Northern Illinois Visits Hawkeyes Thursday

Nov. 16, 2011

• Purchase Iowa Men’s Basketball Tickets
• Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
• Take the Hawkeyes With You: Iowa Podcasts
• Iowa and the Big Ten Network
• Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
• 24 Hawkeyes to Watch

Iowa Game Notes | Northern Illinois Game Notes

TIP-OFF
? Iowa hosts Northern Illinois Thursday on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 7:05 p.m.
? Iowa and Northern Illinois will tip-off for the sixth time Thursday. Iowa owns a 5-0 all-time record against the Huskies, with the last meeting coming in 2003 – – a 65-57 Hawkeye victory in Iowa City.
? Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for UI students and youths.
? Fans can also take advantage of a “Family Four” pack Thursday night. Purchase four tickets (two adult, two youth), four hot dogs, and four cokes for $40.
? Iowa has had a player post a double-double in each of its first two games. Aaron White had 19 points and 10 boards versus Chicago State, while Melsahn Basabe had 15 points and 10 rebounds against North Carolina A&T. Iowa had four players post 12 double-doubles in 2011.
? Melsahn Basabe and Matt Gatens are a combined 22-of-24 (.917) from the free throw line through two games.
? Melsahn Basabe, Eric May and Zach McCabe reached double figures in each of Iowa’s first two games.
? Matt Gatens is only eight points from equaling Bob Hansen (1980-83) and Kevin Kunnert (1971-73) for 25th place on Iowa’s career scoring chart.

SEASON TICKETS AND MINI PACKAGES ON SALE
Hawkeye fans can purchase a season ticket for $296. UI Faculty and staff can purchase tickets for $252, while the price is only $85 for UI students. In addition, a $6 postage and handling fee will be added to each order. There are also four different mini packages that range from a seven to 11-game plan. Call the UI Ticket Office (1-800-IA-HAWKS) for more information on a ticket plan that best fits your needs.

HAWKEYES TOP NORTH CAROLINA A&T
Iowa won its second straight game to start the season with a 95-79 triumph over North Carolina A&T Monday on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeye offense erupted for 90-plus points for the second straight game, shooting 49 percent (33-of-67) from the floor. It marked the first time the Hawkeyes scored 90-plus points in back-to-back contests since scoring 101 versus Georgia State and 90 against Texas Southern in December 2006. Five Hawkeyes netted 12 points or more: Matt Gatens (27), Eric May (20), Melsahn Basabe (15), Bryce Cartwright (12) and Zach McCabe (12). Gatens’ 27 points is a new personal best, while May’s 20 matches a career high. Basabe also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds to record his seventh career double-double. Iowa outrebounded the Aggies by 21 (53-32) and scored 23 points after securing 18 offensive boards.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T TIP-INS
? Monday’s win was Iowa’s 350th in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (350-111).
? Eric May was red-hot shooting the ball Monday night, sinking eight of 12 field goal attempts (.667), including three of four 3-point shots (.750).
? Melsahn Basabe missed his first free throw attempt of the season Monday night. The sophomore is 15-16 (.938) from the charity stripe through two games.
? Bryce Cartwright dished out a game-high six assists to go with his 12 points.
? Monday marked the fourth time the Hawkeyes have had five players tally 12 points or more in a game (UW-Green Bay in 2003, Michigan in 2004, SIU-Edwardsville in 2010 and North Carolina A&T in 2011).
? Eric May, Melsahn Basabe and Zach McCabe start the season scoring in double figures in both games (Chicago State and North Carolina A&T).

SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
? Northern Illinois is led by first-year head coach Mark Montgomery. Montgomery spent the last 10 seasons at Michigan State, six as an assistant and the last four as associate head coach.
? Northern Illinois’ 14-player roster is comprised of eight freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors.
? Northern Illinois lost its last game 59-57 at home to UW-Milwaukee in DeKalb. Tim Toler had 11 points, while Aksel Bolin had nine points and a career-high nine rebounds.
? Thursday will be Northern Illinois’ second game against Big Ten competition. The Huskies opened the season with a 96-34 loss at Purdue. NIU committed 28 turnovers and allowed Purdue to sink 14 triples.
? The Huskies have made only five 3-pointers and have committed 51 turnovers through two games. Northern Illinois is shooting 78 percent (18-23) from the foul line.
? Freshman Abdel Nader was named the Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the Year by Lindy’s Magazine.
? Northern Illinois was picked to finish fifth in the MAC West in the conference preseason media poll.

