Hawkeyes Travel To Michigan

Feb. 18, 2005

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THE SETTING
Iowa (16-8, 5-8) will look to snap a two-game losing skid Saturday when the Hawkyes travel to Ann Arbor, MI, to compete against Michigan (5-19, 1-12). Tip-off is slated for 6:05 p.m. (CST) in Crisler Arena (13,751).

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.

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.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 870 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 530-340 (.609). That includes a 281-152 (.649) mark in Big Ten games and a 236-58 (.803) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

RPI RANKINGS
Iowa ranks No. 33 in the RPI ranking and No. 27 in strength of schedule. Michigan ranks No. 174 in the RPI and No. 29 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), Minnesota (14), Penn State (19), Iowa (33) and Purdue (46).

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 201 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.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 5-2 in games played on February 19, including winning four of the last five. The Hawkeyes upset the Golden Gophers (81-61) last year in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on this date.

HAWKEYES RANK HIGH NATIONALLY
As of games played through Feb. 14, Iowa ranks eighth nationally in least fouls per game (13.7), 12th in field goal percentage (.463), 44th in rebounding margin (+5.0) and 49th in scoring offense (69.7). Individually, Jamie Cavey ranks 14th in field goal percentage (.577).

NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 60
Iowa has scored 60 points its last three contests. This marks the first time in Hawkeye history Iowa has posted 60 points three straight games.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has out-scored its opponents 790-736 in the first half, 859-840 in the second half and 14-5 in overtime. The Hawkeyes have led at halftime in 14-of-24 contests. Iowa has out-scored its opponent in the second half in 11-of-24 games.

LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State posted 23 turnovers, but the ninth-ranked Spartans survived, beating Iowa 67-60 on Thursday night behind Liz Shimek’s 20 points and 13 rebounds.

The other half of Michigan State’s inside duo, Kelli Roehrig, hit two key baskets during a late 12-2 run that wiped out Iowa’s only lead and gave the Spartans their seventh straight victory.

Iowa played its second consecutive strong game against a top-ten opponent but couldn’t stay with the Spartans down the stretch. The Hawkeyes lost to Ohio State 67-60 last Sunday.

Crystal Smith led Iowa with 19 points and Jamie Cavey scored 16, though Cavey shot just 5-for-15. She was a 57.7 percent shooter coming in.

Roehrig was limited to 15 minutes because of foul trouble but still contributed 10 points for Michigan State, including six in the final 4:34. She fouled out with 47.8 seconds remaining.

Michigan State trailed for a total of 24 seconds during the first six games of its winning streak and was behind for just 19 seconds in this one. That happened when Smith hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give Iowa a 50-48 lead with 5:19 to play.

Shimek sank two free throws to tie it at 50 with five minutes remaining; after Smith missed a jumper, Roehrig scored on a follow to put Michigan State back in the lead. Iowa then threw the ball away and the 6-foot-4 Roehrig beat the defense down the floor for a layup, making it 54-50.

The Spartans built their lead to 60-52 before Iowa made a final run, drawing to 62-58 on Smith’s two free throws with 47.8 seconds left. But Michigan State made five-of-six free throws to secure the win.

Michigan State led 40-29 early in the second half before Iowa rallied, getting a 3-pointer from Tiffany Reedy and the two from Smith to take its brief lead.

FINAL GAME NOTES

• Michigan State was 0-7 from 3-point range, becoming Iowa’s second opponent this season not to make at least one triple (Illinois).
• Iowa converted a season-high 92.9 percent (13-14) from the foul line.
• Both Iowa and Michigan State collected 23 turnovers.
• Krista VandeVenter matched a career high in blocks (3).
• Tiffany Reedy matched a career high in steals (3).
• Krista VandeVenter pulled down five rebounds, which moves her past Jennie Lillis and into second on Iowa’s freshman rebounding list (174).
• Michigan State attempted three more free throws (17-14) than the Hawkeyes, becoming only the second opponent this season to attempt more free throws than Iowa in a game.
• Liz Shimek recorded her second double-double against Iowa this season. The junior collected 16 points and 10 rebounds in the first meeting on Jan. 9 in East Lansing.
• Iowa drained 5-18 from beyond the arc, including 4-9 in the second half.

