Iowa and Illinois to Meet Sunday in Lone Season Meeting

Feb. 24, 2012

Iowa Game Notes | Illinois Game Notes

Game 29 | Iowa (15-13, 7-8) at Illinois (16-12, 5-10)
Date Sunday, Feb. 26 | 5:06 p.m.
Location Champaign, IL | Assembly Hall
TV BTN (Gus Johnson and Shon Morris)
Radio Hawkeye Radio Network
Live Coverage GameTracker | Twitter Game Updates
All-Time Series Illinois leads, 80-66

TIP-OFF
? Iowa has posted four wins over RPI top 25 teams (Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin twice). Only Michigan State (six), Ohio State (five) and Michigan (five) have more.
? Iowa’s seven Big Ten wins are the most in a single season since collecting nine during the 2006-07 season.
? Iowa owns a +3.6 rebounding advantage in its seven Big Ten victories, while it has been outrebounded by 4.7 boards in its eight conference losses.
? Iowa has collected 10 steals or more in 10 games. The 10 games with 10 or more steals lead the Big Ten. Iowa ranks first in the Big Ten in steals (7.9).
? Matt Gatens averaged 31.5 points, bolstered by 22-of-36 (.611) shooting from the field and a blistering 14-of-20 (.700) shooting performance from 3-point territory, in Iowa’s two home wins over No. 18 Indiana and No. 15 Wisconsin.
? Iowa’s scoring average of 73.3 is its highest since the 2000-01 season (74.1).
? Iowa has collected four wins in the month of February (Minnesota, Penn State and Indiana). The last time the Hawkeyes had four or more February wins was in 2008 (four).
? Iowa is 9-1 when scoring 80 points or more, the last two seasons. The Hawkeyes are 13-0 when holding opponents to fewer than 60 points, the last two years.

GATENS STAYS HOT, HAWKEYES UPEND WISCONSIN
Matt Gatens had another spectacular shooting performance in a 67-66 victory over No. 15 Wisconsin Thursday in Iowa City. The victory gives Iowa its first season sweep against the Badgers since 1995. Gatens poured in a game and career-high 33 points to give the Hawkeyes their fourth win over a top 25 RPI team. Gatens made his first five 3-pointers of the game, which extended his consecutive streak to 12 dating back to Sunday’s contest against Indiana where he made his last seven. The 12 straight triples is believed to be an Iowa record. The senior has drained a combined 14 triples the last two games, which is the most ever by a Hawkeye in a two-game span. Iowa sprinted out to a double-digit first-half advantage and ultimately took a 43-34 lead into intermission. The 43 points are the most by a Wisconsin opponent this season; the previous high was Iowa’s 41 in the second half in Madison on Dec. 31. The Hawkeyes, who led start-to-finish, scored 67 points against a Badger team that yielded a nation’s best 51 points per contest. Roy Devyn Marble tallied 11 points and distributed a career-best eight assists. Aaron White contributed 12 points and snagged a game-high six rebounds.

LAST GAME TIP-INS
? The last time Iowa beat ranked opponents in back-to-back games was the 2005-06 season (twice). Iowa beat No. 13 Indiana (73-60) on Jan. 24 and No. 16 Ohio State (67-62) on Jan. 28. The Hawkeyes also defeated No. 24 Indiana (70-67) on Feb. 11 and 16th-ranked Michigan State (66-54) on Feb. 14.
? Thursday’s announced attendance was 14,248, the second largest crowd in Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season (15,400 versus Ohio State).
? Iowa made 55.6 percent (10-of-18) of its 3-point attempts, marking the second straight contest it shot 50 percent or better from long distance. The 10 triples are the second most by the Hawkeyes this season (13 versus Northern Illinois). Iowa has made at least nine 3-pointers five times this season, including the last two games.
? Wisconsin shot 51 percent from the field (29-of-57), while Iowa shot 48 percent (24-of-50). It marked only the second time (2-19) the last two seasons that Iowa was victorious when allowing the opposition to shoot 50 percent or better.
? Wisconsin outrebounded Iowa 31-29, marking only the fourth time (4-24) the last two seasons the Hawkeyes won when the opponent had more rebounds.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Illinois holds an 80-66 advantage in the series that began with a 46-36 Iowa win in 1908. The Illini have won eight of the last nine against the Hawkeyes, including six straight. Iowa’s last victory over Illinois came on March 3, 2007, (60-53) in Iowa City. Illinois holds a 60-14 advantage in games played in Champaign, where it has won 10 straight over Iowa and 21 of the last 22 meetings. Iowa’s last win at Assembly Hall came by a 78-72 margin during the 1998-99 season. The teams have never met at a neutral site. Illinois is the only team Iowa has not played, at least once, in the Big Ten Conference Tournament.

