Feb. 14, 2006
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The Setting ? Iowa (14-9, 7-5) remains on the road for its second-straight contest against a nationally ranked opponent when it travels to East Lansing, MI, to face 14th-ranked Michigan State (19-7, 9-4). Tip-off is slated for 6:02 p.m. (CST) at the Breslin Center (14,759).
Iowa snapped a three-game losing skid to Michigan State with a 75-64 triumph on Jan. 9 in Iowa City.
On the Tube ? Thursday’s game will be televised live on ESPNU. Beth Mowins and Nancy Lieberman will call the action. Check with your local cable or satellite provider for distribution in your area.
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.
Thursday’s contest can also be heard live on XM Satellite Radio, channel 197.
Iowa History ? Iowa has played 902 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 551-351 (.611). That includes a 274-130 (.678) mark in Big Ten games and a 247-61 (.802) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Game Time Change ? The Big Ten Conference announced that Iowa’s regular season finale vs. Indiana will be televised live on Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Due to television, the game time has moved from 2 p.m. to 12 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game could potentially have an impact on the seeding for the 2006 Big Ten Tournament presented by Xbox Live. Indiana, which defeated Iowa in Bloomington, 65-53, to open the conference season on Dec. 29, is currently fifth in the Big Ten with an 8-5 record and 14-10 overall. Iowa sits sixth at 7-5, with an overall mark of 14-9.
Number of the Week – – 2 ? Iowa has recorded two victories over top-ten opponents this season (No. 9 Michigan State 75-64 and No. 8 Purdue 77-71, ot). The last time the Hawkeyes recorded two wins against top-ten teams in the same season was Head Coach Lisa Bluder’s first season on the Hawkeye sidelines (2000-01). Iowa picked up two victories over Purdue that year, first when it was ranked fifth (96-87 at Iowa City) and second when the Boilermakers were ranked seventh (75-70 at Grand Rapids).
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.
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 18th in Hawkeye career scoring (1,100), 962 of which came the last 56 games (17.2 ppg). She also ranks sixth in career 3-pointers (107) and steals (198).
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 17.7 ppg through 23 games in her senior campaign. Smith’s scoring average ranks second in the Big Ten and 49th nationally. She has led Iowa in scoring 14 times this season.
Scouting No. 14 Michigan State ? Michigan State enters Thursday’s game winners of five conssecutive contests. Thursday will be the Spartans third-straight home game after posting wins over Minnesota (84-61) and Wisconsin (53-27). Michigan State needed a 20-2 run to end Sunday’s game to rally from a 12-point second-half deficit to upend Wisconsin and remain fourth in the Big Ten standings. The Spartans boast a 13-1 home record, with its only setback coming on a last second shot to No. 7 Ohio State (67-65). The Big Ten’s top four teams in the standings boast a 23-1 home record in league play this season.
Michigan State ranks first in Big Ten rebounding margin (+5.5) and steals (11.46) and second in turnover margin (+2.92) in conference games only. Senior Liz Shimek ranks second in Big Ten rebounding (8.7) and scoring (17.7) in overall games, while Lindsay Bowen ranks second in 3-pointers made (2.12), third in field goal percentage (.913) and fifth in assists (3.81).
The 75 points Michigan State allowed Iowa on Jan. 9 are the most the Spartans have yielded in Big Ten play this year.
Michigan State is coached by Joanne P. McCallie, who is in her 14th year (287-136, .678) as a head coach and his sixth season (120-63, .656) with the Spartans. McCallie is 4-6 against the Hawkeyes.
All-Time Series Record ? Thursday will be the 46th meeting between Iowa and Michigan State, with the Hawkeyes leading the series 29-17. Iowa boasts a 13-8 advantage in games played in East Lansing. The Hawkeyes are 3-1 in games played at the Breslin Center under Coach Bluder. Michigan State has won three of the last four in the series. Iowa snapped a three-game losing skid to the Spartans with a 75-64 victory in Iowa City on Jan. 9, 2006.
