Dec. 1, 2005
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The Setting ? The Iowa Hawkeyes will host its 20th annual KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge this weekend at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The four-team field features Iowa, No. 6 Rutgers, San Jose State and Vermont. San Jose State (2-1) will play Rutgers (3-0) at 12 p.m., followed by Iowa (3-2) and Vermont (2-3) at 2:15 p.m. Saturday. The consolation game will start at 12 p.m., followed by the championship contest at 2:15 p.m. Sunday.
Iowa In the Hawkeye Challenge ? Iowa has won 16 of the 19 tournaments, including six of the last seven, and boast a 34-4 tournament record. This year marks only the fourth time in the tournament’s 20-year history that it is being held in December. Iowa bounced Missouri (75-54) in the championship game last year.
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.
On the Tube ? Iowa’s game Sunday vs. Rutgers or San Jose State will be televised in Eastern Iowa on KCRG-TV9. John Campbell, Amy Herrig and Scott Saville will call the action.
Iowa History ? Iowa has played 884 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 540-344 (.611). That includes a 267-125 (.681) mark in Big Ten games and a 240-58 (.805) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa will play game No. 300 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena Sunday, December 4. The Hawkeyes could play No. 6 Rutgers in 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, broke 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 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 (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.
Countdown to 100 ? Iowa Head Women’s Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder is only one victory from notching her 100th on the Iowa sidelines. Bluder, who is the second all-time winningest Iowa coach, boasts a 99-61 (.619) record in six years mentoring the Hawkeyes.
Home Sweet Home ? Three of Iowa’s next four 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. Iowa’s final two non-conference road contests are at Iowa State (Dec. 8) and Northern Iowa (Dec. 21).
On This Date ? Iowa is 2-6 in games played on December 3, including losses in its last two.
Scouting Vermont ? Vermont (2-3) will travel back to the Midwest after losing at UW-Green Bay (62-52) in the championship contest of the Oneida Casino Holiday Tournament last Saturday. The Catamounts defeated Mercer (64-43) in the first round of the tournament. Vermont is in the middle of a seven-game road trip. The Catamounts conclude their road trip at Fairfield (Dec. 17) and Siena (Dec. 22). Vermont is 1-2 in games away from Burlington, VT, including an 0-2 record in true road contests.
Vermont is led by sophomore Alexis Castro and junior Brittany Cross. Castro leads the team in scoring (14.2), rebounding (8.4) and assists (3.2). Cross ranks second in scoring (9.8) and assists (2.2) and fourth in rebounding (4.8).
Sophomore Sara Fenton hails from East Grand Rapids, MI. Iowa freshman Lindsey Nyenhuis played against Fenton in high school.
Sarah Madey (Derby Line) is the only Catamount who is a Vermont native.
Sharon Dawley is in his 11th year as a collegiate head coach (167-94, .640), and her third with Vermont (30-61, .330).
Scouting No. 6 Rutgers ? Rutgers (3-0) visits Iowa City this weekend fresh off a win over Bethune-Cookman (73-48) Tuesday night. The Scarlet Knights also won the Junkanoo Jam with victories over North Florida (66-36) and NC State (66-56). Rutgers opponents are averaging only 46.7 ppg.
Rutgers is led by senior all-American Cappie Pondexter, who averages 20.0 ppg. Senior Michelle Campbell averages 12.3 ppg, while freshman Kia Vaughn averages 5.7 rpg.
Ten of Rutgers’ first 13 games are away from home, with a potential for seven of the 10 contests being true road games.
Rutgers is coached by former Iowa Head Coach C. Vivian Stringer, who is in her 34th year as a head coach (726-246, .747) and her 11th on the Rutgers sideline (206-111, .654).
Scouting San Jose State ? San Jose State (2-1) fell in its last game to Portland State (68-62) Tuesday. Earlier, it registered consecutive victories over Gonzaga (69-61) and Cal-State Northridge (72-62).
Sophomore Amber Jackson averages a double-double (20.7 ppg and 14.3 rpg) and 38.3 minutes per game. Senior Lamisha Augustine ranks second on the team, averaging 14.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg and 34.3 minutes per contest. The duo of Jackson and Augustine average 11.3 rpg, while the other nine Spartans average 1.7 rpg.
Freshman starter Natalie White is a native of Dubuque, IA. She is averaging 3.7 ppg and 1.0 rpg. Hawkeye Radio Network color analyst Shelley Till coached White for two seasons at Dubuque Senior High School.
San Jose State returns five letterwinners, including two starters from last year’s squad that went 18-12 overall and tied for fourth in the Western Athletic Conference.
The Spartans are coached by Janice Richard, who is in her 13th season as a head coach (241-129, .651) and her seventh with San Jose State (82-92, .471).
All-Time Series Record ? Saturday will be the first meeting between Iowa and Vermont.
Iowa is 1-0 all-time against current members of the America East. The Hawkeyes defeated Boston University (70-48) on Nov. 29, 1986 in the first round of the Hawkeye Challenge.
