoring 70 points or more, while it was 0-10 when allowing over 70 points.
? Iowa was 9-5 when it attempted more free throws than its opponent, while the Hawkeyes were 0-16 when the opposition visited the charity stripe more.
? Eighty-two percent of Iowa’s offense was generated by underclassmen (1,580 of 1,937 points). The Hawkeyes had only one senior (Devan Bawinkel) and one junior (Jarryd Cole) that saw time on the court. Junior transfer Devon Archie was sidelined with an injury and redshirted.
? Iowa ranked 20th in the nation in fewest fouls per contest (15.8) and 54th in 3-pointers made (7.5).
GATENS, FULLER, MAY EARN ALL-BIG TEN RECOGNITION
Sophomores Aaron Fuller and Matt Gatens and freshman Eric May earned Big Ten postseason accolades.
Fuller (6-6, 230) and Gatens (6-5, 225) were both named honorable mention all-Big Ten by the league coaches. May (6-5, 225) was named to the league’s five-member all-freshman team, which is selected by the conference coaches.
Fuller played in 29 games with 21 starts, including starting all 18 Big Ten contests. He was slowed by an ankle injury early in the 2009-10 campaign, but regained his form once conference play began in December. Fuller was Iowa’s leading scorer (12.3 ppg) and rebounder (7.6 rpg) during league play. The native of Mesa, AZ, ranked first in Big Ten offensive rebounding (3.4) and fifth in rebounding (7.6). Fuller ranks third in the nation in rebounding improvement (+4.3) from non-conference to play to league play.
Gatens, who led Iowa with four 20-point games in 2009-10, is one of three Hawkeyes to start all 31 games. The Iowa City native was Iowa’s leading overall scorer (12.4), 3-point (58-of-172) and free throw (83-of-100) shooter. He also ranks second in team assists (101) and steals (27). Gatens ranks third in Big Ten minutes played (36.7) and free throw percentage (.830), ninth in 3-pointers (1.9), and 12th in assists (3.3) and assist/turnover ratio (1.2).
May started 23 of the last 25 games, including the last 20 as a rookie. The native of Dubuque, IA, ranked first amongst his Big Ten classmates in steals (19), blocks (17) and minutes (34.2), second in rebounding (4.6) and fourth in scoring (9.2), in conference games only. May was Iowa’s third leading scorer and led the team in blocks and steals in 18 Big Ten games. In all games, May ranks second in team 3-pointers made (41). The 41 triples rank fourth-best by an Iowa freshman in a single season.
Junior center Jarryd Cole (6-7, 250) was also honored as part of the Big Ten all-conference teams, earning Iowa’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. One member of each Big Ten team is recognized with the Sportsmanship Award at the conclusion of each season. Cole started all 31 games, averaging 8.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest.
DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
Iowa had the third-strongest regular-season strength of schedule amongst Big Ten teams. The Hawkeyes ranked 43rd nationally, according to: realtimerpi.com. Wisconsin led the league with the 26th-toughest schedule in the country, followed by Illinois (41st).
IOWA FRESHMEN SCORING AMONG BIG TEN BEST
Iowa ranked second in the Big Ten in true freshmen scoring. Indiana’s true freshmen averaged 33.1 points per game, followed by Iowa (21.5) and Illinois (21.2).
HAWKEYES PUT UP SOLID NUMBERS IN WINS
Iowa averaged 71.7 points, 15.7 assists, made 48% of its field-goal attempts and boasted a +6.7 rebounding margin in its 10 victories. Individually, Matt Gatens averaged 4.6 more points and 1.6 more rebounds in wins compared to losses, while Aaron Fuller averaged 3.7 more points and Eric May averaged 2.8 more points.
FULLER FINISHED STRONG
Aaron Fuller, who ranked fifth in Big Ten rebounding (7.6) and 18th in scoring (12.3), had an outstanding finish to his sophomore season. Fuller posted a team-best six double-doubles in 2009-10. Five of his double-doubles came against conference opponents, which ranked third-best behind Ohio State’s Evan Turner (9) and Illinois’ Mike Davis (7). Fuller ranked seventh in the league in most 10-rebound games with six.
Fuller averaged 13.6 points and 8.2 rebounds in Iowa’s last 16 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 (Mar. 11), he totaled 10 points and 13 rebounds vs. Michigan at the Big Ten Tournament.
Only two players in the country improved their rebounding numbers in conference play compared to non-conference action more than Fuller. Wofford’s Tim Johnson led the nation, improving his rebounding numbers (+5.8), followed by Delaware State’s Brandon Adams (+4.4) and Fuller (+4.3).
