Nov. 20, 2006
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The Setting ? Iowa (5-0) concludes its four-game homestand against Louisiana Tech (0-2) Tuesday. Tip-off is slated for 6:35 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Lady Techsters will be gunning for the 900th win in the program’s history Tuesday.
Tuesday is “Buck Night”, which means everyone over the age of 18 will be admitted for only $1. Children 18-years-and-under and UI students with their student I.D. are free.
Iowa History ? Iowa has played 913 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 559-354 (.612). That includes a 277-131 (.679) mark in Big Ten games and a 255-70 (.785) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
On the Radio ? Brent Balbinot and Shelley Till will call the action for the Hawkeye Radio Network. Hawkeye fans can listen to the games on WHO 1040-AM in Des Moines, WMT 600-AM in Cedar Rapids and KXIC 800-AM in Iowa City.
The game can also be heard live over the Internet at hawkeyesports.com. Just click “Hawkeye All-Access” at the top right of the page. “Hawkeye All-Access” is a subscription service.
Scouting Louisiana Tech ? Louisiana Tech has started the season 0-2 with losses to Western Kentucky (73-60) and Stephen F. Austin (65-55). The Lady Techsters were led by reserve Sierra Nixon, who scored 15 points in the loss to Stephen F. Austin. Louisiana Tech made only 7-16 (.438) from the free throw line and were out-rebounded 48-37.
Through two games, the Lady Techsters are shooting only 55.3 percent (21-38) from the foul line, have been out-rebounded 89-70 and are allowing opponents to shoot 47.6 percent (10-21) from 3-point range.
Louisiana Tech won the Western Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles last year and advanced to the program’s 25th straight NCAA Tournament. The Lady Techsters finished last season with a 26-5 mark. Louisiana Tech returned eight letterwinners, including three starters. The Lady Techsters graduated its two leading scorers from a year ago (Aarika Ray-Boyd and Tasha Williams).
Louisiana Tech is led by 2006 WAC Coach of the Year Chris Long, who is in his second year as a head coach. He has compiled a 26-7 (.788) record.
Iowa, Louisiana Tech Notes ? Louisiana Tech might have to wear its white uniforms Tuesday, as it has not yet received its road jerseys as of Monday morning. Iowa will likely be wearing its gold uniforms. Last year, Iowa was forced to wear its gold uniforms for every road game after its San Francisco trip. The black jerseys were accidentally shrunk by the University of San Francisco Athletic Department.
? Graduated senior Crystal Smith, set or established four single-game school records in Iowa’s double overtime defeat at Louisiana Tech last November. Smith broke the school record for points (46) and free throw attempts (19) and matched records for free throws made (15) and 3-pointers attempted (14).
? Indiana State, who lost at Iowa 88-83 last Wednesday, lit up the scoreboard last Saturday at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Sycamores scored 116 points in the win.
? With Krista VandeVenter sidelined indefinitely, junior Abby Emmert has replaced her as on-court co-captain along side junior Stacy Schlapkohl. All-Time Series Record ? Louisiana Tech leads the all-time series over Iowa, 5-3. The Lady Techsters have won the most recent two meetings, including last year’s thilling 95-91 double overtime game in Ruston, LA. Iowa is 3-0 against Louisiana Tech in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Lady Techsters are making their first visit to Iowa City since November, 1993.
On This Date ? Iowa is 3-3 in games played on November 21. The Hawkeyes defeated Marquette (90-72) in 2001 and Butler (83-60) in 2003, both Iowa’s respective season openers.
Busy Bodies ? Iowa is about to conclude the busiest part of its schedule. The Hawkeyes play the first six games of the regular season in 11 days. Last week, Iowa played three games in four days. Iowa currently has only eight healthy players.
Last Time Out ? Iowa won the 21st annual KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge for the 17th time with victories over Quinnipiac (93-77) and Florida International (72-62). Iowa improved to 37-5 in the Hawkeye Challenge.
Iowa shot above 60 percent in the second half in both contests. Wendy Ausdemore led Iowa against Quinnipiac, matching career highs in points (23) and assists (5), while Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith led Iowa vs. Florida International, each netting 21 points. Smith also dished out a career-high nine assists against the Golden Panthers.