Vermont is 0-3 against current members of the Big Ten. The Catamounts lost to Purdue in 1985 and dropped two contests to Michigan State, with its most recent loss (85-57) coming last year in East Lansing.
Common Opponents ? Both Iowa and Vermont have played UW-Green Bay. The Catamounts lost 62-52 in the championship game of the Oneida Casino Holiday Tournament held in Green Bay on November 26.
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 a 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.
Last Time Out ? Iowa had five players score double figures for the second-straight game as the Hawkeyes cruised to an 81-57 triumph over UW-Green Bay.
Both teams shot the ball well in the first half, but the Hawkeyes had the edge from 3-point range. The Phoenix converted only 3-13 (.231) from behind the arc in the first period, while the Hawkeyes shot a blistering 7-12 (.583) as they took a 45-30 halftime advantage.
Crystal Smith paced Iowa for the fourth-consectutive game in scoring (14.0). She also collected four rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. Tiffany Reedy amassed 13 points and posted team highs in rebounds (9) and steals (3). Megan Skouby tallied 11 points and six rebounds, while Kristi Smith and Wendy Ausdemore contributed 10 points each. Stacy Schlapkohl pulled down a career-high seven rebounds.
Iowa out-rebounded UW-Green Bay by 20 (46-26) and out-scored the Phoenix by 10 (15-5) in second chance points. The Hawkeyes also matched a season high with seven blocks.
Iowa, UW-Green Fast Fastbreaks ? Iowa scored a season-high 45 first half points against UW-Green Bay.
The Hawkeyes, who lead the Big Ten in 3-point field goal defense, limited the Phoenix to only 6-23 (.261) shooting from behind the arc.
Iowa made its first 12 free throw attempts in the first 31 minutes of the game, but was only able to convert 4-10 the last nine minutes. The Hawkeyes finished the game shooting 16-22 (.727) from the charity stripe.
Tiffany Reedy collected a team-high nine rebounds, marking the first time the senior led all Hawkeyes in rebounding since pulling down eight boards in a 78-67 win at Michigan State on Feb. 1, 2004.
Reedy Set Go ? Senior Tiffany Reedy will be playing in her 100th career game Saturday. The native of Dysart, IA, has had a great start to the 2005-06 campaign, averaging 9.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg and leading the team in steals with 13. Reedy collected 14 thefts and averaged 3.9 ppg and 2.4 rpg in 33 contests last season. She is also well on her way to surpassing her high mark of 19 triples made in each of her first three seasons. Reedy has already drained nine 3-pointers and is shooting at a 52.9 percent clip from behind the arc.
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).
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. The freshmen collected 33 points, nine rebounds and five assists in Iowa’s 81-57 triumph over UW-Green Bay. First-year players Wendy Ausdemore and Kristi Smith both netted a career-high 10 points in the victory.
High Octane ? Iowa, who ranks first in Big Ten scoring offense, has scored 80 points or more in four of its first five games.
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, 2/19/04On the Road: 78-67 over 18th-ranked Michigan State, 2/1/04Neutral Court: 54-47 over 21st-ranked Oklahoma, 11/27/04
Big Ten Rankings ? Iowa ranks first in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage (.425), scoring offense (82.0) and 3-point field goal defense (.250), second in steals (12.2), 3-point field goals made (6.2), assists (19.2), scoring margin (+18.0), blocked shots (5.6) and field goal percentage (.497) and fourth in free throw percentage (.746) and field goal percentage defense (.364).
Senior Crystal Smith ranks first in league scoring (22.0) and third in 3-point field goals made (2.6). Freshman Megan Skouby ranks second in blocked shots (2.2). Tiffany Reedy ranks second in 3-point field goal percentage (.529) and fourth in steals (2.6). Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks fifth in rebounding (7.8).
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.
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).
Movin’ On Up ? Senior Crystal Smith (153) is only four steals from tying Johanna Solverson (157) for 12th on Iowa’s career steals chart. Smith (804) is also only five points from matching Laurie Aaron (809) for 27th in career scoring at Iowa.
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 215-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.
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.
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.
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.
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 travels to Ames to face intrastate rival Iowa State on December 8. The game will be the fourth event in the second annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series. After a 10-day break for finals, the Hawkeyes will return to action when they host Drake on December 18 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Big Ten Tournament Tickets on Sale ? All-session tickets for the 2006 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament are $55. Tickets can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office, Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (317) 239-5151.
The tournament returns to Indianapolis for the 11th time in 12 years and has attracted more than 30,000 fans for each of the last four events. Just two years ago, the Big Ten set a pair of attendance records when the 2004 championship game was played in front of a single-session record of 9,417 fans, which established an overall tournament record of 37,635 spectators. In the past 11 years of Big Ten Tournament play, the conference has welcomed more than 314,000 fans. Five different league representatives have become tournament champions. Purdue leads all teams with five titles followed by two championships for both Iowa and Penn State and a single title for Indiana and Michigan State.