Hawkeyes to Host Minnesota Sunday

Jan. 20, 2006

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The Setting ? Iowa (12-6, 5-2) returns home after a two-game road trip to host 12th-ranked Minnesota (12-4, 5-1) Sunday. Tip-off is slated for 2:05 p.m. inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for youths and University students are admitted free with student I.D. Sunday’s game will be Iowa’s 400th Big Ten contest.

Iowa has won eight of its last ten games, while Minnesota has won six of its last eight. The game will be the only regular season match-up between the two teams. Minnesota is currently in a second place tie in the Big Ten standings with Ohio State, while Iowa is alone in fourth place.

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. KXIC will broadcast Sunday’s contest tape delayed due to its wrestling coverage.

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 ? Sunday’s game will be televised live in Eastern Iowa on KCRG and the state of Minnesota on FSN North. John Campbell, Amy Herrig and Scott Saville will call the action for KCRG, while Marney Gellner and Andrea Lloyd-Curry will call the action for FSN North.

Iowa History ? Iowa has played 897 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 549-348 (.612). That includes a 272-127 (.682) mark in Big Ten games and a 245-60 (.803) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Girl Scout Day ? Sunday will be Iowa’s annual “Girl Scout Day”. Eight Hawkeyes were either a Brownie and/or Girl Scout: Crystal Smith (Girl Scout), Jeneé Graham (Brownie), Tiffany Reedy (Brownie), Johanna Solverson (Brownie and Girl Scout), Megan Skouby (Brownie and Girl Scout), Morgan Kasperek (Brownie), Krista VandeVenter (Brownie) and Nicole VanderPol (Brownie). Head Coach Lisa Bluder was also a Brownie and Girl Scout.

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 left 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 (1,042), 904 of which came the last 51 games (17.7 ppg). She also ranks sixth in career 3-pointers (101) and seventh in steals (189).

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 19.3 ppg through 18 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 Minnesota ? Minnesota defeated Michigan by 28 points (85-57) Thursday night in Ann Arbor. The 85 points is a season high for the Golden Gophers. Shannon Bolden and Jamie Broback each scored 12 points to pace the Golden Gophers. Minnesota shot 47.1 percent (8-17) from 3-point range and collected 14 steals in the victory.

The 12th-ranked Golden Gophers split two difficult home games last week, first falling to then-No. 11 Purdue (60-54) in overtime, but then defeating then-No. 9 Michigan State (71-58) for its first-ever victory over the Spartans in Williams Arena.

Minnesota (.383) ranks first ahead Iowa (.377) in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage. The Golden Gophers also rank first in triples made (5.75) and fourth in field goal percentage (.446).

Broback leads the Golden Gophers, ranking 18th in Big Ten scoring (12.0) and seventh in rebounding (7.2). Senior April Calhoun, who transferred to Minnesota from Iowa after her sophomore season, ranks sixth in Big Ten assists (3.81), third in assist/turnover ratio (1.97) and eighth in free throw percentage (.841). Sophomore Natasha Williams ranks third in league field goal percentage (.582) and fifth in blocks (1.38). Senior Shannon Schnonrock ranks second in conference 3-point field goal percentage (.408).

Minnesota is coached by Pam Borton, who’s in her eighth year (157-73, .683) as a head coach and her fourth (88-27, .765) with the Golden Gophers. Borton is 4-2 against the Hawkeyes.

All-Time Series Record ? Sunday will be the 55th meeting between Iowa and Minnesota, with the Hawkeyes leading the series 36-18. Iowa boasts a 20-6 advantage in games played in Iowa City.

Minnesota has won five of the last seven overall meetings against Iowa. The Golden Gophers won the only regular season meeting between the two teams last year, 81-50, in Minneapolis. The Hawkeyes defeated Minnesota (81-61, in 2004) in the last game played between the two teams in Iowa City.

Iowa and Minnesota Notes ? Minnesota senior guard April Calhoun played two seasons with the Hawkeyes (2001-03) before transferring to Minnesota. The New Hope, MN, native sat out the 2003-04 season due to transfer rules.

Senior Tiffany Reedy needs only three points to collect career point No. 500.

