Iowa Travels to No. 18 Michigan State

Jan. 30, 2004

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THE SETTING
Iowa (11-7, 5-2) concludes its two-game road swing at No. 18 Michigan State (16-3, 6-2). Tip-off is slated for 1:05 p.m. (CST) in the Breslin Center (14,759).

The Hawkeyes are riding a season-high four-game winning streak and are alone in fourth place in the Big Ten standings. The Spartans are riding a six-game winning streak and are alone in third place.

ON THE AIR
All Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Listen to 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 and Karen Schulte call the action.

Fans can also follow the game’s progress with up-to-the-minute stats and play-by-play by clicking the “gametracker” link on the front page of www.hawkeyesports.com.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 835 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 509-326 (.610). That includes a 271-140 (.659) mark in Big Ten games and a 226-51 (.816) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

LAST TIME OUT
Iowa won its seventh straight game over Northwestern with a 76-61 triumph in Evanston, IL, Thursday night.

The Hawkeyes trailed 22-20 midway through the first half, but closed the half on a 20-8 run to take a 40-30 advantage into halftime. Iowa out-scored Northwestern 20-10 in the paint in the first half thanks to big play from the Hawkeyes’ post players. Jamie Cavey scored 16 first half points, while Jennie Lillis added nine.

Cavey finished the contest with a game-high 24 points (11-15 FG, 2-3 FT) and a team-high eight rebounds. Lillis contributed 12 points (4-11 FG, 3-3 FT), five assists and four steals. Even with Cavey’s big game, the night belonged to Kristi Faulkner. The native of Glen Ellyn, IL, celebrated her 23rd birthday in style, scoring 22 points (8-12 FG, 3-3 FT) and grabbing five rebounds playing in her hometown. The senior tallied 16 of her points in the second half on a perfect 6-6 shooting from the field and 3-3 from the charity stripe.

Iowa collected 21 assists, out-rebounded the Wildcats (36-29) and out-scored Northwestern at the free throw line (13-3). The Wildcats did not attempt a single free throw in the first half. The Hawkeyes collected a season-low 12 team fouls.

Northwestern was led by Ifeoma Okonkwo, who posted her third double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) of the year. Alex Mueller added 11 points in the defeat.

EXCITING ACTION
Six of Iowa’s first 18 games this year have been decided by seven points or less, including one double overtime thriller. Iowa had six games decided by seven points or less all of last year. In addition, the Hawkeyes’ game vs. Creighton was an overtime thriller, but the Bluejays pulled away in the extra session and won by 12.

THREE’S A CHARM
Iowa is the only school to have three student-athletes ranked in the top 15 in Big Ten scoring and assists. Jamie Cavey ranks sixth in scoring, followed by Jennie Lillis (ninth) and Kristi Faulkner (11th).

Lillis ranks 10th in assists, followed by Lindsay Richards (12th) and Johanna Solverson (13th).

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Sunday will be Iowa’s fourth game against a ranked opponent. Iowa is 0-3 against ranked opponents this year (Minnesota, 75-61; Penn State, 92-64; Kansas State, 82-60).

Iowa has recorded at least one home win over a ranked opponent in each of the last three years under Coach Bluder. These are Iowa’s most recent wins vs. nationally ranked opponents:

At Home: 80-75 over 12th-ranked Penn State, 2/16/03
On the Road: 76-64 over 16th-ranked Wisconsin, 2/7/02
Neutral Court: 80-77 over 13th-ranked Minnesota, 3/7/03, at Big Ten Tournament

SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
The 18th-ranked Michigan State Spartans enter Sunday’s showdown with the Hawkeyes winners of their last six, including their last three on the road. The Spartans open a three-game home stand with the Hawkeyes on “Super Bowl Sunday”.

Michigan State won a close contest at Illinois (58-56) Thursday in Champaign, IL. Four Spartans posted double figures, with sophomore Lindsay Bowen leading the charge with 17 points and three steals. Liz Shimek and Kelli Roehrig added 12 points each, while Kristin Haynie contributed 10 points. Michigan State escaped with the victory despite being out-rebounded by 14 (39-25). The Spartans converted 7-18 (.389) from beyond the arc, while the Illini made 4-12 (.333).

