Hawkeyes To Entertain No. 2 Ohio State

Feb. 11, 2005

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THE SETTING
Iowa (16-6, 5-6) returns home to host No. 2/3 Ohio State (23-2, 10-1) Sunday. Tip-off is slated for 2:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Three of Iowa’s next four contests will be inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youths.

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.

Sunday’s contest is also available on satellite radio. The Ohio State at Iowa game will be broadcast live on XM Radio, channel 187.

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.

SINGLE-SESSION BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE
Single-session tickets for the 2005 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament are on sale through Ticketmaster and the Conseco Fieldhouse box office. The tournament takes place March 3-7 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Single-session tickets range from $10-$14 and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Conseco Fieldhouse box office, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone numbers and www.ticketmaster.com.

IN THE RANKINGS
Ohio State is ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press poll and No. 3 in the ESPN/USA Today poll, while the Hawkeyes are listed as receiving votes in both major polls.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 868 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 530-337 (.611). That includes a 281-150 (.652) mark in Big Ten games and a 236-56 (.808) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

RPI RANKINGS
Iowa ranks No. 34 in the RPI ranking and No. 45 in strength of schedule. Ohio State ranks No. 7 in the RPI and No. 41 in strength of schedule. The Big Ten ranks third in conference RPI, behind the ACC and SEC. Michigan State (5) is the highest Big Ten team ranked in the RPI, followed by Ohio State (7), Minnesota (15), Penn State (21), Iowa (34) and Purdue (37).

The rankings are updated daily on: http://www.collegerpi.com/women/05/rpi.html

RAINING THREES
Iowa has made at least one 3-pointer in 199 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.

HAWKEYES RANK HIGH NATIONALLY
As of games played through Feb. 7, Iowa ranks 13th nationally in least fouls per game (13.8), 10th in field goal percentage (.470) and 41st in scoring offense (70.6). Individually, Crystal Smith ranks 46th in field goal percentage (.514), while Jamie Cavey ranks 14th (.589).

ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 6-2 in games played on February 13, including winning five of the last six. Iowa has never played Ohio State on this date.

NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 9
Iowa won its ninth consecutive game over Northwestern Thursday night in Evanston. The winning streak is the longest current streak against Big Ten opponents. The Hawkeyes have won three straight vs. Michigan, Illinois and Indiana.

LAST TIME OUT
Iowa cruised to a 60-40 triumph over Northwestern Thursday night in Welsh-Ryan Arena. The 40 points are a season low for an Iowa opponent this season. The Hawkeyes led by as many as 31 points and led start-to-finish.

The Hawkeyes were led by junior Johanna Solverson, who played prep ball at nearby Lake Zurich High School. Solverson, who had been in a funk her previous five games, snapped out of it by scoring 14 points, collecting three rebounds, two steals and posting only one turnover. Senior Jamie Cavey led all scorers with 15 points, while a pair of freshmen led the Hawkeyes in rebounding. Krista VandeVenter and Jeneé Graham each pulled down seven boards.

Iowa jumped out to a quick 10-0 advantage and stretched its lead to 26-9 with 7:05 left. However, the Hawkeyes made only one field goal the rest of the half and the Wildcats closed the half on an 8-2 run to trim Iowa’s lead to 11 points (28-17).

Northwestern would get no closer as Iowa’s offense and defensive intensity increased and the Hawkeyes opened the second stanza on a 26-6 run to build their lead to 31 points (54-23). Iowa led 60-30 with 4:12 left before Northwestern scored the contest’s last 10 points.

The Wildcats were led by Sara Stutz and Suzanne Morrison. Stutz tallied a team-high 10 points, while Morrison netted six points and seven rebounds. Sarah Kwasinsky, who entered the game as Northwestern’s leading scorer (12.6), was limited to only six points (3-9 FG, 0-1 FT).

Iowa out-rebounded Northwestern by nine (42-33) and held the Wildcats to 33.3 percent (18-54) shooting from the field.

