Nov. 22, 2004
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THE SETTING
The Hawkeyes will play their second tournament in as many weeks when they compete in the Junkanoo Jam Friday-Saturday, Nov. 26-27 in Freeport, Bahamas. The four-team tournament includes Iowa (2-0), Florida (0-1), Akron (0-2) and Oklahoma (2-0). This will be Iowa’s first-ever trip to the Bahamas. Listed below is the tournament schedule.
Friday, November 26
Iowa vs. Florida — 12 p.m.
Akron vs. Oklahoma — 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 27
Consolation Game — 12 p.m.
Championship Game — 2:30 p.m.
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. Brent Balbinot and Karen Schulte call the action.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 848 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 516-332 (.608). That includes a 276-144 (.657) mark in Big Ten games and a 229-54 (.809) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HOLIDAY TOURNAMENTS UNDER BLUDER
Iowa is 14-2 in holiday tournaments under Coach Bluder. In 2000, Iowa won both games in the Hawkeye Challenge. In 2001, Iowa won both games in the Great Alaska Shootout and its Hawkeye Challenge. In 2002, the Hawkeyes split their two games in the LMU Thanksgiving Classic, but won both games in the Hawkeye Challenge. In 2003, Iowa won both games in the FIU Thanksgiving Classic, but split its two games in the Hawkeye Challenge. And last week, Iowa won its two games in the Hawkeye Challenge.
ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 4-1 in games played on November 26, winning its last four contests. The Hawkeyes are 7-1 in contests played on November 27, winning their last six games.
HAWKEYES ADD THIRD JERSEYS
For the first time under Coach Bluder’s tenure, Iowa will have three colored jerseys this season (white, black and gold). The last time Iowa played in gold jerseys was during the 1999-00 season.
IOWA IN THE JUNKANOO JAM
Iowa has never competed in the Junkanoo Jam. This will be the Hawkeyes’ first trip to the Bahamas.
IOWA HEAD COACH Lisa Bluder
Lisa Bluder (pronounced BLUE-dir) is in her fourth season as head coach at the University of Iowa and her 20th season as a college head coach. Bluder, 42, has a career record of 431-191 (.693), including a 75-49 (.605) 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 (7) and Emma (4) and one son, David (2).
Bluder has never coached against Florida or Akron, but does boast a 2-0 record vs. Oklahoma. The two wins came when Bluder coached at Drake.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Florida, a member of the Southeastern Conference, defeated Iowa in the only meeting between the two schools. The Gators dropped the Hawkeyes 68-58 on a neutral court in Madison, WI, in 1996. Iowa is 8-16 all-time in games played against schools from the SEC.
Iowa is 1-0 against Big XII opponent Oklahoma, defeating the Sooners 86-69 on a neutral court in Miami, FL in 1988. Iowa improved its record to 35-29 in contests played against the Big XII after bouncing Missouri last week in Iowa City.
Iowa has never met Akron. The Hawkeyes are 7-5 against schools from the Mid-American Conference.
COMMON OPPONENTS
Iowa and Oklahoma share two common opponents (Missouri and Iowa State). Iowa, Akron and Oklahoma do not share any common opponents.
SCOUTING FLORIDA
Florida lost its season opener to instate rival Florida State (72-62) Monday night. Bernice Mosby grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds, while Danielle Santos scored a team-high 16 points in defeat. The Gators will depart for the Bahamas Wednesday afternoon.
Last season, Florida was 19-11 and tied for fourth place in the SEC. The Gators advanced to the NCAA Second Round before falling to Baylor in Albuquerque, NM.
Florida returns 10 letterwinners, including four starters. Mosby averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.7 rpg last season, while Tashia Morehead averaged 12.0 ppg and 5.7 rpg.
Florida is coached by Carolyn Peck. Peck is in her fifth year as a head coach, boasting an 85-41 record, including a 28-30 mark with the Gators. Prior to coaching the Gators, Peck coached two years at Purdue and three seasons for the Orlando Miracle of the WNBA. Peck guided the Boilermakers to a National Championship in 1999 and was named AP National Coach of the Year.
DID YOU KNOW…
Iowa’s game vs. Florida in 1996 was televised to a national cable audience on ESPN2. It marked the first time the Gators were televised on ESPN2.
