Jan. 17, 2006
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The Setting ? Iowa (11-6, 4-2) remains on the road Thursday when it travels to Madison, WI, to face Wisconsin (6-11, 1-5). Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. inside the Kohl Center (17,142). Iowa has won six of its last eight games, while Wisconsin has lost 11 of its last 13.
Iowa will play its next four opponents (at Wisconsin, vs. Minnesota, at Penn State and vs. Purdue) only once during the regular season.
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 and WMT 600-AM in Cedar Rapids.
The game can also be heard live over the Internet at www.hawkeyesports.com. Just click “Hawkeye All-Access” at the top right of the page. “Hawkeye All-Access” is a subscription service.
On the Tube ? Thursday’s game will be televised live to a regional cable audience on Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Dave Eanet and Greg Kelser will call the action.
Iowa History ? Iowa has played 896 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 548-348 (.612). That includes a 271-127 (.681) mark in Big Ten games and a 245-60 (.803) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Sunday’s game vs. Minnesota will be Iowa’s 400th Big Ten contest.
Gold on the Road ? Iowa will wear its gold uniforms in all road games this year after it had its black uniforms shrunk at the Odwalla Classic, Nov. 25-26. After the Hawkeyes played nationally-ranked Oklahoma on Nov. 25, the San Francisco Athletic Department, who hosted the tournament, accidentally overheated Iowa’s road uniforms while washing the uniforms for the Iowa’s consolation game vs. Rider.
Fifth Hawkeye Suffers Knee Injury ? Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder announced Monday that freshman small forward Nicole VanderPol will be sidelined 3-6 weeks after suffering a partial tear to her medial collateral ligament in her left knee during the second half of Sunday’s 80-48 victory at Northwestern.
The injury is the fifth knee setback to an Iowa women’s basketball player in the last seven months. Point guard Lindsay Richards (June), small forward Johanna Solverson (July) and center Stacy Schlapkohl (December) all suffered season-ending ACL injuries to their right knee. Additionally, small forward Jenee Graham (September) had surgery to repair meniscus damage to her keft knee, and returned by the start of the season.
“Unfortunately Nicole has suffered a partial tear in her ligament,” said Bluder. “We are thankful that it is only a partial tear and she’ll be back without requiring surgery. Again, we’ll have to make some adjustments to our lineup, but we hope to have Nicole back before the end of the season.”
VanderPol averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 16 games off the bench for the Hawkeyes. She was shooting 55.6 percent (15-27) from the field and 73.7 percent (14-19) from the foul line before sustaining the knee injury.
Crystal Smith Nets Career Point No. 1,000 ? Crystal Smith became the 22nd Iowa player to amass 1,000 career points when the senior netted 26 points vs. No. 8 Ohio State on Jan. 12 to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau. Smith currently ranks 21st in Hawkeye career scoring (1,027), 889 of which came the last 50 games (17.8 ppg). She also ranks sixth in career 3-pointers (100) and seventh in steals (183). Smith played in career game No. 100 Sunday at Northwestern.
Smith averaged 1.1 points per game in 21 games her freshman year, followed by a 3.9 scoring average in 29 contests her sophomore season and 16.8 ppg her junior year. Smith currently averages 19.6 ppg through 15 games in her senior campaign. Smith’s scoring average ranks first in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally. She has led Iowa in scoring 12 times this season.
Scouting Wisconsin ? Wisconsin enters Thursday’s game losers 11 of its last 13 after its 84-54 setback to Illinois Sunday in Madison. The Fighting Illini shot lights-out Thursday, converting 57.6 percent (34-59) from the field, including a blistering 68.8 percent (11-16) from behind the arc. Jolene Anderson tallied a team-best 16 points, while Jordan Wilson pulled down a team-high six rebounds in defeat.
Thursday will be Wisconsin’s fourth home conference game in six contests.
The Badgers are led by last season’s Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Jolene Anderson. Anderson ranks first in team scoring (17.2), rebounding (7.2) and assists (66). She ranks third in conference games only scoring (17.7), behind Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport (20.0) and Iowa’s Crystal Smith (18.5). Janese Banks, who is Wisconsin’s second-leading scorer (13.7), missed the last three games due to injury and is questionable for Thursday’s game against the Hawkeyes.
