Hawkeyes to Entertain Northern Iowa Tuesday

Dec. 6, 2010

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PARDON OUR PROGRESS! As friends of the UI and fans of the Hawkeyes know, the UI Athletics Department is well into a multi-million dollar revitalization of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This important and exciting project has reduced for this season the number of ticket windows that are operational on game nights. Fans attending the home events of the 2010-11 UI men’s basketball, women’s basketball and wrestling teams are invited to avoid game night delays by purchasing their event tickets online or in advance of game day. If your schedule doesn’t allow for an advance purchase, we recommend you consider arriving at the Arena a little earlier than originally planned. Go Hawks!

Complete Release in PDF Format

THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (4-4) remain home Tuesday to face Northern Iowa (4-2). Tip-off is slated for 7:06 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa is in the middle of a stretch of playing six of seven games at home. Both teams won their last games; Iowa beat Idaho State (70-53), while Northern Iowa won at TCU (64-60). Iowa has alternated wins and losses its first eight games.

Tickets for Tuesday’s game are $20 for adults, $10 for youth, while UI students are free. Students can pick up their free ticket at the IMU Box Office or the UI Athletic Ticket Office.

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.
TV: Tuesday night’s game will be televised to a national television audience on the Big Ten Network (HD). Wayne Larrivee and former Hawkeye Kenyon Murray will call the action from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,571 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,480-1,091 (.576). That includes a 937-340 (.734) record in home games, a 543-700 (.437) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 699-704 (.498) mark in Big Ten games and a 343-104 (.767) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is one win from notching Big Ten victory No. 700.

A YOUNG SQUAD
Iowa’s roster of 15 players includes 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 BEAT IDAHO STATE
Iowa led start-to-finish, leading by as many as 26 points, en route to a 70-53 victory over Idaho State Saturday afternoon in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Three Hawkeyes scored double figures: Bryce Cartwright (15), Matt Gatens (14) and Eric May (11). Cartwright also equaled a career high with eight assists, while Gatens collected a personal-best five steals.

Iowa was able to win by double digits despite not having a great shooting night from the foul line (54.5%) or 3-point territory (19%). Conversely, the Bengals shot a blistering 90% (18-20) from the charity stripe.

The Hawkeyes out-scored Idaho State 22-2 in fast break points and 38-18 in the paint. Iowa forced 23 turnovers and converted those miscues into 27 points.

Iowa out-rebounded Idaho State by 10 (37-27), marking the seventh game this season the Hawkeyes owned the glass.

PAYNE SIDELINED DUE TO INJURY
Cully Payne, who started his first 37 games as a Hawkeye at point guard, will be out indefinitely due to a sports hernia. Payne had successful surgery Nov. 30.

Payne averaged 3.8 points, 3.4 assists and 1.4 rebounds his first five games of 2010-11.

Last year, Payne was named to Big Ten all-Freshman team by Sporting News and earned a spot on the CBE Classic All-Tournament squad. Payne was the only Big Ten freshman starter at point guard last season. He 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.

Bryce Cartwright will take over the starting spot at point guard. Expect Roy Devyn Marble, Jordan Stoermer and Branden Stubbs to also see minutes at point guard during Payne’s absence.

IMPROVED STATISTICS
Comparing statistics through eight games last year to this season, Iowa is putting up improved numbers. The Hawkeyes are averaging 11.1 more points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks. The Hawkeyes are also shooting the ball with better accuracy, making 44.3% of their field goals in 2010, compared to 41.3% in 2009.

MAY DAY
After a fantastic rookie season, Eric May has carried his strong play into his sophomore campaign. May ranks first in team scoring (13.5) and steals (2.63) and fifth in rebounding (4.3).

May has been shooting the ball extremely well, making 50% (43-85) of his field goal attempts, including a blistering 58% (11-19) from 3-point range. Furthermore, May missed only two 3-point attempts in three games at the Paradise Jam (6-8, .750). He ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-point percentage and second in steals.

The native of Dubuque, Iowa, scored 13 points and amassed a game and personal-high seven steals in Iowa’s 111-50 win over SIUE. The seven thefts are the most by a Big Ten player this season and equal the fourth-most by a Hawkeye in a single-game in school history. He followed up that performance with six steals at Wake Forest. For the season, he has accumulated 21 steals, 13 shy of his season total in 32 games a year ago.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa holds a 32-8 advantage in the series with UNI that began with a 51-9 Iowa win in 1906. UNI beat the Hawkeyes 67-50 last season in Cedar Falls to snap Iowa’s two-game winning streak in the series.

The teams have split the last 10 meetings. Northern Iowa won 67-63, in overtime, in Cedar Falls in 2005-06, marking the first overtime game ever between the two teams. Northern Iowa’s win in 2006-07 was its first ever in Iowa City.