SCOUTING ILLINOIS
? Illinois enters Sunday’s game with a 16-12 overall mark and 5-10 league record.
? Illinois has lost nine of its last 10 games, including six straight, dating back to Jan. 19. The Illini are 0-6 in February.
? The Illini have lost a number of close games during league play. Nine of Illinois’ 15 Big Ten games have been decided by five points or fewer (4-5). Illinois’ lone victory the last 10 games was a one-point win over nationally-ranked Michigan State (42-41) on Jan. 31.
? Illinois lost its last game, 83-67 at nationally-ranked Ohio State. The Buckeyes shot 65 percent (32-of-49) from the field, while the Illini shot 40 percent (25-of-63). Meyers Leonard led Illinois with 21 points. D.J. Richardson had 12 points and six rebounds.
? Illinois has three players averaging double figures in scoring: Brandon Paul (14.7), Meyers Leonard (13.1) and D.J. Richardson (12.1).
? Four of Illinois’ last five games have been on the road. The Illini are 12-3 at Assembly Hall this season, including a 4-3 mark at home during conference play.
? Illinois has played two overtime contests this season, both against Minnesota. The home team won each contest.
? Illinois has two main 3-point threats; D.J. Richardson has made a team-best 63 triples, while Brandon Paul has drained 48.
? Sophomore center Meyers Leonard ranks first in the Big Ten in blocked shots (55) and third in rebounding (7.9).

IOWA, ILLINOIS TIP-INS
? Iowa played at Illinois exactly the same date a year ago, Feb. 26, 2011. Illinois won the contest 81-68.
? Matt Gatens (1,536) ranks fourth among active Big Ten players in career scoring, while Illinois’ Sam Maniscalco ranks sixth (1,364).
? Iowa’s second (Roy Devyn Marble, 11.1), third (Aaron White, 10.4), fourth (Melsahn Basabe, 8.2) and fifth (Zach McCabe, 7.6) leading scorers are all underclassmen.
? The Hawkeyes rank first in the Big Ten in steals (7.9); third in scoring offense (73.3); and fourth in free throw percentage (71.8 percent).
? Iowa ranks 42nd in the country in assist/turnover ratio (1.2); 53rd in assists (14.5); and 55th in steals (7.9). Individually, Matt Gatens is 38th in free throw percentage (.860), while Roy Devyn Marble is 31st in assist/turnover ratio (2.3).
? The Illini rank 78th in the country in blocked shots (4.2). Individually, Meyers Leonard ranks 14th in the nation in field goal percentage (.585).
? Illinois’ roster is comprised of 14 student-athletes. The roster consists of two seniors, three juniors, three sophomores (two redshirt) and six freshmen. Ten players hail from Illinois, and one each from Alabama, Missouri, Quebec and Mali.
? Iowa and Illinois are two of the five Big Ten teams that have won more than one Big Ten Conference Tournament. Iowa claimed the title in 2001 and 2006, and lost in the title game in 2002. Illinois earned the title in 2003 and 2005. The fighting Illini were also in the title game in 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2008.

NUMBER OF THE WEEK — 13
Iowa has 13 home wins this season (13-5), the most since collecting 13 home victories in 2009. Five of the Hawkeyes’ 13 victories have come in league play.

IOWA POSTING BIG WINS
Iowa has posted six wins against teams ranked in the top 80 of the RPI, including four inside the top 25. The Hawkeyes have registered victories over Michigan (10), Indiana, (19), and two wins over Wisconsin (22) and Minnesota (77). The Hawkeyes have four wins over top 25 teams; only Michigan State (six), Ohio State (five) and Michigan (five) have more.

