Let the Madness Begin

March 1, 2005

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2005 Big Ten Tournament Bracket in PDF Format
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THE SETTING
The sixth-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes (19-8, 8-8) open Big Ten Tournament play against 11th-seeded Michigan (5-22, 1-15) in the first round Thursday at approximately 7 p.m. (CST) in the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The winner advances to the quarterfinals to face third-seeded Penn State (18-9, 13-3) at 7:30 p.m. (CST). Iowa won its regular season finale at Indiana (56-53), while Michigan fell at Illinois (65-56).

Thursday will be the first-ever meeting between the Hawkeyes and Wolverines in a Big Ten Tournament contest. Iowa has reached the semifinals five times and won the conference tournament in 1997 and 2001. Michigan has reached the semifinals three times. Furthermore, the Wolverines have not lost a Big Ten Tournament opener since 1997.

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKET INFORMATION
Fans can purchase tickets at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office. Single game tickets range from $10-$14. An all-session ticket (10 games) costs $55. Fans interested in sitting in the Iowa section can call the Iowa Ticket Office at 1-800-IA-HAWKS.

ON THE TUBE
FSN Chicago will televise all Big Ten Tournament contests with the exception of the championship game, which will be shown on ESPN2. Dave Eanet and Toni Roesch will call the action for the games carried on FSN Chicago. Pam Ward and Nancy Lieberman will be on hand to call the championship contest on ESPN2.

ON THE AIR AND THE INTERNET
All Iowa post-season 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 progress of all Big Ten Tournament games with up-to-the-minute stats and play-by-play by clicking on the “Gametracker” link on the front of www.bigten.org. All Hawkeye contests can be found on the front page of www.hawkeyesports.com.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 873 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 533-340 (.611). That includes a 284-152 (.651) mark in Big Ten games and a 237-58 (.803) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

IOWA BIG TEN TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Hawkeyes won their second Big Ten Tournament title in dramatic fashion four years ago when Iowa upset the defending tournament champion Purdue Boilermakers (75-70) in Grand Rapids, MI. Iowa holds an overall record of 11-9 in Big Ten Tournaments. The Hawkeyes have never faced Michigan in a conference tournament game.

This is the 11th modern day conference tournament and this year marks the first time Iowa has ever garnered a No. 6 seed.

IOWA TRAVEL AND PRACTICE SCHEDULE
The Hawkeyes will depart for the Big Ten Tournament Wednesday afternoon following a morning practice in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa, along with Ohio State and the Big Ten staff, will be housed in the Westin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. All shoot arounds are closed to the media. If Iowa advances to Sunday’s semifinals, a press conference with the four remaining coaches and selected players will take place at the NCAA Headquarters starting at 11:30 a.m. (EST).

SERIES RECORDS AT BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
The Hawkeyes are 3-0 against Illinois (1996, 1997 and 2001); 2-1 vs. Indiana (1997, 2001 and 2002); 2-0 against Minnesota (1995 and 2003) and Ohio State (1998); 2-2 vs. Northwestern (1997, 1999, 2000 and 2003); 0-1 against Michigan State (2004), Penn State (1995) and Wisconsin (1982); and 1-3 vs. Purdue (1996, 1998, 2001 and 2003).

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT HISTORY
This year marks the 12th time that the Big Ten Conference will be hosting a conference tournament. This year’s tournament will be the fifth year that the Conseco Fieldhouse will host the Big Ten Tournament. Four year’s ago, the tournament was held in Grand Rapids, MI, which was a first for the conference tournament. Prior to the 2001 tournament, the seven other tournaments have been held in Indianapolis, IN. Only five teams have won the conference tournament. Purdue has won the most conference tournaments with five, followed by Iowa and Penn State with two. Ohio State and Indiana have each won one. The lowest seed to capture a tournament title was fifth-seeded Indiana in 2002 and the top seed has not won the tournament since 1999 (Purdue). The three most recent editions of the tournament have posted the highest attendance in the event’s history, surpassing the 30,000-patron mark each year. The 2004 tournament set records for total attendance (37,635), single-session (9,417) and session average (7,527).

