Hawkeyes Travel East to Face Penn State Wednesday

Jan. 25, 2011

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THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (8-11, 1-6) return to the road Wednesday (8-11, 1-6) when they travel to University Park, Pa., to face the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-8, 3-4). Tip-off is slated for 5:31 p.m. (CST) at the Bryce Jordan Center (15,261). This will be the only regular season meeting between the two teams this year.

Iowa is in the middle of a stretch of playing four of five road games.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,582 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,484-1,098 (.575). That includes a 940-343 (.733) record in home games, a 544-704 (.436) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 700-710 (.496) mark in Big Ten games and a 346-108 (.762) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa captured Big Ten victory No. 700 on Sunday with its 91-77 win over the Indiana Hoosiers.

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. Fans can also listen to the game on Sirius (Ch. 113) and XM (Ch. 196) Satellite Radio.
TV: Wednesday’s game will be televised nationally on the Big Ten Network. Wayne Larrivee and Glenn Sekunda will call the action from the Bryce Jordan Center.

DEFENSE STEPS UP IN VICTORIES
Defense has been key in Iowa’s seven victories this season. Hawkeye opponents average only 52 points, shooting 35% from the field, including 23% from 3-point territory, in the eight Iowa wins. Furthermore, Iowa averages 9.8 steals in victories.

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).

MARBLE HAS CAREER PERFORMANCE
Hawkeye freshman Roy Devyn Marble really provided a spark off the bench in Sunday’s 91-77 triumph over the Indiana Hoosiers in Iowa City. The native of Southfield, Mich., poured in a career-high 18 points, bolstered by 8-13 shooting from the field in 20 minutes of action. Marble’s previous best was 11 points vs. Long Beach State (Nov. 22) and at Wake Forest (Nov. 30).

HAWKEYES NOTCH FIRST BIG TEN VICTORY, TOP INDIANA
A strong shooting performance lifted the Iowa Hawkeyes to a 91-77 victory over Indiana, its first Big Ten win of the season, Sunday afternoon at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Four Hawkeyes netted double figures: Melsahn Basabe (20), Matt Gatens (19), Roy Devyn Marble (18) and Eric May (11). Iowa’s stat sheet was extremely balanced with eight Hawkeyes scoring five points or more. Basabe grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds to post his team-best fourth double-double.

Iowa shot a blistering 57.7% (30-52) from the field, nearly a season best (.587 vs. SIUE). The Hawkeyes shot 52% (15-29) from the field in the first half and a staggering 65% (15-23) the final 20 minutes. Most of Iowa’s looks were high-percentage shots, as 23 of its 30 field goals were scored inside the paint.

Indiana was led by Christian Watford and Derek Elston. Watford tallied a game-high 30 points, while Elston had 10 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. The Hoosiers played without second-leading scorer Verdell Jones III, who missed the game due to an injured knee.

IOWA, INDIANA POSTGAME NOTES
? Iowa’s 91 points are the most it has scored in a Big Ten game since a 91-78 win at Minnesota on Feb. 7, 2007.
? The 91 points are the most scored by Iowa against Indiana since a 93-91 loss at Bloomington on Feb. 12, 1994.
? Iowa’s bench scored 28 points, paced by Roy Devyn Marble’s career-high 18.
? Entering Sunday’s game, Iowa played the toughest schedule in the country. The combined winning percentage of Iowa’s previous six Big Ten opponents was .846 (99-18). St. John’s ranked second (.814, 96-22), followed by Michigan (.796, 90-23) and Tennessee (.782, 86-24).
? Matt Gatens, who ranks ninth in the country in free throw shooting, made a career-high 11 free throws (11-12, .917).
? In addition to 20 points and 10 rebounds, Melsahn Basabe posted personal bests in assists (2) and steals (2).
? Indiana was whistled for 29 fouls. Iowa was 27-39 (.692) from the charity stripe, a season high in free throws made and attempted.
? Bryce Cartwright dished out a game-high five assists. He has collected five assists or more in 11 of the last 13 games.

ROAD HAWKEYES
Iowa is in the middle of a stretch of playing four of five games on the road. The Hawkeyes played at Minnesota (Jan. 16) and Ohio State (Jan. 19) before returning home to entertain the Hoosiers (Jan. 23). Iowa hits the road again this week for a pair of games at Penn State (Jan. 26) and Michigan (Jan. 30).

ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa holds a 22-11 advantage in the series that began with an 82-53 Iowa win in 1955. The two teams have split the last four games, but Iowa has won the last two. Iowa won 67-64 in the only meeting a year ago in Iowa City. In 2009, the Hawkeyes won a double overtime thriller (75-67) in Iowa City. Penn State’s last win came on a come-from-behind 63-59 win in University Park on Jan. 24, 2009.

Iowa has won 14 of the last 19, 15 of the last 21 and 17 of the last 24 meetings.

Penn State holds an 8-6 advantage in games played at University Park, but Iowa has won five of 11 games played at the Bryce Jordan Center. Iowa, on Jan. 4, 1997, was the first visiting team to win (67-59) in Penn State’s new arena. Iowa’s win snapped the longest home winning streak in the nation at the time.

Three of the 33 meetings in the series have been in postseason action. The first meeting in 1955 was in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Evanston, Ill., with Iowa winning 82-53 on its way to the Final Four. Penn State won 67-64 in Iowa City in 1995 in the quarterfinals of the NIT, earning a trip to New York City. Iowa won in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals in 2001 and went on to win that event, as both teams earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa’s 67-48 win in 1962 took place in the first round of the Quaker City Tournament in Philadelphia, Pa.

SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State has had a week to prepare for the Hawkeyes after receiving its first “bye” last weekend. The Nittany Lions lost their last two games, both on the road in close games to nationally-ranked opponents: Ohio State (69-66) and Purdue (63-62).

In its last game at Purdue (Jan. 19), Penn State outrebounded the Boilermakers by 11 (30-19). The Nittany Lions shot 52% (24-46) from the field and was a perfect 8-8 (1.000) from the foul line. Seniors Jeff Brooks (19) and Talor Battle (14) combined to score 33 of Penn State’s 62 points. Only three Penn State reserves saw a combined 11 minutes of action.

Battle is the league’s second-leading scorer, averaging 20.2 points. He also ranks second in triples made (2.72). Brooks ranks fourth in Big Ten rebounding (8.0) to go along with 13.5 points. Sophomore Tim Frazier ranks sixth in Big Ten assists (4.56).

Penn State, who is rated 49 in the RPI, ranks second in the conference in free throw percentage (.733), but last in scoring (65.6), assists (12.67), field goal percentage (.430), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.401), 3-point field goal percentage (.320).

Penn State averages 5,826 fans in 12 home games (9-3). The Nittany Lions recorded home Big Ten wins over two-straight ranked opponents (Michigan State, 66-62 and Illinois, 57-55).

PENN STATE COACH ED DECHELLIS
Ed DeChellis is in his eighth season as Penn State’s head coach and his 15th year as a college head coach. DeChellis is 105-131 (.445) at Penn State and his career mark stands at 210-224 (.484). In 2009, DeChellis guided the Nittany Lions to a 27-11 record and the 2009 NIT Championship.

He posted a 105-93 record in seven years as the head coach at East Tennessee State. A Penn State graduate, DeChellis led East Tennessee State to the Southern Conference Tournament championship in 2003, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. East Tennessee State then lost to second-seeded Wake Forest by a 76-73 margin.

DeChellis began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Penn State, and later was an assistant coach at Salem College in West Virginia. He returned to Penn State as an assistant coach for 10 seasons before taking over at East Tennessee State. As a PSU assistant, DeChellis helped the Nittany Lions advance to post-season play four straight seasons (1989-92), while posting an 87-40 record in that time.

DeChellis was named the National Coaches vs. Cancer Man of the Year in 2006.

DeChellis is 3-8 against the Iowa Hawkeyes as a head coach.

DeCHELLIS-McCAFFERY CONNECTION
Iowa Head Coach Fran McCaffery and Penn State Head Coach Ed DeChellis have faced each other eight times as head coaches. McCaffery and DeChellis’ teams competed against each other from 2000-03 during McCaffery’s tenure at UNC Greensboro and while DeChellis was head coach at East Tennessee State. DeChellis’ East Tennessee State’s teams won five of the eight meetings.

Additionally, Coach McCaffery’s 1986-87 and 1987-88 Lehigh teams competed against Penn State. Lehigh won at Penn State (73-70) in 1986 and at Lehigh (79-72) in 1987. DeChellis was on the sidelines for both games as a Penn State assistant. DeChellis sered as a Nittany Lions assistant from 1986-96, during the time that Penn State moved from the Atlantic 10 Conference to the Big Ten.

