Hawkeyes Gun For Third Straight Victory

Feb. 8, 2011

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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!

THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (10-13, 3-8), who have won two-consecutive games, return home Wednesday to entertain 13th-ranked Wisconsin (17-5, 7-3). Tip-off is slated for 7:36 p.m. on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) in Iowa City, Iowa. Tickets are $20 for adults and $20 for UI students and youths. Fans can use their unused Iowa-Michigan State tickets for admission to Wednesday’s game.

Iowa will be gunning for its first three-game winning streak of the season. Wednesday will be the only regular season meeting between Iowa and Wisconsin. Also, the Badgers are the only Big Ten team the Hawkeyes have not played yet this season.

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. 121) and XM (Ch. 141) Satellite Radio.
TV: Wednesday’s game will be televised nationally on the Big Ten Network (HD). Eric Collins and Tim Doyle will call the action from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

DEFENSE STEPS UP IN VICTORIES
Defense has been key in Iowa’s 10 victories this season. Hawkeye opponents average only 53.1 points, shooting 35% from the field, including 24% from 3-point territory, in the 10 Iowa wins. Furthermore, Iowa averages nine steals in victories.

GATENS REACHES MILESTONE
Matt Gatens netted 19 points in Iowa’s 72-52 triumph over Michigan State (Feb. 2) to become the 40th Hawkeye to reach 1,000 points. Gatens notched his 1,000th career point on a free throw at the 10:45 mark of the second half. The Iowa City native accomplished the feat in 84 games.

He has 1,009 points after scoring seven in Iowa’s 64-63 win at Indiana Sunday. There will be a brief pregame presentation before Wednesday’s game to recognize Gatens’ achievement.

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).

BASABE ETCHING HIS NAME IN THE HAWKEYE RECORD BOOKS
Melsahn Basabe has become only the second Hawkeye rookie to amass over 240 points, 150 rebounds and 30 blocks. The native of Glen Cove, NY, has 246 points, 159 rebounds and 33 blocks after 23 games. The only other Hawkeye to accomplish the feat is Guy Rucker in 1996-97 (339, points, 181 rebounds and 39 blocks).

HAWKEYES RALLY TO WIN SECOND STRAIGHT AT INDIANA
Iowa erased a 10-point second half deficit to rally and clip Indiana 64-63 Saturday afternoon at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. The win marked Iowa’s second straight conference victory for the first time since 2007.

Iowa closed the game on a 16-5 run to escape with its fourth-consecutive win over the Hoosiers. Junior Bryce Cartwright drained a 15-foot baseline jumper with 1:42 remaining in the game to give Iowa its first lead since midway through the first half. Indiana’s Verdell Jones III missed a jumper from the top of the key with three seconds left.

The Hawkeyes were led by Melsahn Basabe, Eric May and Cartwright. Basabe had another monster game, posting his team-leading fifth double-double (20 points and 13 rebounds). Cartwright collected 15 points and a game-high eight assists, while May contributed 11 points, two blocks and two steals.

Indiana had three players in double figures, Jordan Hulls (24), Will Sheehey (12) and Victor Oladipo (12).

Iowa shot 20-25 (.800) from the free throw line, sinking its first eight attempts.

IOWA, INDIANA POSTGAME NOTES
? The game featured nine ties and 10 lead changes.
? Iowa recorded its first two-game Big Ten winning streak since winning three straight (Michigan, Indiana and Minnesota) during the 2007 Big Ten season.
? Iowa recorded its first one-point victory since tripping Purdue 63-62 on March 6, 2006 in Iowa City.
? Iowa has won at Indiana its last two visits, marking the first time the Hawkeyes have won back-to-back games at Assembly Hall since 2004 (84-82 in double overtime) and 2006 (70-67) — Iowa did not play at Indiana in 2005. Furthermore, Iowa has won 10 of the last 14 overall meetings between the two teams.
? Seventeen of Iowa’s 21 field goals came in the paint. The Hawkeyes outscored Indiana 34-18 in the paint.
? Iowa played in front of its largest crowd of the year (17,225).
? The Hawkeyes shot 54.5% (12-22) from the field in the second half.
? Bryce Cartwright had a game-high eight assists. Cartwright had more assists than Indiana had as a team (6). The junior has been credited with eight assists or more the last four games. He has posted a combined 35 assists to 11 turnovers the last four games (3.18 assist/turnover ratio). Cartwright has posted five assists or more in 15 of the last 17 games.
? Iowa dominated the glass, outrebounding the Hoosiers by eight (33-25).

ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa holds a 77-75 advantage in the series that began with a 30-9 Wisconsin win in 1909. Wisconsin won last year’s only meeting, 67-40, at Madison on March 3, 2010. The teams split the two meetings in 2009, with each team winning at home. Wisconsin beat the Hawkeyes twice in 2007 and 2008. The Badgers have won 12 of the last 14 meetings.

Iowa won two of three meetings in 2002, the only time the teams have ever met three times in one season. In 2002, the Hawkeyes won in Iowa City and lost in Madison before defeating the Badgers in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.

Iowa holds a 49-24 advantage in games played in Iowa City, but the Badgers have won seven of the last 10 meetings in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The teams have split the last four meetings in Iowa City.

Iowa and Wisconsin have met three times at the Big Ten Tournament, with the Badgers winning twice. Wisconsin won in Chicago in 1999 and 2005 and Iowa won in Indianapolis in 2002.

SCOUTING WISCONSIN
Wisconsin comes to Iowa City after playing four of its last six at home. The Badgers boast a perfect 13-0 home mark, while they are 2-4 in true road contests, including a 1-3 road mark in conference games. Wisconsin’s one Big Ten road victory came at Northwestern (78-46) on Jan. 23.

The Badgers are fresh off an 82-56 rout over Michigan State Sunday afternoon at the Kohl Center in Madison. Jon Leuer, Jordan Taylor and Keaton Nankivil combined to score 61 of Wisconsin’s 82 points and shoot 19-30 (.633) from the field and 15-16 (.938) from the charity stripe. As a team, the Badgers missed only one free throw (25-26, .962) and shot 23-39 (.590) from the field.

Wisconsin is led by senior Jon Leuer, who earned his second Big Ten Player of the Week honor this week after averaging 22 points and 9.5 rebounds in Wisconsin victories over No. 10 Purdue and Michigan State last week. He scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds against the Boilermakers, marking his fifth career double-double. He then tallied 20 points and six rebounds vs. the Spartans. For the season, Leuer averages a team-best 19.4 points and seven rebounds, ranking third and sixth in the Big Ten, respectively.

Taylor, who poured in a personal-best 30 points vs. Michigan State, averages 17.8 points and a team-best 4.6 assists to rank sixth and seventh in the league, respectively. In conference games only, the junior ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring (20.7). Nankivil averages 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in all games.

The Badgers are an excellent free throw shooting team, ranking first in the nation (.828, 294-355). Also, Wisconsin has three players who can really shoot the 3-ball — Nankivil (36-69, .522), Leuer (45-100, .450) and Taylor (43-104, .413).

Not only does Wisconsin rank high nationally in free throw shooting, but it also ranks first in assist/turnover ratio (1.8) and fewest turnovers (7.8). The Badgers also rank second in the country in scoring defense (56.1), eighth in fewest fouls (15.1), 23rd in 3-pointers (8.3) and 33rd in turnover margin (+2.8). Furthermore, Wisconsin ranks in the top three in seven Big Ten statistical categories.

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.

In addition, Zach McCabe drained a 3-pointer as the first half expired in Iowa’s last game against Michigan State (Feb. 2), giving the Hawkeyes a 41-20 advantage going into halftime.

WISCONSIN HEAD COACH BO RYAN
Bo Ryan is in his 10th season at Wisconsin after leading the Badgers to back-to-back Big Ten regular season titles in 2002 and 2003. Ryan has guided Wisconsin to the second round of the NCAA Tournament the last two years. A year ago, the Badgers finished with a record of 24-9 and fourth place in the Big Ten. In 2009, Ryan led Wisconsin to a 20-13 record. The Badgers won the Big Ten Tournament title in 2004. He was named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year in both 2003 and 2004. Ryan has posted a 234-87 (.729) record with the Badgers.

Ryan is in his 27th season as a college head coach, with a career record of 617-190 (.765). Ryan moved to Madison after posting a 30-27 record in two seasons at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ryan’s UW-Milwaukee team posted a 15-13 record in 2001, including a narrow 83-79 loss to Iowa in Iowa City.

Ryan was the head coach at Wisconsin-Platteville for 15 seasons, leading that school to four NCAA Division III national titles (1991, 1995, 1998 & 1999) and eight conference titles. Overall his record at Platteville was 353-76.

