Nov. 10, 2003
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THE SETTING
The Iowa women’s basketball team hosts the reigning Division II champion South Dakota State Jackrabbits Thursday in its final exhibition game. The game is slated to tip-off at 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500).
Single game tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youths.
ON THE AIR
Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Mark Allan handles the play-by-play with color commentator Karen Schulte.
PRESEASON EXPERIMENTAL COURT
Iowa’s two preseason exhibition games (Athletes in Action and South Dakota State) will be played on an experimental court. The NCAA Rules Committee is experimenting with the extended three-point line and the trapezoid lane. According to the NCAA, the goal of this experimental combination is to determine if it is desirable for future seasons.
Jennie Lillis NAMED PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN
For the second consecutive year, senior Jennie Lillis was named to the Preseason All-Big Ten team at the annual Big Ten Conference Media Day held Oct. 26 in Rosemont, IL. The three-time captain was the only player to be ranked in the top ten in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks in the Big Ten last year.
SEASON TICKETS
Hawkeye fans can purchase a 15-game season ticket package for $70 for the 2003-04 season. Senior citizens and faculty/staff can purchase season tickets for $56, while the price for students is $35. There is also a “Family Pack” for $145 that includes admission for two adults and two youths. Tickets can be purchased online by logging on to www.hawkeyesports.com or by calling 1-800-IA-HAWKS. Fans may also order tickets in person at the UI Ticket Office.
GROUP TICKETS
Groups of 20-39 can purchase tickets for $5, while groups of 40 or more can buy tickets for $3. Tickets must be purchased in advance. There are no group sales on gameday.
LAST TIME OUT
Iowa defeated Athletes in Action 90-89 in a high-scoring exhibition game last Thursday in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Trailing 89-88 with 2.9 seconds left, sophomore Johanna Solverson threw Iowa’s inbound pass the length of the floor to senior Jennie Lillis, who pivoted and drove to the basket and sank the game winning layup at the buzzer.
The Hawkeyes had four players score in double figures. Senior Kristi Faulkner tallied a team-high 20 points (8-16 FG, 2-2 FT), Lillis contributed 18 points (8-12 FG, 2-3 FT) and five rebounds, Solverson added 11 points (5-11 FG, 1-1 FT) and eight rebounds, while junior Jamie Cavey posted 15 points (6-8 FG, 3-4 FT) and three rebounds.
The Hawkeyes shot a blistering 57 percent (36-63) from the field and out-rebounded AIA 41-29.
SCOUTING SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
South Dakota State (SDSU) lost its first exhibition game, 82-66, at Colorado last Friday. The Buffaloes out-rebounded the Jackrabbits (43-36). Colorado blocked seven shots and forced 23 SDSU turnovers.
Freshman forward Megan Vogel scored a team-high 21 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists. Senior guard Brenda Davis, who was an all-conference selection last year, tallied 14 points and three steals, while sophomore center Christina Gilbert scored three points and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds off the bench.
SDSU shot 37 percent (22-60) from the field, including 40 percent (8-20) from beyond the arc.
The Jackrabbits return nine letterwinners, including four starters for last year’s squad that captured their first-ever national championship. SDSU finished the 2002-03 season with a 32-3 record and also earned a share of their first-ever North Central Conference title.
Lisa Bluder
Lisa Bluder (pronounced BLUE-dir) enters her fourth season as the head coach at the University of Iowa and her 20th season as a college head coach. Bluder, 41, has a career record of 413-178 (.699), including a 57-36 (.613) record at Iowa, a 187-106 (.638) record in 10 seasons (1990-2000) at Drake and a six-year mark (1984-90) of 169-36 (.824) at St. Ambrose. In her first season with the Hawkeyes, Bluder transformed a struggling program into a 21-game winner. Iowa finished second in the Big Ten, won the conference tournament and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Bluder became Iowa’s third coach to be named Big Ten Coach of the Year. She was also honored as the College Coach of the Year by the Women’s Basketball News Service and was named the WBCA District 6 Coach of the Year. Iowa’s 2001-02 squad finished fourth in the Big Ten and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year.