IOWA, PENN STATE TIP-INS
? Iowa and Penn State played each other only once a year ago; Iowa won 67-64 in Iowa City. Penn State’s Talor Battle led all scorers with 31 points, while Matt Gatens had 14 points and four assists for Iowa.
? Matt Gatens and Jarryd Cole are the only Hawkeyes who have played in the Bryce Jordan Center, both having seen action in a 63-59 Penn State come-from-behind victory on Jan. 24, 2009, which happens to be Penn State’s last win over the Hawkeyes.
? Both Iowa and Penn State have recently completed difficult stretchs in their schedule. The Hawkeyes played five of their first six league games against ranked foes, while the Nittany Lions’ last five contests came against ranked opponents. It marked Iowa’s most difficult stretch of games against ranked opponents since playing six ranked foes in eight contests during the 2005-06 campaign.
? According to collegerpi.com, Iowa’s strength of schedule ranks 40th in the country, based on games played through Jan. 23.
? Iowa has recorded 10 or more steals in five games this season (19 games) after registering 10 or more thefts only twice over the previous three years (96 contests).
? Iowa is 8-1 when having a better field goal percentage than the opposition, 7-3 when having a better 3-point percentage and 5-1 when dishing out more assists.
? Iowa is 7-1 when it holds the opponent under 70 points, compared to a 1-10 mark when giving up 70 or more.
? Iowa has had a player score 20-plus points in six of the last eight contests. Basabe registered 22 points against No. 2 Ohio State (Jan. 4), 20 at No. 25 Minnesota (Jan. 16) and 20 vs. Indiana (Jan. 23), while Matt Gatens collected 21 vs. No. 23 Illinois (Dec. 29) and a season-best 22 against Louisiana Tech (Dec. 21). Gatens (20) and Bryce Cartwright (25) each scored at least 20 points vs. Northwestern (Jan. 12).
? Six of Iowa’s eight wins have come by margins of 10 points or more, while three of its defeats have come by six points or less, including two by three points.
? Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in steals (7.63) in all games and first (6.57) in conference only games.
? Iowa’s Matt Gatens ranks ninth in the country in free throw percentage (.906). Penn State’s Talor Battle ranks 19th in the nation in scoring (20.2) and 43rd in 3-pointers per game (2.7).
? Penn State’s roster is comprised of 15 student-athletes. The roster consists of five seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and six freshmen (two redshirt). Six players hail from Pennsylvania, two from New York and Maryland and one each from Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, Kentucky and Serbia.
? Penn State assistant Kurt Kanaskie is no stranger to the Iowa basketball program, as he served as the head coach at Drake University in Des Moines for seven seasons (1996-2003).
? Penn State assistant Dan Earl is a former Nittany Lion player. Earl began his playing career in 1993-94 and ended his career in 1998-99. He missed the 1996-97 season due to a back injury and missed all but five games in 1997-98 due to a knee injury, earning a medical hardship and a sixth season. In the games he played, Earl helped Penn State post a 4-2 record vs. Iowa, including a 67-64 win in Iowa City in the quarter-finals of the 1995 NIT.

BASABE MAKES HIS MARK
Melsahn Basabe recorded 22 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks against Ohio State on Jan. 4. Basabe became the first freshman this season to post 20-10-5 in a single-game. Furthermore, he is the first Big Ten player — regardless of class — to accomplish the feat in 15 years.

Basabe has a team-best 28 blocks this season, a total that ranks sixth for a Hawkeye freshman. He surpassed teammate Eric May for sixth on the list, who had 26 rejections a year ago.

HAWKEYE FRESHMEN AMONG LEAGUE’S ROOKIE BEST
Melsahn Basabe ranks first among conference rookies in blocks (1.47), second in rebounding (7.0) and double-doubles (4), and third in scoring (10.2). Zach McCabe ranks sixth in rebounding (4.1) and ninth in scoring (6.9).

Basabe has 28 blocks, while Michigan State’s Adreian Payne ranks second with 16 rejections.

BUZZER BEATER
Junior point guard Bryce Cartwright has given his team some excitement and momentum heading into the locker room in four games this season. Cartwright drained first-half buzzer-beater shots against Iowa State, Drake, Illinois and Ohio State.

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Five of Iowa’s last in seven contests have come against a ranked opponent. Iowa lost at home to No. 23 Illinois (87-77) Dec. 29 and to second-ranked Ohio State (73-68) Jan. 4, while falling on the road to No. 10 Purdue (75-52) Jan. 9, 25th-ranked Minnesota (69-59) Jan. 16 and top-ranked Ohio State (70-48) Jan. 19.