Iowa boasts a 7-2 mark when collecting 10 or more steals this season. The Hawkeyes rank fifth (9.67) in Big Ten steals in overall games. In conference games only, Crystal Smith ranks first (3.0), followed by teammate Krista VandeVenter (2.71).

Iowa is the only Big Ten team to have two players rank in the top five in scoring in league games only. Crystal Smith ranks second (18.0), while Megan Skouby ranks fifth (16.4).

On This Date ? Iowa is 2-3 in games played on January 22, losing its last two.

RPI Ratings ? Iowa ranks 54th, while Minnesota ranks 26th in the RPI ratings published on Jan. 20 on www.collegerpi.com. The Hawkeyes also rank 40th in strength of schedule, while the Golden Gophers rank 31st. 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. 16. Crystal Smith ranks 23rd in scoring.

Last Meeting ? Iowa dropped an 81-50 decision at No. 14 Minnesota on Feb. 3, 2005.

The Hawkeyes led 10-9 early, before Minnesota went on a 10-0 run in 4:45 to take a 20-10 advantage with 11:03 left in the half. Later, Iowa trailed 31-23 with 4:39 left in the half, but managed to score only one field goal the remainder of the half and the Golden Gophers took a 14-point halftime lead (41-27). Minnesota all-American Janel McCarville was in foul trouble in the first stanza and scored four points in only 10 minutes, but the Hawkeyes were unable to trim the Golden Gopher advantage.

Iowa looked to gain some momentum in the second half, but McCarville and the Golden Gophers came out firing, out-scoring Iowa 22-6 the first 7:58 to take a commanding 32-point lead (65-32).

Jamie Cavey led all Iowa scorers with 18 points and also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Crystal Smith added 12 points, while Johanna Solverson distributed a game-high six assists.

Jamie Broback paced the Golden Gophers posting game highs in points (21) and rebounds (9). McCarville scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half and also hauled in eight boards. Shannon Schonrock tallied 12 of her 14 points on the first half on 4-5 shooting from beyond the arc. As a team, the Golden Gophers drained eight triples to the Hawkeyes’ two.

Minnesota forced 26 Iowa turnovers and scored 24 points off Hawkeye miscues. Iowa recorded more turnovers (26) than field goals (17).

Last Time Out ? Iowa converted 11 of its last 12 free throws in the final minutes as the Hawkeyes held off a surging Wisconsin Badger squad 68-59 Thursday night at the Kohl Center. Freshman Megan Skouby poured in a game-high 23 points, while seniors Tiffany Reedy and Crystal Smith each contributed 15 points.

Iowa was forced to make its foul shots down the stretch as Wisconsin held the Hawkeyes to only one field goal the last 7:18. The Badgers cut the Iowa advantage to four (61-57) with 57 seconds remaining, but the Hawkeyes made five of their last six free throws en route to victory.

Iowa scored more points at the free throw line (16) than from the field (14) in the second period. The Hawkeyes finished the game shooting 78.6 percent (22-28) from the charity stripe. Wisconsin shot a dismal 28.6 percent (4-14) from the foul line, including 20.0 percent (2-10) in the second period.

In addition to scoring 15 points, Smith equaled a career high with six steals. Reedy’s 15 points was a season best.

Wisconsin dominated Iowa on the glass, out-rebounding the Hawkeyes by 12 (43-31). Hawkeye sophomore Krista VandeVenter pulled down 13 of their 31 boards.

Reedy has a nice first half, shooting 4-4 from the field, including 1-1 from 3-point range, and 1-2 from the foul line for 10 points. Skouby netted 13 first-half points, while Smith added seven points for the Hawkeyes.

The Hawkeye defense was stifling, forcing 14-Wisconsin first-half turnovers, with Iowa converting those miscues into 18 points. Wisconsin recorded 19 miscues for the game.

The Badgers were led by Jolene Anderson and Ashley Josephson. Anderson tallied a team-high 20 points, while Josephson registered 10.