SIXTH SEED NOTES
This year marks the first time in the tournament’s history that Iowa will be a No. 6 seed. A sixth seed has never won a Big Ten Tournament. A sixth seed has advanced to the semifinals four times (Michigan State, 1995; Ohio State, 1996; Illinois, 2001; Wisconsin, 2002) but were unable to reach the championship game. In fact, second-seeded Iowa bounced sixth-seeded Illinois (86-79) from the 2001 tournament.

IOWA ALL-TIME RECORD VS. THE BIG TEN
All-Time Series Records:
Iowa leads Illinois, 38-15
Iowa leads Indiana, 35-12
Iowa leads Michigan, 32-10
Iowa leads Michigan St., 28-17
Iowa leads Minnesota, 36-18
Iowa leads Northwestern, 35-12
Iowa leads Ohio State, 24-19
Penn State leads Iowa, 16-11
Purdue leads Iowa, 26-22
Iowa leads Wisconsin, 29-19

RPI RANKINGS
Iowa ranks No. 34 in the RPI ranking and No. 69 in strength of schedule. Michigan ranks No. 173 in the RPI and No. 19 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 (16), Penn State (23), Iowa (34) and Purdue (40).

The rankings are updated daily on: http://www.wbca.org

RAINING THREES
Iowa has made at least one 3-pointer in 204 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 4-3 in games played on March 3; 5-2 on March 4; 3-1 on March 6; 4-1 on March 7. The Hawkeyes bounced Purdue to capture the 2001 Big Ten Tournament on March 4, 2001.

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 – – 1
Indiana attempted only one free throw in the last regular season game of on Feb. 27 in Bloomington. The one attempt is believed to be an Iowa school record for an opponent in a single game.

LAST TIME OUT
In their final Big Ten regular season game, the Hawkeyes defeated the Indiana Hoosiers, 56-53, in Bloomington. Iowa used a clutch 9-0 run late in the second half to finish 19-8 overall and 8-8 in Big Ten Conference play.

Indiana went on a 10-2 run late in the first half to give them a 24-22 lead. The Hawkeyes responded with a Jamie Cavey layup and a 3-pointer by Jenna Armstrong with four seconds left in the half. Iowa led 27-24 at halftime.

In the second stanza, Crystal Smith and Tiffany Reedy combined to score 11 points in 6:50 to give Iowa a 39-35 lead. After an Indiana layup at the 5:53 mark, Smith nailed a triple from the deep corner to put the Hawkeyes up 44-42 and they never looked back.

Jamie Cavey recorded her fifth double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Cavey also added two assists, two blocks and two steals. Smith also scored 19 points and had four assists.

Iowa out-scored the Hoosiers 8-0 at the charity stripe. The Hawkeyes attempted 12 more free throws than Indiana (13-1). In fact, the one free throw attempt by Indiana is an Iowa school record for fewest free throw attempts by an opponent in a single game.

Indiana was led by Jamie Gathing and Jamey Chapman. Gathing tallied 13 points, while Chapman posted a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Hawkeyes made two less field goals than the Hoosiers, but still came away with the win. The last time an opponent made more field goals than Iowa and still lost was February 15, 2004, also at Indiana (28-26).

FINAL GAME NOTES

• For the first time in school history, Iowa finished conference play with an even 8-8 record
• The win was Iowa’s fourth straight over the Hoosiers.
• Crystal Smith matched a career high with one block.
• Morgan Kasperek equaled a career high with two steals.
• Indiana’s bench out-scored Iowa 25-9.

SCOUTING MICHIGAN
Michigan lost its final two Big Ten games on the road at Michigan State (77-34) and Illinois (65-56). Ta’Shia Walker and Tabitha Pool paced the Wolverines in Michigan’s last loss at Illinois. Walker netted 18 points, while Pool added 13 points and nine rebounds. Jessica Starling contributed eight points and a career-high 11 rebounds.

