Black and Gold in Paradise

Nov. 17, 2010

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THE SETTING
Iowa (1-1) will meet Xavier (2-0) Friday in the first round of the 11th annual Paradise Jam. Tip-off is slated for approximately 7:30 p.m. (CT) at the Sports and Fitness Center (3,000) on the campus of the University of the Virgin Islands on the island of St. Thomas. Other teams in the tournament field include: Alabama, Clemson, Long Beach State, Old Dominion, Seton Hall and St. Peter’s.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday-Monday, Nov. 19-22
Sports and Fitness Center – – Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

Nov. 19 – – First Round
St. Peter’s vs. Old Dominion, Noon
Long Beach State vs. Clemson, 2:30 p.m.
Alabama vs. Seton Hall, 5 p.m.
Iowa vs. Xavier, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 20
Loser Game One vs. Loser Game Two, 2:30 p.m.
Loser Game Three vs. Loser Game Four, 5 p.m.

Nov. 21
Winner Game One vs. Winner Game Two, 5 p.m. (Fox College Sports TV)
Winner Game Three vs. Winner Game Four, 7:30 p.m. (Fox College Sports TV)

Nov. 22
Seventh Place Game, Noon
Fourth Place Game, 2:30 p.m.
Consolation Game, 5 p.m. (Fox Sports Net)
Championship Game, 7:30 p.m. (Fox Sports Net)

ON THE AIR
Radio: Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Jim Albracht will handle the play-by-play this weekend, 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: Only four games will be televised at the Paradise Jam, the semifinals (Fox College Sports), the consolation and championship game (Fox Sports Net). Dan McLaughlin and Larry Conley will call the action, while Samantha Steele will give reports from the sidelines. All other games can be viewed online by clicking the “video” link on hawkeyesports.com. Live streaming is available for a one-time fee of $3.99.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,565 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,477-1,088 (.576). That includes a 935-340 (.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 341-104 (.766) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is one win from notching Big Ten victory No. 700.

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.

FOLLOW THE TEAM IN ST. THOMAS ON FACEBOOK/TWITTER
Get exclusive bonus video and updates about the Iowa men’s basketball team’s trip to the island of St. Thomas on the Hawkeye hoops facebook and twitter pages. To follow on facebook, become a fan at facebook.com/hawkeyehoops and on twitter at twitter.com/iowahoops.

The Hawkeyes will be gone for seven days (Nov. 17-23). In addition to competing for the tournament title against seven other teams, the team will participate in a number of exciting tournament-run activities.

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 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).

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).

HAWKEYES TOP UL MONROE TUESDAY NIGHT
Iowa put together a balanced offensive attack and had a strong defensive effort in a 68-40 triumph over UL Monroe Tuesday night in Iowa City.

Seven Hawkeyes scored seven points or more in collecting Coach Fran McCaffery’s first victory as Iowa’s head coach. Freshman Zach McCabe netted double figures for the second straight game, scoring a team-high 12 points. Freshman Melsahn Basabe snagged a game-high 11 rebounds, while sophomore Cully Payne dished out a game-high seven assists. Walk-on Jordan Stoermer provided a lift off the bench registering seven points.

Iowa collected 10 steals, eight in the second half, and forced 26 Warhawk turnovers. The Hawkeyes dominated the glass for the second consecutive contest, pulling down 10 more boards than UL Monroe (42-32).

After sinking only three triples in the season opener, Iowa drained eight (8-21) Tuesday against the Warhawks.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa has only played Xavier once before, beating the Muskateers 33-28 on Dec. 20, 1937. The Hawkeyes are 21-12 (.636) all-time against current members of the Atlantic 10. Iowa boasts a combined 5-2 record against the other seven teams competing in the Paradise Jam.

The Hawkeyes will face either Alabama or Seton Hall in its second tournament contest. Iowa is 1-0 against the Pirates, while the Crimson Tide beat the Black and Gold 72-60 in the semifinals of the 2006 Paradise Jam. Alabama went on to win the tournament that year.

Iowa has never faced St. Peter’s or Old Dominion. The Hawkeyes own a 2-1 series edge over Clemson and 1-0 advantage over Long Beach State.

SCOUTING XAVIER
Xavier opened its season with consecutive home victories over Western Michigan (68-65) and IPFW (76-66 – OT). Junior Tu Holloway was tabbed Atlantic 10 Player of the Week after leading Xavier to a come-from-behind win over the Broncos in its season opener. Holloway netted 20 of his game-high 25 points in the second half. Against IPFW, all five Xavier starters scored double figures, led by Holloway’s 24. The Muskateers out-scored IPFW 13-3 in overtime to collect its second victory.

The Muskateers suffered two injury setbacks before the season started. Senior Jamel McLean and junior Brad Redford both sustained injuries, with Redford’s being season-ending. McLean will not see action at the Paradise Jam after suffering a fracture to the bone that surrounds one of his eye socket’s in the Muskateers exhibition.

Xavier won 25 games or more in each of the last four years. Furthermore, the Muskateers and Michigan State are the only two programs that have advanced to the Sweet 16 in each of the last three NCAA Tournaments.

Chris Mack is in his second season as head coach at Xavier. Mack is a 1992 alum of Xavier and was a two-time team captain while playing for the Muskateers. Mack was tabbed the 2010 Basketball Times Rookie Coach of the Year. He was the only first-year coach to guide his team to the NCAA Tournament.