Fuller sustained an ankle injury in Iowa’s third game of the year (vs. Bowling Green, Nov. 20). He returned to the starting lineup in Iowa’s first conference game (vs. Purdue, Dec. 29). In league play, the native of Mesa, AZ, ranked first in offensive rebounds (3.4), fifth in overall rebounding (7.6) and 18th in scoring (12.3).
Fuller 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 18 conference games, Fuller led the team in scoring (12.3) and rebounding (7.6). He led or shared the team lead in rebounding 11 of the last 16 games, including 10 of the last 13.
Fuller 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. He collected his sixth double-double vs. Michigan at the Big Ten Tournament (10 points, 13 rebounds).
Prior to the last 16 games, Fuller was averaging 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. His sensational play improved his averages to 9.7 points and 6.2 boards.
Fuller also improved his free throw shooting from a year ago. In 2008-09, Fuller was 11-of-25 (.440) from the charity stripe, compared to 75-of-111 (.676) this season. He attempted the most free throws on the team and ranked second in makes.
ROAD HAWKEYES
Iowa finished the regular season with four of six games on the road, including its final two games at Wisconsin and Minnesota.
IOWA FRESHMEN RANK HIGH
Iowa freshmen, Cully Payne and Eric May, led Big Ten freshmen in a couple statistical categories. Payne led all conference freshmen in assists per game (3.8), ranked second in minutes played (33.4) and sixth in scoring (8.7). May ranked first in blocked shots (0.8), steals (1.1) and rebounding (4.6) and fourth in scoring (9.0). Payne was the only Big Ten freshman starting at point guard in 2009-10. May was the only conference freshman to be ranked among the Big Ten leaders in blocks (12th) and rebounding (20th). Payne (122 assists) became 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.
HITTING THE GLASS
Iowa owned the rebounding advantage in 19 of its 32 contests, including 16 of the last 25 and seven of the last 10. 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 and 7). The Hawkeyes were 9-10 in games they had a positive rebounding margin.
MAY DAY
Two of May’s top games 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 were 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).
CLOSE GAMES WERE THE NORM
Eleven of Iowa’s 32 games were decided by 10 points or less, with Iowa posting a 4-7 record in those contests. Six of those games were decided by six points or less (3-3).
STARTING LINE-UPS
Iowa used five different starting line-ups in its 32 games. Cully Payne (PG), Matt Gatens (SG), Eric May (SF), Aaron Fuller (PF) and Jarryd Cole (C) started the last 20 games; going 5-15 in those contests. Iowa’s starting lineup for the last 20 games featured two freshmen (May and Payne), two sophomores (Fuller and Gatens) and a junior (Cole). Iowa freshmen earned 62 starts overall, three more than a year ago. Payne started all 32, May 23 and Brennan Cougill had seven starts.
BALANCED SCORING LED IOWA
Iowa featured a balanced scoring attack, with at least three players scoring in double figures in 15 games and four reaching 10 points or more in five contests. Six different players led Iowa in scoring and seven averaged more than eight points per outing. Matt Gatens led Iowa in scoring (12.3), followed by Anthony Tucker (11.9), Aaron Fuller (9.7), Eric May (9.0), Cully Payne (8.7) and Jarryd Cole (8.1). Cole shot a team-best 57% from the field, senior Devan Bawinkel shot a team-best 38% from 3-point range, while Gatens led the team in free-throw shooting (83%).
BLOCKAGE
Eric May made Iowa’s single-season freshman blocked shots chart. Many of his blocks were highlight reel material. The 6-5, 225-pounder rejected 26 shots, good for sixth best on the list. Chris Street (1990-91) ranks first with 52. May was one of only two Hawkeyes (Jarryd Cole) in double-figure blocks and became the first Iowa freshman to lead the team since Ryan Bowen averaged 1.0 blocks in 1995. Furthermore, standing 6-foot-5, May is the shortest player to lead the team in blocked shots since 6-foot-5 James Winters led the Hawkeyes in 1994, also with 26 rejections.
CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Overall, Iowa was a 69.2% (348-of-503) from the foul line, but the Hawkeyes’ free throw percentage improved down the stretch. Iowa made 82.5% (33-of-40) from the free-throw line in the final minute of games. Furthermore, the Hawkeyes shot 75.3% (58-of-77) in the final two minutes from the charity stripe.
A YOUNG SQUAD
Iowa’s roster of 11 players included four freshmen, one redshirt freshman, three sophomores, two juniors and one senior. The freshmen were 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 was walk-on John Lickliter. The sophomores were Andrew Brommer, Aaron Fuller and Matt Gatens. In addition, junior forward Devan Archie (6-9, 215) was in his first year at Iowa after attending a junior college in Indianapolis. He did not play in 2009-10 due to injury and redshirted.
