Feb. 24, 2006
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The Setting ? Iowa (16-10, 9-6) will host Indiana (15-11, 9-6) Sunday in a game that will determine who will finish fifth in the Big Ten standings and receive a first round bye in next week’s Big Ten Tournament. The regular season finale will tip-off at 12:06 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for youths and University students are admitted free with student I.D. Iowa has won nine-straight games over Indiana at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
On the Tube ? Sunday’s game will be televised to a regional cable audience on Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Dave Eanet, June Olkowski and Chris Boden will call the action.
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.
Sunday’s contest can also be heard on XM Satellite Radio, channel 199.
Iowa History ? Iowa has played 905 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 553-352 (.611). That includes a 276-131 (.678) mark in Big Ten games and a 248-61 (.803) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
On This Date ? Iowa is 4-2 in games played on Feb. 26, including winning two of the last three. Sunday will be Iowa’s first meeting vs. Indiana on Feb. 26.
Giant Killers ? 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 15th in Hawkeye career scoring (1,151), 1,014 of which came the last 59 games (17.2 ppg). She also ranks fifth in career triples (111) and steals (206).
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 17.6 ppg through 26 games in her senior campaign. Smith’s scoring average ranks second in the Big Ten. She has led Iowa in scoring 15 times this season.
Reedy Set Go ? Tiffany Reedy played the best basketball of her career at No. 7 Ohio State and No. 14 Michigan State. Reedy scored 36 points, bolstered by 10-16 shooting behind the arc on the two-game road trip. She posted personal bests in scoring (20), field goals made (7) and attempted (13), 3-pointers made (6) and attempted (11) and matched career bests in blocks (2) and minutes (38) in the two-point loss at No. 14 Michigan State. Her new career high in scoring bests her previous best (18) established in her first game vs. IUPUI — a span of 117 games. The native of Dysart, IA, ranks fourth in team scoring (7.3) and steals (22) and third in rebounding (4.0). She ranks third in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage (.415).
Scouting Indiana ? Indiana fell into a fifth-place tie with Iowa after a 65-58 setback at No. 21 Minnesota Thursday night. The Hoosiers will play their third-straight road contest to end the regular season Sunday at Iowa. Indiana upset ninth-ranked Purdue (63-61) in an overtime thriller last Sunday in West Lafayette.
Indiana is led by senior Cyndi Valentin. The guard was earned co-Big Ten Player of the Week honors for the second-straight week after notching a team-high 25 points, including a deep 3-pointer with five seconds in regulation to send the game at Purdue into overtime at 55-55. In overtime, Valentin came up big for the Hoosiers, scoring six of Indiana’s eight points. She ranks second in Big Ten scoring (17.6).
Forward Jenny DeMuth is in her final season as a Hoosier after red-shirting last year due to injury. The senior ranks 12th in Big Ten scoring (13.7) and fourth in rebounding (7.4).
Indiana ranks second in field goal percentage defense (.387), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.300), rebounds allowed (32.5) and third in scoring defense (58.4).
The Hoosiers are coached by Sharon Versyp, who is in her sixth year (113-62, .646) as a head coach and her first season (15-11, .577) with Indiana.
All-Time Series Record ? Sunday will mark the 47th meeting between Iowa and Indiana. The Hawkeyes boast a 35-13 advantage over the Hoosiers. Iowa has dominated Indiana at Iowa City, leading the series 19-3, including winning the last nine at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Indiana snapped a four-game losing skid to Iowa with a 65-53 triumph in Bloomington on Dec. 29.
Iowa, Indiana Fast Breaks ? Sunday’s game has huge implications regarding conference tournament seeding and NCAA Tournament hopes for Iowa and Indiana.
? Sunday’s game features two of the league’s premier players in Iowa’s Crystal Smith and Indiana’s Cyndi Valentin. Both Smith and Valentin enter Sunday’s game tied for second in Big Ten scoring, each scoring exactly 458 points through 25 games.
? Iowa rookie Megan Skouby started her first career game at Indiana on Dec. 29, after starting center Stacy Schlapkohl tore her ACL in the Hawkeyes’ final non-conference game vs. Creighton on Dec. 23. Skouby got into early foul trouble and only played 19 minutes, but did post 10 points and seven rebounds.