PARADISE JAM TIP-INS
? Iowa will make its second appearance in the Paradise Jam after competing in the tournament in 2006. The Hawkeyes went 1-2 in 2006, beating Toledo (78-65) in the first round, then falling to Alabama (72-60) and Villanova (89-60) in their final two games.
? Iowa sophomore point guard Cully Payne originally committed to play for Alabama, but was granted a release from his National Letter of Intent after a coaching change.
? This will be the 11th Paradise Jam Tournament. Big Ten teams have won two of the tournaments, including Purdue last year. Wisconsin won the tournament in 2005.
? Coach McCaffery has previously coached against only two of the other seven teams in the 2010 Paradise Jam field. McCaffery coached teams are 11-2 against St. Peter’s and 0-1 vs. Alabama.
? Don Monson coached at Minnesota for seven-plus seasons prior to becoming the head coach at Long Beach State. He compiled a 118-105 record while coaching the Golden Gophers.

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 vs. South Dakota State (Nov. 14). Tuesday night against UL Monroe, May posted nine points, six rebounds and a team-high three steals.

COACHING EXPERIENCE
Fran 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).

PARADISE JAM POTENTIAL OPPONENT INFO
? Alabama went 17-15 a year ago, finishing fourth in the west division of the Southeastern Conference. The Crimson Tide return eight lettermen, including four starters. Alabama is 2-0, collecting home wins over Florida A&M (76-37) and Troy (79-60). JaMychal Green averages 15.5 points, followed by Senario Hillman (13.5) and Tony Mitchell (12.0). The Crimson Tide are shooting only 28% from beyond the arc after two contests.
? Seton Hall returns eight lettermen, including four starters from a squad that went 19-13 and competed in the NIT last season. The Pirates are 1-1 after falling at No. 22 Temple (62-56) and beating Cornell (92-68). Jeremy Hazell averages a team-best 22.5 points, while Jeff Robinson averages 11 points and eight boards.
? Clemson enters the Paradise Jam with a 2-0 record, beating Western Carolina (87-64) and Wofford (78-70). The Tigers were another NCAA Tournament team last season, going 21-11 and falling in the first round of the tournament. Clemson returns 12 lettermen, including three starters from last year’s squad. Devin Booker averages a team-best 13.0 points, followed by Milton Jennings (12.5), Jerai Grant (11.0) and Andre Young (10.5). Clemson shot at a 56% clip combined in its first two victories.
? Long Beach State returns 11 lettermen, including four starters from a team that went 17-16 a year ago and placed third in the Big West. The 49ers enter the Paradise Jam 1-1, losing to San Diego State (81-65), but beating San Francisco State (82-65). Four 49ers average in double figures: Casper Ware (15.5), T.J. Robinson (12.5), Greg Plater (12.0), Eugene Phelps (11.0).
? Old Dominion returns nine lettermen, including four starters from a team that went 27-9 a year ago, won the Colonial League and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Monarchs are 1-1 this year, falling to No. 20 Georgetown (62-59), but rebounding to beat High Point (79-57) in their second contest. Three players average double figures: Frank Hassell (14.0), Ben Finney (12.5) and Kent Bazemore (10.5). Hassell also averages 10.5 rebounds.
? St. Peter’s has only played one game prior to the Paradise Jam, falling to Robert Morris 55-30. Nick Leon and Ryan Bacon led the Peacocks in defeat. Leon netted 13 points, while Bacon pulled down 10 boards. St. Peter’s is from New Jersey City, NJ and competes in the Metro Atlantic Conference. The Peacocks return 11 lettermen, including all five starters from a team that went 16-14 a year ago.

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 first two games (South Dakota State and UL Monroe). 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.

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.

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 214 straight games.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 341-104 (.766) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 159-83 (.657) in Big Ten games and 182-21 (.897) in non-Big Ten contests.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 65 of its 88 games (.739) 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.

IOWA PHOTOS AVAILABLE
Up-to-date head shots of all Iowa players and coaches are available on the internet at pics.hawkeyebasketball.com. Contact the Iowa Sports Information office if you are in need of additional photos.

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.

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.

IOWA INFORMATION ON THE WEB
Iowa basketball information is available on the University of Iowa’s web site, hawkeyesports.com. Once you have entered the web site, you may obtain biographical information on Iowa players and coaches, game notes, game stories and box scores from all games throughout the season, plus team and individual cumulative stats and a PDF version of “Iowa’s History and Record” book.

Members of the media who wish to have this information forwarded via e-mail throughout the season may do so by contacting the Iowa Sports Information office with your e-mail address.

HIGH SPEED CONNECTIONS
For members of the media who cover Iowa home games on a regular basis, high speed internet connections are available in the media seating area of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. A limited number of phone lines are also available.

Media covering Iowa basketball on a regular basis should have their own telephone line installed.

CREDENTIAL REQUESTS
Credential requests for Iowa home games should be made as soon as possible. Please send your written request to Phil Haddy, Sports Information Office, Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, IA 52242. Phil’s e-mail address is phillip-haddy@uiowa.edu and the office fax number is (319) 335-9417.

Due to construction on the CHA renovation project, media parking for home games will be in Lot 40 (Dental Lot), located east of the arena across the street.

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 back from St. Thomas on Tuesday, Nov. 23. The Hawkeyes will then face SIU-Edwardsville Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for youths and UI students.