Hawkeyes Travel to Northwestern Thursday

Feb. 15, 2011

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THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (10-15, 3-10) travel to Evanston, Ill., Thursday to take on the Northwestern Wildcats (14-10, 4-9). Tip-off is slated for 8:05 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena (8,117). Both Iowa and Northwestern will be looking to snap two-game losing streaks.

Iowa will be playing three games in seven days this week, including two in three days — at Northwestern Thursday and home versus Michigan Saturday.

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. 122) and XM (Ch. 143) Satellite Radio.
TV: Thursday’s game will be televised nationally on the Big Ten Network (HD). Gus Johnson and Shon Morris will call the action from Welsh-Ryan Arena.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,588 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,486-1,102 (.574). That includes a 941-345 (.732) record in home games, a 545-706 (.436) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 702-714 (.496) mark in Big Ten games and a 347-110 (.759) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

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).

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.

ATTACKING THE BASKET
Iowa has taken advantage of strong post play and attacking the basket more this season. The Hawkeyes are averaging 29 points per game in the paint. Iowa has scored 30 or more paint points 13 times this season, including six of the last eight outings — at top-ranked Ohio State (36), Indiana (34) and Michigan (30), and vs. Indiana (46), No. 13 Wisconsin (32) and Michigan State (34). A year ago, the Hawkeyes averaged 23.2 points in the paint through its first 25 games.

NO. 25 MINNESOTA TOPPLES HAWKEYES IN IOWA CITY
Cold shooting doomed the Iowa Hawkeyes in a 62-45 loss to No. 25 Minnesota Sunday night in Iowa City. The win marked the Gophers’ sixth straight over the Hawkeyes.

Iowa jumped out to a 14-6 advantage the first 10 minutes, but Minnesota closed the half on a 24-6 surge to lead 30-20 at halftime. The Hawkeyes sank three 3-pointers the first 10 minutes, but were only able to make three more the rest of the game against Minnesota’s zone defense.

Bryce Cartwright was the only Hawkeye able to post double figures in scoring, netting 11. It marked the second-consecutive game Cartwright led the team in scoring. The junior also was credited with a game-high seven assists. Senior Jarryd Cole collected eight points and eight rebounds.

Iowa did a good job on Minnesota forward Trevor Mbakwe the first half, allowing the junior only two points and two rebounds. However, Mbakwe got loose in the second stanza finishing with 24 points and five boards.

IOWA, MINNESOTA POSTGAME NOTES
? The 45 points are the fewest Iowa has scored this season (48 at No. 1 Ohio State on Jan. 19).
? Minnesota outrebounded Iowa by 13 (38-25), but the Hawkeyes outscored the Gophers 11-9 in second chance opportunities.
? Minnesota scored 20 points after forcing 17 Hawkeye turnovers.
? For the second time this season, Iowa held Minnesota to only two 3-point field goals. The Hawkeyes held the Gophers to 18% (2-11) shooting from long distance Sunday.
? Melsahn Basabe tallied only four points and four rebounds. The Iowa freshman played only 17 minutes after being in foul trouble most of the game and ultimately fouling out for the first time this season.
? Minnesota, who ranks last in the league in free throw shooting, shot the basketball well from the foul line on Sunday making 76% (16-21) of its attempts. Trevor Mbakwe was 10-11 (.909) from the charity stripe.

CARTWRIGHT TIES SCHOOL RECORD
Bryce Cartwright is one of only two Hawkeyes to ever dish out eight assists or more in four straight games. The junior collected eight or more at Penn State (8), at Michigan (9), vs. Michigan State (10) and at Indiana (8). The only other Hawkeye to record eight assists or more in four-straight contests 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.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa holds a 108-54 advantage over Northwestern in the series that began with a 24-23 Wildcat win in 1905. Northwestern beat Iowa earlier this year, 90-71, in Iowa City.

Each team defended its home court in 2009 and 2010. Last season, Iowa won (78-65) in Iowa City, while Northwestern was victorious (74-57) in Evanston. Iowa has won five of the last eight meetings and 25 of the last 35.

Nine of the last 12 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less, with six of those decided by five points or less.

Iowa holds a 44-36 advantage in games played at Evanston, but the Wildcats have won five of the last six (three of those on last second shots) and seven of the last nine home games. Iowa won eight straight games in Welsh-Ryan Arena, prior to losses in 2001 and 2002.

Iowa won the only neutral site meeting, winning 72-55 at the United Center in the first round of the 2001 Big Ten Tournament.

SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
After starting the season 13-5, Northwestern has lost five of its last six games, including the last two on the road. The Wildcats’ lone victory during the six-game stretch was a one-point victory over nationally-ranked Illinois (71-70) on Feb. 5 in Evanston.