Iowa and Michigan State Fast Breaks ? Iowa has raised its Big Ten-leading free throw percentage .24 points the last four contests. The Hawkeyes are 65-73 (.890) from the charity stripe its last four games. Iowa is shooting a staggering 80.0 percent from the foul line in league games.
Two of the Big Ten’s top-two prolific scorers will be featured Thursday in Iowa’s Crystal Smith and Michigan State’s Liz Shimek; both average 17.7 points in overall games. Additionally, Smith (.929) ranks behind Michigan State’s Lindsay Bowen (.935) in conference games only free throw percentage.
Freshman Megan Skouby, who ranks third in Big Ten scoring in conference games only (16.7), has posted double figures 10-straight games — a streak that ranks fourth-best in the league.
Crystal Smith scored a team-high 21 points against the Buckeyes, marking the eighth time this year the senior has eclipsed 20 points. She ranks fifth in the Big Ten in scoring 20 points or more in a game.
Two Hawkeyes posted career highs in the loss at No. 7 Ohio State. Tiffany Reedy drained a personal-best four triples on 4-5 shooting from behind the arc, while Kristi Smith dished out a career-best eight assists against the Buckeyes.
Iowa defeated Michigan State in its previous meeting despite being out-rebounded by eight (40-32). The Hawkeyes are 9-0 when out-rebounding their opponents.
Megan Skouby had her best game statistically against Michigan State on Jan. 9. The native of Mentor, OH, tallied personal bests in points (27), field goals made (12) and attempted (20) and assists (3). She also pulled down eight rebounds.
Both Iowa and Michigan State played against former Iowa Head Coach C. Vivian Stringer’s Rutgers squad this season. The Hawkeyes fell 57-51, while the Spartans held on for a 73-71 triumph.
Freshman Lindsey Nyenhuis is the only Iowa player that hails from Michigan (Grand Rapids).
RPI Ratings ? Iowa ranks 57th, while Michigan State ranks 21st in the RPI ratings published Feb. 13 on www.collegerpi.com. All nine Iowa losses came to opponents with a current RPI of 90 or better, including four in the top 10.
Last Meeting ? Iowa scored 48 second half points en route to a 75-64 triumph over ninth-rated Michigan State inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win was the Hawkeyes’ first over a top-ten ranked team since defeating ninth-ranked Purdue 90-75 on Jan. 6, 2002 in Iowa City.
Freshman Megan Skouby scored a career-high 27 points, while Crystal Smith added 18 and VandeVenter 17 to lead the Hawkeyes. Skouby and Smith also pulled down eight rebounds each, while VandeVenter grabbed a team-best nine.
Skouby dominated the Spartans’ zone defense with turnaround jumpers and hook shots, and finished 12-20 from the field. Her point total was the most by an Iowa freshman since Tiffany Gooden scored 36 in the 1994-95 season.
Iowa forced 21 turnovers and held Michigan State to 4-16 on 3-point attempts. The Hawkeyes turned the 21 Spartan miscues into 17 points.
Michigan State held a 29-27 halftime lead before Skouby sparked the Hawkeyes with 19 second-half points on 6-6 shooting.
The Hawkeyes had a 10-0 run early in the second half to build a 46-36 lead. The Spartans shaved Iowa’s advantage to one (61-60) with 3:13, but Iowa closed the contest on a 14-3 run.
Liz Shimek led Michigan State with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Lindsay Bowen added 13 points.
Crystal Smith was scoreless through the first 12 minutes before helping Skouby in a second-half scoring barrage. Smith hit a jumper with 7:05 left in the first half to give the Hawkeyes their first lead at 20-19. She hit two others during a 10-2 run that padded Iowa’s lead to 22-19.
Iowa’s starters combined for 72 of its 75 points. The Hawkeyes outscored the Spartans 15-4 at the foull line. Michigan State attempted an Iowa opponent season-low six free throws, just one game after converting 30-34 against nationally-rabked Rutgers.
Last Time Out ? Ohio State won a battle between the conferences’ top two scoring offenses Sunday as the seventh-ranked Buckeyes held on for an 88-77 win over Iowa at Value City Arena.