Ryan has been named national Coach of the Year four times. He is the winningest coach in Division III history and was the winningest coach in the NCAA (all divisions) in the 1990’s. He served as an assistant coach for the gold-medal winning USA team at the 1995 World University Games and an assistant coach for the gold-medal winning North team at the 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival.

Ryan previously was an assistant at Wisconsin for eight seasons (1977-84), working under Bill Cofield and Steve Yoder.

Ryan is 13-5 vs. Iowa (13-4 while at Wisconsin).

IOWA, WISCONSIN TIP-INS
? Iowa’s series against Wisconsin is the second-closest among other Big Ten teams. Iowa holds a 77-75 advantage in 152 games played. The Hawkeyes own a slim 75-74 edge in 149 contests played against Ohio State.
? Both head coaches, Bo Ryan and Fran McCaffery, were raised in the Philadelphia area. McCaffery is a Philadelphia native, who attended La Salle High School, while Ryan was raised in Chester, Pa., and attended Chester High School.
? Iowa’s Jarryd Cole, Matt Gatens and Eric May combined for 24 points in Iowa’s 67-40 defeat at Wisconsin a year ago. Wisconsin’s Jon Leuer tallied 18 points on 8-9 shooting from the field, including a perfect 2-2 from long distance.
? Matt Gatens ranks fourth among Big Ten juniors in scoring. Northwestern’s John Shurna ranks first, followed by Ohio State’s William Buford and Indiana’s Verdell Jones III.
? After Iowa’s two wins, Iowa’s RPI has risen to 135, while Wisconsin sits at 20.
? According to collegerpi.com, Iowa’s strength of schedule ranks 47th in the country, based on games played through Feb. 6; Wisconsin rates 44th.
? Iowa is 10-1 when having a better field goal percentage than the opposition, 8-4 when having a better 3-point percentage and 7-1 when dishing out more assists.
? Iowa has had a player score 20-plus points in eight of the last 12 contests. Basabe registered 20 points in Iowa’s win at Indiana (Feb. 5), a personal-best 25 points at Michigan (Jan. 30), 22 points vs. 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).
? Seven of Iowa’s 10 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 (7.3) in all games and ranks first in league games (6.27).
? Iowa ranks 34th in the country in fewest fouls per game (16.4) and 92nd in steals (7.3).
? Wisconsin’s roster is comprised of 14 student-athletes. The roster consists of six seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen. Six players hail from Wisconsin, four from Minnesota, two from Illinois and one each from Ohio and Arizona.
? Wisconsin Assistant Coach Gary Close was an assistant coach at Iowa for 13 seasons (1987-99) under Tom Davis. He later was the head boys basketball coach at Regina High School in Iowa City for three years, leading his team to the state tournament his last two seasons.

GREAT GAMES IN THE TOURNAMENT
Iowa and Wisconsin have met three times in the Big Ten Tournament, and two of those would qualify as “Instant Classics”. The Badgers have won two of three, beginning with a 77-64 win in the quarterfinals of the 1999 tournament in Chicago.

The teams met again in 2002, with ninth seeded Iowa winning 58-56 over the top-seeded Badgers in Indianapolis. Iowa tied the game on a three-point play by Duez Henderson with 41 seconds remaining and regained possession following a Wisconsin turnover with eight seconds remaining. Luke Recker scored the winning basket on a jump shot from the lane with two seconds on the clock. Iowa advanced to the title game before falling to Ohio State.

The Badgers were the second-seed in 2005 when Wisconsin and Iowa met in the semi-finals at the United Center. Iowa, the seventh seed, tied the score with 3.7 seconds remaining on a tip-in basket by Greg Brunner. Following a timeout, Wisconsin’s Alando Tucker hit a running jump shot from approximately 35 feet to lift the Badgers to a 59-56 win. Wisconsin was defeated in the title game by Illinois.

CARTWRIGHT TIES SCHOOL RECORD
Bryce Cartwright is one of only two Hawkeyes to ever dish out eight assists or more in four consecutive contests. The junior dished out eight or more dimes the last four games: at Penn State (8), at Michigan (9), vs. Michigan State (10) and at Indiana (8). The only other Hawkeye to collect eight assists or more in four-straight games was Andre Woolridge during the 1994-95 season. Woolridge was credited with eight helpers vs. Hawaii, nine vs. Arkansas, nine vs. Indiana and nine against Michigan State.