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 16.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.57 blocks in conference play. The 6-6 standout ranks 17th in overall scoring (12.7) in the Big Ten, fifth in field goal percentage (.546), third in blocks (1.61). She ranks sixth in conference scoring (16.4), fourth in blocks (1.57) and 17th in rebounding (5.6). Skouby has led Iowa in scoring five of the last eight 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 (19.3) and 23rd nationally; Michigan State’s Liz Shimek (18.9) ranks second. Smith has led Iowa in scoring in 12 of Iowa’s 18 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 (51) as a Hawkeye, ranks third in Big Ten rebounding (8.4), sixth in steals (2.39), 11th in blocks (0.83) and 29th in scoring (8.9). She has led the Hawkeyes in rebounding 13 times this season. The 6-2 power forward averaged 8.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.1 steals in Iowa’s last nine contests.

Triple Play ? Tiffany Reedy made 19 triples in each of her first three seasons. The senior has drained four 3-pointers in the last two games to raise her total to 21 to establish a new single-season high. She is shooting at a 37.5 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 (.377) after ranking fourth last year (.343). The Hawkeyes shot a Big Ten-season-best 69.2 percent (9-13) from behind the arc at Northwestern.

Dishing the Rock ? Iowa ranks second in Big Ten assists, dishing the ball 17.72 times per game. Four Hawkeyes average 2.28 assists or better: Crystal Smith (3.28), Krista VandeVenter (3.11), Kristi Smith (2.89) and Abby Emmert (2.28).

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 12 contests, only averaging 15.25 turnovers. The Hawkeyes only turned the ball over 14 times at Michigan and vs. #9 Michigan State, 13 times vs. #8 Ohio State and a season-low 11 times at Wisconsin. Iowa is 8-2 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponent.

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 18 games. The Hawkeyes rank first in Big Ten 3-point field goal defense (.261). 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 percentage in a game. She is shooting a blistering 95.0 percent (38-40) 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 51 games as a Hawkeye, including all 18 this season. The power forward ranks third in team scoring (8.9) and first in rebounding (8.4). She has pulled down 403 rebounds and is only five rebounds from equaling teammate Johanna Solverson for 19th on Iowa’s career rebounding chart.

Smith started the last ten games at point guard for Iowa. The native of Thornton, CO ranks fifth in team scoring (6.1) and second in assists (2.89).

Skouby will start her eighth contest Sunday. The 6-6 center ranks second in team scoring (12.7), first in blocks (1.61) and field goal percentage (.546), 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 (.261) and scoring offense (73.9), second in field goal percentage (.463), 3-point field goal percentage (.377), assists (17.72), assist/turnover ratio (+1.03) and third in turnover margin (1.56) and scoring margin (+10.8).

Senior Crystal Smith ranks first in league scoring (19.3), fourth in 3-point field goals made (1.94) and steals (2.56), fifth in free throw percentage (.848) and sixth in 3-point field goal percentage (.376). Freshman Megan Skouby ranks fifth in field goal percentage (.546) and third in blocks (1.61). Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks third in rebounding (8.4), second in defensive rebounds (6.06), sixth in steals (2.39) and 11th in blocks (0.83).

Freshmen Step Up ? Iowa’s freshmen class (Megan Skouby, Wendy Ausdemore, Kristi Smith, Nicole VanderPol and Lindsey Nyenhuis) are averaging 28.3 ppg through 18 games. The fivesome tallied a freshmen season-best 43 points at Northwestern last Sunday.

Skouby ranks second in team scoring (12.7) and fourth in rebounding (4.4), Smith ranks fifth in scoring (6.1) and second in assists (2.89), while Ausdemore ranks sixth in scoring (5.9).

High Octane ? Iowa, who ranks second in Big Ten scoring offense, has scored 80 points or more in seven of its 18 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).

Movin’ On Up ? Senior Crystal Smith (189) is only one steal from equaling Jennie Lillis (190) for sixth on Iowa’s career steals chart. Smith (1,042) is also only four points from catching Robin Anderson (1,046) for 20th in career scoring at Iowa. Sophomore Krista VandeVenter is only five rebounds from matching Johanna Solverson (408) for 19th in career rebounds.

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.

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 6.0 points, 3.57 assists and 0.86 steals.

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.

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 108-65 (.622) record in six years mentoring the Hawkeyes.

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 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 hits the road again when it travels to Penn State Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 6:05 p.m. (CST) at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Hawkeyes will then have one week to prepare for nationally-ranked Purdue, who visits Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday, Feb. 2.