Hawks end season with loss to Michigan in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS (U of I) — Manny Harris had 22 points and nine rebounds to help Michigan defeat Iowa 59-52 on Thursday in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.

DeShawn Sims added 14 points for the Wolverines (15-16), who advanced to play No. 5 Ohio State on Friday in the quarterfinals.

Iowa freshman Cully Payne scored a season-high 25 points and made five 3-pointers for Iowa (10-22). He had scored a combined four points his previous two games. He was 9-of-16 from the field, but the rest of the team shot 13-of-40.

Aaron Fuller added 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Hawkeyes.

Michigan had lost four of its previous five games but won all three games against the Hawkeyes this season.

The Wolverines will next play No. 5 Ohio State today in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.

Iowa closed the season by losing six of seven.

After the loss, speculation from several media outlets around central Iowa swirled that Iowa head Tood Lickliter’s job may be in jeopardy.

The university denied the rumors that Lickliter would be fired or asked to resign, but Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta gave a vague statement on the future of the Hawkeye hoops program in a press release.

“I’m so proud of our young men,” Barta said. “It’s been a tough season, but the future is very bright with this group.

“With the season ending today, I’ll do what I do at the end of every year. I’ll evaluate 2010 and make preparations for next season.”