Hawkeyes and Cyclones Faceoff Friday Night

Dec. 9, 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 (5-4), who have won two games in a row, remain home Friday for their third consecutive home game when they entertain in-state rival Iowa State (7-2). Tip-off is slated for 7:36 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Iowa is in the middle of a stretch of playing six of seven games at home. Tickets for Friday’s game are $25 for adults and $15 for youth and UI students.

Fans are encouraged to wear black clothing for Friday’s “Blackout” event.

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: Friday 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.

HY-VEE CY-HAWK SERIES
The Iowa Hawkeyes have collected victories in football, soccer and wrestling, while the Iowa State Cyclones have wins in volleyball and men’s and women’s cross country. Iowa leads the fifth annual series, 7-6. Both teams will face each other Thursday at Iowa City in women’s hoops in the seventh event in the series. In addition to the men’s basketball game, both schools will face each other in women’s swimming Friday night in Iowa City.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,572 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,481-1,091 (.576). That includes a 938-340 (.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 344-104 (.768) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa is one win from notching Big Ten victory No. 700.

IMPROVED STATISTICS
Comparing statistics through nine games last year to this season, Iowa is putting up improved numbers. The Hawkeyes are averaging 10 more points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 rebounds and 0.8 blocks. The Hawkeyes are also shooting the ball with better accuracy, making 43.9% of their field goals in 2010, compared to 41.3% in 2009.

PAINT JOB
Iowa has taken advantage of its strong post play through nine games in 2010. The Hawkeyes are averaging 32.7 points per game in the paint. Iowa has scored 30 or more paint points six times this season, including 38 points in three consecutive contests (SIUE, Wake Forest and Idaho State). A year ago, the Hawkeyes averaged 22 points in the paint through its first nine games.

STRONG DEFENSIVE EFFORT LIFTS IOWA OVER UNI
Iowa won its second straight game for the first time this season when the Hawkeyes beat in-state rival Northern Iowa, 51-39, Tuesday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa held the Panthers to 39 points, their lowest scoring output since falling 80-39 at Bradley in 2000.

Iowa’s defensive pressure and improved shooting in the second half propelled the Black and Gold to victory. The Hawkeyes held UNI to just 16 points and 18% (5-28) shooting the final 20 minutes. Furthermore, Iowa held the Panthers to one field goal (1-15, .067) the last 11:25 of the game. While Iowa’s defensive intensity picked it up a notch in the second half, so did its shooting touch. Iowa made 55% (11-20) of its field goals in the second stanza.

Iowa was paced by a pair of frontcourt players, Jarryd Cole and Melsahn Basabe. The duo helped the Hawkeyes outscore the Panthers 26-8 in the paint. Cole posted his first double-double of the season and fourth of his career, netting 10 points and grabbing a game and career-high 15 rebounds. Basabe scored a personal-best 14 points, bolstered by 6-8 (.750) shooting from the floor, to go along with seven rebounds.

IOWA, UNI POSTGAME NOTES
? Iowa held UNI to just 39 points, which is the lowest scoring output by a Hawkeye opponent since a 61-36 win over Bryant on Dec. 5, 2008.
? Iowa has put forth some strong defensive efforts at home this season. In five home contests, Hawkeye opponents are averaging only 52.2 points. In addition to holding UNI to 39 points, the Hawkeyes held UL Monroe to 40, SIUE to 50 and Idaho State to 53.
? Jarryd Cole’s 15 rebounds are the most by a Hawkeye since Greg Brunner pulled down 23 boards vs. Minnesota on Jan. 18, 2006. Cole has been Iowa’s leading rebounder the last two contests (7 vs. Idaho State and 15 vs. UNI).
? Iowa outrebounded UNI by three (40-37). The Hawkeyes have owned the glass in all by one game this season (Long Beach State).
? Melsahn Basabe led the Hawkeyes in scoring (14 points) for the first time this year.
? Bryce Cartwright, who started his fourth game at point guard, dished out a game-high six assists and scored eight points.
? The Hawkeyes valued the basketball Tuesday night, only turning the ball over a season-low eight times.
? Both teams struggled from the free throw line. Iowa shot 52.2% (12-23), while UNI shot only 37.5% (3-8).
? Iowa, who trailed 23-22 at halftime, won its first game when trailing at intermission this season (1-2).

ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa holds a 42-21 advantage in the series that began with a 30-27 Hawkeye win in 1910. Iowa State earned an 81-71 win in Ames last season after the Hawkeyes won 73-57 in Iowa City in 2008. The two teams have split the last 10 meetings, with the home team winning the last seven.

The teams split games during the 2003-04 campaign. That marked the first time since 1921 that the teams met twice in the same season and it was the first time the teams met in post-season action.

Iowa has won eight of the last 14 meetings and the series is even at 14-14 the last 28 games since 1984. Just seven of the last 21 games have had a final margin of eight points or less.

Iowa holds a commanding 26-5 advantage in games played at Iowa City. Iowa has won the last three meetings in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Cyclones last victory in Iowa City came on Dec. 13, 2002 (73-69).

SCOUTING IOWA STATE
Iowa State started the season 6-0 before dropping a pair of games to Northern Iowa (60-54) and California (76-73). The Cyclones rebounded from the two-straight losses with an 85-58 rout over Southeast Missouri Monday in Ames. Iowa State forced 21 turnovers and converted those miscues into 34 points Monday night. The Cyclones shot 53% from the field in the 27-point triumph. Diante Garrett netted 20 points and dished out six assists to lead the Cyclones over Southeast Missouri.

Iowa State has played seven of its first nine games at home, boasting a 6-1 mark in Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones have not left the state of Iowa, playing its road game at UNI and playing a neutral site game vs. Creighton in Des Moines.

The Cyclones average 79.8 points per game and scored 91 points in three straight wins (Drake, Creighton and Kennesaw State). Iowa State shoots 48% from the field, including 41% from 3-point territory.

All five Cyclone starters average double figures: Garrett (17.0), Scott Christopherson (15.1), Melvin Ejim (13.7), Jake Anderson (13.2) and Jamie Vanderbeken (10.0). Ejim leads the team in rebounding (6.7), Garrett has the most assists (54), while Vanderbeken leads the squad in blocks (17). Only seven players have played all nine games for the Cyclones this season.

Iowa State is coached by first-year Head Coach Fred Hoiberg. Hoiberg, a native of Ames and 1995 graduate of Iowa State, was named Iowa State’s new head coach on April 27, 2010. He is Iowa State’s 19th men’s basketball coach. From 1995-2005, Hoiberg played in the NBA with Indiana, Chicago and Minnesota.

IOWA, ISU TIP-INS
? Matt Gatens had a solid performance at Iowa State a year ago. The shooting guard tallied 20 points, bolstered by 4-8 shooting from 3-point range, at Hilton Coliseum.
? Jarryd Cole has shot the ball well his previous three outings against the Cyclones. Cole is a combined 14-21 (.667) from the field against Iowa State the last three years. The Kansas City, Mo., native scored 15 points and had nine boards against Iowa State in 2007, two points and three rebounds in 2008 (coming off season-ending knee surgery the year before) and 16 points and five rebounds in 2009.
? Diante Garrett scored 16 points, bolstered by 6-7 shooting from the field, against Iowa in Iowa City in 2008. Garrett totaled eight points and five assists a year ago against the Hawkeyes in Ames.
? Four of Iowa’s five wins have come by margins of 10 points or more, while two of the Hawkeyes’ defeats have come by six points or less.
? Iowa is 15-7 in games played on Dec. 10.

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 nine games. The Hawkeye reserves have outscored opponent bench players, 242-99. Iowa’s bench averages 26.9 points per contest, compared to 11 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.

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.

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.

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 IN BIG TEN RANKINGS
Iowa ranks second among Big Ten teams in rebounding (39.9) and steals (8.33), fourth in rebounding margin (+6.8), fifth in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.284) and sixth in turnover margin (+2.56).

Individually, Eric May ranks second in steals (2.33) and third in 3-point accuracy (.545, 12-22). Matt Gatens ranks third in free throw accuracy (.895, 17-19). Melsahn Basabe ranks third in field goal percentage (.596, 28-47) and 16th in rebounding (6.0). Bryce Cartwright ranks 11th in assists (4.11).