FOUR STATE CHAMPS
Iowa’s roster of 11 players included 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.
LICKLITER WAS SIDELINED EARLY IN THE SEASON
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 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). The Hawkeyes broke the school record for 3-point attempts in a single-season (753), breaking the previous mark of 743 in 1995. Additionally, Iowa’s 239 triples ranks third most in a single-season at Iowa. The record is 274 established in 1995, followed by 258 a year ago in 2009.
NO 3-POINTERS
Since the 3-point shot became part of the college game, Iowa has played only 14 games in which it has failed to make a 3-point attempt. Iowa’s current streak includes at least one 3-point basket in 213 straight games. The last contest in which Iowa failed to make at least one triple was in a 71-61 home win over Purdue in 2004.
BALANCED 3-POINT ATTACK
Every Hawkeye on this year’s team was comfortable shooting the three-ball. Nine Hawkeyes attempted and made at least one 3-pointer in 2009-10. Matt Gatens led the team with 58, followed by Cully Payne (42), Eric May (41), Devan Bawinkel (32), Anthony Tucker (30), Brennan Cougill (18), John Lickliter (10), Aaron Fuller (6) and Jarryd Cole (2). Iowa ranked second in the Big Ten in triples made (7.5). Iowa made 10 triples or more 10 times this season. Additionally, it 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 improved its perimeter defense once Big Ten play began. Overall, the Hawkeyes ranked eighth in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.341). However, Iowa ranked second (.328) in that statistical category in 18 conference games.
FRESHMEN DUO MAKING IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Freshmen Eric May and Cully Payne made an immediate impact on the team. May, who was named to the 2010 all-Big Ten Freshman team, averaged nine points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks. He shot 50% from the field in Iowa’s last three regular season games (11-of-22, .500). The native of Dubuque, IA, started 23 of the last 25 games, including the last 20. Seventeen of his 26 blocks came in Big Ten action. Payne, who was Iowa’s first lefty point guard since Dean Oliver, averaged 8.7 points, 3.8 assists and three rebounds. He averaged 4.4 assists the last eight games, dishing out six each against Northwestern and Purdue and a career-best seven vs. Michigan (Feb. 16) and at Minnesota (March 7). Payne saved his best performance for last, scoring a career-high 25 points at the Big Ten Tournament vs. Michigan. He 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 18 points vs. Wichita State in the tournament’s consolation game.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa played eight games against ranked opponents in 2009-10, losing all eight (No. 3 Texas, No. 4 and No. 6 Purdue, No. 6 and No. 10 Michigan State, No. 13 and No. 20 Ohio State and No. 15 Wisconsin). Iowa has lost 18 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.
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 added.
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.”
LETTERWINNERS
All 11 Hawkeyes earned letters in 2009-10: Devon Archie, Devan Bawinkel, Andrew Brommer, Jarryd Cole, Brennan Cougill, Aaron Fuller, Matt Gatens, John Lickliter, Eric May, Nick Neari and Cully Payne.
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 in 2009-10 he posted double figures (11 vs. Prairie View A&M). Bawinkel finished the season ranked 13th overall in 3-point percentage and fifth in league contests. Bawinkel, who was Iowa’s only senior, made 91 career triples, 51 his junior year, 32 this season and eight his freshman campaign at West Virginia.
ARCHIE REDSHIRTS
Junior transfer Devon Archie was sidelined seven weeks after sustaining an injury to his left shoulder during Iowa’s second practice, Oct. 17. Archie practiced with the team during the spring semester, but redshirted. 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 in 2008-09 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.
IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 340-103 (.767) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 159-83 (.657) in Big Ten games and 181-20 (.900) in non-Big Ten contests.
HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 64 of its 86 games (.744) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) over the last five seasons, including win streaks of 21 straight overall and 12 straight Big Ten Conference wins. Iowa has won 10 of its last 19 home games against ranked opponents and was 13-4 at home in 2008-09. Three of Iowa’s four home losses last year were to ranked opponents and by four points or less. Iowa was a perfect 17-0 at home in 2006, 14-2 in 2007, 10-8 in 2008 and 13-4 a year ago. The Hawkeyes were 9-9 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season.
IOWA IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Iowa made its 22nd appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2006. Iowa earned the Big Ten Conference’s automatic bid by virtue of claiming the league’s tournament title. The Hawkeyes hold an overall record of 27-24 in the tournament, advancing to the Final Four in 1955 (fourth), 1956 (second) and 1980 (fourth). Iowa reached the regional championship in 1987 and lost in the regional semi-final in 1988 and 1999.
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.