HAWKEYES SURGING IN FEBRUARY
Iowa has won four of its last six games, including winning the last two against ranked opponents (No. 18 Indiana and No. 15 Wisconsin). Iowa has held five of its six February opponents to fewer than 70 points and three of those below 40 percent from the field. The previous six teams the Hawkeyes faced averaged 81.2 points and 50.4 percent shooting. In the six February contests, Matt Gatens is averaging 22.5 points, bolstered by 26-of-44 (.591) shooting from long distance. Aaron White is averaging 13.2 points and nine rebounds, while Roy Devyn Marble is averaging 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

NOTING Matt Gatens
? Became the first Big Ten player to score 30+ versus two teams (Indiana and Wisconsin) ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 since 1996-97.
? Became the fourth Big Ten player in the last 10 seasons to score 30+ points in back-to-back games versus conference opponents.
? Became the first Hawkeye since Adam Haluska in 2007 to score 30 points in consecutive games. Haluska netted 33 versus Indiana and 34 at Minnesota.
? The 33 points against Wisconsin are the second-most by a Big Ten player in conference play this season (Illinois’ Brandon Paul had 43 versus Ohio State).
? The 30-point outburst against Wisconsin enabled the senior to surpass Greg Brunner, Don Nelson and Andre Woolridge and moved into ninth place on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart with 1,536 points.
? Made a school-record 12 consecutive triples spanning the Indiana (Feb. 19) and Wisconsin (Feb. 23) contests.
? The 33 points scored against the Badgers are the second-most scored by a Wisconsin opponent in the last four years. Gatens and Kansas State’s Jacob Pullen (38 points against the Badgers in the 2011 NCAA Tournament) were the two highest scoring outputs since Davidson’s Stephen Curry tallied 33 points in the 2008 NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 on March 28, 2008.
? Drained a combined 14 triples the last two games, which is the most ever by a Hawkeye in a two-game span.
? After 63 points in two games (22-of-36, .611 FGs and 14-of-20, .700 3-pt FGs), he has vaulted to fifth in conference scoring (264 points). He is four points behind Illinois’ Brandon Paul (268 points).
? Is averaging 15.5 points, the highest scoring average by a Hawkeye since Adam Haluska averaged 20.5 points in 2007.
? Has made a personal single-season best 59 triples, besting 58 he sank his sophomore campaign. He is shooting at a 42 percent clip from long distance this season, which is also a single-season best. He shot 40 percent from 3-pint range as a freshman.

GATENS ABOUT TO MAKE HISTORY
Senior Matt Gatens will become the first Hawkeye to lead the team in free throw percentage four consecutive seasons. Also, he is on pace to become only the seventh Hawkeye since 1939, and the first to do so since Acie Earl (1991-93), to lead the team in scoring three straight seasons. Other former Hawkeyes leading the squad in scoring three consecutive years include: Dick Ives (1944-46); Bill Logan (1954-56); Dave Gunther (1957-59); Don Nelson (1960-62); Greg Stokes (1983-85); Acie Earl (1991-93).

CLEANING THE GLASS
Aaron White has seen his rebounding numbers increase in Big Ten play. The freshman averaged 4.8 boards in non-conference action and has crashed the boards even more in conference play, averaging a team-best 6.4. White has led the Hawkeyes in rebounding the last five games, the longest streak by a Hawkeye this season and the longest streak since Aaron Fuller led the team in six consecutive contests in 2010.

GATENS DELIVERS SECOND HALF OUTBURSTS
The last three games in the second half (at Penn State, vs. No. 18/20 Indiana and vs. No. 15/16 Wisconsin), Matt Gatens has averaged 18.7 points, shooting 14-of-19 (.737) from 3-point range and 19-of-28 (.679) from the field. Gatens has significantly increased his second-half scoring production the last three games. He scored 19 of his game-high 21 points after the half at Penn State (Feb. 16). The Iowa City native tallied 22 of his game-high 30 points in the final 20 minutes vs. No. 18/20 Indiana. On Thursday, he netted 15 of his career-high 33 in the second stanza versus No. 15/16 Wisconsin.

GATENS CLIMBING CHARTS
Matt Gatens’ scoring outbursts the last two games (30 vs. Indiana and 33 vs. Wisconsin) has vaulted him past Jeff Horner, Greg Brunner, Don Nelson and Andre Woolridge and into ninth place on Iowa’s career scoring chart. The senior is only 25 points from tying Dean Oliver (1998-01) for eighth. Gatens enters Sunday’s contest at Illinois with 1,536 career points. Additionally, he is only three triples from catching Chris Kingsbury (226 3-pointers) for second place on the Hawkeyes’ all-time 3-pointers made chart. Gatens enters Sunday’s game with 223 treys. Gatens is only eight steals from cracking the top 10 in career thefts at Iowa. The native of Iowa City will finish his career in the top 15 in scoring and steals and top five in free throw percentage and 3-pointers made.