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) and steals (2.33) and fifth in rebounding (4.3).

May has been shooting the ball extremely well, making 49% (46-94) of his field goal attempts, including a blistering 55% (12-22) 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.

COLE CLEANING THE BOARDS
Jarryd Cole’s improved play helped the Hawkeyes win their last two games. Cole collected seven points and seven rebounds in Iowa’s 17-point win over Idaho State. The senior followed up that performance with his fourth career double-double (10 points and 15 rebounds) against Northern Iowa.

Cole has led the Hawkeyes in rebounding in each of Iowa’s last two contests. In fact, his 15 rebounds are the second most by a Big Ten student-athlete this season (16 by Minnesota’s Trevore Mbakwe vs. Cornell). Furthermore, the 15 boards are the most by a Hawkeye since Greg Brunner snagged 23 vs. Minnesota on Jan. 18, 2006.

HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa has seen an increase in its attendance numbers compared to last year. Compared to the first five home games a year ago, the Hawkeyes are averaging 2,045 more fans than a year ago. Iowa averaged 8,525 fans the first five games last season, compared to 10,570 this year.
? Iowa is 5-0 when holding opponents to 60 points or less, 5-1 when having a better field goal percentage than the opposition and 4-1 when dishing out more assists.
? Eric May and Zach McCabe have been Iowa’s most accurate shooters through nine games. The duo have combined to shoot 45.1% (23-51) from beyond the arc. The rest of the Hawkeyes are shooting a combined 23.2% (23-99).
? Iowa’s six freshmen average a combined 24.6 points per game, an average that ranks third best in the Big Ten behind Ohio State (37.5) and Michigan (32.4). Two of Michigan’s freshmen are redshirts.
? Zach McCabe is one of only two Big Ten rookies to amass at least 75 points and 45 rebounds. McCabe has accumulated 78 points and 48 rebounds, while Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger has totaled 87 points and 56 rebounds.
? Iowa’s 111 points and 19 steals against SIU-Edwardsville (SIUE) are the most by a Big Ten team this season. Additionally, Iowa’s free throws made (27) against SIUE rank second most in a single-game by a Big Ten team this season.
? 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.
? Five of Iowa’s first six Big Ten games will come against ranked opponents: Illinois (16), Purdue (18), Minnesota (20) and twice against Ohio State (2).

BASABE COMING ON STRONG
Melsahn Basabe has had a strong showing in Iowa’s last four games. The freshman from Glen Cove, NY, is averaging 12.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in the last four games. He is shooting 12-17 (.706) from the free throw line and a blistering 18-26 (.692) from the field during that span. Basabe is Iowa’s second-leading scorer and tied with Jarryd Cole for the most rebounds the last four outings.

MCCABE SOLID OUT OF THE GATES
Zach McCabe has looked good in his first nine games in a Hawkeye uniform. The freshman, who is averaging nearly 24 minutes per contest, ranks third in team scoring (8.7) and second in rebounding (5.3). He led the team in scoring three times (UL Monroe, Alabama and SIUE) and rebounding three times (Alabama, Long Beach State and Wake Forest).

CARTWRIGHT ON POINT
Bryce Cartwright has started the last four games at point guard since starter Cully Payne had surgery to repair a sports hernia.

Cartwright’s talents began to emerge in Iowa’s last game of the Paradise Jam (Nov. 22) against Long Beach State. 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. Against Idaho State, Cartwright posted game highs in points (15) and assists (8). The eight helpers matched a personal best. He followed up that performance with six dimes in Iowa’s victory over in-state rival Northern Iowa.

The 6-1 guard ranks second in team scoring (10.2), first in assists (37) and second in steals (10). The last four games, he is averaging 11.8 points and 5.8 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 seven 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 rebounds in Iowa’s last win over Northern Iowa.

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 344-104 (.768) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 159-83 (.657) in Big Ten games and 185-21 (.898) in non-Big Ten contests.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 68 of its 91 games (.747) 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.

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.

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 will play its final non-conference road game at Drake (Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.). The Hawkeyes will have eight days between games for the student-athletes to concentrate on their studies and final exams. Iowa will play its final non-conference game Dec. 21 vs. Louisiana Tech at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.