Like Iowa, Northwestern was held to a scoring season low in its last outing. Penn State cruised to a 65-41 win over Northwestern Saturday afternoon in State College, Pa. Northwestern’s leading scorer, John Shurna, was held to just seven points in 32 minutes of action. Freshman JerShon Cobb was the only Wildcat able to post double digits, scoring 10 points. The Nittany Lions were whistled for only nine fouls and outscored the Wildcats 18-3 at the foul line.

Northwestern averaged 80.8 points in 11 non-conference games, but only averages 66.8 points in 13 conference games.

Shurna ranks seventh in Big Ten scoring (17.3), fifth in 3-pointers made (2.33), first in 3-point percentage (.495) and seventh in field goal percentage (.514). Shurna averages five points fewer (12.3) in Big Ten play. Michael Thompson ranks second in team scoring (14.4), first in assists (104) and fourth in the Big Ten in steals (1.58). Drew Crawford is Northwestern’s third player averaging double figures (12.5). Luka Mirkovic is the team’s leading rebounder (5.7).

Northwestern does an excellent job of protecting and sharing the basketball. The Wildcats rank first in Big Ten assists (17.33), second in assist/turnover ratio (1.66) and third in turnover margin (+3.0). Additionally, Northwestern ranks first in the league in 3-pointers (9.0), and third in scoring (73.2) and steals (7.17).

NORTHWESTERN COACH BILL CARMODY
Bill Carmody is in his 11th season at Northwestern and his 15th year as a college head coach. Carmody holds a career mark of 246-198 (.554), which includes a 154-173 (.471) mark at Northwestern.

Last season, Carmody guided the Wildcats to a 20-14 record and an appearance in the NIT. In fact, Carmody has led his last two Wildcat squads to the NIT.

Carmody posted a record of 92-25 in four seasons at Princeton University, where he was a member of the basketball staff for 18 seasons. His record in Ivy League games, as the head coach at Princeton, was 50-6. Carmody led Princeton to four straight post-season appearances. Carmody was the head coach at Fulton County (NY) Community College for one season, 1975-76, he was an assistant coach at Union College from 1976-80 and he was an assistant at Providence College for one season before joining the staff at Princeton in 1982.

Carmody is 9-10 vs. Iowa.

IOWA, NORTHWESTERN TIP-INS
? This will be the first time Iowa will be playing on a Thursday this season.
? Iowa is 9-4 when it holds the opponent under 70 points, compared to a 1-11 mark when giving up 70 or more.
? Northwestern boasts a 10-3 home record, while Iowa is 2-6 in road games.
? Seven of Iowa’s 10 wins have come by margins of 10 points or more, while four of its defeats have come by six points or less, including three by three points.
? Bryce Cartwright (84) has four more assists than Michigan’s Darius Morris (80) in conference play. Cartwright is trying to become the first Hawkeye since Dean Oliver (5.2 avg.) in 2001 to lead the Big Ten in assists in conference play.
? Matt Gatens ranks fourth among Big Ten juniors in career scoring. Northwestern’s John Shurna ranks first, followed by Ohio State’s William Buford and Indiana’s Verdell Jones III.
? Eric May averages 11 points (13-18, .727 FG and 7-10, .700 FT) and 2.7 rebounds in Iowa’s three Big Ten wins. May averages 4.9 points (15-51, .294 FG and 5-9, .556 FT) and 1.8 boards in Iowa’s 10 conference defeats.
? According to collegerpi.com, Iowa’s strength of schedule ranks 43rd in the country, based on games played through Feb. 14; Northwestern rates 72nd.
? Iowa is 10-2 when having a better field goal percentage than the opposition and 7-1 when dishing out more assists.
? Iowa has had a player score 20-plus points in eight of the last 14 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).
? Iowa ranks fourth in the Big Ten in steals (7.12) in all games, but ranks first during league play (6.08). Northwestern ranks just behind the Hawkeyes in thefts in Big Ten action (6.0).
? Iowa ranks 26th in the country in fewest fouls per game (15.9). Individually, Matt Gatens ranks ninth in free throw percentage (.908) while Bryce Cartwright ranks 27th in assists (5.5). Northwestern ranks second in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.66), fourth in fewest turnovers per contest (10.4), eighth in assists (17.3), 10th in 3-pointers (9.0) and 25th in turnover margin (+3.0).
? Northwestern’s roster is comprised of 13 student-athletes. The roster consists of four seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and one freshman. Six players hail from Illinois, three from Michigan and one from Indiana, Georgia, Croatia and Serbia.
? Iowa’s two victories over Northwestern in 2008 gave the Hawkeyes their first season sweep of Northwestern since the 2002-03 season. Nine of the last 11 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less, with six of those decided by five points or less.
? Along with its 81 games against Northwestern in Welsh-Ryan Arena, Iowa has played four NCAA Tournament games in the facility. Iowa won two games in Evanston to advance to the 1955 Final Four. The following season Iowa advanced to the Final Four in Evanston, losing to San Francisco in its only appearance in the national championship game.