SCOUTING MICHIGAN
Michigan enters Saturday night’s game on a six-game losing skid. The Wolverines lost to Purdue by 20 points (63-43) Thursday night in Ann Arbor. Michigan was led by Tabitha Pool (11 points, 8 rebounds) and Ta’Shia Walker (18 points, 4 rebounds). Purdue shot 45.5 percent (25-55) from the field, while Michigan shot 29.6 percent (16-54). The Boilermakers’ Katie Geralds tallied a game-high 23 points en route to the victory.

Pool ranks first on the team in scoring (17.0), rebounding (9.0), blocks (20), steals (45), 3-pointers made (33) and free throws made (73). Walker ranks second in scoring (12.5) and third in rebounding (3.7).

The Wolverines ranks fourth in the conference in 3-pointers made (5.12) and seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (.311).

Michigan is coached by Cheryl Burnett, who is in her second season with the Wolverines. Prior to coaching at Michigan, Burnett mentored 15 seasons at Southwest Missouri State. She guided the Bears to 10 NCAA Tournament berths, including one Final Four (2001). Burnett’s overall record stands at 338-172 (.663) and 19-38 (.333) with Michigan.

IOWA, MICHIGAN GAME NOTES

• Iowa and Michigan are playing a rare Saturday night conference game. The reason is because the Michigan men’s basketball team is hosting Indiana Sunday afternoon in Crisler Arena, with the game being televised to a national audience on CBS.
• Saturday will be the final home game for Michigan this season. The Wolverines will be honoring two seniors (Tabitha Pool and BreAnne McPhilamy).
• Michigan does not have any juniors on its squad, while the Hawkeyes do not have any sophomores.
• Michigan’s roster is loaded with freshmen. Seven of their 10-person roster are freshmen, one is a sophomore and two are seniors.
• Iowa does not have any student-athletes from the state of Michigan on its current roster. Lindsey Nyenhuis, a 5-7 guard from Gran Rapids, MI, will join the Hawkeye roster next season. The Wolverines do not have any Iowans on their roster.
• Iowa and Michigan share only one non-conference opponent: Drake. The Hawkeyes defeated the Bulldogs (80-69) on Dec. 18 in Des Moines, while the Wolverines dropped a 61-60 heart-breaker on Nov. 30, in Ann Arbor.
• Iowa ranks fourth in scoring offense (69.3), while Michigan ranks ninth in scoring defense (67.5). Michigan ranks 10th in scoring offense (58.6), while Iowa ranks eighth in scoring defense (65.9). The Hawkeyes rank fourth in rebounding margin (+4.6), while the Wolverines rank 10th (-3.9).

COMPARING GAME STATS

    FG%  3-PT%   FT% REB AST TO  PTSIowa    .460    .325    .716    37.5    15.8    18.8    69.3Opp.    .418    .367    .719    32.9    14.3    16.3    65.9

LAST MEETING
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. 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. Kelly Helvey contributed 14 points on 7-8 shooting from the field in defeat.

Iowa’s bench out-scored Michigan (23-11) and the Hawkeyes out-scored the Wolverines in the paint (32-22). For the first time this season, all 10 Hawkeyes that played saw double digit minutes of action.

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa boasts a 31-10 advantage in games played against Michigan. The Hawkeyes hold a 14-6 edge in games played in Crisler Arena.

Iowa has won the last three meetings, including a 71-63 triumph in Iowa City on Jan. 27. The Wolverines have won three of the last four contests against the Hawkeyes in Crisler Arena.

There has been only one overtime game played in the series. The Wolverines escaped with a 69-65 overtime victory over the Hawkeyes in Ann Arbor in 1998.

FRESHMAN AMONG ELITE GROUP
Krista VandeVenter leads the Hawkeyes in rebounding (7.3) through 24 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 second in rebounding for an Iowa freshman (174). She is 63 rebounds behind Haugejorde for first (237).

IOWA’S RECORD IN GAMES DECIDED BY…
The Hawkeyes are 5-1 in games decided by 11-20 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 6-4 3-1 2-0 2-2 16-8

HEAD OF THE CLASS
Jamie Cavey leads Big Ten seniors in field goal percentage (.564). Crystal Smith leads conference juniors in scoring (16.5) and field goal percentage (.509), while Johanna Solverson leads league juniors in assists (3.92). Krista VandeVenter leads league freshman in rebounding (7.3).