Both teams started the game on fire as Ohio State made its first 11 field goal attempts (100%), while Iowa made eight of its first 11 (72.7%) in the first 7:30 of the game. The Buckeyes finished the contest shooting a Big Ten-season-best 65.4% (34-52), including 53.8% (7-13) from 3-point range. Iowa shot the ball well too, but not good enough as the Hawkeyes made 56.3% (27-48) of their field goals, including 53.3% (8-15) from behind the arc.
Iowa trailed 40-25 late in the first half, but closed the period on a 14-2 run to only trail by three (42-39) at the break. The Hawkeyes tied the game at 50-50 at the 15:41 mark, but the Buckeyes answered with an 18-6 run to build a 12-point advantage and never looked back.
Ohio State all-American Jessica Davenport netted a game-high 24 points, while senior transfer Debbie Merrill collected 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Hawkeye senior Crystal Smith, who struggled in Iowa’s previous two games scoring a combined 10 points, erupted for 21 points and dished out four assists. Freshman Megan Skouby returned to her home state and scored 18 points in front of family and friends. Senior Tiffany Reedy contributed 16 points, bolstered by 4-5 shooting from behind the arc, while freshman Kristi Smith dished out a game-high eight assists.
The 77 points are the most points Ohio State has allowed this season, besting Oklahoma’s 71 scored on Jan. 9.
The win extended Ohio State’s home-conference winning streak to 15, dating back to a 57-54 loss to Purdue on Feb. 8, 2004.
Iowa vs. Ranked Teams ? Iowa has recorded at least one victory over a ranked opponent in each of the six years under Coach Bluder. Iowa is 2-5 against ranked foes this season. These are Iowa’s most recent wins vs. nationally ranked opponents:
At Home: 77-71 (OT) over 8th-ranked Purdue, 2/2/06On the Road: 78-67 over 18th-ranked Michigan State, 2/1/04Neutral Court: 54-47 over 21st-ranked Oklahoma, 11/27/04
In the Rankings ? Iowa ranks fifth in the nation in free throw percentage, 17th nationally in field goal percentage, 13th in assists, 21st in scoring and 21st in fewest fouls through games played Feb. 13. Crystal Smith ranks 49th in scoring, while Megan Skouby ranks 18th in field goal percentage.
Michigan State ranks 17th in free throw percentage.
Another First ? Iowa never had a regulation lead in its thrilling 77-71 victory over Purdue on Feb. 2. The Hawkeyes’ first lead came one minute into overtime. It is believed to be the first time in Iowa women’s basketball history that the Hawkeyes won a game without holding the lead in regulation.
Skouby Trying to Join Elite List ? Megan Skouby is Iowa’s scoring leader in conference games only, averaging 16.7 points. Only two other freshman Hawkeyes have ever finished the season leading the team in scoring in league games only (Lisa Becker, 1984 and Tiffany Gooden, 1995). Skouby’s 314 overall points ranks seventh in Iowa freshman single-season scoring.
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 16.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.83 blocks in conference play. The 6-6 standout ranks 12th in overall scoring (13.7) in the Big Ten, third in blocks (1.74) and fourth in field goal percentage (.573). She ranks third in conference scoring (16.7), fourth in blocks (1.83) and 17th in rebounding (5.6). Skouby has led Iowa in scoring seven of the last 13 contests, including four of the last seven. She has posted 20 points or more five times this year.
Skouby Quickly Climbed Freshman Chart ? Megan Skouby has rejected 40 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 blocks.
DE-FENSE! ? Iowa’s perimeter defense has been stellar through 23 games. The Hawkeyes rank first in Big Ten 3-point field goal defense (.274). Last season Iowa ranked 10th in the league in 3-point field goal defense (.361).
Smith Ranks Second in Big Ten in Scoring ? Senior Crystal Smith ranks second in Big Ten scoring (17.7) and 49th nationally; Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport (19.4) ranks first. Michigan State’s Liz Shimek (17.7) and Indiana’s Cyndi Valentin (17.7) are tied with Smith for second. Smith has led Iowa in scoring in 14 of Iowa’s 23 contests.