Bowen ranks first on the team in scoring (13.2) and 3-pointers (42-100, .420). Shimek ranks second on the squad in scoring (11.5) and first in rebounding (8.7). Haynie ranks first in assists (82) and steals (58).

The Spartans are coached by Joanne P. McCallie, who is in her 12th year as a college head coach and her fourth with Michigan State. McCallie’s overall record stands at 229-119 (.658) and 62-46 (.574) with the Spartans.

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa holds a 27-14 advantage in the series, including winning four of the last five. Michigan State won last year’s only meeting (68-58) in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes own a 12-7 edge in games played in East Lansing, including winning the last two contests in the Breslin Center.

There has been only one overtime game in the 41-game history. Michigan State defeated Iowa (71-70) in double overtime on Jan. 15, 1995. The game was the Hawkeyes’ first contest to ever extend to two overtimes.

RPI RANKINGS
Iowa ranks 44th in the latest RPI rankings and 51st in strength of schedule. Michigan State ranks 15th in the RPI and 59th in strength of schedule. Iowa is a perfect 6-0 against teams with an RPI over 100. As a conference the Big Ten ranks first ahead of the Big XII and Pac-10. The rankings are released daily at www.wbca.org.

Penn State ranks No. 2 in the RPI rankings, followed by Purdue (4) and Minnesota (9).

IOWA, MICHIGAN STATE NOTES

  • Michigan State ranks in the top five in 14 Big Ten statistical categories, while Iowa ranks in the top five in 10 statistical categories.
  • Iowa ranks third in the league in scoring offense (72.9), while Michigan State ranks first in scoring defense (53.6).
  • Sunday’s contest features two of the conference’s best free throw shooting teams. The Spartans rank second (.754), while the Hawkeyes rank fourth (.741).
  • Iowa has one Michigan native on its roster: Becca McCann (Saginaw). McCann will make her final trip to the state of Michigan and expects to have a big cheering section.
  • Michigan State’s Breslin Center is the last Big Ten arena Iowa sophomores Lindsay Richards, Johanna Solverson, Tiffany Reedy and Morgan Kasperek have not played in yet. The Hawkeyes did not play at Michigan State last year.
  • Both Michigan State Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie and Iowa Football Head Coach Kirk Ferentz began their respective head coaching careers at the University of Maine. McCallie mentored the Black Bears for eight seasons (1992-2000), while Ferentz was at Maine for three years (1990-92).
  • Spartan Assistant Coach Janel Grimm Burgess is a native of North English, IA and was a four-year starter and two-time all-Big 12 honoree while playing for Iowa State (1994-98). Burgess played against the Hawkeyes twice during her career with the Cyclones. She scored 25 points in a loss to Iowa in Ames in 1996 and recorded 18 points in Iowa State’s triumph over the Hawkeyes in Iowa City in 1997.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In nine home games, Iowa has out-scored its opponent by a 656-603 margin, shooting 45.1 percent from the field and holding opponents to a 40.0 shooting percentage. Iowa has also posted 163 assists to its opponents’ 114.

In nine games away from Iowa City, the Hawkeyes have been out-scored its opponent by a 677-656 margin. Iowa has a better 3-point shooting percentage on the road (.394) than at home (.355). The Hawkeyes also average two more rebounds on the road.

LAST MEETING
Michigan State snapped a four-game losing streak to Iowa with a 68-58 victory over the Hawkeyes in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The Spartans controlled the first half, leading by as many as 10 points and holding Iowa to a season low 21 first half points. The Hawkeyes made only 31 percent (8-26) of their field goal attempts in the first stanza, while Michigan State made 45 percent (13-29) of its field goal attempts.

Behind by seven at the half, Iowa battled back, out-scoring Michigan State 18-7 in the first seven minutes of the second half to grab a 39-35 advantage. Iowa made eight of its 12 field goal attempts (67 percent) during that span. However, as quickly as Iowa got hot in the second half, it got cold. The Hawkeyes missed their next six field goal attempts on a 6:52 scoring drought. Michigan State took advantage of Iowa’s cold shooting going on a 10-0 run to take a 45-39 lead. The Spartans stretched their lead to a game-high 13 points following a Lindsay Bowen three-pointer with 4:30 left and never looked back.