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In 13 home games, Iowa has out-scored its opponent 944-864 (+6.2 margin), shooting 46.4 percent from the field and holding opponents to a 43.2 shooting percentage. Iowa also posted 224 assists to its opponents’ 177 and has attempted 98 more free throws (261-163). Iowa converts 75.9 percent of its free throws at home, whil only 65.1 percent on the road.

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 PTS Home .464 .335 .759 37.5 17.2 17.9 72.6 Away .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’ eight defeats, Iowa converted only 41.6 percent of their field goal attempts and scored only 63.4 ppg. In addition, Iowa turned the ball over 20.8 times in the eight setbacks. Opponents collected 91 steals to Iowa’s 52. Here are the wins and losses comparisons:

FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTS Wins .480 .314 .721 39.8 16.4 17.8 72.2 Losses .416 .341 .705 33.0 14.4 20.8 63.4

CAVEY CLIMBS CAREER CHARTS
Senior Jamie Cavey has amassed 393 points through 24 games this season. The senior has totaled 1,115 career points, which ranks 17th at Iowa. Cavey is only 15 points from passing Lisa Anderson (1980-84) for 16th.

The Mechanicsville, IA, native has also collected 81 career blocks, which ranks seventh on Iowa’s career chart. Forty-five of her 81 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 Jerica Watson (1998-02) for sixth on the career chart. Furthermore, the senior is only five blocks from moving into fourth place.

Cavey also cracked the top 20 in career rebounding at Michigan State. She has totaled 425 rebounds, which ranks 18th. Cavey is only 12 boards from passing Virgie Dillingham (1990-94) for 17th.

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

DOWN THE STRETCH
Listed below are the conference school’s that are currently fifth through eighth in the Big Ten standings and the respective school’s remaining league games:
Purdue (7-6): at Indiana, vs. Ohio State, vs. Wisconsin
Illinois (6-8): at Iowa, vs. Michigan
Iowa (5-8): at Michigan, vs. Illinois, at Indiana
Wisconsin (4-9): at Minnesota, vs. Northwestern, at Purdue

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: Florida (31), Iowa State (34), Oklahoma (40), Marquette (56) and Creighton (67).

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

BLOCK PARTY
Senior Jamie Cavey has rejected 45 shots this season, a total that ranks sixth in a single-season at Iowa. She is only three blocks from moving past Toni Foster (1991-92) for fifth place.

ARMSTRONG MAKES MOST OF STARTING OPPORTUNITY
Senior Jenna Arnstrong has started the last six games and has averaged 8.5 ppg the last four starts, including posting 11 points vs. No. 2 Ohio State Sunday.

She 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 23 field goals the last 10 games, with 19 of the 23 coming from beyond the arc. She tallied eight points at Michigan State, nine vs. Northwestern, 13 vs. Wisconsin, seven at Northwestern and 11 vs. No. 2 Ohio State.

The native of Stockton, MO, ranks 11th in Big Ten 3-point field goals made (1.33).

SOLVERSON CRACKS CAREER LISTS
Johanna Solverson ranks 21st in Iowa career rebounding (373) and 14th in career steals (141) and assists (242). She is 11 rebounds from moving into 20th place, six thefts from moving into 13th and 11 helpers from moving into 13th.

CAVEY ON PACE TO BREAK FG PERCENTAGE RECORD
Jamie Cavey is on pace to break the school’s career field goal percentage record. Currently, Cavey is shooting .578 (436-754) for her career. Michelle Edwards holds the career mark (.535, 777-1451).

ATTENDANCE RANKINGS
Iowa’s home attendance average (4,118) ranks 23rd nationally in the latest attendance rankings released Feb. 14. The Hawkeyes are the seventh-highest ranked Big Ten team behind No. 5 Purdue (8,456), No. 6 Minnesota State (8,413), No. 7 Penn State (8,042), No. 14 Wisconsin (6,100), No. 17 Michigan State (5,171) and No. 22 Ohio State (4,245).

The Hawkeyes averaged 4,134 fans for 13 games last season.

VANDEVENTER CLEANS THE GLASS
Krista VandeVenter has been Iowa’s leading rebounder in 13 of its 24 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 7.3 boards per game and ranks sixth in the Big Ten. She also ranks second in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (2.92). 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, 12 at Purdue and a career-best 19 on 8-11 FG and 3-5 from the charity stripe at Creighton. VandeVenter averages 7.4 ppg. The post player also ranks fourth in assists (51). She has also recorded two steals in eight games.

