Jan. 31, 2005
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THE SETTING
Iowa (15-4, 3-4) travels to Minneapolis, MN, to face No. 14 Minnesota (16-4, 6-2) Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. in Williams Arena (14,625). The Hawkeyes have had one week to prepare for the Golden Gophers after receiving its second of two byes Sunday.
ON THE TUBE
Thursday’s game will be televised live in Minnesota on FSN North. Marney Gellner and Andrea Lloyd-Curry will call the action. Hawkeye fans who are subscribed to the DIRECTV sportspack can catch the game on channel 641.
ON THE AIR AND THE INTERNET
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.
Fans can also follow the game’s progress with up-to-the-minute stats and play-by-play by clicking on the “Gametracker” link on the front of www.hawkeyesports.com.
IN THE RANKINGS
For the second straight week, Iowa is receiving votes in the Associated Press poll.
The Big Ten has four teams ranked in the top 25: Ohio State (2), Michigan State (10), Minnesota (14) and Penn State (23). The Big XII and ACC each have a nation-best five schools ranked.
20TH ANNIVERSARY THURSDAY
On Feb. 3, 1985, the Iowa Hawkeyes shattered the NCAA and Big Ten Conference attendance records when 22,157 fans squeezed into the 15,500 seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes lost the game to Ohio State (56-47).
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 865 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 529-336 (.612). That includes a 280-148 (.654) mark in Big Ten games and a 236-55 (.811) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
RPI RANKINGS
Iowa ranks No. 17 in the RPI ranking and No. 30 in strength of schedule. Minnesota ranks No. 14 in the RPI and No. 24 in strength of schedule. The Big Ten ranks third in conference RPI, behind the ACC and SEC. Ohio State (5) is the highest Big Ten team ranked in the RPI, followed by Michigan State (6), Penn State (13), Minnesota (14), Iowa (17) and Purdue (38).
The rankings are updated daily on: http://www.collegerpi.com/women/05/rpi.html
ON THIS DATE
The Hawkeyes are 2-6 in games played on February 3, including an 0-2 mark against Minnesota on this date.
HAWKEYES RANK HIGH NATIONALLY
As of games played through Jan. 17, Iowa ranks fourth nationally in least fouls per game (12.7), fifth in field goal percentage (48.0) and 37th in scoring offense (71.1). Individually, Crystal Smith ranks 37th in field goal percentage (53.0). Jamie Cavey ranks 15th in field goal percentage (58.9) and 44th in blocks (2.1).
SHARING THE WEALTH
Iowa’s triangle offense generates many assists. The Hawkeyes have three players who average 2.5 assists or more. Small forward Johanna Solverson (3.63) leads the team, followed by shooting guard Crystal Smith (2.74) and center Jamie Cavey (2.53).
NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 158
Iowa has attempted 158 more free throws than its opponents through 19 games. The Hawkeyes have attempted 8.3 more free throws per game than the opposition.
HEAD OF THE CLASS
Jamie Cavey leads Big Ten seniors in field goal percentage (.594). Crystal Smith leads conference juniors in scoring (17.0) and field goal percentage (.522), while Johanna Solverson leads league juniors in assists (3.63). Krista VandeVenter leads league freshman in rebounding (7.5).
LAST TIME OUT
After losing four of their previous five games, the Hawkeyes got back on the winning track with a 71-63 victory over Michigan in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Jan. 27. Iowa led start-to-finish to claim its ninth home triumph of the season.
Crystal Smith paced the Hawkeyes, scoring a team-high 19 points (8-15 FG, 0-2 FT) and collecting a game-high four steals. Jamie Cavey tallied 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 FT) and four rebounds, while Tiffany Reedy came off the bench and scored a season-high 12 points (4-8 FG, 2-2 FT). Morgan Kasperek did not score, but did haul in a career-high eight rebounds.
Iowa led by just eight points (26-18) with 7:30 remaining in the first half before a 10-0 run balloooned the Hawkeyes’ lead to 18 (36-18) with 4:29 left in the half. The Hawkeyes would take a 16-point (39-23) advantage into the lockerroom.
Michigan’s Tabitha Pool tallied 15 or her game-high 21 points in the second half, to lead the Wolverines on a late rally. Pool drained her third 3-pointer of the night with 47 seconds left to trim Iowa’s lead to five (68-63), but Michigan would get no closer.