Wisconsin is coached by Lisa Stone, who is in her 21st year (403-162, .713) as a head coach and her third season (28-44, .389) with the Badgers.
All-Time Series Record ? Thursday will be the 49th meeting between Iowa and Wisconsin, with the Hawkeyes holding a 29-19 advantage. Iowa holds a slim 11-10 edge in games played in Madison. The Hawkeyes have won three-straight games in the Kohl Center.
Iowa has won five of the last six overall meetings against Wisconsin. The Badgers won the only meeting between Iowa and Wisconsin last year in Iowa City (88-78).
Iowa and Wisconsin Notes ? Iowa mounted one of its most exciting and improbable comebacks in its last visit to the Kohl Center on Feb. 12, 2004. The Hawkeyes overcame an eight-point deficit with 39 seconds left in regulation to defeat Wisconsin 87-82 in overtime. Iowa guard Kristi Faulkner scored an astonishing 15 points (four 3-pointers, one lay-up and one free throw) in the final 1:50 of regulation to help send the game into the extra session.
Iowa defeated Wisconsin in the first-ever game played in the Kohl Center (Jan. 20, 1998). The Hawkeyes downed the Badgers (66-63) in front of 16,296 fans.
Wisconsin Head Coach Lisa Anderson Stone (1980-84) and Assistant Coach Donna Freitag (1981-83) both played basketball for the Hawkeyes. Stone currently ranks 17th in Iowa career scoring (1,129), seventh in assists (322) and eighth in steals (177).
Wisconsin Assistant Coach Stephanie Schmitz was recruited and played two seasons for Lisa Bluder when she coached at Drake. Lisa Stone followed Lisa Bluder as head coach at Drake after Bluder left to become the Hawkeyes’ head coach.
Common Opponents ? Iowa and Wisconsin share no non-conference opponents, but three league foes: Illinois, Michigan State and Northwestern. The Hawkeyes defeated all three opponents (Illinois, 84-65; Northwestern, 80-48; Michigan State 75-64). The Badgers bounced the Wildcats (74-45), but lost to the Spartans (69-63) and the Fighting Illini (84-54).
RPI Ratings ? Iowa ranks 52nd, while Wisconsin ranks 112th in the RPI ratings published on Jan. 17 on www.collegerpi.com. The Hawkeyes also rank 33rd in strength of schedule, while the Badgers rank 34th. All six Iowa losses came to opponents with a current RPI of 74 or better, including three in the top 20.
In the Rankings ? Iowa ranks 16th nationally in field goal percentage, ninth in assists, 23rd in scoring, 26th in 3-point field goal percentage and 18th in fewest fouls per game through games played Jan. 9. Crystal Smith ranks 23rd in scoring. On This Date ? Iowa is 7-1 in games played on January 19, including winning the last four.
Last Meeting ? Wisconsin defeated Iowa 88-78 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Feb. 6, 2005 in the only regular season meeting between the two teams.
Iowa’s defense let go of the perimeter, its offense had 22 turnovers, and two starters fouled out while two more were perilously close with four by the end of the game.
Iowa took early control of the contest building a 15-point lead in the opening eight minutes with strong post play by Krista VandeVenter and Jamie Cavey. VandeVenter scored the Hawkeyes’ first eight points and had 11 for the game.
But the Badgers answered with a 13-0 surge of their own, getting the score to within three with nine minutes to play in the half. Kjersten Bakke tied the game (26-26) on a 3-point play.
While Iowa benefited from the Badgers’ poor defense in the opening minutes, Wisconsin struck back at the perimeter, taking advantage of Iowa’s weakness. For the game, Wisconsin hit 8-12 from 3-point range.
Ashley Josephson nailed 5-6 from beyond the arc and scored a career-high 29 points for the Badgers.