Smith’s 46 points at Louisiana Tech are the most scored in a game by any player in the nation this season. North Carolina A&T’s Shareka Glover ranks second after netting 45 points vs. Morgan State on Jan. 23.
Vandy is Dandy ? Sophomore Krista VandeVenter is one of the top all-around threats in the Big Ten. VandeVenter, who has started every game (56) as a Hawkeye, ranks third in Big Ten rebounding (8.3), sixth in steals (2.26), 12th in blocks (0.74) and 29th in scoring (9.3). She has led the Hawkeyes in rebounding 16 times this season. The 6-2 forward has recorded three double-doubles (Iowa State, Minnesota and Northwestern) this season and six in her career.
VandeVenter fouled out of her first career game Sunday at Ohio State.
Dishing the Rock ? Iowa ranks second in Big Ten assists, dishing the ball 17.30 times per game. Three Hawkeyes average 2.96 assists or better: Crystal Smith (3.30), Kristi Smith (3.04) and Krista VandeVenter (2.96).
Triple Play ? Tiffany Reedy made 19 triples in each of her first three seasons. The senior drained a personal-best four 3-pointers at Ohio State to raise her total to 25, which is a new single-season best. She is shooting at a 39.7 percent clip from behind the arc, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten.
Iowa ranks third in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage (.373) after ranking fourth last year (.343). The Hawkeyes shot a Big Ten-season-best 69.2% (9-13) from behind the arc at Northwestern on Jan. 15. Iowa also converted 53.3% (8-15) from 3-point range at Ohio State on Feb. 12.
Kristi Smith Matures Into Starting Role ? Hawkeye freshman Kristi Smith has done a fantastic job directing the Iowa offense since taking over the starting role. In Big Ten play, Smith averages 7.3 points, 3.53 assists and 0.92 steals. She is averaging 11.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists in the Hawkeyes’ last four contests. Smith dished out a personal-best eight assists at Ohio State. She ranks fifth in Big Ten assists in league games only.
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 32-34 (.941) 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 92.9 percent (52-56) from the free throw line in conference games, which ranks second behind Michigan State’s Lindsay Bowen (.935).
Underclassmen Start for Hawkeyes ? Iowa’s starting lineup includes two freshmen (Kristi Smith and Megan Skouby) and one sophomore (Krista VandeVenter). The last time Iowa had two freshmen starters was during the 1998-99 campaign (Lindsey Meder and Leah Magner).
VandeVenter started all 56 games as a Hawkeye, including all 23 this season. The power forward ranks third in team scoring (9.3) and first in rebounding (8.3). She has pulled down 442 rebounds and is 40 rebounds from equaling all-American Michelle Edwards (482) for 17th on Iowa’s career rebounding chart.
Smith started the last 15 games at point guard for Iowa. The native of Thornton, CO ranks fourth in team scoring (6.8) and second in assists (3.04).
Skouby will start her 13th contest Thursday. The 6-6 center ranks second in team scoring (13.7), first in blocks (1.74) and field goal percentage (.573), and fourth in rebounding (4.7).
Iowa is one of two Big Ten teams with two or more freshmen starters. Michigan starts three, while Iowa starts two.
Big Ten Rankings ? Iowa ranks first in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.274), scoring offense (73.5) and free throw percentage (.763), second in field goal percentage (.463), assists (17.30) and assist/turnover ratio (+1.01) and third in 3-point field goal percentage (.373).
Senior Crystal Smith ranks second in league scoring (17.7) and steals (2.39), sixth in free throw percentage (.852), ninth in 3-pointers made (1.73) and 12th in 3-point field goal percentage (.350). Freshman Megan Skouby ranks third in blocks (1.74) and fourth in field goal percentage (.573). Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks third in rebounding (8.3), sixth in steals (2.26), second in defensive rebounds (6.04) and 12th in blocks (0.74).