Iowa’s bench out-scored Michigan (23-11) and the Hawkeyes out-scored the Wolverines in the paint (32-22).
FINAL GAME NOTES
- Iowa only netted three points the last 4:38 of the game, with all three points coming at the foul line.
- Iowa improved to 12-1 this season when leading at halftime.
- The Hawkeyes shot 47.4 percent (27-57) from the field, while Michigan shot 39.0 percent (23-59). Iowa is 13-0 when shooting a better field goal percentage than its opponents.
- Krista VandeVenter blocked a career-high three shots.
- The 63 points Iowa yielded are the least amount of points an opponent has scored in six games (Illinois, 58).
- Iowa had 20 turnovers, marking the fifth consecutive contest the Hawkeyes have posted 20 or more miscues.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa leads the all-time series against Minnesota 36-17, including a 14-10 advantage in game played in Minneapolis. The Hawkeyes are 0-2 in games played in Williams Arena. Iowa’s last victory in Minneapolis was an 82-71 triumph when the Golden Gophers played in the Sports Pavilion.
Iowa has won two of the last three meetings, while Minnesota has won four of the last six. The two teams split the two regular season meetings last season, with each squad winning on its home floor. The Golden Gophers bounced the Hawkeyes in Williams Arena (75-61), while the Hawkeyes won in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (81-61).
Iowa won 20 consecutive games over Minnesota between 1984-1994 and 31-of-33 contests between 1984-2001.
There have been no overtime games played between the two teams in the 53-game series.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
Minnesota lost its last two road games (Michigan State and Minnesota), but boast a 10-1 home record in Williams Arena. No. 1 LSU (75-67) is the only team to have defeated the Golden Gophers at home.
Minnesota lost its last game at Penn State (81-68) on Sunday after having a week to prepare for the Lady Lions. Janel McCarville led Minnesota, posting her Big Ten-leading ninth double-double of the season (21 points, 11 rebounds). Jamie Broback contributed 14 points, while added 12 points. The Golden Gophers converted 88.5 percent (23-26) of their free throw attempts, but drained only 9.1 percent (1-11) from beyond the arc.
McCarville ranks first in conference rebounding (10.2), second in blocks (2.56), fourth in assists (3.94) and steals (2.56) and 10th in scoring (15.9). Shannon Bolden ranks first in 3-point field goal percentage (.486), while Shannon Schonrock ranks second in 3-point field goals made (2.3).
Minnesota is coached by Pam Borton. The third-year head coach of the Golden Gophers boasts a record of 64-19 (.771).
IOWA, MINNESOTA GAME NOTES
- Junior guard April Calhoun played two seasons with the Hawkeyes (2001-03) before transferring to Minnesota. The New Hope, MN, native sat out last season due to transfer rules.
- Freshman Krista VandeVenter (Osseo) is Iowa’s only player from the state of Minnesota. Minnesota does not have any Iowans on its roster.
- Jamie Cavey’s performance vs. Minnesota in the quarterfinals of the 2003 Big Ten Tournament announced her presensce as one of the conference’s elite post players. Cavey scored 10 points off the bench in the pivotal 6:48 to help Iowa rally to stun Minnesota (80-77). Cavey was 3-3 from the field and 4-5 from the foul line.
- Minnesota ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring margin (+15.2), rebounds allowed (28.7), assists (17.0) and 3-point field goal percentage (.381) and first in rebounding margin (+9.5) and defensive rebounds (26.05). Iowa ranks third in scoring offense (71.3) and offensive rebounds (13.16) and fourth in scoring margin (+6.2), assists (15.79) and rebounding margin (+5.6).
SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has out-scored its opponents 642-568 in the first half, 699-665 in the second half and 14-5 in overtime. The Hawkeyes have led at halftime in 13-of-19 contests. Iowa has out-scored its opponent in the second half in 10-of-19 games.
COMPARING GAME STATS
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSIowa .480 .329 .706 38.2 15.8 18.3 71.3Opp. .404 .364 .740 32.6 13.7 15.8 65.2
ATTENDANCE RANKINGS
Iowa’s home attendance average (3,989) ranks 23rd nationally in the latest attendance rankings released Jan. 31. The Hawkeyes are the sixth-highest ranked Big Ten team behind No. 5 P urdue (8,406), No. 6 Penn State (8,137), No. 7 Minnesota (7,979), No. 14 Wisconsin (5,858) and No. 18 Michigan State (5,081).
HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In 10 home games, Iowa has out-scored its opponent 746-642 (+10.4 margin), shooting 48.9 percent from the field and holding opponents to a 40.6 shooting percentage. Iowa also posted 175 assists to its opponents’ 129 and has attempted 95 more free throws (209-114).
In nine games away from Iowa City, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 609-596 (+1.4 margin). Opponents have recorded 98 steals to Iowa’s 67 (-3.4 margin) on the road. Also, the Hawkeyes have recorded 37 blocks to their opponents 30 away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Here are the home and away comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSHome .489 .350 .756 38.3 17.5 17.2 74.6Away .469 .305 .645 38.0 125 175 67.7
WINS, LOSSES COMPARISONS
In Iowa’s 15 wins, the Hawkeyes boasted a +10.8 scoring margin. Iowa averaged 73.1 ppg in its victories. The Hawkeyes also shot the ball well from the field (.485) and the charity stripe (.717). Iowa out-rebounded its opponents 595-496 in its triumphs (+6.6 margin).
In the Hawkeyes’ four defeats, Iowa converted only 66.7 percent of their free throw attempts and scored only 64.8 ppg. In addition, Iowa attempted only 50.3 field goals per game in the four losses. Opponents collected 43 steals to Iowa’s 18. Here are the wins and losses comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSWins .485 .306 .717 39.7 16.5 17.9 73.1Losses .458 .422 .667 32.5 53 79 64.8
IOWA’S RECORD IN GAMES DECIDED BY…
The Hawkeyes are 5-1 in games decided by 6-10 points. Here is a glance at Iowa’s record in games decided by…
OT 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21+ Total 1-0 2-1 6-1 3-1 1-0 2-1 15-4
FRESHMAN AMONG ELITE GROUP
Krista VandeVenter leads the Hawkeyes in rebounding (7.5) through 19 games. The last time a true freshman led Iowa in rebounding was Tangela Smith (1994-95). In fact, only four other Hawkeyes have led the team in rebounding as freshman (Tangela Smith, 1994-95; Lynn Kennedy, 1983-84; Cindy Haugejorde, 1976-77; Jenni Mayer, 1975-76).
Furthermore, VandeVenter currently ranks fourth in rebounding for an Iowa freshman. The Osseo, MN, native trails Lynn Kennedy (1983-84) by nine for third on the list.
CAVEY CLIMBS CAREER CHARTS
Senior Jamie Cavey has amassed 313 points through 19 games this season. The senior has totaled 1,035 career points, which ranks 20th at Iowa. Cavey is only 12 points from passing Robin Anderson (1980-85) for 19th.
The Mechanicsville, IA, native has also collected 75 career blocks, which ranks eighth on Iowa’s career chart. Thirty-nine of her 75 blocks have come this season. Jennie Lillis was the last Hawkeye player to collect 39 blocks or more in a season when she rejected 40 shots during the 2002-03 season. Cavey is only four rejections from passing Lisa Long (1983-87) for seventh on the career chart. Furthermore, the senior is only 11 blocks from moving into fourth place.
Cavey also cracked the top 20 in career rebounding at Michigan State. She has totaled 397 rebounds, which ranks 18th. Cavey is 40 boards from passing Virgie Dillingham (1990-94) for 17th.
IOWA BENCH COMING THROUGH
Iowa’s bench play has been one of the keys to its 15-4 record. Iowa’s bench has outscored and out-rebounded its opponents 323-216 and 202-126, respectively. The Hawkeyes average 17.0 ppg and 10.6 rpg from their bench players. Iowa has out-scored 13-of-19 opponents in bench points.
RAINING THREES
Iowa has made at least one 3-pointer in 196 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.
GRAHAM COMING ON STRONG
Jeneé Graham started her first collegiate game at Michigan State on Jan. 9. Graham played 24 minutes, scored one point and collected three rebounds and one steal. She started again at Ohio State and collected four points and four rebounds in a career-high 29 minutes of action. Graham tallied nine points, six rebounds and two steals in her third start vs. Northwestern.
