Chicago- There were plenty of storylines swirling around Iowa's 71-52 Big Ten Tournament victory over Purdue.  With the loss, Gene Keady ends his 25-year reign as head coach of the Purdue Boilermakers and with the win Steve Alford's Hawkeyes continue to fight for a berth to the Big Dance.  However, a subplot that should not be overlooked is the heart and hustle of Iowa junior, Jeff Horner.

The All-Big Ten Honorable Mention guard is one of the most well rounded players in the conference.  He ranked in the top 10 in the Big Ten in six different categories, including finishing second in assists.  A star from an early age, Horner committed to playing basketball at Iowa when he was a freshman in high school and since the moment he set foot on campus, he has proven that the wait, and the attention, was well deserved. 

With two school-freshman records to his name, this season he became the only player in Iowa basketball history to record over 200 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists in three different seasons.  Last year's team MVP, Horner's role as a leader has only increased since the dismissal of Pierre Pierce, who was the team's leading scorer.  Since then, Iowa has gone 5-5 and Horner has averaged 15.1 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, upping his season averages in points and boards. 

In Iowa's victory over Purdue, Horner did everything he could to help the Hawks survive and advance in the tournament.  With 4:36 left in the first half a rebound careened out to mid-court, resulting in a three-man pile-up.  Horner dove in and ripped the ball from the hands of two Purdue players and alertly called a 30-second timeout.  That effort has been his calling card throughout his career. 

"Jeff's hungry and he's someone who's never been about the personal stuff," said Alford.  "I think that's why the fans enjoy watching him play and why he's a very special player. He's all about the team."

Having put the game out of reach, Horner, a three-time Player of the Week honoree this season, exited the game with about 5:00 left in the contest, but he did so with 16 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, just another day at the office for the 6'3" guard. 

Despite earning its 20th win of the season, Iowa is not content to let its NCAA destiny be solely in the hands of the selection committee.  In 2001, the sixth-seeded Hawkeyes ran through the Big Ten Tournament, winning four games and taking the tournament title.  If this year's version is going to duplicate that team's success, they will have to overcome the Michigan State Spartans.  The No. 2 seeded team is ranked in the top 10 and is looking to improve its tournament status.  Horner knows that his team's next task will not going to be an easy one.  "We are going to have to stop their transition and rebound.  Their transition game is very good.  We have to get out and run with them." 

With their victory, Horner and the Hawkeyes move into the second round for the first time since 2002.  They will battle Michigan State on Friday at 5:40 p.m. CST.