Home, Away Comparisons ? In 12 home games, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 901-762 (+11.6 margin), shooting 47.7 percent from the field and holding opponents to a 41.2 shooting percentage. Iowa also has posted 219 assists to its opponents’ 142 and attempted 99 more free throws (262-163). Iowa has converted 76.0 percent of its free throw attempts at home.
In 11 games away from Iowa City, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 789-747 (+3.8 margin). Iowa has a better 3-point shooting percentage on the road (41.0%) than at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (32.8%). Here are the home and away comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSHome .477 .328 .760 37.1 18.3 17.8 75.1Away .448 .410 .768 35.6 16.3 16.6 71.7
Wins, Losses Comparisons ? There are big differentials in the stats between Iowa’s wins and losses. The Hawkeyes shoot 2.3 percent better from the field, including 12.1 percent from 3-point range in their victories. Iowa avearges 6.5 more rebounds in wins than losses. The Hawkeyes also have made more free throws (228) than its opponents have attempted (172) in its 14 wins. Iowa holds opponents to only 24.9 percent shooting from behind the arc in their wins. The Hawkeyes average only 14.4 assists in its nine defeats. Here are the wins and losses comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSWins .431 .431 .781 38.9 19.1 17.4 78.4Losses .408 .310 .732 32.4 14.4 16.9 65.8
High Octane ? Iowa, who ranks first in Big Ten scoring offense (73.5), has scored 80 points or more in seven of its 23 games. The Hawkeyes are 12-2 when scoring 70 points or more; the two losses came in double overtime at Louisiana Tech (95-91) and at Ohio State (88-77).
Freshmen Step Up ? Iowa’s freshmen class (Megan Skouby, Wendy Ausdemore, Kristi Smith, Nicole VanderPol and Lindsey Nyenhuis) are averaging 30.3 ppg through 23 games. The trio of Ausdemore, Skouby and Smith tallied a freshmen season-best 57 points vs. No. 8 Purdue on Feb. 2.
Skouby ranks second in team scoring (13.7) and second in rebounding (4.7), while Ausdemore (6.8) and Smith (6.8) rank fourth in scoring. Smith also ranks second in assists (3.04).
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.
Movin’ On Up ? Senior Crystal Smith (198) ranks sixth on Iowa’s career steals chart. She is seven thefts from equaling Jolette Law (205) for fifth. Smith (1,100) is also 29 points from catching Lisa Anderson (1,129) for 17th in career scoring at Iowa. Sophomore Krista VandeVenter (442) is 40 rebounds from matching all-American Michelle Edwards (482) for 17th in career rebounds.
Freebies! ? Iowa has attempted 115 more free throws (456-341) than its opponents through 23 games. The Hawkeyes get to the foul line 5.0 more times than their foes. Furthermore, Iowa has made (348) more free throws than its opponents have attempted (341).
Iowa is getting to the foul line 1.2 times more this year than it did last year. Last season, the Hawkeyes averaged 18.6 free throw attempts, while so far this year Iowa averages 19.8 attempts.
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 solid 2005-06 campaign, averaging 6.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg and ranking third on the team in steals with 21. 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). On This Date ? Iowa is 8-3 in games played on Feb. 16, including winning three straight. Iowa is 1-1 against Michigan State on Feb. 16.
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.
Attendance Rankings ? Iowa ranks 23rd (3,756) nationally in the women’s basketball attendance rankings released Feb. 13. Michigan State ranks 10th (6,836).
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.
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 109-67 (.619) 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).
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.
Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series ? Iowa State leads the second annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series 11-4. Iowa State has recorded victories in women’s soccer (2-1), football (23-3), women’s basketball (77-61), men’s basketball (72-60) and women’s gymnastics (195.7-193.375). Iowa’s two wins came in wrestling (20-15) and women’s swimming and diving (156-144).
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 ? The Hawkeyes return home to host Michigan on Sunday, Feb. 19, before playing its final regular season road contest at Illinois on Thursday, Feb. 23.