She was one of Iowa’s top producers off the bench the first 14 games. The freshman has pulled down two or more rebounds in all 15 games she has played. Graham ranks fifth on the team in rebounding (3.2 rpg).
Graham had the best game of her career vs. Penn State on Jan. 6. The native of Bolingbrook, IL, posted career bests in points (11), field goals made (4) and attempted (6), rebounds (7), assists (2), free throws made (3) and attempted (6).
ARMSTRONG STARTS FIRST CAREER GAME
Senior Jenna Arnstrong started her first collegiate game last week vs. Michigan. Armstrong scored three points, grabbed four rebounds and collected two assists in the victory.
She equaled a career high playing 29 minutes at Purdue on Jan. 23. Against the Boilermakers, she scored all 12 Iowa bench points and they all were scored from beyond the arc. Armstrong also hauled in five defensive rebounds against the Boilermakers, four in the first half.
Armstrong has drained 12 field goals the last five games, with 11 of the 12 coming from beyond the arc. She tallied eight points at Michigan State, three at Ohio State and nine vs. Northwestern.
The native of Stockton, MO, ranks 11th in Big Ten 3-point field goals made (1.26) and 14th in 3-point field goal percentage (.333).
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa has recorded at least one victory over a ranked opponent in each of the five years under Coach Bluder. These are Iowa’s most recent wins vs. nationally ranked opponents:
At Home: 81-61 over 11th-ranked Minnesota, 2/19/04 On the Road: 78-67 over 18th-ranked Michigan State, 2/1/04 Neutral Court: 54-47 over 21st-ranked Oklahoma, 11/27/04
SUCCESS AT THE FOUL LINE
Iowa has had three players shoot 100 percent from the free throw line in games five times (min. 6 att.). Crystal Smith converted 7-7 vs. Missouri, Jamie Cavey drained all nine attempts against Iowa State and all eight at Purdue. Stacy Schlapkohl was a perfect 6-6 vs. Northern Iowa, while making all six attempts vs. Western Illinois.
As a team, the Hawkeyes posted season highs in free throws made (25), attempted (29) and percentage (.862) vs. Western Illinois. Johanna Solverson converted a career-high 11-13 (.846) against the Westerwinds. Prior to that game, Solverson’s career bests in a single game were four free throws made and attempted.
The Hawkeyes converted 84.0 percent (21-25) vs. Northwestern an 84.6 percent (22-26) at Purdue recently.
QUALITY WINS
One of the key factors that the NCAA Tournament selection committee looks at when selecting teams and seeding teams for the tournament is “quality wins and losses”.
Iowa’s quality wins include: Florida (36), Iowa State (27), Oklahoma (35), Creighton (50) and Marquette (57).
All four of the Hawkeyes’ losses have come against elite competition: Ohio State (5), Michigan State (6), Penn State (13) and Purdue (38).
The numbers in parentheses represent the respective team’s RPI ranking.
VANDEVENTER CLEANS THE GLASS
Krista VandeVenter has been Iowa’s leading rebounder in 11 of its 19 games, including the first five contests of the season. VandeVenter pulled down six rebounds vs. Florida, 11 against Oklahoma and a career-high 14 at Creighton. The freshman averages 7.5 boards per game and ranks sixth in the Big Ten. She also ranks second in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (3.16). The last time an Iowa player led the team in rebounding five consecutive games was Jerica Watson in the last five games of the 2001-02 season.
The Osseo, MN, native has also done a good job offensively. VandeVenter scored all of her nine points in the second half against the Sooners. She also tallied 10 points vs. Iowa State and a career-best 19 on 8-11 FG and 3-5 from the charity stripe at Creighton. VandeVenter averages 7.3 ppg. The post player also ranks fourth in assists (39). She has also recorded two steals in five games.
COMEBACK KIDS
Iowa has posted two substantial second half comebacks this season and nearly pulled off a third.
The Hawkeyes trailed by 17 points with 16 minutes remaining vs. Northwestern on Jan. 16. Iowa rallied to win 81-76 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa erased a 15-point second half deficit with 13 minutes left in regulation at Creighton on Dec. 10. The Hawkeyes won 91-82 in overtime in the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
The Hawkeyes trailed by as many as 20 points with 11:30 remaining vs. Penn State on Jan. 6. Iowa trimmed the Lady Lion advantage to two points with 3:30 left, but were unable to tie or take the lead down the stretch. Penn State won the contest 77-71 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hawkeyes’ biggest comeback under Coach Bluder was a 19-point second half rally with 19 minutes remaining to bounce Indiana (81-76) from the 2001 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
IOWA FAST BREAKS
- Iowa’s last win over a ranked opponent on the road came almost a year-to-the-day. The Hawkeyes dropped Michigan State (78-67) on Feb. 1, 2004 in East Lansing.
