Nov. 24, 2005
Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge Photo Gallery
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The Setting ? Iowa concludes its three-game road trip this weekend when the Hawkeyes travel to San Francisco, CA, to compete in the four-team Odwalla Classic. Iowa (1-1) opens the tournament against No. 23 Oklahoma (3-1) Friday at 7:05 p.m. in War Memorial Gym (5,300). Rider and San Francisco will meet in the second game Friday night at 9:15 p.m. The consolation game of the tournament will tip-off at 7:05 p.m., followed by the championship game at 9:15 p.m. Saturday. All times listed are central.
On the Radio ? Brent Balbinot and Shelley Till will call the action for the Hawkeye Radio Network. Hawkeye fans can listen to the game on WHO 1040-AM in Des Moines, WMT 600-AM in Cedar Rapids and KXIC 800-AM in Iowa City.
The game can also be heard live over the Internet at www.hawkeyesports.com and clicking on “Hawkeye All-Access” at the top right of the page. “Hawkeye All-Access” is a subscription service.
Iowa History ? Iowa has played 881 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 538-343 (.611). That includes a 267-125 (.681) mark in Big Ten games and a 239-58 (.805) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
San Francisco Treat ? Iowa arrived in San Francisco early Wednesday evening. The Hawkeyes will practice Thanksgiving morning before touring Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco in the afternoon and evening.
Number of the Week — 300 ? Iowa will play game No. 300 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena Saturday, December 4. The Hawkeyes potentially can play fifth-ranked Rutgers that game. The Scarlet Knights are coached by former Iowa Head Coach C. Vivian Stringer.
Scouting Oklahoma ? Oklahoma (3-1) enters this weekend’s tournament ranked No. 20 in the nation. The Sooners will have played four games, compared to Iowa’s two, after they advanced to the championship game of the Pre-season WNIT.
The Sooners defeated UW-Milwaukee (89-57), SMU (80-43) and New Mexico (74-63) before falling at Connecticut (82-62). Oklahoma was plagued by poor 3-point shooting at Connecticut, draining only 9.5 percent (2-21) from behind the arc.
Oklahoma is led by freshman center Courtney Paris, who is averaging 22.0 ppg and 13.5 rpg. Paris, who stands 6-4, posted double-doubles Oklahoma’s first three contests. Paris recorded season highs in scoring (26) and rebounding (18) in the Sooners’ win at New Mexico. Courtney Paris’ sister, Ashley, ranks third on the team in scoring (7.5) and second in rebounding (6.5). Leah Rush ranks second in scoring (9.5) and third in rebounding (4.3).
Oklahoma is coached by tenth-year Head Coach Sherri Coale (176-109, .618).
Oklahoma Tip-Ins ? The Paris twins (Courtney and Ashley) grew up in the Bay Area, attending Piedmont High School in Piedmont, CA.
Oklahoma has logged some series frequent flyer miles the last couple weeks. The Sooners played games in New Mexico and Connecticut last week before traveling to San Francisco for this weekend’s tournament.
Oklahoma’s five-player recruiting class this fall ranks sixth by the Blue Star Report. The class includes 6-3 center Abi Olajuwon, daughter of NBA legend Hakeen Olajuwon.
All-Time Series Record ? Friday will be the third meeting between Iowa and Oklahoma with all three contests played on neutral courts. Iowa holds a 2-0 series advantage. The Hawkeyes and Sooners met last season in the championship game of the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas, with the Hawkeyes winning 54-47. The Hawkeyes also defeated the Sooners (86-69) in the first round of the Burger King/Pepsi Classic played in Miami, FL on Dec. 28, 1988.
Iowa is 38-29 all-time against current members of the Big XII Conference (Iowa State 20-15, Missouri 5-1, Nebraska 7-4, Oklahoma 2-0, Texas Tech 1-0, Colorado 1-2, Kansas 1-2, Texas 1-2, Kansas State 0-3).