Iowa came out of the intermission and rallied with a 13-2 run that gave the Hawkeyes their largest lead since the 15-pointer they gave up in the first, 53-47.
The Badgers answered and after they tied the contest, they held the Hawkeyes scoreless for the next 7:14.
The Hawkeyes closed the game by sending Anderson and Rich to the line, who turned around four straight free throws.
Last Time Out ? Iowa built a 21-point first-half lead and cruised to an 80-48 triumph over Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The win was Iowa’s largest conference win since recording a 40-point win over Northwestern on Jan. 25, 2001 in Evanston. The victory was also Iowa’s 10-straight over the Wildcats, all under Head Coach Lisa Bluder.
Megan Skouby and Crystal Smith were Iowa’s offensive catalysts today. Skouby netted a game-high 18 points (8-16 FG, 2-2 FT), marking the 11th time this year she has scored double figures. The Big Ten’s leading freshman scorer, has tallied double digits four-straight contests and five of Iowa’s six league games. Smith added 13 points in only 18 minutes of action.
Tiffany Reedy had a solid all-around game, converting 3-4 from 3-point range for nine points and collecting seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Iowa had a better 3-point shooting percentage (.692, 9-13) than Northwestern did free throw percentage (.615, 8-13). Reedy and Lindsey Nyenhuis drained three triples each, Smith nailed two, while Abby Emmert made one.
Leading 16-7, Iowa went on a 12-0 run to expand its advantage to 28-7. Iowa converted 10 of its first 13 field goal attempts, while Northwestern made only three of its first 19. The Hawkeyes made only two field goals the last nine minutes of the first stanza. Iowa led by 16 at the half (36-20).
Northwestern was led by reserve forward Lauren Roberts and Nadia Bibbs. Roberts tallied a team-high 10 points, while Bibbs recorded a career-high eight rebounds.
Eleven of Iowa’s 12 players scored, including 33 points from the Hawkeye bench. Also, Iowa’s freshmen netted a season-high 43 points.
The Hawkeyes outrebounded the Wildcats by 11 (49-38) and collected 24 assists to Northwestern’s 14.
Skouby Leads Big Ten Freshmen ? Freshman Megan Skouby has raised her game to a new level since taking over the starting center position for injured sophomore Stacy Schlapkohl. Skouby, who is the Big Ten freshmen scoring leader, averages 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.83 blocks in conference play. The 6-6 standout ranks 17th in overall scoring (12.1) in the Big Ten, fifth in field goal percentage (.558), third in blocks (1.71). She ranks sixth in conference scoring (15.3), fourth in blocks (1.83) and 17th in rebounding (5.5). Skouby has led Iowa in scoring four of the last seven contests.
Skouby Quickly Climbed Freshman Chart ? Megan Skouby has already rejected 29 shots. She blocked a career-high five shots at Michigan on Jan. 5 to surpass Jennie Lillis for second place on Iowa’s freshman single season blocking list. Tangela Smith holds Iowa’s freshman mark with 73 rejections.
Smith Ranks First in Big Ten in Scoring ? Senior Crystal Smith ranks first in Big Ten scoring (19.6) and 23rd nationally; Michigan State’s Liz Shimek (19.3) ranks second. Smith has led Iowa in scoring in 12 of Iowa’s 17 contests.
Smith’s 46 points at Louisiana Tech are the most scored in a game by any player in the nation this season. San Diego’s Michelle Augustavo ranks second after netting 42 points vs. Clemson on Dec. 11.
Vandy is Dandy ? Sophomore Krista VandeVenter is one of the top all-around threats in the Big Ten. VandeVenter, who has started every game (50) as a Hawkeye, ranks third in Big Ten rebounding (8.1), sixth in steals (2.29), 11th in field goal percentage (.478) and 29th in scoring (9.4). She has led the Hawkeyes in rebounding 12 times this season. The 6-2 power forward averaged 9.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.88 assists and 3.0 steals in Iowa’s last eight contests.
Triple Play ? Tiffany Reedy made 19 triples in each of her first three seasons. The senior drained three 3-pointers at Northwestern to raise her total to 20 to establish a new single-season high. She is shooting at a 38.5 percent clip from behind the arc, good enough to rank seventh in the Big Ten.
