July 25, 2007
The Iowa women’s basketball team today announced the match-ups for the Caribbean Challenge and KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge.
Once again, the Hawkeyes will be on the road during Thanksgiving week competing in the Caribbean Challenge in Cancun, Mexico. Iowa is scheduled to face Arizona State of the Pac-10 Conference on Thanksgiving (Nov. 22). The following day, the Hawkeyes will meet Mississippi State (Nov. 23) of the Southeastern Conference. Arizona State advanced to the regional final last spring before falling to eventual national runner-up Rutgers. Mississippi State reached the WNIT “Sweet 16”.
For more information on the Caribbean Challenge, visit www.tccollegesports.net.
Iowa will once again host the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge, December 8-9. This year’s tournament will be the 22nd, with the Hawkeyes winning 17 of 21. The first round match-ups feature Northern Illinois vs. Iowa at 2 p.m. on Saturday, followed by Saint Joseph’s vs. Wyoming at 4:30 p.m. The consolation game will start at Noon Sunday, while the championship contest will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Wyoming won the 2007 WNIT championship over Wisconsin last spring and is Iowa Director of Athletics Gary Barta’s former employer. Northern Illinois placed third in the Mid-American Conference West Division in 2007, while Saint Joseph’s finished fifth in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
“We are going to face excellent competition in both tournaments,” said Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder. “We are excited to travel to Cancun to play such high caliber teams in Arizona State and Mississippi State. In addition, we are again thrilled to host our annual KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge. We look forward to defending our title against three well-established women’s basketball programs.”
Iowa’s compete 2007-08 schedule will be released in late-August.
Caribbean Challenge – Cancun, Mexico
November 22: Iowa vs. Arizona State
November 23: Iowa vs. Mississippi State
KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge – Iowa City
December 8
Northern Illinois vs. Iowa, 2 p.m.
Saint Joseph’s vs. Wyoming, 4:30 p.m.
December 9
Consolation Game, Noon
Championship Game, 2:30 p.m.
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