BASABE ON SAME ROOKIE SCORING PATH AS GATENS
Matt Gatens started all 32 games his freshman campaign (2008-09), scoring 345 points (averaging 10.8 points). The 345 points ranks seventh best for a Hawkeye rookie, while the 10.8 average ranks eighth.

Melsahn Basabe has scored 246 points and is averaging 10.7 points per game. Like Gatens, he has started every game — 23 so far this season.

NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 70
Iowa is 9-2 when it holds the opponent under 70 points, compared to a 1-11 mark when giving up 70 or more.

STEALING THE SHOW
Iowa has collected 168 steals this season, averaging 7.3 per contest, through 23 games. Last year, Iowa was credited with 124 thefts in 32 games. Iowa’s 7.3 average is its best since the 1998-99 season when the Hawkeyes averaged 8.9 steals in 31 games.

Iowa has recorded 10 or more steals in five games this season (23 games) after registering 10 or more thefts only twice over the previous three years (96 contests).

BASABE AMONG BIG TEN FRESHMEN ELITE
Melsahn Basabe has been playing like one of the top freshmen in the Big Ten. He ranks first among conference rookies in blocks (1.43), second in rebounding (6.9) and double-doubles (5), and third in scoring (10.7).

The rookie from Glen Cove, NY, is averaging 12.2 points (80-139, .576), 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks the last 18 contests. Furthermore, he is averaging 14 points (49-84, .583) and 8.1 rebounds the last 10 Big Ten games. Basabe has put up 20 points or more in five of the last 10 contests. He averages a team-best 16.3 points (.630 FG%, .882 FT%) and eight rebounds the last three contests.

Basabe netted 20 points on 6-10 (.600) shooting from the field and 8-9 (.889) from the charity stripe in Iowa’s one-point victory at Indiana on Saturday. He poured in a personal-best 25 points on 9-11 (.818) shooting from the field and 7-8 (.875) shooting from the foul line at Michigan (Jan. 23). The rookie has scored 20 points or more five times, all against Big Ten squads (Ohio State – 22, Minnesota – 20, Indiana – 20, Michigan – 25 and Indiana – 20). The last time a Hawkeye freshman scored 20 or more in at least five games was Tyler Smith in 2006-07, only two of which came against Big Ten opponents. Furthermore, the last time a Hawkeye — regardless of class — posted five or more 20-point scoring outbursts against Big Ten competition was Adam Haluska in 2004-05 (Michigan State – 24; Northwestern – 20; Illinois – 20; Penn State – 22; Ohio State – 22).

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 five double-doubles this year, the second most by a Big Ten freshman behind Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger (11). Basabe has posted double-doubles in three of his last seven games: at No. 25 Minnesota (20 points and 13 rebounds) and twice vs. Indiana — 20 points and 10 rebounds at home and 20 points and 13 rebounds on the road.

The 6-7, 225-pound power forward has reached double-digit rebounds in seven games, also the second most by a Big Ten freshman (Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger has 12).

Basabe, who is one of five Big Ten freshmen to start every game, is Iowa’s leading shot blocker (33) and rebounder (6.9). He has led the team in rebounding a team-best 11 times, including six of the last 10 outings. He has also led the team in scoring four of the last seven.

Basabe has a team-best 33 blocks this season, a total that is fifth most by a Hawkeye freshman. He is only one from tying Ryan Bowen (1994-95) for fourth on the list. Basabe is responsible for 46% of Iowa’s blocked shots, rejecting 33 of the team’s 71 blocked shots.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 347-108 (.763) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 161-86 (.652) in Big Ten games and 186-22 (.894) in non-Big Ten contests.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena is currently undergoing a $47 million renovation that is scheduled to be completed in August.

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 71 of its 98 games (.724) 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.

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Wednesday will be Iowa’s sixth game against a ranked opponent. In fact, the Hawkeyes will be playing back-to-back games against ranked foes this week (No. 25 Minnesota in Sunday). 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.

MARBLE COMING ON STRONG
Hawkeye freshman Roy Devyn Marble has provided a spark off the bench recently.

The last five games, Marble averaged 19 minutes, 8.2 points and 1.6 assists. The 8.2 points ranks fourth on the team in the five-game span.