Pool ranks fourth in the Big Ten in overall rebounding (8.9) and fifth in scoring (16.6). Walker ranks 20th in scoring (12.3), while Krista Clement ranks seventh in assist/turnover ratio (1.4). Michigan ranks fourth in the lague in 3-point field goals made (5.19).

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 338-175 (.659) and 19-41 (.317) with Michigan.

IOWA, MICHIGAN GAME NOTES

• A No. 11 seed has won only two tournament games. No. 11 Michigan upset No. 6 Illinois (83-59) in 2003, while No. 11 Minnesota bounced No. 6 Wisconsin (80-75) in 1997.
• Thursday’s game will be Lisa Bluder’s 150th on the Iowa sidelines.
• The last time Iowa competed in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, the seventh-seeded Hawkeyes dropped 10th-seeded Northwestern (70-58), then upset second-seeded Minnesota (80-77) in the 2003 tournament.
• Michigan does not have any juniors on its squad, while Iowa does not have any sophomores.
• The Wolverines’ roster is loaded with freshmen. Seven of their 10-person roster are freshmen, one is a sophomore and two are seniors.
• Iowa ranks third in the Big Ten in overall scoring offense (69.8), while Michigan ranks ninth in scoring defense (68.1). The Hawkeyes rank third in field goal percentage (.463), while the Wolverines rank 11th in field goal percentage defense (.447).
• 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 does not have any student-athletes on its roster from the state of Michigan. Lindsey Nyenhuis, a 5-7 guard from Gran Rapids, Michigan, will join the Hawkeye roster next season. The Wolverines do not have any Iowans on their roster.

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa boasts a 32-10 advantage in games played against Michigan, including winning the last four contests. The Hawkeyes defeated Michigan in Iowa City (71-63) and Ann Arbor (78-59) this season. The Wolverines’ last victory over Iowa came in Iowa City (91-80) in 2002.

Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder is 5-3 against Michigan and 12-19 vs. Wolverine Head Coach Cheryl Burnett (Bluder was 8-18 against Burnett when the duo coached against each other in the Missori Valley Conference).

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

COMPARING GAME STATS

    FG%  3-PT%   FT% REB AST TO  PTSIowa    .463    .338    .714    37.7    15.9    18.6    69.8Opp.    .414    .359    .721    32.7    14.1    16.4    65.0

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 3-1 6-4 3-1 3-0 3-2 19-8

LAST MEETING
Iowa scored 51 second half points en route to a comeback victory at Michigan in Crisler Arena on Feb. 19.

The Hawkeyes trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half (29-16), but rallied and closed the half on an 11-2 run to trim their deficit to four (31-27).

The second half featured 11 lead changes and the Hawkeyes grabbed the lead for good on a Jenna Armstrong 3-pointer (57-55) with 5:28 left in the game. The Hawkeyes finished strong, closing the game on a 26-4 run. The Wolverines missed their last seven field goal attempts and their last four points came at the foul line.

Iowa had four players score double figures. The Hawkeyes were led by Jamie Cavey, who posted her fifth double-double of the season. The senior scored a team-high 19 points and grabbed a game and career-high 14 rebounds. Johanna Solverson scored 15 of her 18 points in the second half, pulled down seven rebounds and also dished out a game and career-high 10 assists. The 10 assists tie three other Big Ten players for the most in a game this season. Crystal Smith contributed 12 points, while Krista VandeVenter added 10.

Iowa was only 1-13 (.077) from 3-point range in the first half, but heated up from beyond the arc in the second. The Hawkeyes made 6-11 (.545) triples in the second stanza, including four of their last five attempts during the final eight minutes of the contest.

The Hawkeyes dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Wolverines by 21 (50-29). Iowa yielded only three offensive rebounds in the second half.

