IOWA CITY, Iowa – The door was left open a crack during the late 1990s. Iowa State was looking to slip through it.

The Hawkeyes’ future was unknown at the time. Dr. Tom Davis’ contract had not renewed and a new coach had not been hired.

Cyclone coach Larry Eustachy used the opportunity to court Mason City point guard Jeff Horner, despite him growing up an avid Iowa fan. The basketball phenom really liked what he saw and heard on an unofficial visit to Ames.

What would have become a nightmare for Iowa having already lost in-state stars Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison to Kansas turned fond memories. Steve Alford replaced Davis and corralled Horner shortly after his arrival in Iowa City.

Horner went on to lead the Hawkeyes to two NCAA Tournaments and a Big Ten Tournament title. He’s their all-time assists leader (612) and is second in three-pointers made (262).

We caught up with Horner recently for the Hawkeye History podcast, on which he told stories about being recruited by ISU, playing for Alford, living through the Pierre Pierce arrests, studying Pornography at Iowa (what?) and much more.

Please give it a listen. You won’t be disappointed.

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