Hawkeyes Look to Rebound vs. UL Monroe

Nov. 15, 2010

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THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (0-1) entertain Louisiana Monroe (0-1) Tuesday. Tip-off is slated for 7:35 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tuesday’s contest will be played as part of a doubleheader; the Iowa women are scheduled to play Bradley at 5 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the UI Athletic Ticket Office. Tickets are $10 for adults and FREE for youths (18-and-under) and UI students. Fans who purchased a ticket to the women’s game can also stay and watch the men’s game.

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.
Television: Mediacom Connections will televise Tuesday’s game in Eastern Iowa. Rob Brooks and Mac McCausland will call the action. Hawkeye fans can also view the game live online at video.bigtennetwork.com.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,564 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,476-1,088 (.576). That includes a 934-340 (.733) record in home games, a 542-697 (.437) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 699-704 (.498) mark in Big Ten games and a 340-104 (.766) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is one win from notching Big Ten victory No. 700.

COACHING EXPERIENCE
Fran McCaffery made his debut on the Hawkeye sideline Sunday. McCaffery has assembled one of the most experienced coaching staffs in the country. Assistant coaches Kirk Speraw, Sherman Dillard and Andrew Francis have over six decades of combined coaching experience. Furthermore, the entire coaching staff combines for 46 years of head coaching experience.

Director of Basketball Operations Jerry Strom is in his 30th season as a member of the Iowa basketball staff. Also, former Hawkeye standout and professional basketball player Ryan Bowen has joined the staff as video coordinator and administrative assistant. Bowen was on four NBA rosters (Denver, Houston, New Orleans and Oklahoma City).

A YOUNG SQUAD
Iowa’s roster of 15 players include six freshmen, two sophomores, five juniors and two seniors. The freshmen are Melsahn Basabe (6-7, 225), Cody Cox (6-4, 190), Roy Devyn Marble (6-5,190), Zach McCabe (6-7, 225), Darius Stokes (6-7,190) and Branden Stubbs (6-2, 170). The sophomores are Eric May and Cully Payne.

In addition, juniors Bryce Cartwright (6-1, 180) and Jordan Stoermer (6-2,185) are in their first year at Iowa. Cartwright played as a rookie at Fresno State and Paris JC (Texas) his sophomore campaign. Stoermer played his first two seasons at Kirkwood CC (Iowa).

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Iowa fans can purchase a season ticket for $266 that includes 17 home games. UI Faculty and staff can purchase tickets for $228, while the price is only $75 for UI students. In addition, a $6 postage and handling fee will be added to each order.

HAWKEYES DROP SEASON OPENER
South Dakota State forced 18 Hawkeye turnovers Sunday and scored the last 10 points of the first half to propel itself to a 79-69 victory over Iowa in front of 11,700 fans in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The 11,700 fans were 3,214 more than last year’s season opener (8,486).

Trailing by nine (38-29) at the half, Iowa fought back and had a couple small leads midway through the second half, but the Jackrabbits ultimately pulled away down the stretch.

Iowa played a better second half, shooting the ball with improved accuracy and committing only four turnovers the final 20 minutes.

Three Hawkeyes posted double figures in defeat: Eric May (20), Jarryd Cole (17) and Zach McCabe (11). Melsahn Basabe grabbed a game-high nine rebounds (eight defensive), while Cully Payne dished out a team-high six assists.

STAT SHEET STUFFER
Eric May had an outstanding start to his sophomore campaign. May scored a career-high 20 points, corralled four rebounds, collected two steals and had a block. Last season, May tallied a then-personal-best 18 points twice against Ohio State.

OFF AND RUNNING…
Iowa starts the season with a busy nine days. The Hawkeyes start the 2010-11 season playing five games in nine days. After playing its first two games at home, the Hawkeyes will depart early Wednesday morning for the island of St. Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The eight-team, three-game tournament begins Friday and concludes next Monday. Iowa will face Xavier in the first round Friday at 7:30 p.m. (CT).

HAWKEYES CRUISE IN EXHIBITION
Six Hawkeyes scored in double figures en route to a 111-66 exhibition victory over Illinois-Springfield (UIS) on Nov. 7.

Iowa benefited from its height advantage, outscoring the Prairie Stars 60-10 in the paint. The Hawkeyes shot a blistering 61% (43-70) from the floor. Iowa was able to build a 30-point halftime advantage (57-27).

Sophomore Eric May led all scorers with 21 points and also collected five steals. Freshman Melsahn Basabe netted 19 points and grabbed eight boards. Other Hawkeyes in double figures included Bryce Cartwright (12), Jordan Stoermer (11), Roy Devyn Marble (11) and Zach McCabe (10).