Michigan was led by seniors Tabitha Pool and BreAnne McPhilamy. The duo celebrated their senior night’s by scoring 20 and 11, respectively.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has out-scored its opponents 891-816 in the first half, 979-935 in the second half and 14-5 in overtime. The Hawkeyes have led at halftime in 16-of-27 contests. Iowa has out-scored its opponent in the second half in 13-of-27 games.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In 14 home games, Iowa out-scored its opponents 1,031-927 (+7.4 margin), shooting 47.4 percent from the field and holding opponents to a 42.5 shooting percentage. Iowa also posted 244 assists to its opponents’ 184 and attempted 98 more free throws (278-180). Iowa converted 75.5 percent of its free throws at home, while only 66.8 percent on the road. The Hawkeyes’ free throw percentage is 9.0 percent better at home than on the road.

In 13 games away from Iowa City, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 853-829 (+1.8 margin). Opponents have recorded 135 steals to Iowa’s 108 (-2.08 margin) on the road. Also, the Hawkeyes have recorded 47 blocks to their opponents 40 away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has posted 3.62 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    .474    .359    .755    37.6    17.4    17.6    73.6Away    .450    .311    .665    37.9    14.2    19.8    65.6

WINS, LOSSES COMPARISONS
In Iowa’s 19 wins, the Hawkeyes boasted a +12.0 scoring margin. Iowa averaged 72.5 ppg in its victories. The Hawkeyes also shot the ball well from the field (.481), while Hawkeye opponents have not (.379). Iowa out-rebounded its opponents 755-624 in its triumphs (+6.9 margin). Iowa attempted 150 more free throws (+7.89 margin) in its victories.

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  PTSWins    .481    .336    .718    39.7    16.5    17.7    72.5Losses  .416    .341    .705    33.0    14.4    20.8    63.4

FRESHMAN AMONG ELITE GROUP
Krista VandeVenter leads the Hawkeyes in rebounding (7.4) through 27 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 (201). She is 36 rebounds behind Haugejorde for first (237).

VandeVenter has pulled down 201 rebounds in 27 games, which eclipses Iowa’s team-leader Jennie Lillis’ 180 in 29 games last season.

CAVEY CLIMBS CAREER CHARTS
Senior Jamie Cavey has amassed 443 points through 27 contests this season. The senior has totaled 1,165 career points, which ranks 13th at Iowa. Cavey is 66 points from passing Lisa Long (1983-87) for 12th.

The Mechanicsville, IA, native has also collected 85 career blocks, which ranks fifth on Iowa’s career chart. Forty-nine of her 85 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 one swat from moving into fourth place.

Cavey also cracked the top 20 in career rebounding at Michigan State. She has totaled 457 rebounds, which ranks 17th. Cavey is 26 boards from passing Michelle Edwards (1984-88) for 16th.

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

HEAD OF THE CLASS
Jamie Cavey leads Big Ten seniors in field goal percentage (.563). Crystal Smith leads conference juniors in scoring (16.4) and field goal percentage (.498), while Johanna Solverson leads league juniors in assists (4.11). Krista VandeVenter leads league freshman in rebounding (7.4).

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 (31), Florida (35), Oklahoma (39), Marquette (66) and Creighton (74).

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

BLOCK PARTY
Senior Jamie Cavey has rejected 49 shots this season, a total that ranks fifth in a single-season at Iowa. She is only five blocks from moving past Tangela Smith (1997-98) for fourth place (54).

ARMSTRONG MAKES MOST OF STARTING OPPORTUNITY
Senior Jenna Arnstrong has started the last nine games and has averaged 8.14 ppg the last seven starts, including posting 11 points vs. No. 2 Ohio State and 10 against Illinois.

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 32 field goals the last 13 games, with 24 of the 32 coming from beyond the arc. The 5-9 guard has drained at least one triple in six of the last eight contests, including the last five. She tallied eight points at Michigan State, nine vs. Northwestern, 13 vs. Wisconsin, seven at Northwestern, 11 vs. No. 2 Ohio State and netted all eight of her points in the second half in Iowa’s comeback victory at Michigan.

