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Medium-sized Hawkeyes are big rebounders

IOWA CITY -- The Iowa Hawkeyes don't boast the biggest lineup in the nation.

Their starting frontcourt consists of 6-foot-8 Russ Millard, 6-foot-7 Jess Settles and 6-foot-5 Kenyon Murray.

But, man, can they rebound.

Before yesterday's 70-61 win over Michigan, Iowa was outrebounding opponents by 12.3 rebounds per game, tops in the country. Iowa has more than doubled its opponent's rebounds in six games, including wins over Ohio, Drake, East Tennessee State, Northern Iowa, Texas Southern and Morehead State.

Strong rebounding has been a trademark of Iowa coach Tom Davis' teams during his 10 years at the school.

The Hawkeyes led the nation in rebounding margin in 1987, 1989 and 1993. So how did the Hawkeyes fare yesterday against the Wolverines?

They went out and got outrebounded, 45-33.

Yesterday marked the fourth time Iowa lost the battle of the boards this season. The Hawkeyes lost the other three times.

KINGS-BOMB: Iowa's Chris Kingsbury is not afraid to let it fly from beyond the arc. He holds the school record for 3-point field goals in a game (9), season (117) and career (207). He also holds the top 11 slots in the Hawkeye record book for 3-point field goal attempts in a game.

Kingsbury also draw some oohs and ahhs from the crowd when he fires from the 30-foot range.

"Chris has the ability to maintain his form all the way out to halfcourt," Davis said, at the preseason media conference.

Kingsbury certainly didn't change his game plan against Michigan.

He attempted 10 treys and was successful only once. For the game, Kingsbury was 1 for 13 from the field for three points.

"Chris had a lot of good looks," Davis said. "I don't think he forced one of them. It was just one of those days for him."

BULL'S EYE: The Wolverines have their own long-range bomber in the form of Louis Bullock.

The freshman guard was 3 of 6 from downtown against Iowa and finished with 15 points overall. His three treys yesterday gave him 49 for the year and moved him past Dugan Fife and Rumeal Robinson into fifth place on Michigan's season list.

TURNOVERS!: The Wolverines again had trouble holding onto the ball yesterday. Their 23 turnovers on the day give them 363 for the season, compared to just 273 assists.

"We didn't do a good job with decision-making," Michigan coach Steve Fisher said. "It looked like all we had to do was shoot it, and we would pass and turn it over."

The Hawkeyes' defense contributed to the Wolverines' turnover woes. Iowa started the game in man-to-man but switched to a zone defense after Michigan grabbed a quick 12-5 lead.

"It was clear early that (man-to-man) wouldn't work," Davis said. "Our zone was really strong, no question about it."

BENCH-LESS: The Wolverines also got little help from their bench yesterday. Willie Mitchell (four points) and Robert Traylor (two) were the only Michigan non-starters to score.

At the half, the Wolverine bench was a combined 0 for 8 from the field, 0 for 3 from 3-point land and 0 for 2 from the line.

That's a lot of zeros.