FINAL GAME NOTES

• Northwestern converted only 25.0 percent (2-8) of its free throw attempts, which is an Iowa opponent season low for a game.
• Abby Emmert collected a career-high four steals.
• Jeneé Graham matched her career high with seven rebounds.
• Iowa converted 81.8 percent (9-11) from the charity stripe in the win.
• All 11 Iowa players saw action.
• Northwestern’s 17 first half points was one point shy of an Iowa opponent scoring low for a half. Southern Illinois, Iowa’s season opening opponent, tallied only 16 points in the first half.
• Beverly Roberts, the official who issued Coach Lisa Bluder a technical foul at Minnesota on Feb. 3, was one of the referees who worked Thursday night’s game.
• After posting 20 turnovers or more the previous seven games, Iowa recorded 16 at Northwestern, with four of the 16 coming in the final 2:30 minutes with Iowa’s reserves on the floor.

Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder
Lisa Bluder (pronounced BLUE-dir) is in her fifth 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 445-197 (.693), including an 89-55 (.618) 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. Bluder is Iowa’s second all-time winningest coach and trails only C. Vivian Stringer. She has guided the Hawkeyes to four post-season tournaments (3 NCAA, 1 WNIT) and three upper division finishes in the Big Ten Conference.

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. In 2003, 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 is 2-5 against Ohio State and 0-3 vs. Buckeye Coach Jim Foster.

SCOUTING OHIO STATE
Ohio State defeated Michigan by 33 points (72-39) Thursday night before traveling to Iowa City for this Sunday’s match-up against the Hawkeyes. Thirteen of Ohio State’s 23 victories have come by 22 points or more, including a 23-point triumph over Iowa on Jan. 13 in Columbus.

Ohio State out-rebounded Michigan by 16 (39-23) and out-shot the Wolverines 51.7 percent to 31.9 percent en route to its 23rd victory. The Buckeyes enter Sunday’s game winners of their last 10. Ohio State’s only setbacks this year have come on the road (Notre Dame and Penn State).

The Buckeyes are currently second in the Associated Press poll, third in the ESPN/USA Today poll and seventh in the RPI rankings. Ohio State’s last six games (at Indiana, vs. Northwestern, at Wisconsin, at Illinois, vs. Indiana, vs. Michigan) have all come against teams in the lower half of the Big Ten, while its last four contests will be against the top half (vs. Minnesota, at Michigan State, at Purdue, vs. Penn State).

Sophomore center Jessica Davenport leads the team in scoring (18.5), rebounding (8.7) and blocks (2.8). Senior guard Caity Matter ranks second in scoring (13.6) and first in 3-pointers made (2.08), while junior guard Kim Wilburn leads the team in steals (2.5).

Ohio State is coached by Jim Foster, who is in his 27th year as a college head coach and third with the Buckeyes. Foster is 3-0 against Iowa.

IOWA, OHIO GAME NOTES

• The last time Iowa defeated a No. 2 ranked opponent was when the Hawkeyes dropped second-ranked Auburn (73-69) in the Orange Bowl Classic in Miami, FL, on Dec. 28, 1987.
• Ohio State ranks first nationally in field goal percentage, second in least fouls per game and 3-point field goal percentage and fourth in free throw percentage and scoring margin. Caity Matter ranks sixth in 3-point field goal percentage, while Jessica Davenport ranks 13th in field goal percentage and 14th in blocks.
• Iowa and Ohio State do not share any non-conference opponents.
• Today’s game features two of the conference’s top rebounders, Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport and Iowa’s Krista VandeVenter.
• Sunday’s game should be high scoring. The Buckeyes average 74.6 ppg, while the Hawkeyes average 70.1.
• Ohio State’s Caity Matter scored 16 of her game-high 24 points in the second half en route to a 93-82 win over Iowa last year, which snapped a 15-game losing skid in Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the Buckeyes. Ohio State scored 57 second half points, which are the most second half points an Iowa team has ever yielded in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
• Ohio State junior Michelle Muñoz is the daughter of former NFL offensive lineman and Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz.
• Muñoz, who started the first 22 games, injured herself prior to Ohio State’s game at Illinois on Jan. 30, and missed the last three games. Muñoz will likely return to action Sunday vs. the Hawkeyes. She tallied 12 points and two steals in the first meeting against Iowa in Columbus.
• Ohio State defeated Iowa (73-72) in overtime in the semifinals of the 1993 Final Four in Atlanta.

LAST MEETING
Two overlooked players finally got some attention for then-No. 5 Ohio State.

Marscilla Packer and Michelle Muñoz — the Buckeyes’ ninth- and seventh-leading scorers — had all of the points in an 11-0 first-half run to power Ohio State to an 80-57 win over Iowa.