Iowa has lost 23 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.

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
Iowa has had three players post double-doubles: Melsahn Basabe (4), Jarryd Cole (2) and Devon Archie. Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota are the only Big Ten teams to accomplish that feat.

Basabe and Cole are two of 15 Big Ten players with multiple double-doubles. Furthermore, Basabe is one of only eight players with four or more double-doubles in the league.

Archie was credited with 10 points and 11 rebounds vs. Xavier (Nov. 19). Basabe collected 12 points and 14 rebounds against Iowa State (Dec. 10), a season-high 22 points and 13 rebounds vs. No. 2 Ohio State (Jan. 4), game highs in points (20) and rebounds (13) at No. 25 Minnesota Jan. 16 and was credited with team highs in points (20) and rebounds (10) in Iowa’s first Big Ten win of the season vs. Indiana Jan. 23. Cole notched his double-doubles vs. Northern Iowa (Dec. 7) with 10 points and 15 boards and against Louisiana Tech (Dec. 21) with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

BASABE PLAYING STRONG
Melsahn Basabe has been playing like one of the top freshmen in the Big Ten. The rookie from Glen Cove, NY, is averaging 11.9 points (62-108, .574), 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks the last 14 contests. Furthermore, he is averaging 14.5 points (31-53, .585) and 9.2 rebounds the last six Big Ten games. Basabe has put up 20 points or more in three of the last six contests.

Basabe had a career night vs. No. 2 Ohio State (Jan. 4), collecting 22 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks. He became the first freshman this season to post 20-10-5 in a single-game. Furthermore, he is the first Big Ten player — regardless of class — to accomplish the feat in 15 years.

Basabe has four double-doubles this season, the second most by a Big Ten freshman behind Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger (9). Basabe has posted double-doubles in two of his last three games: at No. 25 Minnesota (20 points and 13 rebounds) and vs. Indiana (20 points and 10 rebounds).

The 6-7, 225-point power forward has reached double-digit rebounds in six games this year, also the second most by a Big Ten freshmen (Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger has 10).

Basabe, who is one of five Big Ten freshmen to start every game, is Iowa’s leading shot blocker (28) and rebounder (7.0). He has led the team in rebounding a team-best nine times, including four of the last six outings (South Dakota State, UL Monroe, SIUE, Wake Forest, Iowa State, Ohio State, Northwestern, Minnesota and Indiana).

Basabe is responsible for 47% of Iowa’s blocked shots, rejecting 28 of the team’s 59 blocked shots.

ATTACKING THE BASKET
Iowa has taken advantage of strong post play and attacking the basket more this season. The Hawkeyes are averaging 30 points per game in the paint. Iowa has scored 30 or more paint points nine times this season, including its last two outings — at top-ranked Ohio State (36) and vs. Indiana (46). A year ago, the Hawkeyes averaged 23.8 points in the paint through its first 19 games.

GATENS RETURNS TO FORM
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 missed Iowa’s first two games (South Dakota State and UL Monroe), but returned to the lineup on Nov. 19 and played without any type of cast or brace on his left hand for the first time since the injury against Illinois (Dec. 29).

Gatens looks to have regained his shooting touch. In his last 10 games, he is averaging 16.4 points. He is 31-34 (.912) from the free throw line and 45% (31-69) from distance during the 10-game stretch.

In league play, he is averaging 15.4 points while shooting 41.5% from the field and 44.4% from distance, compared to an 11.7 average while shooting 38% from the field and 29% from 3-point range in non-conference games.

Gatens netted a team-high 15 points against Iowa State (Dec. 10). He sank his first four field goals, including three triples against the Cyclones. At Drake (Dec. 18), he scored a game-high 19 points. He followed up that game with an even better performance, netting a game and season-high 22 points against Louisiana Tech. Gatens posted back-to-back 20-plus points for the first time in his career when he poured in 21 points vs. No. 23 Illinois. After scoring 14 and 13 against Ohio State and Purdue, respectively, he returned to the 20-point club vs. Northwestern. Gatens tallied 20 points, bolstered by 5-8 shooting from distance against the Wildcats. The Iowa City native poured in 19 points, bolstered by 11-12 (.917) shooting at the free throw line, in Iowa’s victory over Indiana. He has eclipsed the 20-point plateau nine times in his career. Gatens has sunk 25 triples the last eight games (3.13). He matched a personal high with five treys vs. Louisiana Tech, No. 23 Illinois and Northwestern, while draining four against second-ranked Ohio State. Gatens is shooting 46% (25-54) from long distance the last seven outings. Gatens ranks first in team scoring (13.2) and free throw percentage (.906, 48-53), and second in assists (38). Also, he ranks ninth in the nation in free throw shooting, 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.