Michigan State finished the game out-scoring Iowa from both the foul line and the field. The Spartans converted 18-23 (78 percent) from the charity stripe and 43 percent (23-54) from the field. Iowa shot 38 percent (23-61) from the field and a season-low 60 percent (6-10) from the free throw line. Michigan State also used its height to its advantage, out-rebounding Iowa by 12 (43-31).

Jennie Lillis, Kristi Faulkner and Johanna Solverson led Iowa in the box score. Lillis scored 14 points and collected six rebounds. She also tied career highs in assists (6) and blocks (4). Faulkner also tallied 14 points and collected five rebounds and two steals in the losing effort. Solverson scored nine points, collected four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS
Tickets are available for the 2004 Big Ten Women’s Tournament in Indianapolis, IN. The event is held March 4-8 in the Conseco Fieldhouse. An all-session (10 games) ticket costs $55. Fans interested in sitting in the Iowa section can call the UI Ticket Office at 1-800-IA-HAWKS.

IOWA CRANKS UP THE OFFENSE
Iowa has posted 90 points or more in three games this year. The school record is six times, set during the 2001-02 season.

The Hawkeyes rank third in the Big Ten in scoring (72.9).

NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 5
Iowa boasts five players with free throw percentages above 80 percent. Johanna Solverson (.875, 14-16) and Crystal Smith (.875, 7-8) rank first on the squad, followed by Kristi Faulkner (.841, 53-63), Lindsay Richards (.829, 29-35) and Jennie Lillis (.817, 67-82).

ATTENDANCE RANKINGS
Iowa ranks 24th in the nation in attendance (3,591). The Hawkeyes are the sixth-highest Big Ten team ranked. Purdue ranks fifth, followed by Penn State (6), Minnesota (8), Wisconsin (13) and Michigan State (17). Rankings are as of Jan. 26.

LILLIS AMONG ELITE GROUP
Senior Jennie Lillis is among an elite group of Hawkeyes. Lillis is one of only five Iowa players to have amassed 1,500 points and 700 rebounds. The list includes Cindy Haugejorde, Toni Foster, Tangela Smith and Franthea Price.

Lillis is approaching two more milestones. The native of Urbandale, IA, can become only the third Hawkeye player to score 300 points or more in four seasons — if she scores 300 this season. Lillis scored 333 her freshman year, 429 her sophomore season and 537 last year. She has already tallied 280 points this season. Lills can also become the first-ever Hawkeye to rank in the top ten in the five major statistical categories at Iowa (scoring, rebounding, steals, assists and blocks). She already ranks in the top ten in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks. Lillis is 14 assists from cracking the top ten and making history.

Lillis is a leader on and off the court. She has started all but one game in her career and currently has 1,579 career points, which ranks seventh on Iowa’s career scoring chart. She also has collected 752 rebounds, which ranks sixth-best all-time. Lillis is on pace to finish her career in the top-five in career rebounding and scoring. Lillis, who also spends some of her free time at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics, was a preseason all-Big Ten selection the last two years.

Lillis has drained a season-high 15 3-pointers, besting last year’s total (5). Lillis has made 21 career triples. She has made at least one three-pointer in seven of Iowa’s last nine games and has attempted at least one triple in 10 of Iowa’s last 11 contests.

The three-time captain is the only Hawkeye to score in double figures in every game this year. She posted her first double-double of the season and 16th of her career vs. Saint Joseph’s (19 points, 10 rebounds).

Iowa Career Scoring
1. Cindy Haugejorde (1976-80) — 2,059
2. Lindsey Meder (1998-02) — 1,906
3. Michelle Edwards (1984-88) — 1,821
4. Franthea Price (1986-90) — 1,742
5. Toni Foster (1989-93) — 1,606
6. Tangela Smith (1994-98) — 1,598
7. Jennie Lillis (2000-) — 1,579

Iowa Career Rebounding
1. Cindy Haugejorde (1976-80) — 998
2. Toni Foster (1989-93) — 887
3. Tangela Smith (1994-98) — 859
4. Lisa Long (1983-87) — 848
5. Amy Herrig (1995-99) — 789
6. Jennie Lillis (2000-) — 752