- Iowa has controlled the opening tip in 15-of-19 games.
- Thursday’s game will be Iowa’s fourth straight road contest against a ranked opponent (#6 Michigan State, #5 Ohio State, #23 Purdue and #14 Minnesota).
- The Hawkeyes have attempted 381 free throws compared to their opponents’ 223. Iowa has attempted 158 more free throws than its opponents, attempting 8.3 more free throws per game than its opponent.
- The Hawkeyes will play back-to-back home games vs. Ohio State (Feb. 13) and Michigan State (Feb. 17). The consecutive home games are the only two back-to-back home games during conference play and first consecutive home games played since the Hawkeyes entertained Northern Iowa (Dec. 5) and Marquette (Dec. 8).
- Iowa’s single-game season high in attendance is 5,753 (Northwestern).
- The Hawkeyes have out-scored their opponents 560-358 in the paint (+10.6 margin). Only three teams have out-scored Iowa in the paint this season (Florida, Oklahoma and Ohio State).
- Jamie Cavey is the only Hawkeye to foul out this season (Marquette, Michigan State, Purdue). Cavey fouled out a team-high eight times last season.
- Jamie Cavey has scored double figures in 18-of-19 games this year and 44 of the last 45 contests dating back to last season.
- Iowa has led at the half in 13-of-19 games.
- Iowa has held four teams to 51 points or less (Indiana — 51; UW-Milwaukee –51; Southern Illinois — 50; Northern Iowa — 50; Oklahoma — 47).
- Sixteen of Iowa’s 19 opponents have shot less than 50 percent from the field. Ohio State and Purdue shot an Iowa opponent season-best 54.2 percent on Jan. 13 and Jan. 23, respectively.
- Iowa has had more assists than its opponents in 14-of-19 games and have shot more free throws in all 19 contests.
- Iowa was 3-0 against teams from the Big XII (Iowa State, Missouri, Oklahoma) and 4-0 vs. Missouri Valley Conference teams (Drake, Southern Illinois, Creighton, Northern Iowa).
- Only one of Iowa’s starters is a senior (Jamie Cavey).
- The victory over No. 21 Oklahoma marked Iowa’s first win over a ranked opponent on a neutral floor since dropping Minnesota (80-77) on March 3, 2003 in the Big Ten Tournament.
- Jenna Armstrong’s 12 three-point attempts vs. Iowa State is the most attempts by an individual since Lindsey Meder attempted 14 twice during the 2001-02 season.
- Iowa is 3-5 in overtime games under Coach Bluder.
- Iowa’s 54-47 victory over then-No. 21 Oklahoma in the championship game of the Junkanoo Jam marked the first time the Hawkeyes won a game scoring 54 points or less since a 50-47 triumph over Michigan State on Feb. 22, 2001, in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
CAVEY ON PACE TO BREAK FG PERCENTAGE RECORDS
Jamie Cavey is on pace to break the school’s season and career field goal percentage records. Currently, Cavey is shooting 59.4 percent for the season and 58.9 for her career. Lisa Becker currently holds the season record (.584, 184-315), while Michelle Edwards holds the career mark (.535, 777-1451).
BIG TEN RANKINGS
As a team, the Hawkeyes rank second in Big Ten field goal percentage (.480), third in scoring offense (71.3), offensive rebounds (13.16) and rebounds allowed (32.6), fourth in assists (15.79) and rebounding margin (+5.6).
Individually, Crystal Smith ranks sixth in league scoring (17.0), seventh in field goal percentage (.522), ninth in free throw percentage (.808) and sixth in steals (2.37). Jamie Cavey ranks seventh in scoring (16.5), 11th in rebounding (6.5), fourth in field goal percentage (.594) and blocked shots (2.05). Krista VandeVenter ranks sixth in rebounding (7.5) and second in offensive rebounds (3.16). Johanna Solverson ranks sixth in steals (2.37), ninth in assists (3.63) and 24th in scoring (11.4).