Matt Gatens AMONG SELECT GROUP
Matt Gatens is one of four active Division I players with 1,500+ points, 425+ rebounds and 220+ made 3-pointers in a career.

BASABE COMING ON STRONG
Melsahn Basabe played a big role in Iowa’s two home wins over No. 18 Indiana and No. 15 Wisconsin. The sophomore averaged 24.5 minutes, nine points, six rebounds and four blocks in the victories. The last three contests, he is averaging 8.3 points, five rebounds and 23 minutes.

REBOUNDING KEY IN OUTCOMES
In Iowa’s seven Big Ten wins, it has posted a +3.6 rebounding margin advantage. However, in its eight conference losses, Iowa has been outrebounded by 4.7 boards. Overall, Iowa is 11-2 in games this season when having the edge on the glass. The two losses when the Hawkeyes had a positive rebounding margin came on the road at Iowa State and Northwestern.

ESPN.COM RANKS NATION’S TOP FRESHMEN
ESPN.com released a midseason report on the nation’s top freshmen. Included in the list is Iowa’s Aaron White. White is ranked No. 15. Indiana’s Cody Zeller is second and Trey Burke of Michigan is seventh. White ranks third in Iowa scoring (10.4) and first in rebounding (5.6).

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa has played seven games against ranked competition this season (4-3), winning the last two. The four wins are the most Iowa has collected in a season since winning nine during the 2005-06 campaign. The Hawkeyes beat No. 11 Wisconsin (72-65) on Dec. 31 in Madison and No. 15 Wisconsin (67-66) on Feb. 23 in Iowa City, 13th-ranked Michigan (75-59) on Jan. 14 in Iowa City and 18th-ranked Indiana (78-66) on Feb. 19 in Iowa City. Iowa fell to No. 6 Ohio State (76-47) on Jan. 7 in Iowa City, No. 6 Michigan State (95-61) on Jan. 10 in East Lansing and No. 16 Indiana (103-89) on Jan. 29 in Bloomington.

WHITE-HOT
Aaron White was Iowa’s most productive player off the bench the first 21 games, but has started the last seven. The freshman has averaged 12.2 points and 6.3 rebounds the last 17 games. White earned his first career start at No. 16 Indiana on Jan. 31. He stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals in Iowa’s triumph over Penn State (Feb. 4). His efforts earned him Big Ten co-Freshman of the Week accolades, which is the third time (Nov. 14, Dec. 26 and Feb. 6) he has earned the weekly distinction. White’s numbers the last four games have been impressive, averaging 13.3 points and 9.5 rebounds. He posted consecutive doubles at Northwestern (Feb. 9) and Penn State (Feb. 16) and was two points shy of notching his third straight versus No. 18 Indiana (Feb. 19). The rookie scored 17 points (7-of-10 FG, 2-of-3 3-pt FG) and corralled a personal-best 12 boards against the Wildcats. White totaled 16 points and a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with career-best three rejections at Penn State. White has scored in double digits 13 times, including 12 of the last 18 games. White has led the team in rebounding six of the last eight contests, including the last five. The 6-foot-8 wing player has scored 15 points or more eight times, which is the third most by a Big Ten rookie this season. White was named Big Ten co-Freshman of the Week after his performance in Iowa’s victory over Chicago State (Nov. 11). The native of Strongsville, Ohio, shined in his Hawkeye debut, leading all scorers and rebounders with a personal-best 19 points and 10 boards. The 19 points are the most by an Iowa freshman in an 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.

MARBLE ADVANCES TO FINALS OF GEICO PLAY OF THE YEAR
Hawkeye fans have voted Roy Devyn Marble to the finals of the GEICO Play of the Year after his emphatic one-handed slam vs. Minnesota on Feb 1. Marble joins Syracuse’s CJ Fair, Louisville’s Peyton Siva, Lindsey Wilson’s Chase Spreen, Indiana’s Christian Watford, Purdue’s Robbie Hummel, and Oral Roberts Damen Bell-Holter as this year’s first five finalists. Three more finalists will be selected before the winner is announced on GEICO presents Best of College Basketball 2012 on CBS March 25 at 1:00 p.m. (ET).