Last year, Bluder guided the Hawkeyes to its first-ever WNIT appearance. Iowa, which had nine underclassmen on its roster, advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to Creighton.
In her 10 years at Drake, Bluder brought great success and tradition to the Bulldog program and established herself as one of the top coaches in the country. She led Drake to five 20-plus win seasons in the last six years, including five post-season appearances. She guided the Bulldogs to eight Missouri Valley Conference Tournament appearances, reaching the semifinals six times and winning the tournament four times. Bluder was also named the Conference Coach of the Year three times as Drake.
Bluder began her coaching career at St. Ambrose, where she coached six successful seasons building the Bees into a NAIA powerhouse. During her tenure at St. Ambrose, Bluder guided the Bees to four straight national tournaments, including two consecutive Final Four appearances. The 1990 St. Ambrose team was ranked No. 1 and Bluder was named the NAIA Converse Coach of the Year.
A graduate of Linn-Mar High School in Marion, IA, Bluder was a three-year starter at Northern Iowa. She graduated from UNI in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
Bluder and her husband David have two daughters, Hannah (6) and Emma (3) and one son, David (1).
LILLIS NAMED TO WADE TROPHY WATCH LIST
Senior forward Jennie Lillis is one of 35 players named to the 2004 State Farm Wade Trophy Watch List. This prestigious award is presented to the nation’s top player.
Lillis, who is a three-time captain, was an all-Big Ten first team selection last year by the media and a second team choice by the media her sophomore season. Lillis was also named to the preseason all-Big Ten squad for the second straight year.
Garnered as “The Mother of Modern Women’s Collegiate Basketball,” Lily Margaret Wade pioneered an unprecedented dynasty in women’s basketball, which led to the growth and popularity of the sport during the 1970s.
Highlighting the 2004 list is last year’s recipient, Connecticut senior Diana Taurasi. Lillis is one of five Big Ten players named to the list. Other league players include Penn State senior Kelly Mazzante, Purdue senior Shereka Wright, Minnesota senior Lindsay Whalen and junior Janel McCarville.
HAWKEYES ADVANCE TO WNIT
Iowa (18-15, 6-10) received its first-ever invitation to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. The Hawkeyes advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to the Missouri Valley Conference co-champion Creighton Bluejays. A youthful Hawkeye squad that included nine underclassmen defeated Saint Louis in the first round, 93-64, then Marquette in the second round, 76-73.
MILESTONES APPROACHING
Iowa is only two wins away from notching its 500th career win as a program. If the Hawkeyes win the KCRG-TV 9 Hawkeye Challenge, they will accomplish the feat during their annual tournament. In addition, this year is the Hawkeyes’ 30th year as a varsity sport.
Coach Bluder is nine games away from coaching in her 600th career game as a head coach. She holds a 413-178 (.699) mark in 591 contests.
IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa’s pre-season non-conference strength of schedule ranking is 63rd, according to the WBCA. The Hawkeyes’ overall strength of schedule, including conference games, is 29th. All 11 Big Ten teams rank in the top 60 in overall strength of schedule. Penn State ranks first among Big Ten teams (No. 5), followed by Illinois (No. 8) and Purdue (No. 11).
Five of Iowa’s opponents are ranked in the preseason ESPN/USA Today poll that was released Tuesday. Kansas State (No. 5), Penn State (No. 8), Purdue (No. 9), Minnesota (No. 13) and Ohio State (No. 15).
POSTSEASON HONORS
Jennie Lillis was a first team all-Big Ten selection by the media and a second team choice by the coaches last season. She was also a WBCA Region 6 All-America Honorable Mention. Kristi Faulkner was named to the all-Big Ten third team by both the media and coaches, while Johanna Solverson was named to the all-Big Ten Freshman Team.