Iowa had a better 3-point shooting percentage (9-13, .692) than free throw percentage (14-21, .667) in its win over Quinnipiac. The Hawkeyes’ 93 points scored against the Bobcats was their highest output since scoring 93 against Saint Louis in March, 2003.
Hawkeyes Honored ? Sophomores Wendy Ausdemore and Megan Skouby were named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge All-Tournament team. Skouby was recognized as the tournament’s Most Valubale Player.
Hot Shot ? Lindsey Nyenhuis provided a spark for the Hawkeyes off the bench last weekend. Nyenhuis scored a career-high 12 points vs. Quinnipiac and nine against Florida International. All of her points came from behind the 3-point arc. The sophomore was a sizzling 7-8 (.875) from 3-point range in the tournament.
Smith Leads ? Kristi Smith had a fabulous Hawkeye Challenge championship game. The point guard was a perfect 7-7 from the foul line and shot a blistering 70 percent (7-10) from the field in scoring a career-high 21 points. The sophomore gave Iowa momentum going into the second half against Florida International when she scored Iowa’s last nine points of the first half.
Smith ranks fourth in Big Ten assists with 5.2 per game. She also ranks third in team scoring (13.2).
Foursome ? Iowa has four players averaging double figures in scoring: Megan Skouby (18.4), Wendy Ausdemore (15.8), Kristi Smith (13.2) and Stacy Schlapkohl (12.8). The Hawkeyes’ top three scorers are sophomores.
Finishing Strong ? Iowa has out-scored its opponents 23-16 combined in the final two minutes of its games. Florida International is the only team to have out-scored Iowa in the last two minutes (4-2). Hi-Octane ? The 171 combined points in Iowa’s 88-83 win over Indiana State was the highest scoring game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since a 94-83 loss to Minnesota in 2001.
Number of the Week – – 100 ? Iowa has made 100 free throws through five games (20 per game). While Iowa has made 100, opponents have attempted only 80 foul shots (made 58).
Ausdemore Ties Record ? Wendy Ausdemore tied a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record by an Iowa player when she made five triples vs. Quinnipiac. The sophomore was 5-7 (.714) from behind the arc against the Bobcats. For the season, she is 12-32 (.375) from 3-point range.
Ausdemore ranks eighth in league scoring (15.8) and 11th in assists.
Hawkeyes Win WBCA Classic ? Iowa opened the season with two quality road wins, defeating Missouri State (79-70) and Kansas (63-49) to capture the fifth-annual WBCA Classic in Kansas City, MO.
Trifecta ? The Hawkeyes had three sophomores recognized on the WBCA Classic All-Tournament team. Wendy Ausdemore, Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith all earned all-tournament laurels. Skouby was honored as the tournament’s Most Valubale Player.
Skouby averaged 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks in the two contests. Smith averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.5 rebounds. Ausdemore averaged 13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Freebies ? Iowa has made free throws when it counted — in the last five minutes of the games. The Hawkeyes are 27-32 (.844) in the last five minutes, 15-19 (.789) under two minutes and 16-18 (.889) with under a minute to play.
Schlapkohl Delivers ? Stacy Schlapkohl returned to the starting lineup in lowa’s 88-83 win over Indiana State. The junior scored a game and career-high 24 points on 9-15 shooting from the field and 6-10 from the foul line. She also netted 16 points in the Hawkeyes’ triumph over Quinnipiac.
Schlapkohl ranks fourth in team scoring (12.8).
VandeVenter Out ? Krista VandeVenter, who sprained her ankle in practice Oct. 24, played little in the exhibition opener. The junior played six minutes, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound. Unfortunately, her night ended prematurely as with a dislocated right shoulder while diving for a loose ball in the second half. She is out indefinitely.
The native of Osseo, MN, missed her first career start last weekend. VandeVenter is the only Iowa player in history to have started 62 games her first two seasons. The team co-captain entered the 2006-07 campaign ranked 16th in career rebounding at Iowa.
Graham Steps Up ? With Iowa’s leading rebounder sidelined indefinitely, Jenee Graham has stepped up and filled the rebounding void. The junior grabbed double-digit rebounds in Iowa’s first four contests. Graham pulled down 10 rebounds in each of Iowa’s first two games, corralled a career-high 14 rebounds against Indiana State and then snagged 10 vs. Quinnipiac.