Jessica Davenport led Ohio State, which won its fifth consecutive game, with 19 points. Matter and Brandie Hoskins each had 13 points, and Munoz scored 12. Packer hit her first three 3-pointers and finished with nine points.

Jamie Cavey had 17 points, Johanna Solverson added 15 and Crystal Smith had 10 for the Hawkeyes, who had as many turnovers (21) as field goals.

Ohio State led 15-13 midway through the half before going on an 8-3 run, with Davenport scoring the first four points in the spurt.

After the Hawkeyes’ Smith hit a layup to end a two-minute scoring drought, the Buckeyes ran off 11 points in a row. Packer, just in from the bench, hit two 3-pointers and Munoz scored on a layup and a three of her own to push the lead to 34-18.

Down 39-24 at halftime, Iowa drew to 54-42 with a 9-2 run — the last five points by Solverson. But Ohio State pounded the ball inside to Davenport and her three-point play at the 11:31 mark preceded another 3-pointer by Packer, touching off a 12-0 streak.

Iowa was scoreless for more than four minutes as the lead climbed.

The Buckeyes hit 54 percent of their shots from the field and were 9-of-19 from behind the arc. They converted Iowa turnovers into 25 points.

The Hawkeyes posted season lows in field goal attempts (42), steals (1) and rebounds (22).

COMPARING GAME STATS

    FG%  3-PT%   FT% REB AST TO  PTSIowa    .467    .330    .710    37.9    15.6    18.7    70.1Opp.    .409    .374    .720    33.1    14.2    16.2    65.8

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has out-scored its opponents 734-669 in the first half, 795-773 in the second half and 14-5 in overtime. The Hawkeyes have led at halftime in 14-of-22 contests. Iowa has out-scored its opponent in the second half in 11-of-22 games.

FRESHMAN AMONG ELITE GROUP
Krista VandeVenter leads the Hawkeyes in rebounding (7.4) through 22 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 third in rebounding for an Iowa freshman. The Osseo, MN, native trails Jennie Lillis (2000-01) by 10 for second on the list.

TOP PERFORMANCES AGAINST THE HAWKEYES
Iowa has had a player from the opposing team have big games in four of the last six contests. Wisconsin’s Ashley Josephson, who averages 6.6 ppg, tallied a career-high 29 points on Feb. 6. Michigan’s Kelly Helvey, who averages 6.4 ppg, tallied 14 points on Jan. 27, which is two points shy of a career-high. Purdue’s Aya Traore, who averages 6.5 ppg, notched a career-high 16 points in Jan. 23. Northwestern’s Ifeoma Okonkwo, who averages 12.1 ppg, netted a career-high 30 points on Jan. 16.

IOWA’S RECORD IN GAMES DECIDED BY…
The Hawkeyes are 6-2 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 6-2 3-1 2-0 2-2 16-6

HEAD OF THE CLASS
Jamie Cavey leads Big Ten seniors in field goal percentage (.581). Crystal Smith leads conference juniors in scoring (16.5) and field goal percentage (.510), while Johanna Solverson leads league juniors in assists (3.77). Krista VandeVenter leads league freshman in rebounding (7.4).

ATTENDANCE RANKINGS
Iowa’s home attendance average (4,042) ranks 24th nationally in the latest attendance rankings released Feb. 7. The Hawkeyes are the seventh-highest ranked Big Ten team behind No. 5 Purdue (8,456), No. 6 Penn State (8,137), No. 7 Minnesota (7,983), No. 14 Wisconsin (5,858), No. 17 Michigan State (5,171) and No. 23 Ohio State (4,124).

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In 11 home games, Iowa has out-scored its opponent 824-730 (+8.5 margin), shooting 47.9 percent from the field and holding opponents to a 41.7 shooting percentage. Iowa also posted 190 assists to its opponents’ 147 and has attempted exactly 100 more free throws (235-135).