BASABE ETCHING HIS NAME IN HAWKEYE RECORD BOOKS
Melsahn Basabe has become only the second Hawkeye rookie to amass over 260 points, 170 rebounds and 30 blocks. The native of Glen Cove, NY, has 263 points, 174 rebounds and 36 blocks after 25 games. The only other Hawkeye to accomplish the feat is Guy Rucker in 1996-97 (339, points, 181 rebounds and 39 blocks).

NORTHWESTERN WON THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Four Northwestern starters scored in double figures to lift the Wildcats to a 90-71 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes on Jan. 12 in Iowa City.

Northwestern used the long ball to jump on Iowa early and leave with its first win over the Hawkeyes, in Iowa City, since 2004. The Wildcats drained eight of their first 12 triples to build a comfortable 33-11 cushion. Northwestern finished the game sinking 14 treys, one shy of the Carver-Hawkeye Arena record.

Iowa was led by the backcourt tandem of Bryce Cartwright and Matt Gatens. The duo combined for 45 of Iowa’s 71 points. Cartwright led all scorers with a game and career-high 25 points. He also collected five assists and two steals. Gatens poured in 20 points, bolstered by 5-8 shooting from 3-point territory.

Both teams shot the ball well, Iowa made 52% of its field goals while Northwestern made 53%. However, the difference in the game was the Wildcats’ ability to generate open looks from beyond the arc. Northwestern made seven more 3-pointers than Iowa.

CARTWRIGHT STREAK SNAPPED
Bryce Cartwright was limited to four assists vs. No. 13 Wisconsin (Feb. 9). It snapped a streak of eight-straight games of five assists or more, which ranked as the fifth-longest streak by a Big Ten player during league play since 1996-97. He had seven helpers in Iowa’s last game vs. No. 25 Minnesota, registering five or more in nine of the last 10 games.

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 263 points and is averaging 10.5 points per game. Like Gatens, he has started every game (25) this season.

STEALING THE SHOW
Iowa has collected 178 steals this season, averaging 7.1 per contest, through 25 games. Last year, Iowa was credited with 124 thefts in 32 games. Iowa’s 7.1 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 (25 games) after registering 10 or more thefts only twice over the previous three years (96 contests).

BASABE BECOMING DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Melsahn Basabe had his fourth 20-point, 10-rebound game of the season at Indiana (Feb. 2). The native of Glen Cove, NY, is one of only four freshmen in the country to collect 20-points and 10-rebounds in four or more games.

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

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
Iowa has had a Big Ten-best four players record double-doubles: Melsahn Basabe (6), Jarryd Cole (3), Bryce Cartwright and Devon Archie. Illinois is the only other team with four players to have posted double-doubles, while Wisconsin and Minnesota have had three.

Basabe and Cole are two of 16 Big Ten players with multiple double-doubles. Furthermore, Basabe is one of only six players with six or more double-doubles in the league.

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 home win vs. Indiana (Jan. 23), posted 20 points and 13 rebounds in Iowa’s victory at Indiana (Feb. 5) and registered 13 points and 11 rebounds vs. No. 13 Wisconsin (Feb. 9). Cole notched his double-doubles vs. Northern Iowa (Dec. 7) with 10 points and 15 boards, against Louisiana Tech (Dec. 21) with 10 points and 12 rebounds and 13th-ranked Wisconsin (Feb. 9) with 10 points and 12 boards.

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 vs. Michigan State (Feb. 2), giving the Hawkeyes a 41-20 advantage going into halftime.

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 (1.44), second in rebounding (7.0) and double-doubles (6), and third in scoring (10.5).

The rookie from Glen Cove, NY, is averaging 11.9 points (88-154, .571), 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks the last 20 contests. Furthermore, he is averaging 13.1 points (57-99, .576) and eight rebounds the last 12 Big Ten games. Basabe has put up 20 points or more in five of the last 11 contests. He averages 12.3 points (.560 FG%, .900 FT%) and 9.3 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 (Feb. 2). 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).

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). He has snagged a team-best 174 boards, which ranks fifth all-time among Hawkeye rookies. He is on pace to become Iowa’s top all-time freshman rebounder. Jess Settles had 203 rebounds in 1993-94.