Iowa Career Blocks
1. Tangela Smith (1994-98) — 235
2. Toni Foster (1989-93) — 145
3. Jennie Lillis (2000-) — 100

Iowa Career Steals
1. Franthea Price (1986-90) — 321
2. Laurie Aaron (1989-93) — 248
3. Michelle Edwards (1984-88) — 235
4. Steph Schueler (1987-91) — 222
5. Jolette Law (1986-90) — 205
6. Nadine Domond (1994-98) — 177
6. Lisa Anderson (1980-84) — 177
8. Jennie Lillis (2000-) — 170

Iowa Career Assists
1. Cara Consuegra (1997-01) — 576
2. Michelle Edwards (1984-88) — 431
3. Franthea Price (1986-90) — 387
4. Steph Schueler (1987-91) — 367
5. Nadine Domond (1994-98) — 357
6. Jolette Law (1986-90) — 353
7. Lisa Anderson (1980-84) — 322
8. Tricia Blair (1983-87) — 280
9. Laurie Aaron (1989-93) — 279
9. Necole Tunsil (1990-94) — 279
11. Jennie Lillis (2000-) — 266

FAULKNER: IOWA’S 3-POINT THREAT
Senior Kristi Faulkner ranks third on the squad in scoring (14.9), first in 3-pointers made (32), attempted (67) and percentage (.442) and fourth in rebounding (3.9). She has made at least one triple in 17-of-18 games this year. Her streak of 12 consecutive games with at least one triple ended at Penn State on Jan. 8. Faulkner has scored in double figures in 14-of-18 games, including posting 20 points or more five times.

The native of Glen Ellyn, IL, celebrated her 23rd birthday in style Thursday night, scoring 22 points (8-12 FG, 3-3 FT) and grabbing five rebounds playing in her hometown in Iowa’s win over Northwestern. The senior tallied 16 of her points in the second half on a perfect 6-6 shooting from the field and 3-3 from the charity stripe.

She registered a game-high 26 points at Florida International, 22 points at Iowa State and 24 vs. Drake. She made a season-high four 3-pointers against the Cyclones. Faulkner scored a season-high 27 points, including her 1,000th career point in an Iowa uniform, in Iowa’s home win over Indiana on Jan. 15.

Faulkner has made 113 career 3-pointers, which ranks second in career triples at Iowa. She has posted 1,042 career points at Iowa, which ranks 19th. Faulkner is seven points from moving past Robin Anderson (1980-85) and Kim Howard (1978-82) and into 17th on Iowa’s career scoring chart.

Faulkner was a third team all-Big Ten honoree last year.

THIEVING HAWKEYES
Iowa posted a season-high 17 steals vs. Drake on Dec. 21. The last time the Hawkeyes collected 17 thefts in a game was in an overtime win over IUPUI in last year’s season opener (11/23/02). Senior Jennie Lillis is Iowa’s leader in steals and ranks seventh in the Big Ten (2.0), while Crystal Smith ranks third in conference games only (2.57). Smith is the highest ranked non-starter ranked.

Iowa ranks sixth in the league (8.72) and have posted 10 steals or more in seven games.

ONE AND THE BONUS
Senior Jennie Lillis has converted 382-510 (.749) of her free throw attempts in her career. She has made 67-82 (.817) of her attempts this season. The native of Urbandale, IA, is the school record holder for free throw attempts (510) and is nine free throws made from breaking the school record, which is held by Amy Herrig (390).

Lillis has attempted at least one free throw in 106-of-111 games she has played, including every game this year.

CAVEY IMPROVES AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
Jamie Cavey’s free throw shooting is just one aspect of her game that she has improved on this year. Cavey has converted 54-78 (.692) from the charity stripe this year. Last year, she made 38-72 (.528) of her attempts.

CAVEY PACES HAWKEYES
Jamie Cavey has been a force in the post for Iowa. Cavey ranks first on the squad in scoring (16.6) and field goal percentage (.578) and second in rebounding (5.2). In addition, she ranks sixth in Big Ten scoring, third in field goal percentage and 23rd in rebounding. Cavey has led the Hawkeyes in scoring in 9-of-18 games. She has scored in double figures 15 straight games and 17-of-18 this season, including posting 20 points or more six times.