500 CLUB
Jennie Lillis and Kristi Faulkner became the first and only Iowa duo to collect 500 points or more in the same season. Faulkner (539) and Lillis (537) joined Cindy Haugejorde, Michelle Edwards, Lindsey Meder, Franthea Price, Tangela Smith and Amy Herrig as the only Hawkeyes to record 500 points or more in a single season.
b>HAWKEYES CAPTURED “STATE TITLE”
Iowa’s three victories over Northern Iowa (98-68), Iowa State (64-39) and Drake (72-52) gave it the mythical state championship. The Hawkeyes boasted a 25.0 average margin of victory against the three in-state opponents. Iowa’s victories snapped a four-game losing streak to Drake and a five-game losing skid to Iowa State.
TWICE IS NICE
Jamie Cavey was perfect from the floor in two games. Cavey was a perfect 7-7 from the field in scoring a then-career-high 14 points at Creighton (Dec. 12). The native of Mechanicsville, IA, bested that performance with her 21 points on 9-9 shooting from the field and 3-4 from the free throw line against Marquette in the second round of the WNIT (Mar. 23). Cavey set a school and Carver-Hawkeye Arena record for field goal percentage in a single game with her 9-9 shooting performance. In the process, she posted career highs in points (21), field goal percentage (1.000, 9-9) and field goals made (9) and tied a career high in field goal attempts (9).
IOWA’S DYNAMIC DUO
Iowa was the only Big Ten school to have two student-athletes ranked in the top five in scoring in both all games and conference-only contests. Kristi Faulkner ranked fourth and Jennie Lillis fifth in both all games and conference-only contests.
LILLIS MOVES UP CAREER CHARTS
Jennie Lillis begins her senior year ranked ninth in career scoring (1,299), tenth in rebounding (647), 13th in steals (134) and third in blocks (88). She is only 21 points from topping Amy Herrig (1995-99) for eighth on Iowa’s career scoring chart and seven rebounds from moving past Shanda Berry (1986-89) for ninth in career rebounds
ONE AND THE BONUS
Jennie Lillis has attempted at least one free throw in 87-of-93 games she has played during her three-year career. She is on pace to break both the school’s career free throws made and attempted records. Lillis has made 315 free throws and has attempted 428. The two-time all-Big Ten performer is 17 free throws attempted and 75 free throws made from breaking both records.
RICHARDS INJURIES HER KNEE
Point guard Lindsay Richards sustained a season-ending knee injury in Iowa’s home win over Denver on Dec 12. The native of Barrington, IL, underwent successful surgery on Dec. 19 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. Prior to her injury, Richards played eight games, averaging 17.6 minutes per contest, 4.5 ppg, 3.6 apg and 1.6 rpg.
Richards is expected to be Iowa’s starting point guard this season.
HAWKEYES POST DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Jennie Lillis posted a team-best nine double-doubles, which ranked as the second-most by a Big Ten athlete. She posted back-to-back double-doubles on four occasions. Kristi Faulkner registered her first career double-double in Iowa’s victory over Missouri, while April Calhoun recorded a double-double against Denver.
RAINING THREES
Iowa has sank at least one three-pointer in 148 consecutive games. It is a streak that has occurred over a span of six seasons. The last time the Hawkeyes did not drain a three-pointer was against Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament on March 1, 1998.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 817 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 498-319 (.610). That includes a 266-138 (.658) mark in Big Ten games and a 220-48 (.821) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
ATTRACTIVE HOME GAMES
Iowa opens its 13-game regular season home schedule with the annual KCRG-TV 9 Hawkeye Challenge, Nov. 21-22. Besides eight exciting Big Ten Conference home games, Iowa hosts Big 12 power Kansas State (Dec. 12), in-state rival Drake (Dec. 21) and last year’s Missouri Valley Conference co-champions Creighton Bluejays (Dec. 28).
The Hawkeyes play every Big Ten school twice except Northwestern, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State. Iowa will play the Buckeyes and Wolverines at home, while it will visit the Wildcats and Spartans.