SHARING THE WEALTH
Iowa’s triangle offense generates many assists. The Hawkeyes have three players who average 2.29 assists or more. Small forward Johanna Solverson (3.92) leads the team, followed by shooting guard Crystal Smith (2.58) and center Jamie Cavey (2.29).

CAVEY REACHES THE CHARITY STRIPE
Senior Jamie Cavey has attempted at least one free throw in 63 of her last 65 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 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.

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 BENCH PRODUCES
Iowa’s bench play has been one of the keys to its 16-8 record. Iowa’s bench has outscored and out-rebounded its opponents 368-313 and 245-159, respectively. The Hawkeyes average 15.3 ppg and 10.2 rpg from their bench players. Iowa has out-scored 13-of-24 opponents in bench points.

IOWA FAST BREAKS

• Iowa has controlled the opening tip in 16-of-24 games.
• Iowa’s record vs. teams ranked 1-25 in the RPI is 0-6, 26-50 is 3-1, 51-100 is 4-1, 101-150 is 4-0 and 151-321 is 5-0.
• The Hawkeyes have attempted 464 free throws compared to their opponents’ 303. Iowa has attempted 161 more free throws than its opponents, attempting 6.7 more free throws per game than its opponent.
• Iowa’s single-game season high in attendance is 5,753 (Northwestern).
• Jamie Cavey has scored double figures in 22-of-24 games this year and 48 of the last 50 contests dating back to last season.
• Iowa has led at the half in 14-of-24 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).
• Nineteen of Iowa’s 24 opponents have shot less than 50 percent from the field. Ohio State shot 54.2 percent on Jan. 13 and 57.1 percent on Feb. 13 against the Hawkeyes./li>
• Iowa has had more assists than its opponents in 17-of-24 games and have shot more free throws in 22-of-24 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.

BIG TEN RANKINGS
As a team, the Hawkeyes rank third in Big Ten field goal percentage (.460), offensive rebounds (13.33) and fourth in scoring offense (69.3), rebounds allowed (32.9), rebounds (37.5) and rebounding margin (+4.6) and assists (15.75).

Individually, Crystal Smith ranks sixth in league scoring (16.5), seventh in field goal percentage (.509) and steals (2.21) and eighth in free throw percentage (.807) and 3-point field goals made (1.42). Jamie Cavey ranks seventh in scoring (16.4), 11th in rebounding (6.3), third in field goal percentage (.564) and fourth in blocked shots (1.88). Krista VandeVenter ranks sixth in rebounding (7.3) and second in offensive rebounds (2.92). Johanna Solverson ranks fifth in steals (2.25), fourth in assists (3.92) and 24th in scoring (10.7).

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 eighth in conference free throw percentage (.807) and first on the team and seventh in league steals (2.21). 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 (16.4) and first on the team and fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (.564).

Cavey has scored double figures in 22-of-24 contests. Furthermore, she has scored double digits in 64 of her last 66 games, dating back to the 2002-03 season. Cavey has led Iowa in scoring eight of the last 10 contests. She was named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge and Junkanoo Jam all-Tournament teams.

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).

FRESHMEN START FOR HAWKEYES
Power forward Krista VandeVenter has started all 24 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.

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.

“There’s a big difference between being able to participate and being able to compete,” commented Richards. “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.

NCAA TOURNAMENT PROJECTIONS
Projections have begun for the NCAA Tournament and www.collegerpi.com has the Hawkeyes as a No. 7 seed in the Chattanooga Region in its second bracket projection. The web site has Iowa playing No. 10 Oregon in the first round, with the game being played in Dallas, TX.

Iowa is one of six Big Ten teams (Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State, Purdue and Minnesota) projected, while the web site projects the ACC (8) to lead the pack. The web site projects six squads from the Pac 10 and five from the SEC and Big XII.

The web site projects a new bracket every Friday night.

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.

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.

CAVEY NAMED TO “WATCH LIST”
Senior Jamie Cavey is one of 36 female student-athletes named to the Collegiate Basketball Award of Excellence “Watch List”.

The award honors college seniors for their athletic and academic achievement as well as their community involvement. The award will be presented at the end of the 2004-05 season on April 12, in Albuquerque, NM.

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 for its regular season home finale vs. Illinois (Feb. 24). Thursday’s game will mark the final regular season home contest for seniors Jenna Armstrong, Jamie Cavey and Lindsay Geoffroy.