Iowa ranks first in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage (.382) after ranking fourth last year (.343). The Hawkeyes raised their 3-point field goal percentage 19 points (36.3 percent to 38.2 percent) Sunday after making a Big Ten-season-best 69.2 percent (9-13) at Northwestern.
Dishing the Rock ? Iowa ranks second in Big Ten assists, dishing the ball 18.24 times per game. Four Hawkeyes average 2.35 assists or better: Crystal Smith (3.35), Krista VandeVenter (3.06), Kristi Smith (3.0) and Abby Emmert (2.35).
Possessing the Rock ? The Hawkeyes struggled with turnovers in their first six games, collecting 21.0 miscues per game. However, Iowa has done a better job maintaining the ball in its last 11 contests, only averaging 15.6 turnovers. The Hawkeyes only turned the ball over 14 times at Michigan and vs. #9 Michigan State and a season-low 13 times vs. #8 Ohio State.
Iowa ranks third in Big Ten turnover margin (+1.18) and second in assist/turnover ratio (1.04). Last year, the Hawkeyes ranked ninth in turnover margin (-1.55) and fifth in assist/turnover margin (0.87).
DE-FENSE! ? Iowa’s perimeter defense has been stellar through 17 games. The Hawkeyes rank first in Big Ten 3-point field goal defense (.257). Last season Iowa ranked 10th in the league in 3-point field goal defense (.361).
Cashing in at the Free Throw Line ? Freshman Wendy Ausdemore became the first Hawkeye to start the season making her first 19 free throw attempts. She has made 19-20 (.950) from the charity stripe this season.
Senior Crystal Smith made her first 18 attempts from the foul line in Iowa’s first three conference contests, including draining all 11 attempts vs. Illinois. Smith’s 11-11 performance tied a school and arena record for free throw perentage in a game. She is 30-32 (.938) from the free throw line in conference games, which ranks first.
Underclassmen Start for Hawkeyes ? Iowa’s starting lineup at Wisconsin includes two freshmen (Kristi Smith and Megan Skouby) and one sophomore ( Krista VandeVenter).
VandeVenter started all 50 games as a Hawkeye, including all 17 this season. The power forward ranks third in team scoring (9.4) and first in rebounding (8.1 ). She is only four rebounds from cracking the Iowa career rebounding top-20 chart. VandeVenter has pulled down 390 rebounds and is four from matching Lindsey Meder (394) for 20th.
Smith started the last nine games at point guard for Iowa. The native of Thornton, CO ranks sixth in team scoring (6.2) and second in assists (3.0).
Skouby will start her seventh contest Thursday. The 6-6 center ranks second in team scoring (12.1), first in blocks (1.71) and field goal percentage (.558), and fourth in rebounding (4.4).
Iowa is one of three Big Ten teams with two or more freshmen starters. Michigan and Penn State start three, while Iowa starts two.
Big Ten Rankings ? Iowa ranks first in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.257), 3-point field goal percentage (.382) and scoring offense (74.3), second in field goal percentage (.467), assists (18.24), assist/turnover ratio (+1.04) and third in blocks (4.18).
Senior Crystal Smith ranks first in league scoring (19.6), fourth in 3-point field goals made (2.0), fifth in steals (2.35), eighth in free throw percentage (.837) and ninth in 3-point field goal percentage (.374). Freshman Megan Skouby ranks fifth in field goal percentage (.558) and third in blocks (1.71). Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks third in rebounding (8.1) and defensive rebounds (5.76), sixth in steals (2.29) and 10th in blocks (0.88).
Freshmen Step Up ? Iowa’s freshmen class (Megan Skouby, Wendy Ausdemore, Kristi Smith, Nicole VanderPol and Lindsey Nyenhuis) are averaging 28.2 ppg through 17 games. The fivesome tallied a freshmen season-best 43 points at Northwestern Sunday. The trio of Ausdemore, Skouby and Smith average 18.9 minutes or more per game.