In 11 games away from Iowa City, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 719-717 (+0.2 margin). Opponents have recorded 114 steals to Iowa’s 88 (-2.36 margin) on the road. Also, the Hawkeyes have recorded 42 blocks to their opponents 32 away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has posted 4.45 more turnovers per game than its opponents on the road. Here are the home and away comparisons:

    FG%  3-PT%   FT% REB AST TO  PTSHome    .479    .347    .753    38.3    17.3    17.6    74.9Away    .455    .310    .651    37.5    14.0    19.7    65.4

WINS, LOSSES COMPARISONS
In Iowa’s 16 wins, the Hawkeyes boasted a +11.4 scoring margin. Iowa averaged 72.2 ppg in its victories. The Hawkeyes also shot the ball well from the field (.480), while Hawkeye opponents have not (.378). Iowa out-rebounded its opponents 636-529 in its triumphs (+6.7 margin).

In the Hawkeyes’ six defeats, Iowa converted only 68.5 percent of their free throw attempts and scored only 64.5 ppg. In addition, Iowa attempted only 52 field goals per game in the six losses. Opponents collected 65 steals to Iowa’s 34. Here are the wins and losses comparisons:

    FG%  3-PT%   FT% REB AST TO  PTSWins    .480    .314    .721    39.8    16.4    17.8    72.2Losses  .429    .366    .685    32.8    13.5    21.2    64.5

CAVEY CLIMBS CAREER CHARTS
Senior Jamie Cavey has amassed 355 points through 22 games this season. The senior has totaled 1,077 career points, which ranks 18th at Iowa. Cavey is 24 points from passing Shanda Berry (1985-89) for 17th.

The Mechanicsville, IA, native has also collected 77 career blocks, which ranks eighth on Iowa’s career chart. Forty-one of her 77 blocks have come this season. Jennie Lillis was the last Hawkeye player to collect 40 rejections or more in a season when she blocked 40 during the 2002-03 season. Cavey is only two swats from passing Lisa Long (1983-87) for seventh on the career chart. Furthermore, the senior is only nine blocks from moving into fourth place.

Cavey also cracked the top 20 in career rebounding at Michigan State. She has totaled 408 rebounds, which ranks 18th. Cavey is 29 boards from passing Virgie Dillingham (1990-94) for 17th.

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Sunday will mark the sixth time this season the Hawkeyes will play a ranked opponent. In fact, the Hawkeyes’next two games will be against top ten competition (No. 2 Ohio State and No. 9 Michigan State), with both contests being played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 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

ARMSTRONG STARTS FIRST CAREER GAME
Senior Jenna Arnstrong started her first collegiate game vs. Michigan on Jan. 27. 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 19 field goals the last eight games, with 15 of the 19 coming from beyond the arc. She tallied eight points at Michigan State, nine vs. Northwestern, 13 vs. Wisconsin and seven at Northwestern.

The native of Stockton, MO, ranks 11th in Big Ten 3-point field goals made (1.27) and 15th in 3-point field goal percentage (.329).

SOLVERSON CRACKS CAREER LISTS
Johanna Solverson ranks 21st in Iowa career rebounding (369) and 14th in career steals (137). She is 15 rebounds from moving into 20th place and 10 thefts from moving into 13th.

VANDEVENTER CLEANS THE GLASS
Krista VandeVenter has been Iowa’s leading rebounder in 13 of its 22 games, including the first five contests of the season. VandeVenter pulled down 11 rebounds against Oklahoma and a career-high 14 at Creighton. The freshman averages 7.4 boards per game and ranks sixth in the Big Ten. She also ranks second in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (3.0). 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 7.5 ppg. The post player also ranks fourth in assists (43). She has also recorded two steals in six games.

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”.

Iowa’s quality wins include: Iowa State (27), Florida (36), Oklahoma (40), Creighton (56) and Marquette (73).

The numbers in parentheses represent the respective team’s RPI ranking.

IOWA BENCH COMING THROUGH
Iowa’s bench play has been one of the keys to its 16-6 record. Iowa’s bench has outscored and out-rebounded its opponents 357-290 and 233-144, respectively. The Hawkeyes average 16.2 ppg and 10.6 rpg from their bench players. Iowa has out-scored 13-of-22 opponents in bench points.

SHARING THE WEALTH
Iowa’s triangle offense generates many assists. The Hawkeyes have three players who average 2.45 assists or more. Small forward Johanna Solverson (3.77) leads the team, followed by shooting guard Crystal Smith (2.59) and center Jamie Cavey (2.45).

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.

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 .581 percent for the season and .585 for her career. Lisa Becker currently holds the season record (.584, 184-315), while Michelle Edwards holds the career mark (.535, 777-1451).