WHITE TABBED BIG TEN CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Iowa freshmen Aaron White has been named Big Ten co-Freshman of the Week after his performance in Iowa’s season opening victory over Chicago State. White shares the weekly honor with Indiana’s Cody Zeller. White shined in his Hawkeye debut, leading all scorers and rebounders with 19 points and 10 rebounds in 18 minutes of action. The native of Strongsville, Ohio, shot 50 percent (6-of-12) from the field and sank all five free throw attempts. The 19 points are the most by an Iowa freshman in a season opener, equaling Dick Ives’ 19 scored against Nebraska in his debut on Dec. 10, 1943. Furthermore, White’s performance marked the first time a Hawkeye posted a double-double, in a season opener, since Dean Oliver had 10 points and 12 assists in a victory over Chicago State in 1997. It was the first time a Hawkeye freshman had a double-double, points and rebounds, since Jess Settles had 13 points and 11 rebounds versus Drake in 1993.

GOOD START FOR McCABE AND MAY
Zach McCabe has had a solid start to the 2011-12 campaign. The sophomore has come off the bench to average 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. McCabe totaled 13 points and five rebounds against Chicago State and collected 12 points and six boards versus North Carolina A&T. Junior Eric May is averaging 16 points, five rebounds and three assists through two games. May is shooting at a better percentage from 3-point range, than two. The native of Dubuque is 5-of-9 (.556) from long distance, compared to 7-of-13 (.538) from inside the arc.

DALE HOWARD CLASSIC TICKET, HAWKEYE HUDDLE INFORMATION
Iowa and Creighton will meet Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Dale Howard Classic at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to avoid ticket lines the day of the game. Tickets can be purchased this week at the Wells Fargo Arena ticket office, online at www.dahltickets.com, calling 1-866-55-DAHLS or at any of the 13 Des Moines and Ames area Dahl’s Food Stores. In addition to the game, there will be a Hawkeye Hoops Huddle held at Hy-Vee Hall, which is across the street from the Wells Fargo Arena, from Noon-2 p.m. The huddle is open to all Hawkeye fans and includes cash refreshments, snacks, door prizes, Herky and the Iowa cheerleaders.

DIALING UP LONG DISTANCE
Iowa has made 18 triples, nine in each of its first two games. The last time Iowa made 18 or more 3-pointers, in two games, to start a season was 1994-95. That season, the Hawkeyes sank seven against Morgan State and 14 versus Drake (21).

EXPERIENCED BACKCOURT
Iowa has the most experienced starting backcourt duo in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are the only league team with two starting senior guards, Bryce Cartwright and Matt Gatens.

BASABE RANKS HIGH ON HAWKEYE ROOKIE CHARTS
Melsahn Basabe had a stellar rookie campaign in 2011 and ranks among some of the best Iowa freshmen of all-time in a number of statistical categories. Basabe scored 342 points (11.0 avg.), pulled down 210 rebounds (6.8 avg.) and blocked 41 shots (1.3 avg.). Also, he was 131-229 (.572) from the field and 80-112 (.714) from the foul line.

BASABE ETCHED HIS NAME IN HAWKEYE RECORD BOOKS
Melsahn Basabe is the only Hawkeye rookie to ever amass over 340 points, 200 rebounds and 40 blocks. The native of Glen Cove, NY, finished his rookie campaign with 342 points, 210 rebounds and 41 blocks. In fact, he is the first Iowa player — regardless of class — to accomplish the feat since Ryan Bowen totaled 447 points, 271 rebounds and 41 blocks his senior season in 1997-98.

HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Seven of Iowa’s first eight contests will be played at home, with the non-home game during the stretch being played on a neutral floor in Des Moines versus Creighton.
? Matt Gatens is only eight points from equaling Bob Hansen (1980-83) and Kevin Kunnert (1971-73) for 25th place on Iowa’s career scoring chart.
? Iowa owned a +16.0 rebounding margin and averaged 21 assists in its first two contests.
? Iowa saw an increase in its attendance numbers in 2010-11. Compared to 2009-10, last year’s Hawkeyes averaged 2,085 more fans than the previous season, an increase of 20%. Iowa averaged 9,550 fans two years ago, compared to 11,635 last year.
? Bryce Cartwright ranked first in Big Ten assists (6.83) and 18th nationally a year ago. He became the first Hawkeye since Dean Oliver (5.2 avg.) in 2001 to lead the Big Ten in assists, in conference play.

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 47 years of head coaching experience. Director of Basketball Operations Jerry Strom is in his 31st season as a member of the Iowa basketball staff. Also, former Hawkeye standout and professional basketball player Ryan Bowen is the video coordinator. Bowen was on four NBA rosters (Denver, Houston, New Orleans and Oklahoma City).

HAWKEYES ARE TOUGH AT HOME
Iowa has won 74 of its 104 games (.712) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) over the last eight seasons, including win streaks of 21 straight overall and 12 straight Big Ten Conference wins. Iowa has won 10 of its last 20 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, 9-9 in 2010 and 8-8 this season.

IOWA IN CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA
Iowa has compiled a 350-111 (.759) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since the facility opened in January, 1983. Iowa is 162-89 (.645) in Big Ten games and 188-22 (.895) in non-Big Ten contests.

CARTWRIGHT JOINS SELECT GROUP
Point guard Bryce Cartwright dished out 123 assists, during Big Ten play, becoming only the sixth Hawkeye since 1975 to lead the league in assists. Cartwright finished with 10 more assists than second place Darius Morris of Michigan (113). Cartwright’s 6.83 assists average is the highest by an Iowa player since Cal Wulfsberg’s 7.7 average in 1975. Cartwright, who averaged 10.9 points and 5.8 assists in 2011, is one of only two Iowa players to ever average better than 10.5 points and 5.8 assists in a single-season. Andre Woolridge is the other Hawkeye to accomplish the feat. Woolridge averaged 20.2 points and six assists in 1997; 13.1 points and six assists in 1996 and 14 points and 5.8 assists in 1995.

WELCOME NEW HAWKEYES
Iowa has six new faces on the team this season: Gabriel Olaseni, Josh Oglesby, Aaron White, Stephen McCarty, Kyle Denning and Christopher Rickert. Olaseni, Oglesby and White are on scholarship, while Denning, McCarty and Rickert are walk-ons.

HAWKEYEHOOPS.COM
Check out the Iowa basketball team’s new website, HawkeyeBasketball.com, devoted to everything on-and-off-the-court surrounding the program. HawkeyeBasketball.com, allows fans a chance to go behind the scenes with the Hawkeye basketball program on and off the court. The site is complete with exclusive videos, photo galleries and content featuring the basketball program. HawkeyeBasketball.com will be updated throughout the year with exclusive videos, including game highlights and player features, along with news stories and other content.

ALL-SESSION BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE
All-session tickets for the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament are on sale. Tickets can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For more information regarding how to purchase tickets within Iowa’s block, contact the UI Athletic Ticket Office. Conseco Fieldhouse is the site of the men’s tournament from March 8-11, featuring 22 games over eight days. Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament all-session tickets for the lower and club levels are available for $325 through Big Ten university ticket offices only. All-session tickets for the upper levels are available for $240 or $175 (depending on seat location) through Ticketmaster or the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office only. Orders will be limited to eight all-session tickets. In addition, the men’s tournament will continue to feature a special discounted rate of $50 for all-session tickets available only to students of 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. The Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament will call Indianapolis and Conseco Fieldhouse home this March and again in 2014 and 2016. The 2012 tournament marks the eighth time Indianapolis has hosted the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse.

ON THE HORIZON
Iowa travels to Des Moines Sunday to compete against Creighton in the Dale Howard Classic at Wells Fargo Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. with the game being televised nationally on BTN.