The native of Stockton, MO, ranks 11th in Big Ten 3-point field goals made (1.37) and 3-point field goal percentage (.339).

SOLVERSON CRACKS CAREER LISTS
Johanna Solverson ranks 20th in Iowa career rebounding (385), 14th in career steals (144) and 13th in assists (259). She is nine rebounds from moving into 19th place, two thefts from moving into 13th and only three helpers from moving into 12th.

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 .577 (457-792) for her career. Michelle Edwards holds the career mark (.535, 777-1451).

CAVEY REACHES THE CHARITY STRIPE
Senior Jamie Cavey has attempted at least one free throw in 66 of her last 68 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).

ATTENDANCE RANKINGS
Iowa’s home attendance average (4,083) ranks 25th nationally in the latest attendance rankings released Feb. 21. The Hawkeyes are the seventh-highest ranked Big Ten team behind No. 5 Minnesota (8,799), No. 6 Penn State State (8,665), No. 7 Purdue (8,456), No. 14 Wisconsin (6,100), No. 15 Michigan State (5,913) and No. 23 Ohio State (4,369).

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

VANDEVENTER CLEANS THE GLASS
Krista VandeVenter has been Iowa’s leading rebounder in 14 of its 27 games, including the first five contests of the season. VandeVenter pulled down 11 rebounds vs. Oklahoma (11/27) and Illinois (2/24) and a career-high 14 at Creighton (12/10). The freshman averages 7.4 boards per game and ranks fifth in the Big Ten. She also ranks third in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (2.85). 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 at Michigan, 12 vs. Illinois and 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 (57). She has also recorded two steals in nine games.

SHARING THE WEALTH
Iowa’s triangle offense generates many assists. The Hawkeyes have three players who average 2.26 assists or more. Small forward Johanna Solverson (4.11) leads the team, followed by shooting guard Crystal Smith (2.62) and center Jamie Cavey (2.26).

IOWA’S BIG TEN SCHEDULE
Iowa’s Big Ten portion of its schedule included 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.

IOWA BENCH PRODUCES
Iowa’s bench play has been one of the keys to its 19-8 record. Iowa’s bench has outscored and out-rebounded its opponents 409-359 and 267-190, respectively. The Hawkeyes average 15.1 ppg and 9.9 rpg from their bench players. Iowa has out-scored 14-of-27 opponents in bench points.

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).

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

• The Hawkeyes knew that if they wanted a realistic chance to earn an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament they would have to win their final three contests, which Iowa accomplished. Iowa enters this week’s tournament winners of three straight and four of its last six.
• Iowa and Michigan State are the only schools to have two student-athletes rank in the top ten in overall rebounding in the Big Ten (MSU: Liz Shimek and Kelli Roehrig; IOWA: Krista VandeVenter and Jamie Cavey).
• The Hawkeyes are one of only four conference teams to have three or more players average double figures in scoring (Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa).
• Iowa has controlled the opening tip in 17-of-27 games.
• Iowa is 10-0 when yielding 59 points or less, 17-0 when the Hawkeyes have a higher field goal percentage than their opponent and 11-0 when collecting more steals.
• Iowa yielded a school record two offensive rebounds the entire game to No. 2 Ohio State on Feb. 13.
• Indiana only attempted one free throw in Iowa’s 56-63 victory in Bloomington on Feb. 27. The one attempt from the foul line is a school record for an Iowa opponent in a single game.
• Iowa finished the regular season with 19 victories. The last time a Hawkeye team posted 19 wins or more was when the 2000-01 Iowa Hawkeyes finished with a 21-10 record (Head Coach Lisa Bluder’s first year). That squad advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
• Iowa finished the regular season making 125 triples (125-370, .338). The last time a Hawkeye team made fewer than 125 treys was the 1999-00 season (122-388, .314).
• Iowa has recorded 10 top 100 wins, including three top 50 victories. Nine of the Hawkeyes’ 19 triumphs have come vs. teams over 100 in the RPI.
• The Hawkeyes have attempted 514 free throws compared to their opponents’ 333. Iowa has attempted 181 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 25-of-27 games this year and 51 of the last 53 contests dating back to last season.
• Iowa has held five teams to 53 points or less (Indiana — 51; UW-Milwaukee –51; Southern Illinois — 50; Northern Iowa — 50; Oklahoma — 47; Northwestern — 40, Indiana — 53).
• Twenty-two of Iowa’s 27 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.
• Iowa has had more assists than its opponents in 19-of-27 games and have shot more free throws in 24-of-27 contests.
• The Hawkeyes posted season highs in field goal percentage (.615, 32-52) and 3-pointers made (11) vs. Illinois on Feb. 24.
• 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.
• 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.