Not only is he on pace to become Iowa’s all-time leading freshman rebounder, but he could become only the fourth freshman to lead the Hawkeyes in rebounding (Tyler Smith led Iowa in rebounding in 2007, Jess Settles in 1994 and Michael Payne in 1982). Basabe has grabbed 174 rebounds, while Jarryd Cole ranks second with 155.

Basabe, who is one of five Big Ten freshmen to start every game, is Iowa’s leading shot blocker (36) and rebounder (7.0). He has led the team in rebounding a team-best 11 times, including six of the last 12 outings.

Basabe has a team-best 36 blocks this season, a total that is fourth most by a Hawkeye freshman. He is only three from tying Guy Rucker (1996-97) for third on the list. Basabe is responsible for 46% of Iowa’s blocked shots, rejecting 36 of the team’s 79 blocked shots.

IMPROVED FREE THROW SHOOTING
Iowa shoots 67.3% from the free throw line for the season, but has had better success as of late from the charity stripe. During conference play, Iowa has improved its shooting percentage to 70.9%. Furthermore, the Hawkeyes shot 78.6% (44-56) from the foul line the last three contests.

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 a team-best 13.2 points, compared to an 11.7 average 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 currently has 1,025 points and is only 12 points from equaling Steve Carfino (1981-84) for 38th on the all-time scoring chart.

Gatens posted back-to-back 20-plus points for the first time in his career when he poured in 22 points vs. Louisiana Tech and 21 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 (Feb. 2). He has eclipsed the 20-point plateau nine times in his career.

Gatens matched a personal high with five treys vs. Louisiana Tech, No. 23 Illinois and Northwestern, while draining four against second-ranked Ohio State.

Gatens ranks first in team scoring (12.5) and free throw percentage (.908, 59-65), and second in assists (45). 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.

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 236 straight games.

CARTWRIGHT ON POINT
Bryce Cartwright has had a great first season at Iowa, starting the last 20 games at point guard and emerging as one of the league’s top floor generals.

The 6-1 guard ranks second in team scoring (11.0), first in assists (137) and third in steals (25). As a starter, he is averaging 11.5 points, 6.15 assists and 2.5 rebounds. He led the team in scoring (13.3) and assists (6.3) the last three contests. In fact, Cartwright led the Hawkeyes in scoring the last two contests (No. 13 Wisconsin and No. 25 Minnesota).

Cartwright has been credited with seven assists or more in five of the last six games and five assists or more in 16 of Iowa’s last 19 contests. 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 six games boasting a 2.56 assist/turnover ratio. He has amassed 46 assists (7.67) the last six 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 is on pace to crack Iowa’s single-season top ten assists chart. The junior has 137 assists and is 18 from equaling B.J. Armstrong for 10th. Armstrong collected 155 in 1988.

Cartwright ranks third in Big Ten assists (5.48), but ranks first averaging 6.46 in 13 Big Ten contests. He is trying to become the third different Hawkeye to average at least five 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).

IMPROVED STATISTICS
Comparing statistics through 25 games last year to this season, Iowa is putting up improved numbers. The Hawkeyes are averaging 5.4 more points, two rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.4 blocks.

HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa has seen an increase in its attendance numbers compared to last year. Compared to the first 14 home games of 2009-10, the Hawkeyes are averaging 2,066 more fans than a year ago. Iowa averaged 9,376 fans the first 14 home games last season, compared to 11,442 this year.
? Iowa’s six freshmen average a combined 22.8 points per game, an average that ranks third best in the Big Ten behind Ohio State (35.8) and Michigan (30.9). Two of Michigan’s freshmen are redshirts.
? Iowa has had a player post double-digit rebounds in 10 of its last 17 contests. Jarryd Cole pulled down 12 rebounds against Louisiana Tech (Dec. 21), 15 in Iowa’s victory over UNI (Dec. 7), 11 at Drake (Dec. 18) and a team-high 12 vs. 13th-ranked Wisconsin (Feb. 9), 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), 13 at Indiana (Feb. 5) and 11 vs. No. 13 Wisconsin (Feb. 9).
? 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.
? Zach McCabe grabbed five rebounds in Iowa’s overtime loss to No. 13 Wisconsin (Feb. 9). The five boards are the most he’s had since snagging a season-high eight at Wake Forest (Nov. 30).
? 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 vs. SIUE, 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.

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa has played seven games against ranked opponents. 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, top-ranked Ohio State (70-48) Jan. 19, 13th-ranked Wisconsin in overtime (62-59) Feb. 9 and No. 25 Minnesota (62-45) on Feb. 13.

Iowa has lost 25 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.

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 returns home and will have only one day to prepare for Michigan. The Hawkeyes and Wolverines will tip-off at 3:30 p.m. (CST) Saturday in Iowa City.