The native of Southfield, Mich., poured in a career-high 18 points, bolstered by 8-13 shooting from the field, in Iowa’s 91-77 win over Indiana (Jan. 23). Marble’s previous best was 11 points vs. Long Beach State (Nov. 22) and at Wake Forest (Nov. 30). He tallied 12 points and three assists in 27 minutes of action at Michigan. The 27 minutes are the most he has seen in conference play; he played a season-high 31 minutes at Wake Forest (Nov. 30). Marble dished out a career-high four assists in Iowa’s 20-point victory over Michigan State (Feb. 2).

ATTACKING THE BASKET
Iowa has taken advantage of strong post play and attacking the basket more this season. The Hawkeyes are averaging 29.6 points per game in the paint. Iowa has scored 30 or more paint points 12 times this season, including five of its last six outings — at top-ranked Ohio State (36), Indiana (34) and Michigan (30), and vs. Indiana (46) and Michigan State (34). A year ago, the Hawkeyes averaged 24.2 points in the paint through its first 23 games.

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
Iowa has had a Big Ten-best four players record double-doubles: Melsahn Basabe (5), Jarryd Cole (2), Bryce Cartwright and Devon Archie. Illinois is the only other team with four players to have posted double-doubles; Wisconsin and Minnesota have had three players record double-doubles.

Basabe and Cole are two of 15 Big Ten players with multiple double-doubles. Furthermore, Basabe is one of only six players with five or more double-doubles in the league. Most recently, Cartwright notched his first career double-double, posting 12 points and a career-high 10 assists in a win over Michigan State (Feb. 2). Archie was credited with 10 points and 11 rebounds vs. Xavier (Nov. 19) for his first career double-double. Basabe collected 12 points and 14 rebounds against Iowa State (Dec. 10), 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), 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) and posted 20 points and 13 rebounds in Iowa’s victory at Indiana (Feb. 5). 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.

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).

In league play, he is averaging 14.1 points while shooting 42% from the field and 43% 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 scored a game-high 19 points in Iowa’s victory over Michigan State (Feb. 2). In the process, he tallied his 1,000th career point to become only the 40th Hawkeye to accomplish the feat.

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 31 triples the last 12 games (2.58). 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 44% (32-72) from long distance the last 11 outings.

Gatens ranks first in team scoring (13.0) and free throw percentage (.905, 57-63), and second in assists (43). Also, he ranks 12th 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 23 games last year to this season, Iowa is putting up improved numbers. The Hawkeyes are averaging 7.3 more points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 1.1 blocks.

LEADING THE TEAM
Following is the number of times a player led Iowa in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. If two or more players tied for the team lead, all were credited for that game:

HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa has seen an increase in its attendance numbers compared to last year. Compared to the first 12 home games of 2009-10, the Hawkeyes are averaging 2,154 more fans than a year ago. Iowa averaged 9,124 fans the first 12 home games last season, compared to 11,278 this year.
? Iowa has outrebounded their opponents in 15 of 23 games. Long Beach State, Illinois, Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan are the only opponents to pull down more boards than the Hawkeyes.
? Iowa’s six freshmen average a combined 23.4 points per game, an average that ranks third best in the Big Ten behind Ohio State (35.8) and Michigan (30). Two of Michigan’s freshmen are redshirts.
? Matt Gatens has made 31 triples the last 12 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.
? Iowa has had a player post double-digit rebounds in nine of its last 15 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), 10 against Indiana (Jan. 23) and 13 at Indiana (Feb. 5).
? 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). He has a team-best 30 shot deflections through 21 games.
? 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 had a great first season at Iowa, starting the last 18 games at point guard.

The 6-1 guard ranks second in team scoring (10.9), first in assists (126) and third in steals (25). As a starter, he is averaging 11.4 points, 6.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds. Cartwright has been credited with eight assists or more the last four games and five assists or more in 15 of Iowa’s last 17 contests. Furthermore, he has dished out eight assists or more six times this year (Idaho State, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State and Indiana). Cartwright has been on fire the last four games boasting a 3.18 assist/turnover ratio. He has amassed 35 assists (8.75) the last four games, including dishing out a career-high 10 in Iowa’s win over Michigan State (Feb. 2). He had nine assists with no turnovers at Michigan (Jan. 30).

Cartwright ranks third in Big Ten assists (5.48), but ranks first averaging 6.64 in 11 Big Ten contests. 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).

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 234 straight games.

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.

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 next Sunday when it hosts Minnesota. Tip-off is slated for 5:05 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes will then have three days to prepare for a Thursday game at Northwestern (Feb. 17).