Graham averages 4.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.0 steals.
Streaking ? Sophomore Megan Skouby has scored double figures in 21 consecutive games, five this season, dating back to Iowa’s road game at Michigan (1/5/06).
All-Big Ten Recognition ? For the second straight year, Iowa has been picked to finish fifth in the Big Ten by the media and coaches. Individually, Megan Skouby was named to the pre-season all-conference team by the media and coaches. Skouby is the only sophomore to be recognized; the team is comprised of three seniors, one junior and one sophomore.
Gunning For Seven ? Iowa has posted a winning season each year Coach Bluder has been on the Hawkeye sidelines. The Hawkeyes have strung together six straight winning seasons since the 2000-01 campaign, earning an NCAA Tournament berth four times. The school record for consecutive winning seasons is 11, established 1984-1994.
Challenging Schedule Awaits ? Iowa’s schedule looks to be just as challenging as last year’s, if not more so. The Hawkeyes have the potential to play 16 teams that competed in 2006 post-season tournaments, including eight that participated in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa will play 17 games (two exhibitions) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the most regular season home contests in school history.
20-Year Anniversary ? This season marks the 20-year anniversary of Iowa’s first Big Ten regular season championship. Iowa’s 1986-87 team finished the league campaign 17-1 and shared the title with Ohio State. The squad advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual NCAA runner-up Louisiana Tech. Michelle Edwards earned all-America honors, while Franthea Price was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Senior Update ? Redshirt senior Johanna Solverson, who is Iowa’s lone senior on the roster, suffered her second ACL tear on her right knee in late June. She is currently rehabbing and it is hopeful that she will return to game action in February.
Bluder Approaches Milestones ? After garnering her 300th Division I victory in Iowa’s regular season finale vs. Indiana last season, Bluder will reach two additional coaching milestones in 2006-07. She will coach in her 700th career game and 200th on the Iowa sidelines, both during conference play. The Marion, IA, native has coached in 687 career games (474-213, .690) and 186 contests (118-71, .624) on the Hawkeye sidelines.
In her first six years at Iowa, Bluder guided the Black and Gold to four first division finishes in the highly regarded Big Ten Conference. Iowa’s 56 league wins the last six seasons rank as the fourth-highest total in the Big Ten behind Purdue (75), Penn State (69) and Ohio State (64). She has coached five Hawkeye players to all-Big Ten first team status, three to the second team and three that were named to the all-freshman team.
No Senior Starters ? For the first time under Coach Bluder, Iowa will not have a senior in the starting lineup. Iowa’s probable starting lineup includes four sophomores (Wendy Ausdemore, Lindsey Nyenhuis, Kristi Smith, Megan Skouby) and one junior (Krista VandeVenter).
The last time Iowa did not have a senior starter was the 1999-00 season (two juniors, three sophomores). Iowa has had at least two senior starters every year under Bluder, except the 2002-03 season (center Tracy Schrupp). Below is a list of Iowa’s senior starters under Bluder:
2000-01: Cara Consuegra, Randi Peterson2001-02: Leah Magner, Lindsey Meder, Jerica Watson2002-03: Tracy Schrupp2003-04: Kristi Faulkner, Jennie Lillis2004-05: Jenna Armstrong, Jamie Cavey2005-06: Tiffany Reedy, Crystal Smith="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>
Hawkeyes on the Tube ? Seven regular season games are already scheduled to be televised by either KCRG or Comcast SportsNet Chicago. KCRG will televise home contests vs. Iowa State (Nov. 30), Northern Iowa (Dec. 19), Michigan State (Jan. 14) and Wisconsin (Feb. 25). Comcast SportsNet Chicago will air home games vs. Minnesota (Jan. 25) and Michigan (Feb. 8) and the Hawkeyes’ road game at Penn State (Jan. 28).