The teams did not meet between 1917-1980. Iowa holds an 18-7 advantage since the series resumed. Iowa holds a commanding 21-1 advantage in games played at Iowa City.

SCOUTING NORTHERN IOWA
Northern Iowa has won three consecutive games, beating North Dakota (65-52), Iowa State (60-54) and TCU (64-60). Tuesday will be its second straight road game after winning at TCU Saturday. Against the Horned Frogs, senior point guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe led all scorers with a season-high 25 points. Panther starters scored 61 of their 64 points.

The Panthers have three players average in double figures: Ahelegbe (12.2), Anthony James (11.8) and Jake Koch (10.0). Lucas O’Rear averages 8.7 points and a team-best 6.3 rebounds.

UNI averages 63.7 points per game, shoot 41% from the field and 71% from the free throw line. The Panthers have the exact number of assists (63) and turnovers (63), averaging 10.5 per contest.

NORTHERN IOWA COACH BEN JACOBSON
Ben Jacobson is in his fifth season as the UNI head coach. It is Jacobson’s first head coaching position at the college level. Jacobson led the Panthers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances the last two seasons. Last year, UNI posted a 32-8 record, won the Missouri Valley Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, registering victories over UNLV and top-seeded Kansas. Jacobson’s career record stands at 93-45 (.674).

With Jacobson serving as Northern Iowa’s top assistant since 2001, the Panthers won 20 or more games and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in three straight seasons. Jacobson has 12 years of experience as a college assistant, serving one season at North Dakota State before moving to Northern Iowa. He was an assistant at North Dakota (1996-2000) after serving as both a student assistant and graduate assistant on the North Dakota staff.

Jacobson was a two-year starter and four-year letterman at North Dakota, concluding his career as UND’s career assist leader. He was a two-year team captain and led his team to two conference titles.

Jacobson is 2-2 vs. the Iowa Hawkeyes.

IOWA, UNI TIP-INS
? Matt Gatens has had success against UNI. The junior scored 14 points on 5-8 shooting from the field, including 4-5 from 3-point territory in Iowa’s 65-46 victory in 2008 in Iowa City. Last season in Cedar Falls, Gatens tallied 18 points on 7-11 shooting, including 4-6 from distance. The junior has shot a combined 8-11 (.727) from 3-point range against the Panthers.
? After last season’s loss to the Panthers, the Hawkeyes were stranded in Cedar Falls for an additional 24 hours due to a massive winter storm that hit Eastern Iowa.
? Coach McCaffery took his Siena team to Northern Iowa last season (Dec. 12). The Panthers topped Siena, 82-65.
? Three of Iowa’s four wins have come by margins of 15 points or more.
? Northern Iowa opened the season at Syracuse (L, 68-46), playing in front of 22,198 fans. The Panthers are 1-2 in road games this season.
? Iowa played in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas this year, while UNI played in that tournament a year ago.
? Iowa boasts an 18-4 record in games played on Dec. 7.

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).

BENCH SUCCESS
Iowa’s bench has provided a spark the first seven games. The Hawkeye reserves have outscored opponent bench players, 238-95. Iowa’s bench averages 29.8 points per contest, compared to 11.9 for the opposition.

Iowa has a balanced offensive attack with seven players averaging six points or more per contest. So far this year, Iowa has the most balanced attack since the 2003-04 season when six players averaged eight points or more.

MCCABE SOLID OUT OF THE GATES
Zach McCabe has looked good in his first eight games in a Hawkeye uniform. The freshman, who is averaging nearly 25 minutes per contest, ranks third in team scoring (9.8) and second in rebounding (5.5). He led the team in scoring three times (UL Monroe, Alabama and SIUE) and rebounding three times (Alabama, Long Beach State and Wake Forest). McCabe was credited with six points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in Iowa’s last game vs. Idaho State on Saturday.

GETTING TO THE FREE THROW LINE
Iowa has been more aggressive at attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line so far this year. Iowa has attempted over seven free throws a game more than last year’s average, a differential that ranks second best in the Big Ten.

CRUNCH TIME FREE THROWS
Iowa has had improved free throw shooting down the stretch. The Hawkeyes shoot at a 78% clip (21-27) with under five minutes remaining in games. Overall, Iowa shoots 66% (120-183) from the charity stripe. Additionally, the Hawkeyes have made all six free throw attempts with under a minute left.

Iowa was a combined 10-10 (1.000) from the foul line with under five minutes remaining against Xavier and Alabama.

HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Eric May and Zach McCabe have been Iowa’s most accurate shooters through seven games. The duo have combined to shoot 46.9% (22-47) from beyond the arc. The rest of the Hawkeyes are shooting a combined 23.1% (21-91).
? Iowa’s six freshmen average a combined 25.6 points per game, an average that ranks third best in the Big Ten behind Ohio State (37.5) and Michigan (32.0).
? Zach McCabe is one of only two Big Ten rookies to amass at least 75 points and 40 rebounds. McCabe has accumulated 78 points and 44 rebounds, while Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger has totaled 87 points and 56 rebounds.
? Matt Gatens ranks first in the Big Ten in free throw accuracy (.941, 16-17).
? Iowa’s 111 points and 19 steals against SIU-Edwardsville (SIUE) are the most by a Big Ten team this season. Additionally, Iowa’s 3-point percentage (.556, 10-18) and free throws made (27) against SIUE both rank second most in a single-game by a Big Ten team this season.
? Iowa ranks first in the Big Ten in steals (9.13), second in rebounding (39.9) and fourth in rebounding margin (+7.3).
? Iowa’s 61-point margin of victory (111-50) over SIUE equals the sixth-largest win in school history. It was Iowa’s largest margin of victory since the Hawkeyes beat Pepperdine in 1966 by the very same score. Additionally, the 61-point win marks the ninth time in school history Iowa won by 60 points or more.
? Iowa’s 111 points vs. SIUE are the most it has scored since posting 112 vs. North Texas (112-64) on Nov. 16, 1998.
? Iowa collected 19 steals against SIUE, a total that ties for fifth most in a single-game in school history.
? Eric May had seven steals, which ties four other Hawkeyes for the fourth most in a single-game.

MARBLE FINDING HIS TOUCH
Roy Devyn Marble, who is averaging 17 minutes off the bench, has found his shooting touch. The freshman is averaging 8.8 points and three rebounds the last four games. During that stretch, he is shooting 52% (12-23) from the field and 83% (10-12) from the free throw line.

BASABE COMING ON STRONG
Melsahn Basabe has had a strong showing in Iowa’s last three games. The freshman from Glen Cove, NY, is averaging 11.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in the last three games. He is shooting 10-11 (.909) from the free throw line and 12-18 (.667) from the field during that span.

CARTWRIGHT HAS BREAKOUT GAME
Bryce Cartwright, playing against a team from his home state, had his best game as a Hawkeye vs. Long Beach State (Nov. 22). The junior transfer tallied 12 of his team-high 17 points in the second half against the 49ers. Cartwright shot 8-16 (.500) from the field and collected three rebounds, two assists and a game-high four steals.

Cartwright started his first career game as a Hawkeye vs. SIUE (Nov. 26). The native of Compton, Calif., had 11 points, four assists and two steals. At Wake Forest, he scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half and dished out a game-high five assists. In Iowa’s last contest vs. Idaho State, Cartwright posted game highs in points (15) and assists (8). The eight helpers matched a personal best.

Cartwright, now a starter in Cully Payne’s absence, ranks second in team scoring (10.5), first in assists (31) and second in steals (10). The last three games, he is averaging 13 points and 5.7 assists.

GATENS RETURNS TO ACTION AFTER SUFFERING 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), but returned to action in the Hawkeyes’ last five contests.

The 6-5 shooting guard averaged 27 minutes, 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds, starting all three games at the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas in his first three games back. Against SIUE, he totaled 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Gatens collected six points and four assists at Wake Forest.

Gatens, who had started every game in his Hawkeye career prior to the injury, 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.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 343-104 (.767) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 159-83 (.657) in Big Ten games and 184-21 (.898) in non-Big Ten contests.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 67 of its 90 games (.744) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) over the last seven 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.

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)

WATCH THE IOWA-IDAHO STATE REPLAY
Fans who weren’t able to make it to Carver-Hawkeye Arena Saturday can watch the replay of Iowa’s 70-53 victory over Idaho State Monday at 11 p.m. (CT) on the Big Ten Network.

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.

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 220 straight games.

BIG TEN WINS ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE
For the second straight season, the Big Ten won the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, 6-5. Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Illinois, Ohio State and Purdue notched victories for the Big Ten. Wake Forest, Duke, Boston College, Virginia and Maryland recorded wins for the ACC.

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.

“HAWK TALK WITH Fran McCaffery”
University of Iowa basketball fans may join Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery and radio announcer Gary Dolphin during the season for the “Hawk Talk with Fran McCaffery” 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. The first show is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 6.

Each Monday, one lucky fan will have an opportunity to have his or her question and name read on their air. Submit your question on the team’s facebook page at: facebook.com/hawkeyehoops.

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 remains home for its second consecutive in-state contest against Iowa State (Friday at 7:30 p.m.). The Hawkeyes will then play its final non-conference road game at Drake (Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.).