FRESHMEN START FOR HAWKEYES
Power forward Krista VandeVenter has started all 27 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.

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 (.814) and first on the team and fifth in league steals (2.19). The native of Haughton, LA, netted 20 points or more eight times, which ranks seventh 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 eighth in the Big Ten in scoring (16.4) and first on the team and third in the conference in field goal percentage (.562).

Cavey has scored double figures in 25-of-27 contests. Furthermore, she has scored double digits in 67 of her last 69 games, dating back to the 2002-03 season. The 6-3 center has posted six double-doubles this season, including three of the last five games. Cavey has led Iowa in scoring nine of the last 12 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.

“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.

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.

NCAA TOURNAMENT PROJECTIONS
Projections have begun for the NCAA Tournament and www.collegerpi.com has the Hawkeyes as a No. 11 seed in the Tempe Region in its fourth bracket projection. The web site has Iowa playing No. 6 Georgia 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 (7) and Big XII (7) to lead the pack. The web site also projects six squads from the SEC and four from the Big East and Pac 10.

The web site projects a new bracket every Friday night.

JANE MEYER APPOINTED TO NCAA BASKETBALL COMMITTEE
University of Iowa Senior Associate Athletic Director Jane Meyer has been appointed by the NCAA Championships/Competition Cabinet to the 10-member Division I Women’s Basketball Committee. Meyer’s five-year term begins Sept., 2005 and continues through Sept., 2010. Meyer joins Jacki Silar of Duke and Tina Cheatham of the Southland Conference as new additions to the committee.

The basketball committee is responsible for the administration of the NCAA Basketball Championship Tournament. One of its primary functions is the selection of teams and creation of the bracket for the annual tournament. The committee also selects sites for future tournaments and assigns crews of officials.

“With my background in basketball, I have always had an interest in serving on this committee,” said Meyer. “This is a good opportunity to represent our institution and conference.”

Meyer’s appointment marks the first time an Iowa athletic director has been chosen to the Women’s Basketball Committee. Bob Bowlsby has been on the Men’s Basketball Committee the past five seasons, serving as chair the last two.

HAWKEYES ADD WALK-ON
Head Coach Lisa Bluder announced that Ebone Pope 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. The native of Ottumwa, IA, 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).

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.

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.

HY-VEE CY-HAWK SERIES
Iowa leads the inaugural Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series 9-8. Iowa has recorded victories in football (17-10), women’s basketball (89-80), women’s swimming and diving (214-85) and men’s basketball (70-63). Iowa State won in women’s soccer (6-1), wrestling (19-16) and women’s gymnastics twice (195.575-192.4 and 195.85-194.15).

A point system will track each institution’s performance and will culminate in one institution winning the annual trophy for the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series. Intercollegiate athletic teams from Iowa and Iowa State will square off in head-to-head competition nine different times during the 2004-05 academic year. The competition this year is in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, wrestling, women’s gymnastics, women’s soccer, softball and women’s swimming and diving. Additional points will be available for each school to secure based on successful performance in the classroom by its student-athletes. Listed below is the upcoming competition schedule:
Apr. 19, Softball — 2 points
2 points for an institution if the student-athlete graduation rate for all student-athletes is greater than the national average for all student-athletes.