Underclassmen Stepped Up in 2005-06 ? Last year’s freshman class of Megan Skouby, Kristi Smith, Wendy Ausdemore, Nicole VanderPol and Lindsey Nyenhuis stepped up and accounted for 42.5 percent of Iowa’s offense. The sophomore class of Krista VandeVenter, Abby Emmert and Stacy Schlapkohl was responsible for 20.6 percent of Iowa’s offense. Combined, the underclassmen accounted for 63.1 percent of Iowa’s offense, which bodes well for the future.
Home Grown Hawkeyes ? Iowa’s 2006-07 roster features four players from the state of Iowa (Wendy Ausdemore, Abby Emmert, Stacy Schlapkohl and Nicole VanderPol). The Hawkeyes also have two players from Illinois (Jenee Graham and Johanna Solverson) and Minnesota (Krista VandeVenter and Zoraa Quoie). Iowa’s 12-person roster also features players from Colorado (Kristi Smith), Kansas (JoAnn Hamlin), Michigan (Lindsey Nyenhuis) and Ohio (Megan Skouby).
Hawkeye Newcomers ? Iowa’s only freshman is Zoraa Quoie, from Woodbury, MN. Quoie was named to the Miss Minnesota Basketball Senior All-State team her senior season. She was also named to the Star-Tribune third defensive team as a senior. Quoie was a 2005 and 2006 all-conference selection and earned 2004 and 2005 honorable mention all-state laurels. Quoie holds her high school’s record for single-season steals.
Also on the roster this year is JoAnn Hamlin, who transferred from Kansas State. Hamlin cannot compete due to NCAA transfer rules, but can practice with the team and will have three years of eligibility remaining starting in 2007-08. Hamlin played in 33 games last year, with 31 starts at center for the Wildcats. The 31 starts were the fifth-most in the nation among freshmen. She scored in double figures 15 times, reaching the 20-point plateau four times. Hamlin averaged 10 points, 4.6 rebounds, had a total of 22 blocks and 26 steals.
Hawkeyes Traveling Overseas in 2007 ? The women’s basketball team will be traveling overseas for 12 days to Greece, August 2007, to play four exhibition games and do some sightseeing.
Hawkeyes Ink Two ? Kachine Alexander and Kelsey Cermak have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Iowa.
Alexander, a native of Minneapolis, MN, is a three-time all-conference honoree. She earned the Best Defensive Player Award at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School her freshman and sophomore seasons. Her team was three-time conference champions and won the Minnesota State AAA Championship in 2006. The 5-9 forward was named state tournament MVP and earned honorable mention all-state honors her junior year. She averaged 12.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.0 assists in 29 starts her junior season.
Cermak, who hails from Norwalk, IA, is a two-time first team all-state honoree and a three-time first team all-conference and all-district selection. She was the Norwalk High School MVP her first three years. The 6-1 guard holds her school’s single-season record for steals (90). She averaged 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals in 26 starts on a team that won the Iowa state and conference championship her junior season. Cermak averaged 18.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 steals her sophomore campaign. Norwalk placed second in its conference her freshman and sophomore seasons.
“We are excited to sign these two talented recruits,” said Head Coach Lisa Bluder. “We welcome both of these new Hawkeyes to our family!”
Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series ? Iowa currently leads the third annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series 5-2. Iowa was victorious in women’s soccer (1-0, OT) and football (27-17), while Iowa State won volleyball (3-2). The next event is women’s basketball on Nov. 30 in Iowa City.
The nine-sport series awards two points (except football, which is worth three) to the winning school in each head-to-head match-up between the two institutions. Additionally, two points are awarded to an institution if the graduation rate of its student-athletes is greater than the national average as reported each fall by the NCAA.
Blogging ? Hawkeye fans will be treated to behind-the-scenes information this season as sophomore Wendy Ausdemore and junior Abby Emmert will have their own blogs, which will be posted on the women’s basketball page of hawkeyesports.com. The duo will share their thoughts on practices, games, road trips, and everything else surrounding the program.
Iowa Information on the Web ? Statistics and play-by-play accounts of all Big Ten Tournament games 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 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 7:30-8:30 p.m. The first show is set for November 27.
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 be home for Thanksgiving for the first time since 2001. The Hawkeyes return to action Sunday at Creighton. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. in Omaha, NE. Iowa’s next home contest will come against Iowa State on Nov. 30 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.