Nov. 28, 2005
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The Setting ? Iowa (2-2) returns from the West Coast to host UW-Green Bay (3-1) Wednesday. Tip-off is slated for 5:35 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500).
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 883 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 539-344 (.610). That includes a 267-125 (.681) mark in Big Ten games and a 239-58 (.805) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa will play game No. 300 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena Saturday, December 4. The Hawkeyes potentially can play nationally-ranked Rutgers that game. The Scarlet Knights are coached by former Iowa Head Coach C. Vivian Stringer.
Number of the Week — 5 ? Crystal Smith, who was named Big Ten Player of the Week, established or tied five school records last week. The senior set school records for points (46) and free throws attempted (19) in a game and equaled school records in free throws made (15) and 3-pointers attempted (14) in a contest in Iowa’s 95-91 double overtime setback at Louisiana Tech on Nov. 22. The native of Haughton, LA, also matched the school record for field goal percentage in a game (9-9, 1.000) in the Hawkeyes’ 88-41 rout over Rider on Nov. 26.
In the three games, Smith averaged 28.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game. She finished the week 26-of-55 (.473) from the field, 10-of-25 (.400) from the perimeter and 23-of-28 (.821) at the line.
Movin’ On Up ? Senior Crystal Smith (151) is only six steals from tying Johanna Solverson (157) for 12th on Iowa’s career steals chart. Smith (790) is also only 12 points from matching Solverson (802) for 28th in career scoring at Iowa.
On This Date ? Iowa is 3-5 in games played on November 30, including winning its last two.
Scouting UW-Green Bay ? UW-Green Bay (3-1) enters Wednesday’s game on a three-game winning streak, having defeated Northern Illinois (73-67, OT), Pacific (56-41) and Vermont (62-52).
The Phoenix topped Pacific and Vermont to win the Oneida Casino Holiday Tournament last weekend in Green Bay. Nicole Soulis and Natalie Berglin were named to the all-tournament team, with Soulis named Most Valubale Player. Soulis posted a double-double (26 points, 11 rebounds), while Berglin added 16 points and five assists in the championship game triumph over the Catamounts, who Iowa plays Friday.
The duo of Soulis and Berglin lead the team in scoring, both averaging 16.3 ppg. Soulis also ranks first on the squad in rebounding (7.5), while Berglin also leads the team in steals (2.75).
The Phoenix return eight letterwinners, but only one starter from last year’s 27-4 team that won the Horizon League and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Kevin Borseth is in his 19th year as a collegiate head coach (392-149, .725), and his eighth with UWGB (167-52, .763).
UW-Green Bay Tip-Ins ? Wednesday’s game starts a four-game road trip for the Phoenix. Following Wednesday’s contest in Iowa City, UW-Green Bay travels to Oakland (MI) (Dec. 3), Illinois State (Dec. 8) and DePaul (Dec. 10). In fact, seven on its next eight games are on the road.
Ten of UW-Green Bay’s 13 players on its roster hail from Wisconsin. The other three are natives of Illinois, Indiana and Florida.
The Phoenix have won six-straight Horizon League regular season titles and have recorded four-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Like Iowa, UW-Green Bay have five freshmen on this year’s roster.
All-Time Series Record ? Wednesday will be the first meeting between Iowa and UW-Green Bay.
Iowa is 6-1 all-time against current members of the Horizon League (Butler, 2-0; UW-Milwaukee, 2-0; Illinois-Chicago, 1-1; Wright State, 1-0).
Common Opponents ? Iowa and UW-Green Bay play two common opponents: UW-Milwaukee and Vermont. The Hawkeyes topped the Panthers 81-41 in the season opener on Nov. 20. The Phoenix will play twice in February during conference play. UW-Green Bay defeated Vermont 62-52 in the championship game of the Oneida Casino Holiday Tournament. Iowa will face the Catamounts Friday in the first round of the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge.
Last Time Out ? Iowa split a pair of games on the West Coast last weekend, falling to No. 22 Oklahoma (85-68) Friday, then rebounding to defeat Rider (88-41) Saturday in the Odwalla Classic in San Francisco, CA.
Iowa broke open the consolation game against Rider, scoring the first 21 points of the second half and out-scoring the Broncs 29-2 in the first 10:30 of the second stanza. The Hawkeyes led by as many as 50 points in the second period.
Senior Crystal Smith paced Iowa, scoring a game-high 24 points and collecting five rebounds and four assists. Smith, who was named to the all-tournament team, equaled a school record for field goal percentage in a game, sinking all nine field goal attempts, including all four 3-pointers. She also drained both free throw attempts.
Iowa had five players in double figures for the first time this season. In addition to Smith, freshman Megan Skouby netted 11, while senior Tiffany Reedy, freshman Nicole VanderPol and senior Stacy Schlapkohl all contributed 10 points. The 10 points by VanderPol is a career high. Additionally, senior Morgan Kasperek led all rebounders for the first time in her career with six boards.