SCOUTING OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma won its first two games of the 2004-05 season, defeating SE Missouri State (84-62) and Texas State (76-57).
Senior Dionnah Jackson ranks first on the squad in scoring (16.0) and assists (6.5). Sophomore Erin Higgins ranks second on the Sooners in scoring (11.0) and rebounding (5.0).
In its season opening win over SE Missouri State, the Sooners converted 31 turnovers into 36 points en route to victory. Twenty-five of its 32 field goals were assisted. Jackson collected game highs in points (23) and assists (8).
Last season, Oklahoma finished with a 24-9 record and placed fifth in the Big XII. The Sooners advanced to the NCAA Second Round before falling to Stanford in Tempe, AZ.
Sherri Coale is in her ninth season as a collegiate coach, all at Oklahoma. Coale, Oklahoma’s all-time winningest coach, is 158-95 (.625) while mentoring the Sooners.
SCOUTING AKRON
Akron enters this weekend’s tournament with an 0-2 record after falling to Dayton (66-56) and at Robert Morris (75-58).
Sophomore Jessie Crooks averages a team-best 10.0 ppg and 5.5 rpg after two contests. Senior Jae Conn ranks second on the team in scoring (9.0). Conn played two years (2001-03) at Iowa Central Community College before transferring to Akron.
In its last game, the Zips made only one 3-point attempt, while Robert Morris converted eight. Akron was also plagued by turnovers, recording 30 in the loss.
Last season, Akron finished with a 7-21 record and placed sixth in the MAC.
The Zips are coached by Kelly Kennedy, who is in her third year as a collegiate coach, all at Akron. Kennedy’s record stands at 9-49 (.155).
HAWKEYES WIN KCRG-TV 9 HAWKEYE CHALLENGE
Iowa started its season on a high note, winning the KCRG-TV 9 Hawkeye Challenge last weekend in Iowa City. Ten of Iowa’s 11 players scored two points or more in both victories. Also, Iowa out-scored Southern Illinois and Missouri a combined 78-26 in the paint.
The Hawkeyes opened the tournament with a 66-50 triumph over Southern Illinois. Scoring only 26 points in the first half, Iowa’s offense came alive in the second stanza scoring 40. Johanna Solverson scored a team-high 16 points. Jamie Cavey added 12 points, while Morgan Kasperek tallied a career-high eight points. Krista VandeVenter grabbed a game-high seven rebounds. Jenna Armstrong dished out a career-high six assists in the victory.
Southern Illinois attempted a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record 29 three-pointers in the loss.
Iowa dominated the championship game, leading start-to-finish in a 75-54 win over Missouri. Crystal Smith registered game highs in points (26) and steals (4). Cavey added 13 points, while Solverson recorded nine points and five rebounds. As a team, the Hawkeyes out-scored the Tigers 19-7 at the foul line.
BLUDER WINS GAME NUMBER 75 AT IOWA
Iowa’s two victories in the KCRG-TV 9 Hawkeye Challenge raised Coach Lisa Bluder’s win total to 75 at Iowa. The fifth-year coach boasts a 75-49 (.605) record with the Hawkeyes.
HAWKEYES NAMED TO ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Juniors Crystal Smith and Johanna Solverson and senior Jamie Cavey were named to the KCRG-TV 9 Hawkeye Challenge all-Tournament Team.
Smith was tabbed MVP of the tournament, averaging 17.5 ppg and 3.5 spg. The native of Haughton, LA, scored 26 points in the championship game vs. Missouri, shattering her previous career high (10 points). Furthermore, Smith was a perfect 7-7 from the foul line, setting new career highs in free throws made and attempted.
Both Solverson and Cavey averaged 12.5 ppg. Solverson was a perfect 6-6 shooting from the field, including 4-4 from beyond the arc in Iowa’s first round 66-50 win over Southern Illinois. The four 3-pointers was a career high as was her game-high six steals.
In addition to averaging 12.5 ppg, Cavey averaged 3.0 rpg and 2.5 bpg.
The honor was the first for Smith, while it marked the second Hawkeye Challenge all-tournament accolade for Solverson and Cavey. Cavey was recognized last year, while Solverson her freshman season.