? Seven of Iowa’s ten losses this season have come to ranked opponents. The three losses to unranked foes came on the road at Iowa State, Indiana and Penn State. Iowa is 10-3 in home games this season, with its three defeats coming to No. 6 Rutgers, No. 8 Ohio State and No. 12 Minnesota.
? Iowa’s Krista VandeVenter collected three steals at Illinois to raise her season total to 57. The 57 thefts is a new Iowa single-season record for a sophomore, besting Toni Foster’s 56 established in 1990-91.
? Iowa was out-rebounded in its ten losses. The Hawkeyes boast a 14-2 record when holding opponents to 69 points or less and are 14-1 when having a higher field goal percentage than their foes.
? Iowa is shooting at a blistering 84.2 percent clip at the foul line in the final five minutes of its 15 conference games. The Hawkeyes have converted 64 of their 76 free throw attempts down the stretch.
? Hawkeye senior Tiffany Reedy has a higher shooting percentage from 3-point range than inside the arc. Reedy is shooting 41.5 percent (34-82) from behind the arc and 36.9 percent (31-84) from two-point range.
? Iowa freshman Megan Skouby ranks third in conference games only scoring, averaging 16.6 points. She is the highest ranking freshman in scoring, since Penn State’s Kelly Mazzante ranked first in 2000-01, averaging 19.7 points.
? Four teams have already solidified seeds in next week’s Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. Ohio State will be seeded first, Purdue will be seeded second, Northwestern will be 10th and Michigan will be 11th.
RPI Ratings ? Iowa ranks 60th, while Indiana ranks 52nd in the RPI ratings published on www.collegerpi.com. All ten Iowa losses came to opponents with an RPI of 99 or better, including four in the top 10.
Last Meeting ? Iowa opened the Big Ten season with a 65-53 loss to Indiana at Assembly Hall. Crystal Smith led the Hawkeyes with 14 points, while Krista VandeVenter grabbed eight rebounds in the loss.
After a back-and-forth first half, Indiana used a 14-0 run in the final 6:47 of the half to gain a 27-16 advantage. Wendy Ausdemore nailed a 3-pointer as time expired to cut the halftime deficit to 27-19. Ausdemore’s triple was Iowa’s first bucket in the half since the 7:05 minute mark.
Megan Skouby, who started her first career game at center, was whistled for two quick fouls in the first two minutes, spending the remaining 18 minutes of the period on the bench.
The Hoosiers opened up their biggest lead at 16 points with 13:53 left, using an 8-0 run capped by a 3-point play by Jenny DeMuth. Iowa cut the lead to six at the 7:28 mark with a 9-0 run, all of which were 3-point baskets. Lindsey Nyenhuis drained her first basket of the game and back-to-back treys by Smith cut the Hoosier lead to 43-36.
Indiana fought back and gained a nine point lead with 1:58 left, but a 3-point play by Smith cut the Hoosier advantage to six once again. This was the closest Iowa would come to gaining a lead as the Hoosiers sunk six free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
Skouby recorded 10 points and two blocks in only 19 minutes of action, while VandeVenter played the entire 40 minutes. Kristi Smith added six assists for the Hawkeyes.
Indiana was led by Cyndi Valentin who scored a game-high 20 points. Jenny DeMuth notched a double-double 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Angela Hawkins scored 12 for the Hoosiers. Indiana outscored Iowa 28-18 in the paint, while outrebounding the Hawkeyes 41-31.
Last Time Out ? Crystal Smith scored a game-high 23 points to lead Iowa to a 71-60 victory over Illinois at Assembly Hall. The win is Iowa’s six-straight over the Fighting Illini, including winning the last three at Assembly Hall.
Iowa nearly took an eight-point advantage into the half, but Illinois freshman Lori Bjork drained an off balance 3-pointer at the buzzer to trim the Hawkeye advantage to five (40-35). Iowa improved to 12-2 when leading at the break.
Illinois scored the second half’s first four points to cut Iowa’s advantage to one (40-39). The Hawkeyes countered by scoring the next 10 points to rebuild their lead to 11 (50-39) with 14:03 left. Later in the half, the Fighting Illini fought back with a 10-2 run to cut their deficit to six points (56-50) with 8:01 remaining. However, Iowa maintained its advantage and held on for the 11-point victory.
Skouby contributed 18 points, six rebounds and two blocks for the Hawkeyes. Freshman reserve Wendy Ausdemore scored double figures for the fifth time this season, netting 14 points. Iowa improves to 11-3 when Ausdemore scores seven points or more.