IMPROVED STATISTICS
Comparing statistics through 19 games last year to this season, Iowa is putting up improved numbers. The Hawkeyes are averaging 4.7 more points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 1.3 blocks. Iowa is also allowing 2.5 fewer points per game.

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 230 straight games.

HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa has seen an increase in its attendance numbers compared to last year. Compared to the first 11 home games of 2009-10, the Hawkeyes are averaging 1,974 more fans than a year ago. Iowa averaged 9,224 fans the first 11 home games last season, compared to 11,198 this year.
? Iowa has outrebounded their opponents in 13 of 19 games. Long Beach State, Illinois, Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota and Ohio State are the only opponents to pull down more boards than the Hawkeyes.
? Iowa’s six freshmen average a combined 23.6 points per game, an average that ranks third best in the Big Ten behind Ohio State (36.3) and Michigan (30.0). Two of Michigan’s freshmen are redshirts.
? Matt Gatens has made 25 triples the last eight games. He matched a personal high with five treys vs. Louisiana Tech, No. 23 Illinois and Northwestern, while draining four against second-ranked Ohio State. Gatens is shooting 46% (25-54) from long distance the last six outings.
? Bryce Cartwright has been credited with five assists or more in 11 of the last 13 contests.
? Iowa has had a player post double-digit rebounds in eight of its last 11 contests. Jarryd Cole pulled down 12 rebounds against Louisiana Tech (Dec. 21). Cole corralled 15 boards in Iowa’s victory over UNI (Dec. 7) and 11 at Drake (Dec. 18), while Melsahn Basabe snagged 14 vs. Iowa State (Dec. 10), 13 against No. 2 Ohio State (Jan. 4), 12 vs. Northwestern (Jan. 12), 13 at No. 25 Minnesota (Jan. 16) and 10 against Indiana (Jan. 23).
? Jarryd Cole grabbed 15 rebounds vs. Northern Iowa (Dec. 7). The 15 boards are the most by a Hawkeye since Greg Brunner snagged 23 vs. Minnesota on Jan. 18, 2006.
? 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.
? Melsahn Basabe rejected seven shots vs. Iowa State, a total that equals the third most in a game by a Hawkeye. Basabe blocked six shots against No. 2 Ohio State (Jan. 4).
? All 11 Big Ten teams finished with a non-conference record of .500 or better for the first time since the 2005-06 season.

CARTWRIGHT ON POINT
Bryce Cartwright has started the last 14 games at point guard.

The 6-1 guard ranks second in team scoring (10.7), first in assists (91) and third in steals (22). As a starter, he is averaging 11.3 points, 5.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds. Cartwright has been credited with five assists or more in 11 of Iowa’s last 13 games.

Cartwright ranks fourth in Big Ten assists (4.79). He is trying to become the third different Hawkeye to average at least 5.0 assists per game in a single-season since 1996-97 (1996-97 Andre Woolridge — 6.0 apg; 2004-05 Jeff Horner — 5.5 apg; 2005-06 Jeff Horner — 5.6 apg).

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.

The point guard had a stellar game against Louisiana Tech (Dec. 21) with his father in the stands. Cartwright scored 19 points, dished out a game-high seven assists and matched a personal best with six rebounds. He posted 10 points and equaled a personal best with eight dimes vs. No. 2 Ohio State.

Cartwright had one of his best games in a Hawkeye uniform vs. Northwestern (Jan. 12). He led all scorers with a career-high 25 points and also collected five assists and two 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. Cartwright dished out a game-high seven assists against Iowa State and a team-high five vs. 23rd-ranked Illinois.

PAYNE SIDELINED DUE TO INJURY
Cully Payne, who started his first 37 games as a Hawkeye at point guard, is 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 has taken over the starting spot at point guard. Expect Roy Devyn Marble to also see minutes at point guard.

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).

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.

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.

ON THE HORIZON
The Hawkeyes will play be on the road again for the fourth time in five games when they travel to Ann Arbor Sunday to face the Michigan Wolverines (3 p.m. CST).

This weekend has been tabbed Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend. The Iowa coaches will be wearing sneakers at its Michigan road game Sunday to help raise cancer awareness.

Iowa will return home to entertain nationally-ranked Michigan State Feb. 2 (7:36 p.m.).