STAT SHEET STUFFER
Roy Devyn Marble’s level of play has been stellar the last 23 games. The sophomore has averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists during that span. Also, he is shooting 43 percent from the field and 71 percent from the foul line during the 23-game stretch. He has amassed a solid assist-to-turnover ratio this season. He has 103 assists to only 44 turnovers, ranking fourth in the Big Ten (2.3) and 31st nationally. Marble has been credited with four assists or more 15 times this season, including collecting six or more the last three games (six at Penn State, seven vs. Indiana and a career-best eight against Wisconsin). Last season, Marble averaged 5.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and was credited with 41 assists and 21 steals in 31 contests. He started the last six games of 2010-11. Also, he shot 53 percent from the free throw line (35-of-66). This year, Marble has seen improved numbers, averaging 11.1 points, four rebounds, and has collected 103 assists and 44 steals. He has started the last 20 contests. From the foul line this season, the sophomore has seen significant improvement, shooting 71.8 percent (89-of-124).

FRESHMEN CONTRIBUTIONS
Freshmen Aaron White and Josh Oglesby have combined for 11 games of scoring 15 or more points this season. White has scored in double figures in 12 of the last 18 contests, including netting 15 points or more in eight of those outings.

HAWKEYE BIG TEN FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGES
In Iowa’s seven Big Ten victories, opponents were just 47-of-162 (.290) from long distance and 164-of-402 (.408) overall from the field. Iowa made 171-of-380 (.450) from the field and 39-of-93 (.409) from the 3-point range in those wins. Conversely, Hawkeye opponents shot 51.1 percent (238-of-466) from the field and 56-of-145 (.386) from 3-point territory, compared to 45 percent (192-of-423) from the field and 37 percent (42-of-115) from long distance for Iowa, in the Hawkeyes’ eight conference defeats.

OGLESBY HAS CAREER GAME
Freshman Josh Oglesby had two of his best games of the season, both against Indiana. Oglesby came off the bench to score a career-best 24 points at Indiana on Jan. 29. The native of Cedar Rapids missed only four of his 12 field-goal attempts. His previous high was 16 points against Northern Illinois on Nov. 17. The six triples tie for the 15th-most in a single game for the Hawkeyes. Additionally, the 24 points are the most by a Hawkeye freshman in a game since Melsahn Basabe posted 25 at Michigan, almost a year to the day, on Jan. 30, 2011. In the return game against the Hoosiers (Feb. 19), Oglesby netted 11 points, five of which were scored at the free throw line. Oglesby started his first career game at Penn State (Feb. 16). The rookie played a season-high 27 minutes and had three points, three assists and three rebounds against the Nittany Lions. The native of Cedar Rapids has started the last three games. He is averaging 6.1 points in 28 games this season. Oglesby has made 33 triples, which are the fourth most by a Hawkeye freshman in a single season at Iowa. Matt Gatens holds the record with 52 (2009). Oglesby is shooting 37.7 percent beyond the arc, which currently ranks as the seventh best percentage in a season by an Iowa rookie. Fifty-eight percent of Oglesby’s scoring production has come from 3-point territory (99-of-170 points), which ranks third amongst Big Ten players. Oglesby has led the team in scoring four times (Northern Illinois, Creighton, Clemson and Indiana).

SINKING THE FREEBEES
Last year, Iowa’s free throw percentage was 67.6 percent. This season, the Hawkeyes have improved in that area, shooting 71.8 percent, which ranks fourth best in the Big Ten. Twenty-two percent of Iowa’s offense this year has come from the foul line. The Hawkeyes have missed only 36 free throws (117-of-153, .765) in the final five minutes of games. Iowa has attempted 20 free throws or more 18 times this season, nine of which have come during league play, including seven of the last 10 games.

IMPROVEMENT UNDER McCAFFERY IN SECOND YEAR
Fran McCaffery-coached teams have posted improved win totals and scoring output from their first year to second with McCaffery as a head coach. At Lehigh, his team improved by two wins (13 in 1986 to 15 in 1987). His UNC Greensboro team had four more victories from 2000 (15) and 2001 (19). At Siena his team improved by five victories, registering 15 in 2006 to 20 in 2007. His Lehigh team averaged 2.8 more points its second year compared to year one. His UNC Greensboro team had a +1.9 scoring increase and +1.8 at Siena. Currently, Iowa is averaging 6.1 more points this year compared to last season.