SOLVERSON TIES ARENA RECORD
Johanna Solverson’s perfect 4-4 shooting from 3-point range tied a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record for 3-point field goal percentage. Solverson joins Minnesota’s Jodi Olson (4-4), Miami of Ohio’s Adrienne Spatz (4-4), Iowa’s Steph Schueler (4-4), Iowa’s Stacy Frese (5-5) and Southwest Missouri State’s Jennifer Lingor (5-5) in the record books.
Solverson’s overall 6-6 shooting from the field was perfect, but did not tie an arena record. The record, which is a minimum of eight attempts, is held by Andrea Harmon (8-8) and current teammate Jamie Cavey (9-9).
VANDEVENTER IMPRESSIVE IN DEBUT
Freshman Krista VandeVenter, who has replaced first team all-Big Ten performer Jennie Lillis at power forward, had an impressive debut last weekend.
VandeVenter scored nine points, grabbed a game-high seven rebounds and dished out two assists in the win over Southern Illinois. The Osseo, MN, native tallied five points and posted game highs in rebounds (9) and assists (6) in the victory over Missouri.
FRESHMEN START FOR HAWKEYES
Point guard Abby Emmert and power forward Krista VandeVenter started Iowa’s first two games (Southern Illinois and Missouri).
Emmert and VandeVenter became the first Iowa freshmen duo to start since the 1994-95 season where newcomers Tiffany Gooden and Tangela Smith started 17 and 15 games, respectively.
IOWA TO SEE FAMILIAR FACE IN THE BAHAMAS
Former Iowa basketball standout Jennie Lillis (2001-04), who is now Director of Basketball Operations at Kansas State University, will also be in the Bahamas this week. Kansas State joins Duke, Illinois State and Stephen F. Austin in the second four-team bracket of the Junkanoo Jam. Iowa’s four-team bracket plays in the afternoon, while Kansas State’s four-team bracket plays in the evening.
FRESHMEN HAWKEYES
Forwards Krista VandeVenter (Osseo, MN) and Stacy Schlapkohl (Durant, IA) and guards Abby Emmert (Winterset, IA) and Jeneé Graham (Bolingbrook, IL) join the Hawkeye roster this season.
Schlapkohl is the Durant HS record holder in eight statistical categories and received a school-record 17 letters in four sports. VandeVenter was runner-up Miss Minnesota and was the Osseo HS Female Athlete of the Year her senior year. Emmert is a four-time all-conference selection and is the Winterset HS career leader in assists and scoring. Graham was the Bolingbrook HS Gatorade Player of the Year and was a Chicago Tribune all-State honorable mention her senior season.
HAWKEYES ADD WALK-ON
Head Coach Lisa Bluder announced that Ebone Pope (Ottumwa, IA) has been added to the 2004-05 roster as a walk-on. The 5-9 guard will wear No. 15.
Pope was a two-year starter at Marshalltown Community College. Pope averaged a team-best 11.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 2.7 apg last year. She was team captain, earned first team all-conference and first team all-tournament honors last season. She averaged 9.0 ppg and earned all-region honorable mention accolades her freshman year.
She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 2002, where she averaged 14.5 ppg, 3.5 apg and 3.3 rpg. Pope earned second team all-conference laurels her junior and senior years. Her high school team competed in the state tournament her senior season.
Pope joins Kristi Faulkner (2001-04) as the only walk-ons to make a Hawkeye roster under Coach Bluder.
GEOFFROY BECOMES STUDENT ASSISTANT COACH
Senior Lindsay Geoffroy received a medical hardship and will no longer play basketball for the Hawkeyes. Geoffroy played in 25 games for Iowa. The senior will serve as a student assistant coach this season.
RICHARDS TO START SEASON ON THE SIDELINES
Point guard Lindsay Richards underwent successful surgery on July 7 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.
The junior is expected to make a full recovery and hopes to return to the Hawkeye lineup in January. The native of Barrington, IL, sustained the injury during practice with the Big Ten All-Stars before the team left for Australia in early-June. This is the second time in as many years she has undergone surgery to repair a damaged ACL in her right knee. Richards’ first ACL injury came in a home game against Denver on December 12, 2002.