Common Opponents ? Iowa and Oklahoma can potentially play six common opponents: UW-Milwaukee, Iowa State, Illinois, Michigan State, Ohio State, Rider/San Francisco. Both the Hawkeyes (82-42) and Sooners (89-57) bounced UW-Milwaukee.
Last Time Out ? Iowa lost a 95-91 double overtime heartbreaker at Louisiana Tech Tuesday night. The Hawkeyes saw a 19-point second half advantage evaporate as the Lady Techsters out-scored Iowa 24-5 in the final 7:03 of regulation to send the game into the first overtime. Louisiana Tech’s press caused confusion for Iowa and the Lady Techsters forced eight turnovers in the final seven minutes and converted the eight crucial miscues into 12 points. The Hawkeyes missed three front ends of one-and-ones in the final minutes that would have helped secure the victory.
Seniors Crystal Smith and Tiffany Reedy and sophomore Krista VandeVenter paced the Hawkeyes. Smith scored a school record 46 points, Reedy netted 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while VandeVenter grabbed 11 rebounds, netted five points and dished out five assists..
Smith’s 46 points are the most points ever scored by a Louisiana Tech opponent, besting the previous record of 43 points scored by USCs Cheryl Miller, and was one point from a Thomas Assembly Center record.
Record Breaker ? Crystal Smith, who returned to her home state, posted school records in points in a game (46) and free throws attempted (19), while matching the school record for free throws made (15) playing a career-high 44 minutes against Louisiana Tech.
Smith’s 46 points bested Cindy Haugejorde’s 44-point effort vs. Luther College on Jan. 12, 1977. In addition, the 46 points is the second-most scored in a single game in Big Ten history. Illinois’ Kendra Gantt and Penn State’s Kelly Mazzante both netted 49 points.
Smith’s 19 free throws attempted topped the previous school record held by Nadine Domond and Amy Herrig. Domond attempted 16 foul shots vs. UCSB on Nov. 25, 1995, while Herrig attempted 16 free throws vs. Nebraska on Dec. 8, 1996. The 19 free throws attempted ranks eighth in Big Ten annals with five others.
Smith’s 15 free throws made equaled Amy Herrig’s school record of 15 established vs. Nebraska on Dec. 8, 1996. The 15 foul shots made ranks seventh in league history with eight others.
Iowa-Louisiana Tech Fastbreaks ? Freshman center Megan Skouby rejected three shots for the second-straight contest.
In addition to netting a school record 46 points, Crystal Smith rejected a career-high two shots and matched a career-best with eight rebounds.
Iowa played its third double overtime game in school history — all resulting in road losses. The Hawkeyes also lost at Michigan State (1995) and Iowa State (2003).
Iowa converted only 7-13 (.538) from the foul line the final five minutes of regulation and both overtimes combined, including missing two front ends of one-and-ones during the final minutes of regulation.
Louisiana Tech’s win evens the all-times series at 4-4.
Giving Thanks ? Iowa has won four of its five tournaments it has competed in during Thanksgiving week under Head Coach Lisa Bluder — boasting a record of 9-1. The Hawkeyes won the Hawkeye Challenge (2000), Great Alaska Shootout (2001), FIU Thanksgiving Classic (2003) and the Junkanoo Jam (2004). Iowa placed third in the LMU Thanksgiving Classic (2002), falling to NC State (69-66) in overtime.
On This Date ? Iowa is 7-5 in games played on November 25, losing two of the last three.
Countdown to 100 ? Iowa Head Women’s Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder is only three victories from notching her 100th on the Iowa sidelines. Bluder, who is the second all-time winningest Iowa coach, boasts a 97-59 (.622) record in six years mentoring the Hawkeyes.