The Hawkeyes shot the ball extremely well, converting a season-best 63.2 percent (36-57) from the field and also drained 88.9 percent (8-9) from the charity stripe.
Nine Hawkeyes contributed to Iowa’s season-high 30 assists. Sophomore Abby Emmert dished out a career-high seven assists, while sophomore Krista VandeVenter collected five.
Iowa was on fire in the second half, making its first six field goal attempts, including three-straight triples by Smith. The Hawkeyes shot a blistering 68.8 percent (22-32), including 70.0 percent (7-10) from 3-point range, in the second period.
Countdown to 100 ? Iowa Head Women’s Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder is only two victories from notching her 100th on the Iowa sidelines. Bluder, who is the second all-time winningest Iowa coach, boasts a 98-61 (.616) record in six years mentoring the Hawkeyes.
Night and Day ? Iowa converted a season-low 65.0 percent (26-40) from the free throw line in its double overtime loss at Louisiana Tech. The Hawkeyes rebounded at the foul line in their next two contests at the Odwalla Classic, converting a combined 89.3 percent (25-28).
More on Smith’s Records ? Crystal 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. The 46 points are the most 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.
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.
Smith’s 14 three-pointers attempted equals the school record previosuly set by Lindsey Meder twice before. Meder attempted 14 at Colorado on Dec. 2, 2001 and vs. Ohio State on Jan. 3, 2002.
Smith’s perfect 9-9 (1.000) shooting performance from the field matched Jamie Cavey’s record of 9-9 (1.000) vs. Marquette on March 23, 2003. All of Cavey’s field goals were two-point baskets, while four of Smith’s five were from behind the arc.
Big Ten Rankings ? Iowa ranks first in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage (.400), second in steals (13.75), scoring offense (82.2), 3-point field goals made (5.5) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.246) and third in blocked shots (5.25), assists (19.5), scoring margin (+16.5), field goal percentage (.500), free throw percentage (.750) and field goal percentage defense (.363).
Senior Crystal Smith ranks first in league scoring (24.0) and second in 3-point field goals made (2.75). Freshman Megan Skouby ranks second in blocked shots (2.25), while sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks fourth in rebounding (8.3).
Vivian Returns To Iowa City ? Former Iowa Head Coach C. Vivian Stringer will return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge this weekend. It will mark her first appearanace in the arena since coaching her last game on the Hawkeye sidelines in 1995.
Stringer, Iowa’s all-time winningest coach (269 wins), coached 12 seasons in Iowa City and guided the Hawkeyes to six Big Ten regular season titles and nine-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. The Hall of Fame coach and the Hawkeyes advanced to three Elite Eight’s and ultimately one Final Four in 1993.
Stringer and the Hawkeyes won 46-consecutive home games from 1986-90 and 41-straight Big Ten Conference contests between 1985-90 — both league records.
Also making their return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Dec. 3-4 will be former Hawkeye teammates and all-americans Michelle Edwards and Jolette Law. Edwards was named the 1988 National Player of the Year and is the only Hawkeye to have her jersey retired (No. 30). Law was a Kodak District all-American in 1990 and then went on to tour four years with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Making the List ? Iowa has recorded two victories by 40 points or more this season. The Hawkeyes posted a 40-point triumph (82-42) over UW-Milwaukee on Nov. 20. The 40-point win ranks as the 15th-largest margin of victory in school history. Iowa registered a 47-point victory (88-41) over Rider on Nov. 26. The 47-point win ranks as the ninth-largest margin of victory in Iowa history.
Iowa has posted six wins of 40 points or more under Coach Bluder (48 – UT-Pan American, 2001; 47 — Rider; 45 – Western Illinois, 2000; 43 – Creighton, 2002; 40 – Northwestern, 2001; 40 — UW-Milwaukee, 2005).
Home Sweet Home ? Four of Iowa’s next five games will be at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. In fact, the Hawkeyes will not leave the state of Iowa until its conference opener at Indiana on December 29.
Freshmen Step Up ? Iowa’s freshmen class averaged 30.5 ppg, 6.0 apg and 9.0 rpg in its two games at the Odwalla Classic.
High Octane ? Iowa, who ranks second in Big Ten scoring offense, has scored 80 points or more in three of its first four games.
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 214-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.
Day-to-Day ? Freshman Lindsey Nyenhuis did not dress for Iowa’s first four games due to a foot injury. The native of Grand Rapids, MI, is out indefinitely.
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.
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 started 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.
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.
“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 6-7 p.m. Fans can call toll-free at (800) 332-5401 or locally at (319) 365-0600. The show originates from Bob’s Your Uncle restaurant on the eastside of Iowa City.
On the Horizon ? Iowa returns to action when it hosts the four-team KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge, Dec. 3-4 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Rutgers meets San Jose State, while Iowa plays Vermont in first round action Saturday.