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. Additionally, Iowa’s new video coordinator, Al Seibert, has 18 years of collegiate coaching experience.

HAWKEYE FAST BREAKS
? Iowa has made 455 free throws this season, the most it has sank in a single-season since 2005-06. Iowa made 501 free throws in 2005-06.
? The Hawkeyes were ranked ninth (.352) in the Big Ten in 3-point field goal percentage (overall games) in mid-January. Iowa has since vaulted to third (.367).
? Nine of Iowa’s 13 losses have come to teams ranked in the RPI top 70.
? The Big Ten is the No. 1 ranked conference in the RPI and Sagarin ratings.
? For the second straight year, Iowa has won its first two games in the month of February. Last year, the Hawkeyes beat Michigan State (Feb. 2) and Indiana (Feb. 5); this season Iowa topped Minnesota (Feb. 1) and Penn State (Feb. 4).
? Matt Gatens’ 33 points against No. 15 Wisconsin (Feb. 23) is the second highest scoring output in a Big Ten game this season.
? Iowa averages 80 points in its wins, compared to 65.6 points in its defeats, a differential of 14.4 points. The Hawkeyes own a +17.3 point differential in their scoring defense, and +9.6 rebounding and +6.2 assists margins in wins compared to losses.
? Iowa’s attendance numbers are up again this season, after a 20 percent bump a year ago. Last season, Iowa averaged 11,096 fans. Through 18 home games this season, the Hawkeyes are averaging 11,643.
? Iowa has the same number of assists (197) as turnovers (197) in its 15 Big Ten games.
? Freshman Josh Oglesby became the first Hawkeye reserve to lead the team in scoring, in back-to-back games (Northern Illinois and Creighton), since Ricky Davis paced Iowa with 25 and 18 on the road at Wisconsin (Feb. 3) and Michigan State (Feb. 7), respectively, in 1998. Like Oglesby, Davis accomplished the feat as a freshman.
? After winning at No. 11 Wisconsin on Dec. 31 (72-65) and on the road at Minnesota (64-62) on Jan. 4, Iowa won two-straight Big Ten road games for the first time since 2007. The Hawkeyes won at Michigan on Jan. 31, 2007 (69-62) and at Minnesota on Feb. 7 (91-78). Iowa beat Indiana at home on Feb. 3 (81-75) in between those two road victories. The last time Iowa won consecutive road games in back-to-back games was 1998, beating Ohio State (61-46) on Jan. 14 and Minnesota (82-69) on Jan. 18.
? At least 10 players have seen action in 20 of Iowa’s 28 contests. Iowa’s bench averages 24.8 points.
? Iowa has had five players score in double figures three times (North Carolina A&T, Drake and Central Arkansas). The Hawkeyes had five players score 12 points or more in its win over North Carolina A&T (Nov. 14). It marked only the fourth time the Hawkeyes 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).

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 2,653 games since beginning basketball in 1902. Iowa’s overall record is 1,592-1,061 (.600). That includes a 955-352 (.731) record in home games, a 547-719 (.432) record in contests away from Iowa City, a 710-726 (.494) mark in Big Ten games and a 361-116 (.757) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

SPERAW TAKING PART IN “SHOTS FROM THE HEART”
Iowa men’s basketball assistant coach Kirk Speraw is one of 256 collegiate basketball coaches taking part in the second annual “Shots from the Heart”, which is an event created by Angela Lento and Joe Dwyer of collegeinsider.com to increase awareness for the growing problem of Heart Disease and raise money to benefit the Skip Prosser Foundation. Speraw has advanced to the Round of Eight. To view the brackets and/or learn how you can contribute to the Skip Prosser Foundation” visit: collegeinsider.com.

HAWKEYEBASKETBALL.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.

“HAWK TALK WITH Fran McCaffery”
University of Iowa basketball fans may join Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery and radio announcer Gary Dolphin Monday nights for the “Hawk Talk with Fran McCaffery” radio call-in show. The show takes place at Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Cafe in Iowa City from 7-8:30 p.m. Fans can call in and ask the coach a question by calling 1-877-464-2957.

ON THE HORIZON
Iowa remains on the road when it travels to Lincoln, Neb., to face Nebraska on Wednesday. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPNU. Wednesday will be Nebraska’s “Senior Night”.