Making the List ? Iowa’s 40-point win over UW-Milwaukee ranks as the 25th-largest margin of victory in school history. Iowa has posted five wins of 40 points or more under Coach Bluder (48 – UT-Pan American, 2001; 45 – Western Illinois, 2000; 43 – Creighton, 2002; 40 – Northwestern, 2001; 40 — UW-Milwaukee, 2005).
All-Big Ten Returnees ? Iowa returns two players who received all-Big Ten accolades last season. Senior Crystal Smith, who averaged 16.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 2.4 spg, was a third team selection. Smith produced a +12.9 scoring increase from her sophomore to junior year to rank second nationally. Sophomore Krista VandeVenter, who averaged 7.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 2.0 apg, was named to the all-Freshman team. VandeVenter pulled down an Iowa freshman single season record 252 rebounds.
Injured Hawkeyes ? Two players expected to start this year suffered season-ending ACL injuries over the summer. Point guard Lindsay Richards sustained her third ACL injury in as many years on her right knee in June playing a “pick-up” game in Pinehurst, North Carolina while serving as an intern for the PGA U.S. Open Golf Tournament. Like Richards, small forward Johanna Solverson sustained her ACL injury while playing a “pick-up” game. Solverson suffered the injury while playing a game at a DePaul Sports Camp in July. The Chicago area native has been a camp instructor at the DePaul the last two summers.
Raining Threes ? Iowa has made at least one 3-pointer in 212-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.
Californ-IA ? Iowa will be making its sixth trip to the state of California, including its second under Coach Bluder this weekend. The Hawkeyes competed in the Cal-Poly Classic (1981), the San Jose Classic (1984), the NCAA Tournament in Long Beach (1988), the USC Christmas Tournament (1993), the Stanford Cardinal Classic (1994) and the LMU Thanksgiving Classic (2002).
Young Guns ? Iowa is tied for 15th in the nation with the most underclassmen on its roster. The Hawkeyes are tied with 16 other schools, including Big Ten schools Northwestern and Illinois, with nine underclassmen on its roster. The Hawkeyes have four freshmen and five sophomores on its roster. Air Force (13) leads the nation, followed by New Orleans (12). Michigan is tied for seventh (10), while Penn State (8) and Wisconsin (8) are tied for 31st.
Fresh Faces ? Iowa welcomes five talented freshmen to its 2005-06 roster. The Hawkeyes add two guards (Kristi Smith and Lindsey Nyenhuis), two forwards (Wendy Ausdemore and Nicole VanderPol) and one center (Megan Skouby). Smith is a 5-6 point guard, while Nyenhuis is a 5-7 shooting guard. Ausdemore is a 6-2 small forward, while VanderPol is a 6-1 power forward. Skouby is a 6-6 center and is the tallest Iowa women’s basketball player in history.
Day-to-Day ? Freshman Lindsey Nyenhuis did not dress for Iowa’s first two games due to a foot injury. The native of Grand Rapids, MI, is out indefinitely.
2004-05 Recap ? The 2004-05 Iowa Hawkeyes finished its season with a 23-10 overall record and 8-8 mark in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes won their first 13 games and were the last Division I school to be undefeated. Iowa advanced to the semifinals of the WNIT before losing to the eventual champions (SMS) on the road. Iowa captured the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge and the Junkanoo Jam holiday tournaments before entering the rigouris Big Ten schedule. The Hawkeyes finished their season winning seven of their last nine and posted a 13-1 mark against non-conference opponents. Iowa’s 23 wins are the most during Lisa Bluder’s five-year tenure and the most victories since the 1995-96 season (27). The 23 victories equal the seventh-most wins in a single season in school history, matching the 1989-90 team. The Iowa single season record is 29, established by the 1987-88 squad.
Preseason Rankings ? Iowa can potentially play eight games against six of the teams ranked in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Hawkeyes are slated to play fourth-ranked Ohio State and 11th-ranked Michigan State twice. Iowa will also play 17th-ranked Minnesota, 23rd-ranked Purdue and 25th-ranked Oklahoma once each during the 2005-06 campaign. The Hawkeyes can potentially meet fifth-ranked Rutgers in the second game of the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge.