Skouby ranks second in team scoring (12.1) and fourth in rebounding (4.4), Smith ranks fifth in scoring (6.2) and second in assists (51), while Ausdemore ranks sixth in scoring (6.1).
High Octane ? Iowa, who ranks second in Big Ten scoring offense, has scored 80 points or more in seven of its first 17 games. The Hawkeyes are 6-1 when scoring 80 points or more.
Iowa Ties Arena Mark ? Iowa’s 55 second-half points scored in its 84-65 triumph over Illinois on Jan. 1, matched the Carver-Hawkeye Arena record for most points in a second half. The Hawkeyes also scored 55 vs. Western Illinois on Nov. 25, 2000.
Five Spot ? Crystal Smith, who was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Nov. 28, broke or tied five school records during Thanksgiving week.
The senior broke 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.
Reedy Set Go ? Senior Tiffany Reedy played in her 100th career game vs. Vermont on Dec. 3. The native of Dysart, IA, has had a great start to the 2005-06 campaign, averaging 6.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg and ranking third on the team in steals with 17. Reedy collected 14 thefts and averaged 3.9 ppg and 2.4 rpg in 33 contests last season.
All-Tournament Selections ? Senior Crystal Smith and sophomore Krista VandeVenter were named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge All-Tournament team. Smith also garnered Odwalla Classic All-Tournament accolades for her efforts Nov. 25-26 in San Francisco, CA.
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).
Smith Nominated for Senior CLASS Award ? Seniors Crystal Smith is one of 30 seniors from Division I basketball programs around the nation who have been named as candidates for the Bayer Advantage Senior CLASS Award. The award, now in its fifth year, is presented annually to the nation’s senior player-of-the-year. CLASS is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. The award was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college players leaving college early to turn professional. Smith joins Michigan State’s Liz Shimek and Lindsay Bowen as the only three Big Ten student-athletes nominated. Sportscaster Dick Enberg, who initiated the idea for the award and now serves as honorary Chairman, will announce the winner during the CBS telecast of the NCAA Men’s Final Four in April.
Movin’ On Up ? Senior Crystal Smith (183) is seven steals from equaling Jennie Lillis (190) for sixth on Iowa’s career steals chart. Smith (1,127) is also only 19 points from catching Robin Anderson (1,024) for 20th in career scoring at Iowa. Sophomore Krista VandeVenter is four rebounds from matching Lindsey Meder (394) for 20th in career rebounds.
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 previously 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.
Kristi Smith Maturing Into Starting Role ? Hawkeye freshman Kristi Smith has done a fantastic job directing the Iowa offense since taking over the starting role. Since Big Ten play, Smith has averaged 6.3 points, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals. She is on pace to crack the Iowa freshman single season assists top five list by the end of the season.
Difficult Home Stretch ? Iowa’s last two home contests came against top-ten ranked opponents (No. 9 Michigan State and No. 8 Ohio State). The Hawkeyes’ next two home games will also come against nationally ranked foes: No. 16 Minnesota (Jan. 22) and No. 11 Purdue (Feb. 2).
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.
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).
Century Club ? Iowa Head Women’s Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder reached another milestone on Dec. 3, as Bluder collected her 100th victory as Iowa Head Coach in Iowa’s 79-57 triumph over Vermont on Dec. 3. Bluder, who is the second all-time winningest Iowa coach, boasts a 106-65 (.620) record in six years mentoring the Hawkeyes.
Center of Attention ? For the fifth time during Coach Bluder’s Iowa tenure, 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.
Attendance Rankings ? Iowa ranks 28th nationally in the women’s basketball attendance rankings released Jan. 16. Wisconsin ranks 14th with an average of 5,527.
Hawkeyes Pen Quoie ? Iowa signed Woodbury, MN, native Zoraa Quoie to a National Letter of Intent last 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.
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.
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.
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 home to entertain 16th-ranked Minnesota Sunday for the only regular season meeting between the two teams. The Hawkeyes then hit the road again to face Penn State on Jan. 26 in University Park, PA.