The native of Mechanicsville, IA, matched a career high with 26 points and four assists and posted career highs in free throws made (8) and attempted (11) in Iowa’s home win over Illinois. She tallied a game-high 20 points, grabbed six rebounds and posted career highs in steals (4) and minutes played (36) at Missouri.

Cavey posted a game-high 24 points and a team-high eight rebounds in Iowa’s win at Northwestern Thursday night.

Against Creighton, Cavey scored 17 points (6-13 FG, 5-5 FT) and posted career bests in blocks (5), rebounds (10) and tied a career high in assists (4).

RAINING THREES
Iowa converted 5-20 (.250) 3-pointers at Northwestern. Iowa has made five or more 3-pointers in 10 of its last 11 games. The Hawkeyes have made at least one 3-pointer in 166 consecutive contests. It is a streak that has occurred over a span of seven seasons. The last time the Hawkeyes did not make a 3-pointer was against Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament on March 1, 1998.

FOUL PLAY
Jamie Cavey has fouled out six times this year, while Jennie Lillis has fouled out five times. Lillis fouled out only once in 33 games her junior year and three times in 29 contests her sophomore season.

As a team, Hawkeye players have fouled out 15 times this season, topping its total all of last year (9).

FAULKNER ON PACE TO BREAK SCHOOL RECORD
Senior Kristi Faulkner has converted .843 (233-276) of her free throw attempts during her three years with the Hawkeyes. She is on pace to break Lindsey Meder’s school record of .799 (287-359) set 1998-2002.

CENTER OF ATTENTION
For the fourth consecutive season, Iowa started its season with a new starting center. Junior Jamie Cavey has solidified herself as Iowa’s starting center in preseason practice.

Since Coach Bluder began coaching the Hawkeyes in 2000 Iowa has had a different center start the season. Randi Peterson was Iowa’s starter in 2000-01, followed by Beatrice Bullock (2001-02) and Tracy Schrupp (2002-03). Peterson, Bullock and Schrupp were all seniors. Cavey is the first junior starting center Coach Bluder has coached at Iowa.

SOLVERSON PICKING UP HER GAME
Sophomore Johanna Solverson has improved her game since returning to the starting lineup. Solverson has averaged 6.7 rpg, 5.0 ppg, 5.7 apg and 1.3 spg in Iowa’s last three games. She dished out a game-high eight assists in the Hawkeyes’ win at Northwestern and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds vs. Wisconsin on Jan. 18.

Solverson missed the Kansas State game (Dec. 12) with an injured left ankle and came off the bench the following seven games.

The 6-2 forward had one of her best complete games of the year against the Badgers. Solverson scored five points, grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, dished out six assists, collected three steals and blocked a career-high four shots.

Solverson came off the bench to score a season-high 16 points and also pulled down three rebounds at Penn State on Jan. 8. She was a perfect 6-6 shooting from the field, including 3-3 from 3-point range. She was also 1-1 from the free throw line. That performance marked the first time in her career that she recorded a perfect shooting performance from the field.

Solverson ranks third on the Hawkeyes in rebounding (5.1). She pulled down a team-high nine rebounds at Iowa State and Marquette. The native of Lake Zurich, IL, has led the Hawkeyes six times in rebounding. She led Iowa in rebounding in two games all of last year. Solverson collected a then-career-high nine rebounds twice last year. Already this year, she has posted rebounding games of 13 (vs. Saint Joseph’s), 10 (vs. Wisconsin) and nine (at Iowa State and at Marquette).

SMITH HAVING BREAKOUT YEAR
Sophomore Crystal Smith has been Coach Bluder’s first guard off the bench this year, averaging 15.8 minutes per game. It can be argued that Smith is Iowa’s top defender, who ranks second on the team in steals (31) behind starter Jennie Lillis (36). She ranks fourth in conference steals (2.57), the highest ranking non-starter.

Smith had one of the best games of her career vs. Illinois and Minnesota. The native of Haughton, LA, matched her career high with 10 points, blocked her first career shot, collected a career-high four assists and grabbed four rebounds vs. the Illini. Smith collected seven points (2-2 FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and a career-high five steals at Minnesota. Her five steals came while guarding one of the conference’s and nation’s top players — Lindsay Whalen.