NEW HAWKEYE
Guard Deb Remmerde is Iowa’s lone freshman this year. Remmerde is a 5-9 shooting guard. The native of Rock Valey, IA, is the Iowa High School all-time scoring leader. She was Iowa’s Miss Basketball her senior year and Class 1A State Tournament MVP and team captain. She is also the state record holder for career free throw percentage and three-point shooting.
Jennie Lillis CONTINUES TO RISE
Senior Jennie Lillis has been Iowa’s leader on and off the court the last couple years. The native of Urbandale, IA, averaged 14.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 2.6 apg her sophomore season and 16.3 ppg and 7.2 rpg last season. She has started all but one game in her career and currently has 1,299 career points, which is ninth-best on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart. She also has collected 647 rebounds, which is 10th-best all-time. Lillis is on pace to finish her career in the top-five in career rebounding and top-10 in career scoring. Lillis, who was a WBCA Region 6 All-American Honorable Mention last year, was the only Big Ten athlete ranked in the top 10 in the conference in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals. She scored 20 points or more 10 times and posted double figures in 29 of Iowa’s 33 games.
FAULKNER HAS CAREER YEAR
After directing the Hawkeyes’ offense her sophomore season, Faulkner was shifted to the shooting guard position and put up career numbers. A third team all-Big Ten selection last year, Faulkner ranked first on the team in scoring (16.3 ppg), three-pointers made (52) and attempted (156) and free throw percentage (145-165, .879) and second in assists (90) and third in rebounding (4.0 rpg). The 145 free throws made set a school record.
Faulkner scored in double figures 29 times, including scoring 20 points or more in 11 games. She posted career highs in points twice (29) and rebounds twice (8).
THE NAME GAME
Iowa has two players with the first name Lindsay (Geoffroy and Richards). The Hawkeyes also have two Jennie’s on its team. Senior forward Jennie Lillis and athletic trainer Jennie Hartgrave.
SEVERE BLOCKAGE
One big surprise for Hawkeye fans last year was the amount of blocked shots Iowa collected. Iowa accumulated 131 blocked shots (4.51 bpg) with a team lacking in size. Jerica Watson and Jennie Lillis led the Hawkeyes in blocks with 59 and 22, respecively. The average Hawkeye player this season is 6-0. That is one inch shorter than last year’s average.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Jenna Armstrong, Jamie Cavey, April Calhoun, Kristi Faulkner, Jennie Lillis and Becca McCann were all named to the Academic All-Big Ten team last year. Iowa’s six Academic all-Big Ten selections is a new school record.
HAWKEYES ON THE AIR
Listen to all the Iowa women’s basketball games on KXIC-AM 800 in Iowa City, WHO-AM 1040 in Des Moines and WMT-AM 600 in Cedar Rapids. Mark Allen returns for his third season as the play-by-play voice, while Karen Schulte enters her fourth season handling the color commentary.
NUTHIN’ BUT NET
Catch all the University of Iowa women’s basketball games over the Internet at www.hawkeyesports.com. Fans can listen to live or replay previously played games. Just click on the “Multimedia” link near the top of the page.
“HAWK TALK WITH Lisa Bluder”
Catch “Hawk Talk with Lisa Bluder”, the radio call-in program Monday nights featuring Iowa Hawkeye women’s head coach Lisa Bluder, on KXIC-AM 800 in Iowa, WHO-AM 1040 in Des Moines and WMT-AM 600 in Cedar Rapids from 6-7 p.m. The first show is set to air November 24, and is broadcast live from the Chili’s Restaurant in Coralville. Fans can call toll-free at (800) 332-5401 or locally at (319) 365-0600.
“THE Lisa Bluder TV SHOW”
“The Lisa Bluder Show” returns for its second season. Fans can watch the show once a month on KCRG-TV 9. The show includes interviews with Coach Bluder and players and feature stories. Below is a list of the dates and times.
Saturday, November 22 – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 20 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, January 24 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, February 21 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 20 – 5 p.m.
NEXT ACTION
The Hawkeyes open their regular season schedule when they host the annual KCRG-TV 9 Hawkeye Challenge, Nov. 21-22.