ON POINT
Iowa’s point guard duo of Cully Payne and Bryce Cartwright shined in the Hawkeyes’ exhibition. The tandem combined for 16 points, 15 assists and only two turnovers. Payne dished out a game-high 10 assists, with no turnovers, while Cartwright netted 12 points on 6-8 shooting from the field.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa leads the all-time series, 3-1 against Louisiana Monroe. The Hawkeyes won the first three meetings (1975, 1982 and 1993) before the Warhawks snapped the three-game losing skid with a 72-67 overtime win in Iowa City on Nov. 30, 2007. Iowa’s victories in 1982 and 1993 came in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Louisiana Monroe is a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Hawkeyes boast a 15-2 (.882) record against current members of the Sun Belt.

SCOUTING LOUISIANA MONROE
Louisiana Monroe (ULM) returns just one starter and two lettermen from last year’s team. Of the three returning players, one (Fabio Ribeiro) played in just six games before taking a medical redshirt. Only Iowa State has fewer returning players on its roster (two). The Warhawks have eight newcomers on the 2010-11 roster.

ULM lost its season opener at Texas Tech Friday night, 86-67. The Red Raiders collected 11 steals and forced 16 Warhawk turnovers. ULM shot the ball well from the free-throw line (13-16, .813) and 3-point territory (8-17, .471) in defeat. Fred Brown of ULM led all scorers with 25 points, bolstered by a blistering 7-10 shooting from beyond the arc. Lawrence Gilbert added 18 points, while Ribeiro snagged a game-high 10 rebounds for the Warhawks.

ULM is under the direction of first-year head coach Keith Richard, who is a Monroe alum. Richard was a point guard from 1979-82, leading the school to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1982. Prior to becoming the head coach at Monroe, he served as the head coach at Louisiana Tech for nine seasons (1998-2007).

IOWA, ULM TIP-INS
? Iowa has only played one previous game on Nov. 16, beating North Texas (112-64) in 1997. ? ULM Head Coach Keith Richard has coached in Carver-Hawkeye Arena before. Richard brought his Louisiana Tech team to Iowa City in 2001. The Hawkeyes defeated Louisiana Tech, 75-67 on Nov. 17, 2001. ? ULM’s 13-player roster features two seniors, five juniors, one sophomore and five freshmen. Additionally, eight of the 13 transferred to ULM from another college. Their roster includes players from seven different states, Brazil, Cameroon and Nigeria. ? The Iowa football team will host ULM in Kinnick Stadium next season on Sept. 24.

GATENS SIDELINED AFTER SUFFERING HAND INJURY
Junior Matt Gatens tore a tendon in his left, non-shooting hand, Oct. 26 during practice. The shooting guard had surgery Oct. 28. Gatens had a hard cast removed on Nov. 10. He did not play in Iowa’s season opener vs. South Dakota State and is doubtful for Tuesday night’s contest. His playing status for the Paradise Jam is undetermined at this point.

Gatens, who has started every game in his Hawkeye career, was Iowa’s leading scorer a year ago, averaging 12.3 points. The Iowa City native was also Iowa’s top scoring threat from the free throw line (84-101, .832) and beyond the arc (58-177, .328) last season. Gatens earned all-Big Ten recognition as a freshman and sophomore. He was a member of the all-Big Ten Freshman team in 2009 and an honorable mention all-conference selection a year ago.

GATENS, COLE AND PAYNE NAMED CAPTAINS
Senior center Jarryd Cole, junior guard Matt Gatens and sophomore Cully Payne are Iowa’s captains for the 2010-11 season.

Cole, a three-time captain, was Iowa’s leading field goal shooter a year ago, shooting at a 57% clip. He ranked second in team rebounding (5.2) and blocks (14) and averaged 8.1 points. The native of Kansas City, Mo., was also Iowa’s men’s basketball Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Nominee. Gatens, who was an honorable mention all-conference honoree last season, led the Hawkeyes in three statistical categories: scoring (12.3), free throws (84-101, .832) and 3-pointers (58-177, .328). Payne directed the Hawkeye offense as a rookie, ranking among league leaders in assists. He was the only starting rookie floor general in the league in 2010. Payne averaged 8.7 points, 3.8 assists, three rebounds and ranked second on the team in triples with 42.