Smith scored a career-high 10 points on 4-5 from the field, bolstered by a perfect 2-2 from three-point range at Florida International. She also collected four rebounds, three of which were offensive, and two steals.

Smith scored seven of her eight points in the first half against the Hoosiers and finished the game with six rebounds. Five of her six rebounds were offensive — a career high.

She has collected two or more steals nine times, including posting 17 steals (3.4) in Iowa’s last five contests.

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.

HAWKEYES EARN TOURNAMENT HONORS
Kristi Faulkner was named the 2003 FIU Thanksgiving Classic Most Valuable Player. The senior averaged 20.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 2.5 apg in the two games. Senior Jennie Lillis, who averaged 17.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 2.5 apg was named to the all-tournament team.

The honor was Faulkner’s first of her career in a holiday tournament, while Lillis was named to a holiday tournament all-tournament team for the sixth time in her career.

Junior Jamie Cavey and senior Jennie Lillis were named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge All-Tournament Team. It marked the third time Lillis earned the accolade, including being named the MVP last year. Cavey’s honor marked the first time that she was named to the Hawkeye Challenge all-Tournament squad in her three years with the Black and Gold.

HAWKEYES WIN FIU THANKSGIVING CLASSIC
Iowa defeated Saint Joseph’s (62-58) in a thriller in the first round of the FIU Thanksgiving Classic played in Miami, FL. In a game that saw six lead changes and seven ties, Iowa rallied to win its second game of the year. Trailing 55-50 with 4:30 left the Hawkeyes ended the game on a 12-3 run, including scoring the game’s final seven points.

Senior Jennie Lillis led the Hawkeyes, posting her first double-double of the season and 16th of her career (19 points, 10 rebounds). Sophomore Johanna Solverson added seven points and collected a career-high 13 rebounds. Senior Kristi Faulkner contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.

The Hawkeyes cruised to a 93-86 victory over host school Florida International in the championship game. Five players scored in double figures for the Hawkeyes. Faulkner scored a game-high 26 points and collected four rebounds, Lillis posted 15 points and six rebounds, junior Jamie Cavey registered 13 points and eight rebounds, while sophomores Crystal Smith and Lindsay Richards each added 10 points.

IOWA INFORMATION ON THE WEB
Statistics and play-by-play accounts of all Iowa home games will be available live on the internet. The statistical program allows viewers to read the play-by-play action just moments after it takes place, and to view all individual and team statistics while the game is in progress.

The program can be accessed through www.hawkeyesports.com and clicking on the Gametracker link.

BIG TEN RANKINGS
Iowa ranks third in Big Ten Conference scoring (72.9), 3-point field goal percentage (.376), 3-point field goals made (5.56) and assists (17.44) and fourth in free throw percentage (.741) and field goal percentage (.445).

In conference games only, Iowa ranks first in scoring offense (71.3), assists (17.57) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.233).

Jamie Cavey ranks sixth in scoring (16.6) and third in field goal percentage (.578). Kristi Faulkner ranks 11th in scoring (14.9), second in 3-point percentage (.478), fourth in free throw percentage (.841) and seventh in 3-pointers made (1.78). Jennie Lillis ranks ninth in scoring (15.6), 16th in rebounding (6.0) and seventh in steals (2.0).

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 ON THE TUBE
Iowa has eight regular season games that will be televised this year. KCRG-TV9 has already broadcast Iowa games against Houston, Iowa State, Drake and Wisconsin. KCRG-TV9 is slated to show one more game (Ohio State, Feb. 5). Fox Sports Chicago will televise Iowa games vs. Purdue (Feb. 10) and at Illinois (Feb. 29). Fox Sports North showed the Hawkeyes’ game at Minnesota (Jan. 11) and will broadcast their game against the Gophers on Feb. 19 in Iowa City.

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 show 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-TV9. The show includes interviews with Coach Bluder and players and feature stories. Below is a list of the dates and times.

Saturday, February 21 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 20 – 5 p.m.

NEXT ACTION
Iowa hosts Ohio State (Feb. 5) and Purdue (Feb. 10). Both games will be televised. The Hawkeyes’ contest vs. the Buckeyes will be shown locally in Eastern Iowa on KCRG-TV9, while the game vs. the Boilermakers will be broadcast on Fox Sports Chicago.