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
Guard Crystal Smith has been one of league’s top offensive and defensive player through nine games. The junior was named MVP of the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge and Junkanoo Jam. Smith ranks first on the team and fifth in Big Ten in scoring (17.0), first on the team and ninth in conference free throw percentage (.808) and second on the team and sixth in league steals (2.37). The native of Haughton, LA, has netted 20 points or more six times, which ranks sixth in the Big Ten. She netted a career-high 33 points at Drake on Dec. 18. Smith’s performances has turned some heads around the nation.
“Crystal is just an outstanding player,” said Iowa State Head Coach Bill Fennelly. “She’s an impact player on both ends of the floor. I hope we don’t have to play a guard as good as her the rest of the season.”
“I’ve been around the game a long time and Crystal is as good a player I’ve ever seen,” said Northern Iowa Head Coach Tony DiCecco. “She has a lot of tools. She’s extremely difficult to defend because at a split second she’s at full speed. She’s lightning quick and I tip my hat to her.”
“She’s so lighting fast. She has to be the most improved player in the Big Ten,” said Penn State Head Coach Rene Portland.
Center Jamie Cavey has been a force down in the post. The senior tri-captain, ranks second on the team and seventh in the Big Ten in scoring (16.5) and first on the team and fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (.594).
Cavey has scored double figures in 18-of-19 contests. Furthermore, she has scored double digits in 59 of her last 61 games, dating back to the 2002-03 season. Cavey has posted 20 points or more in three of the last five contests. She was named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge and Junkanoo Jam all-Tournament teams.
RICHARDS TO REDSHIRT
Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder on Jan. 11, announced that junior point guard Lindsay Richards will redshirt this season.
“Lindsay has decided to take the redshirt this year,” said Bluder. “I think it’s a great decision. For us to have her healthy for two full years will be a great benefit to our program.”
The junior has recovered and has been participating in practices.
“In the back of my mind I made my decision a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted to make sure I took everything into consideration,” commented Richards. “There’s a big difference between being able to participate and being able to compete. At this time I don’t feel I’m at the level I need to be at.”
Richards underwent successful surgery on July 7 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. The native of Barrington, IL, sustained the injury during practice with the Big Ten All-Stars before the team left for Australia in June, 2004. This was the second time in as many years she underwent 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.
FAST START
Iowa enjoyed its best start in 17 years. The Hawkeyes’ 13-0 is their second-best start in school history. Only the 1987-88 Iowa team, which won its first 22 games, started better than these Hawkeyes. In addition, Iowa was the last Division I team to be beaten.
Iowa’s 13-0 start matched Coach Bluder’s best start at a Division I school. The native of Marion, Iowa, guided the Drake Bulldogs to a 13-0 start in 1994 and eventually advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
CAVEY REACHES THE CHARITY STRIPE
Senior Jamie Cavey has attempted at least one free throw in 59 of her last 61 games, dating back to the 2002-03 season. She failed to reach the free throw line vs. Indiana (1/15/04) and vs. Marquette (12/8/04).
IOWA’S BIG TEN SCHEDULE
Iowa’s Big Ten portion of its schedule includes home-and-away contests against Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern and Ohio State.
The Hawkeyes have single games with Penn State, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin. Iowa will travel to Minneapolis and West Lafayette, while the Lady Lions and Badgers will visit Iowa City.
HAWKEYES CAPTURE MYTHICAL STATE TITLE
Iowa captured its second mythical state title in three years. The Hawkeyes first defeated Iowa State (89-80) on Dec. 1, followed by victories over and Northern Iowa (77-50) on Dec. 8 and Drake (80-69) on Dec. 18.
HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster features five players from the state of Iowa (Jamie Cavey, Abby Emmert, Ebone Pope, Tiffany Reedy and Stacy Schlapkohl). The Hawkeyes also have four players from the state of Illinois (Lindsay Richards, Johanna Solverson, Jeneé Graham and Morgan Kasperek). Iowa’s 12-person roster also features players from Missouri (Jenna Armstrong), Minnesota (Krista VandeVenter) and Louisiana (Crystal Smith).
AFTER THIS
Iowa returns home to host Wisconsin (Feb 6) before hitting the road again at Northwestern (Feb. 10).