IOWA FAST BREAKS

• Iowa has controlled the opening tip in 16-of-22 games.
• The Hawkeyes have attempted 438 free throws compared to their opponents’ 275. Iowa has attempted 163 more free throws than its opponents, attempting 7.41 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).
• Jamie Cavey has scored double figures in 20-of-22 games this year and 46 of the last 48 contests dating back to last season.
• Iowa has led at the half in 14-of-22 games.
• Iowa has held four teams to 51 points or less (Indiana — 51; UW-Milwaukee –51; Southern Illinois — 50; Northern Iowa — 50; Oklahoma — 47; Northwestern — 40).
• Eighteen of Iowa’s 22 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 15-of-22 games and have shot more free throws in 21-of-22 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).
• 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.

BIG TEN RANKINGS
As a team, the Hawkeyes rank third in Big Ten field goal percentage (.467), offensive rebounds (13.14) and fourth in scoring offense (70.1), rebounds allowed (33.1), rebounds (37.9) and rebounding margin (+4.8) and fifth in assists (15.64).

Individually, Crystal Smith ranks sixth in league scoring (16.5), sixth in field goal percentage (.510), 10th in free throw percentage (.800), fifth in steals (2.27) and 10th in 3-pointers made (1.32). Jamie Cavey ranks eighth in scoring (16.1), 15th in rebounding (6.1), third in field goal percentage (.581) and fourth in blocked shots (1.86). Krista VandeVenter ranks seventh in rebounding (7.4) and second in offensive rebounds (3.0). Johanna Solverson ranks fifth in steals (2.27), fourth in assists (3.77) and 24th in scoring (11.0).

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.

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 sixth in Big Ten in scoring (16.5), first on the team and 10th in conference free throw percentage (.800) and first on the team and fifth in league steals (2.27). The native of Haughton, LA, has netted 20 points or more seven 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 (16.2) and first on the team and fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (.589).

Cavey has scored double figures in 20-of-22 contests. Furthermore, she has scored double digits in 61 of her last 64 games, dating back to the 2002-03 season. Cavey has led Iowa in scoring five of the last eight 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.

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 had single games with Penn State, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin. Iowa traveled to Minneapolis and West Lafayette, while the Lady Lions and Badgers visited Iowa City. Iowa went 0-4 vs. the teams it played only once.

CAVEY REACHES THE CHARITY STRIPE
Senior Jamie Cavey has attempted at least one free throw in 61 of her last 63 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).

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.

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).

NCAA TOURNAMENT PROJECTIONS
Projections have begun for the NCAA Tournament and www.collegerpi.com has the Hawkeyes as a No. 9 seed in the Temple Region in its first bracket projection. The web site has Iowa playing No. 8 Southern California in the first round, with the game being played in Chapel Hill, NC.

Iowa is one of five Big Ten teams (Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State and Minnesota) projected, while the web site projects the ACC (8) and the Big XII (6) to lead the pack.

The web site projects a new bracket every Friday night.

FRESHMEN START FOR HAWKEYES
Power forward Krista VandeVenter has started all 22 games, while point guard Abby Emmert started 14 contests.

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.

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.

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).

HAWKEYES WIN TOURNAMENTS
Iowa won two holiday tournaments this season. The Hawkeyes opened the season with wins over Southern Illinois (66-50) and Missouri (75-54) to claim its 16th KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge championship.

One week later, the Hawkeyes defeated Florida (65-62) and then-No. 21 Oklahoma (54-47) to capture the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas.

Crystal Smith was named MVP of both tournaments. Smith averaged 12.0 ppg and was the defensive star of the Junkanoo Jam. The junior averaged 17.5 ppg and 3.5 spg in the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge. 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.

Jamie Cavey joined Smith on both all-tournament teams. Cavey averaged 15.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg in the Junkanoo Jam and 12.5 ppg in the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge. Johanna Solverson joined Smith and Cavey on the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge all-tournament team. Solverson averaged 12.5 ppg in the two games and 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 is a career high, as is her game-high six steals against the Salukis.

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. 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 concludes its two-game homestand against its second consecutive top-ten opponent when the Hawkeyes entertain No. 9 Michigan State (Feb. 17). The Hawkeyes will have only one day to prepare for Michigan (Feb. 19) when the Hawkeyes and Wolverines play a rare Saturday night game in Ann Arbor.