Iowa did a good job coveting the basketball and feeding its post, as the Hawkeyes out-scored Illinois 22-6 in the paint and posted a season-low 10 turnovers. Iowa also converted 14 Illinois turnovers into 19 points; out-scoring the Fighting Illini 19-2 in points off turnovers.
Three Illinois players tallied double figures to lead the Fighting Illini. Lori Bjork and Erin Wigley each netted 15 points, while Janelle Hughes added 14. Danyel Crutcher pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.
A Crystal Smith free throw at the 3:49 mark of the first stanza, marked her 1,000th combined point the last two years.
Iowa’s win snapped a three-game road losing skid for Iowa. The Hawkeyes’ last triumph away from Iowa City came at Wisconsin (68-59) on Jan. 19. Iowa also picked up its ninth conference win, besting last year’s total of eight.
Saved By The Bell ? The Iowa Women’s Basketball Team got a thrill last Thursday as they received a message from one of the stars of the cult sitcom Saved By The Bell, Dennis Haskins (Mr. Belding).
ESPN analyst Nancy Lieberman, who is good friends with the actor, was calling the game for ESPNU and after she found out that the team staged a “Saved By The Bell” theme party and were such big fans, she tried to put the team in touch with Haskins. Iowa’s Tiffany Reedy and Abby Emmert left a message with the actor after its afternoon shoot-around. After the game, Lieberman played back a message in front of all the Hawkeyes that Haskins left for the team on her cell phone.
DE-FENSE! ? Iowa’s perimeter defense has been stellar through 26 games. The Hawkeyes rank first in Big Ten 3-point field goal defense (.286). Last season Iowa ranked 10th in the league in 3-point field goal defense (.361).
In the Rankings ? Iowa ranks sixth in the nation in free throw percentage, 13th in assists, 18th in field goal percentage and 23rd in scoring and fewest fouls through games played Feb. 20.
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 16.6 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). She enters the last regular season game 13 points ahead of Crystal Smith.
Skouby’s 363 overall points ranks fourth in Iowa freshman single-season scoring, just one point from Cindy Haugejorde’s 364 established in 1976-77 for third.
Skouby Leads Big Ten Freshmen ? 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 16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.73 blocks in conference play. The 6-6 standout ranks 11th in overall scoring (14.0) in the Big Ten, fourth in blocks (1.69) and field goal percentage (.550). She ranks third in conference scoring (16.6), fourth in blocks (1.73) and 13th in rebounding (5.8).
Skouby has led Iowa in scoring eight of the last 16 contests, including five of the last ten. She has posted 20 points or more five times this year. The native of Mentor, OH, has netted double figures 13 consecutive games — a streak that ranks third-best in the Big Ten.
Skouby Quickly Climbed Freshman Chart ? Megan Skouby has rejected 44 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.
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, 3.13 assists and 1.07 steals. Smith dished out a personal-best eight assists at No. 7 Ohio State. She ranks 13th 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 34-36 (.944) 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 92.1 percent (58-63) from the free throw line in conference games, which is tops in the Big Ten.
Big Ten Rankings ? Iowa ranks first in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.286), free throw percentage (.760) and scoring offense (73.0), second in field goal percentage (.458), assists (17.19), assist/turnover ratio (+1.03), 3-pointers made (4.96) and third in 3-point field goal percentage (.365).
Senior Crystal Smith ranks second in league steals (2.42) and scoring (17.6), fifth in free throw percentage (.852), eighth in 3-pointers made (1.73) and ninth in assists (3.38). Freshman Megan Skouby ranks fourth in blocks (1.69) and field goal percentage (.550). Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks second in rebounding (8.5) and defensive rebounds (6.12), sixth in steals (2.19) and 15th in blocks (0.69).
Dishing the Rock ? Iowa ranks second in Big Ten assists, dishing the ball 17.19 times per game. Three Hawkeyes average 2.85 assists or better: Crystal Smith (3.38), Krista VandeVenter (3.0) and Kristi Smith (2.85).
Smith Ranks Second in Big Ten in Scoring ? Senior Crystal Smith ranks second in Big Ten scoring (17.6); Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport (19.2) ranks first. Smith has led Iowa in scoring in 15 of Iowa’s 26 contests.
Smith and Indiana State’s Melanie Boeglin scored an NCAA single-game-high 46 points. Both amassed their scoring totals in double overtime as Smith recorded 46 points at Louisiana Tech, while Boeglin tallied 46 at Drake.