Richards started all 29 games for the Hawkeyes last year. She ranked fifth on the team in scoring (5.4 ppg) and free throw percentage (39-51, .765), second in assists (85) and fourth in steals (27). Her 2.93 assists average ranked 11th in the Big Ten. Richards was also an academic all-Big Ten selection last year. Before injuring her knee as a freshman, she played in eight games as a reserve, averaging 4.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg and dishing out 29 assists. Richards will not receive a medical redshirt for her freshman season.
EMMERT MAKES HISTORY
Abby Emmert became only the second Iowa freshman to start at point guard. Prior to this season, Cara Consuegra was Iowa’s only freshman to start at point guard (1997).
HAWKEYES ADVANCED TO NCAA TOURNAMENT
Last year, Iowa (16-13, 10-6) tied for fourth in the always difficult Big Ten Conference race and received an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament, its 15th overall. The Hawkeyes came on strong down the stretch winning six of their final 10 regular season games. Iowa finished the season playing the 14th most difficult schedule in the nation and was ranked No. 37 in the final RPI rankings.
EIGHT HAWKEYES EARN ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN
A team record eight student-athletes were named to the 2004 winter Academic all-Big Ten Team: Jenna Armstrong, Jamie Cavey, Kristi Faulkner, Morgan Kasperek, Jennie Lillis, Becca McCann, Tiffany Reedy and Linday Richards. The eight selections were the most among the 11 Big Ten women’s basketball teams.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Hawkeyes were 8-5 in road games, including capturing five of the last six conference road games (Northwestern, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois) last year. The last time the Hawkeyes won five Big Ten road games was during the 2001-02 season (Iowa was 5-3). The last time Iowa won eight overall road games was when the Hawkeyes posted nine during the 1993-94 season.
IOWA SHATTERS FREE THROW RECORD
Iowa converted 76.9 percent (433-563) of its free throws last year. The Hawkeyes shattered the school record of 74.4 percent (338-455) set during the 1980-81 season. Iowa’s 76.9 percent from the charity stripe ranked second in the Big Ten (Penn State). The Hawkeyes converted 78.9 percent (228-289) from the free throw line in conference games, which ranked first.
RAINING THREES
Iowa has made at least one 3-pointer in 179 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.
AMAZING COMEBACKS
Looking back on the 2004 season, you can point to two road games that helped propel the Hawkeyes to an at-large berth in the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Iowa trailed at Marquette 59-49 with 3:58 left in the game. The Hawkeyes finished with a flurry, out-scoring the Golden Eagles 16-3 to end the game and give the Hawkeyes the win.
Just over two months later, Iowa recorded one of its most amazing comebacks in school history. You had to see it to believe it! The Hawkeyes overcame an eight-point deficit with 39 seconds left in regulation to defeat Wisconsin, 87-82, in an overtime thriller at Madison, WI, on Feb. 12. Iowa trailed the Badgers by as many as 13 points with 6:49 left and six points with 20 seconds remaining in regulation. Undaunted, the Hawkeyes mounted one of the most exciting comebacks in school history. Iowa out-scored Wisconsin 21-8 the final 6:36 of regulation. Kristi Faulkner scored an astonishing 15 points (four 3-pointers, one lay-up and one free throw) in the final 1:50 of regulation to help send the contest into overtime.
CENTER OF ATTENTION
For the first time under Coach Bluder, Iowa will start its season with a returning starting center.
Since Bluder began coaching the Hawkeyes in 2000 Iowa has had a different center to start the season. Randi Peterson was Iowa’s starter in 2000-01, followed by Beatrice Bullock (2001-02), Tracy Schrupp (2002-03) and Jamie Cavey (2003-04). Peterson, Bullock and Schrupp were all seniors.
Cavey becomes Iowa’s first center to start consecutive seasons since Amy Herrig (1998-99).
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. There is a cost for the service.
“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 7:30-8:30 p.m. The first show is set to air November 29. Fans can call toll-free at (800) 332-5401 or locally at (319) 365-0600.
IOWA INFORMATION ON THE WEB
Statistics and play-by-play accounts of all Iowa home games and most road contests 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 then clicking on the Gametracker link.
AFTER THIS
Iowa returns to the states where the Hawkeyes will have a three-game homestand. Iowa hosts Iowa State (Dec. 1), Northern Iowa (Dec. 5) and Marquette (Dec. 8).