THE RETURNING CAST
Iowa returns four starters and six lettermen from a year ago. The returning starters include senior center Jarryd Cole (6-7, 250), junior guard Matt Gatens (6-5, 215), sophomore guard Cully Payne (6-1, 190) and sophomore forward Eric May (6-5, 220). Gatens was Iowa’s leading scorer, averaging 12.3 points, while also pulling down 4.3 rebounds starting all 32 games. Cole also started every game and averaged 8.1 points ranked second in rebounding (5.2). Payne, who was the only starting freshman point guard in the Big Ten last season, dished out a team-best 122 assists to go along with an 8.7 scoring average. May started the last 23 contests last year, and averaged nine points, 4.6 rebounds and collected team bests in blocks (26) and steals (34).

The other returning lettermen are junior forward Andrew Brommer (6-9, 235) and redshirt junior Devon Archie (6-9, 225). Archie received a medical redshirt last season due to injury.

Iowa’s returning players, last season, played 65.6% of all minutes, accounting for 64.6% of Iowa’s points and grabbing 40% of Iowa’s rebounds. The group also had 75.3% of the steals and 75.1% of the assists last season. They combined to shoot 41.1% from the field, 30.8% from 3-point range and 70.9% from the free-throw line.

DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
The Hawkeyes will potentially play 20 games against teams that competed in the postseason a year ago, including 14 possible contests vs. teams that played in the NCAA Tournament.

In the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Iowa will travel to Wake Forest. Both teams will have a new head coach on the sidelines. New Hawkeye Head Coach Fran McCaffery played for Wake Forest one season (1977-78), helping the Demon Deacons post a 19-10 record while starting 11 games.

Iowa will play two of its three in-state games at home. The Hawkeyes will host Northern Iowa (Dec. 7) and Iowa State (Dec. 10), while visiting Drake (Dec. 18).

SUPER SOPHS RETURN
Two of the Big Ten’s most exciting and talented freshmen from a year ago return to the Hawkeyes. Eric May and Cully Payne were named to the Big Ten all-Freshman team by Sporting News. May was also recognized on the conference’s all-freshman squad.

Last year, May became Iowa’s first freshman to lead the team in blocks since Ryan Bowen in 1995. Furthermore, standing 6-foot-5, May became the shortest player to lead the team in rejections since 6-foot-5 James Winters did it in 1994. The native of Dubuque, Iowa, also averaged nine points and 4.6 rebounds.

Payne was the only Big Ten freshman starter at point guard last season. Payne became only the fourth Hawkeye freshman to lead the team in assists since 1974-75. His 122 assists rank third-best for an Iowa rookie in a single-season. The Schaumburg, Ill., native also averaged 8.7 points and three rebounds.

BROMMER IMPROVES FREE THROW SHOOTING
Junior Andrew Brommer has made remarkable improvement in his free throw shooting. After converting only 23 percent of his foul shots as a freshman, Brommer made 75 percent last season, missing only six attempts.

THREE STATE CHAMPS
Iowa’s roster of 15 players includes three who won four state titles. Matt Gatens won a state title for Iowa City HS in 2008. Eric May won a state title for Dubuque Wahlert in 2008, while Zach McCabe’s Bishop Heelan captured the state title in 2009 and 2010.

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 213 straight games.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 340-104 (.766) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 159-83 (.657) in Big Ten games and 181-21 (.896) in non-Big Ten contests.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 64 of its 87 games (.736) 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. Iowa was a perfect 17-0 at home in 2006, 14-2 in 2007, 10-8 in 2008, 13-4 in 2009 and 9-9 a year ago.

HAWKEYE HOOPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Iowa Hawkeye fans can get even more information, photos and video about the men’s basketball team on social media sites facebook (facebook.com/hawkeyehoops) and twitter (twitter.com/iowahoops).

Exclusive video, ticket specials and more will be available on facebook throughout the season.

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT ALL-SESSION TICKETS ON SALE
All-session tickets for the 2011 Big Ten Basketball Tournament (March 10-13) are now 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.

All-session tickets for the lower and club level are available for $300 through the 11 Big Ten universities only. All-session tickets for the upper level are available for $220 or $165 (depending on seat location) through Ticketmaster or the Conseco Fieldhouse box office only. Orders will be limited to 12 all-session tickets.

In addition, the men’s basketball tournament will continue to feature a special discounted rate of $50 for all-session tickets available only to students of the 11 Big Ten universities. All students must have a valid student ID for entry. Student section seating will be available in eight balcony sections and orders will be limited to one all-session ticket. Details on the student ticket program will be sent to the university ticket offices for distribution directly to students.

ON THE HORIZON
Iowa will travel to the island of St. Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands this weekend to compete in the eight-team Paradise Jam. The Hawkeyes open against Xavier Friday at 7:30 p.m. (CT).