Vandy is Dandy ? Sophomore Krista VandeVenter is one of the top all-around threats in the Big Ten. VandeVenter, who has started every game (59) as a Hawkeye, ranks third in Big Ten rebounding (8.5), sixth in steals (2.19) and 15th in blocks (0.69). She has led the Hawkeyes in rebounding 19 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 at Ohio State Feb. 12.
Movin’ On Up ? Senior Crystal Smith (206) ranks fifth on Iowa’s career steals chart, 16 thefts from tying Steph Schueler (222) for fourth. Smith also (1,152) ranks 15th in career scoring at Iowa, eight points from Tia Jackson (1,160) for 14th. Sophomore Krista VandeVenter (472) is 10 rebounds from matching all-American Michelle Edwards (482) for 17th in career rebounds.
Triple Play ? Tiffany Reedy made 19 triples in each of her first three seasons. The senior drained a personal-best six 3-pointers at Michigan State to raise her total to 31, which is a new single-season best. She is shooting at a 41.5 percent clip from behind the arc, which ranks third in the Big Ten.
Iowa ranks third in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage (.365) 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. The Hawkeyes rank second in Big Ten 3-pointers made (4.96).
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 59 games as a Hawkeye, including all 26 this season. The power forward ranks third in team scoring (8.8) and first in rebounding (8.5). She has pulled down 472 rebounds and is only ten rebounds from equaling all-American Michelle Edwards (482) for 17th on Iowa’s career rebounding chart.
Smith started the last 18 games at point guard for Iowa. The native of Thornton, CO, ranks sixth in team scoring (6.8) and third in assists (2.85).
Skouby will start her 16th contest Sunday. The 6-6 center ranks second in team scoring (14.0), first in blocks (1.69) and field goal percentage (.550) and second in rebounding (4.9).
Iowa is one of two Big Ten teams with two or more freshmen starters. Michigan starts three, while Iowa starts two.
Home, Away Comparisons ? In 13 home games, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 968-817 (+11.6 margin), shooting 47.0 percent from the field and holding opponents to a 41.1 shooting percentage. Iowa also has posted 231 assists to its opponents’ 152 and attempted 113 more free throws (288-175). Iowa has converted 75.7 percent of its free throw attempts at home.
In 13 games away from Iowa City, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 931-880 (+3.9 margin). Iowa has a better 3-point shooting percentage on the road (40.3%) than at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (31.6%). Here are the home and away comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSHome .470 .316 .757 37.3 17.8 17.6 74.5Away .446 .403 .764 35.3 16.6 15.8 71.6
Wins, Losses Comparisons ? There are big differentials in the stats between Iowa’s wins and losses. The Hawkeyes shoot 8.1 percent better from the field, including 8.8 percent from 3-point range in their victories. Iowa averages 6.2 more rebounds in wins than losses. The Hawkeyes have made more free throws (257) than its opponents have attempted (193) in its 16 wins. Iowa holds opponents to only 27.3 percent shooting from behind the arc in their wins. The Hawkeyes average only 15.2 assists in its ten defeats. Here are the wins and losses comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSWins .489 .408 .779 38.7 18.4 16.9 77.2Losses .408 .320 .735 32.5 15.2 16.4 66.3
High Octane ? Iowa, who ranks first in Big Ten scoring offense (73.0), has scored 80 points or more in seven times. The Hawkeyes are 13-3 when scoring 70 points or more; the three losses came in double overtime at Louisiana Tech (95-91), at No. 7 Ohio State (88-77) and No. 14 Michigan State (73-71).
Freshmen Step Up ? Iowa’s freshmen class (Megan Skouby, Wendy Ausdemore, Kristi Smith, Nicole VanderPol and Lindsey Nyenhuis) are averaging 30.5 ppg through 26 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 (14.0) and second in rebounding (4.9), while Ausdemore (6.9) ranks fifth and Smith (6.8) sixth in scoring. Smith also ranks third in assists (2.85).
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.
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).
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.
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.
Attendance Rankings ? Iowa ranks 26th (3,856) nationally in the women’s basketball attendance rankings released Feb. 20.
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 112-69 (.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 presented by Xbox Live 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 will compete in the Big Ten Tournament, March 2-6 in Indianapolis at the Conseco Fieldhouse.