Hawkeye Schedule ? Iowa will play one of its most challenging schedules during Bluder’s tenure. The Hawkeyes can potentially play 12 teams who played in the postseason last year, including 10 NCAA Tournament teams. Iowa is slated to play NCAA Tournament squads Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan State twice during the regular season, while it will also square off against Minnesota, Purdue, Iowa State, UW-Green Bay, Oklahoma and Louisiana Tech once. Iowa and Rutgers can potentially meet in the second round of the Hawkeye Challenge. The Hawkeyes will also face WNIT opponents Illinois (twice) and Creighton. Iowa will play its 900th game as a varsity sport on Feb. 2, 2006 vs. Purdue in Iowa City.
Iowa Big Ten Schedule ? Iowa’s Big Ten portion of its schedule includes single games with Penn State, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Purdue, with the Golden Gophers and Boilermakers playing in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes will play Big Ten favorites Michigan State and Ohio State in consecutive games twice this season. Iowa hosts the Spartans on Jan. 9 and the Buckeyes on Jan. 12. The Hawkeyes travel to Columbus on Feb. 12 and East Lansing on Feb. 16.
Home Grown Hawkeyes ? Iowa’s roster features six players from the state of Iowa (Wendy Ausdemore, Abby Emmert, Ebone Pope, Tiffany Reedy, Stacy Schlapkohl and Nicole VanderPol). The Hawkeyes also have four players from Illinois (Jenee Graham, Morgan Kasperek, Lindsay Richards, Johanna Solverson). Iowa’s 15-person roster also features players from Colorado (Kristi Smith), Louisiana (Crystal Smith), Michigan (Lindsey Nyenhuis), Minnesota ( Krista VandeVenter) and Ohio (Megan Skouby).
Center of Attention ? For the fifth time during Coach Bluder’s Iowa tenture, the Hawkeyes will start the season with a different center. Jamie Cavey started for the Hawkeyes the last two years. She became Iowa’s first center to start consecutive seasons since Amy Herrig (1997-99). Randi Peterson was Iowa’s starter in 2000-01, followed by Beatrice Bullock (2001-02), Tracy Schrupp (2002-03) and Jamie Cavey (2003-05).
Iowa’s two centers on its 2005-06 roster are sophomore Stacy Schlapkohl and freshman Megan Skouby.
Smith Leads Big Ten All-Stars ? Guard Crystal Smith helped the Big Ten Foreign All-Star Team to a perfect 5-0 record last summer in games played in Belgium and the Netherlands. Smith ranked second in scoring (12.8) and assists (2.6). She sank a 10-foot jumper for the game-winning basket with seconds to play to lift the Big Ten All-Stars to a 78-77 victory over the Belgium National Team for the team’s fourth win of the trip.
Nuthin’ But Net ? Catch all the University of Iowa women’s basketball games on the radio and the Internet (www.hawkeyesports.com). Fans can listen to live or archived games with a subscription to “Hawkeye All-Access”.
Brent Balbinot is in his second season as the play-by-play voice, while Shelley Till is in her first season as the color analyst.
Hawkeyes Pen Quoie ? Iowa signed Woodbury, MN, native Zoraa Quoie to a National Letter of Intent this fall. She was an all-conference and honorable mention all-state selection her junior year. Quoie averaged 10.6 ppg and just fewer than four steals per game on a team that won its conference and finished 25-3 last season. Her Woodbury High School team also captured a league title and finished third at the Minnesota state tournament her sophomore year. Quoie was a reserve her sophomore year, but started last season. She was also an all-state sprinter on the track team her freshman year.
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.
On the Horizon ? Iowa returns home to host three games next week. Iowa will entertain UW-Green Bay Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 5:35 p.m., then host the four-team KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge, Dec. 3-4 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.