Feb. 12, 2008
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THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (17-7, 10-3) will gun for their ninth-consecutive victory Thursday night when they travel to West Lafayette, IN, to face the Purdue Boilermakers (13-11, 9-4) for a pivotal showdown. Tip-off is slated for 6:05 p.m. (CST) at Mackey Arena. Iowa is alone in first place in the Big Ten standings, while Purdue is tied with Ohio State in second place.
Both Iowa and Purdue conclude their seasons with three of five games on the road.
STREAKIN’
Iowa has won eight-straight games, the longest active streak in the Big Ten. In fact, the streak is the longest by any Big Ten team this season, besting six-game winning streaks by Ohio State and Minnesota earlier this season. The eight-game winning streak is the longest under Coach Lisa Bluder, during Big Ten play. Iowa’s 2000-01 squad strung together six-straight in Bluder’s first season on the sidelines.
BLUDER CAPTURES WIN NO. 500
Head Coach Lisa Bluder, the dean of Big Ten coaches captured her 500th career win Sunday at Penn State. Bluder becomes the 35th Division I head coach to amass 500 career victories.
THE LAST TIME…
? Iowa won eight-straight games was during the start of the 2004-05 season. The Hawkeyes started the year 13-0 and were the last Division I team to lose a game.
? Iowa won eight-consecutive conference games was during the start of the 1995-96 Big Ten season. The Black and Gold started league play 12-0, before falling at Purdue. Iowa finished the 1995-96 season’s Big Ten champions with a 15-1 record.
ON THE RADIO
Brent Balbinot and Shelley Till will call Thursday night’s game for the Hawkeye Radio Network. Hawkeye fans can listen to the contest on KMJM 1360-AM in Cedar Rapids and KXIC 800-AM in Iowa City. Balbinot is in his fourth season as Iowa’s play-by-play voice, while Till is in her third providing analysis.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 962 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 585-377 (.608). That includes a 293-144 (.670) mark in Big Ten contests and 270-81 (.769) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
SOLVERSON TABBED BIG TEN CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The Big Ten announced Monday that Iowa’s Johanna Solverson has been named co-Player of the Week with Purdue’s FahKara Malone.
Solverson takes home the first weekly honor of her career after helping the Hawkeyes claim sole possession of first place in the conference with wins over Michigan State and Penn State last week.
The sixth-year senior netted her 1,000th career point with 18 points against the Spartans last Thursday, also adding a season-high eight assists. Against the Lady Lions on Sunday, the forward scored 16 points, including Iowa’s first seven, and also pulled down a game-high seven rebounds in just 24 minutes on the court. For the week, Solverson averaged 17 points, 6.5 rebounds and six assists per game while shooting .609 from the floor and .500 from 3-point territory.
Solverson has raised her level of play the last month. Solverson averaged 12.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists the last 11 games. She currently ranks sixth in Big Ten assists (4.08).
The native of Lake Zurich, IL, is one of only two Hawkeyes to ever amass over 1,000 career points, 500 rebounds, 350 assists and 175 steals (Franthea Price).
Iowa’s last Player of the Week was Crystal Smith on Nov. 28, 2005.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Thursday will be the 53rd meeting between Iowa and Purdue, with the Boilermakers leading the series 28-24. Purdue holds a 14-9 advantage in games played at West Lafayette. Iowa has not won at Mackey Arena under Coach Bluder (0-6). The Hawkeyes’ last victory in West Lafayette came Feb. 6, 1998 (73-67).
The Boilermakers have won eight of the last 10 meetings. Iowa won this season’s first match-up (69-53) in Iowa City Jan. 24.
SCOUTING PURDUE
Michigan State staged another second-half comeback en route to a 56-54 win over Purdue Monday at the Breslin Center. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Purdue. Trailing by eight with nine minutes left, the Spartans outscored the Boilermakers 17-7 to escape with the victory. Purdue committed 23 turnovers, but did outrebound Michigan State by seven (43-36). Lakisha Freeman recorded a double-double to lead the Boilermakers, totaling 12 points and 10 rebounds. Danielle Campbell contributed 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, while Keshia Mosley added 11 points off the bench in defeat.
The Boilermakers are 6-1 in home conference games, including winning four straight. Purdue won its last home contest, 68-67, over then-No. 19 Ohio State last Thursday.
Freeman ranks first in team scoring (12.9) and second in rebounding (6.1). Campbell ranks second in scoring (12.6) and first in rebounding (7.8) and blocks (2.25). FahKara Malone ranks first in assists (3.54) and third in scoring (8.2).
Purdue Head Coach Sharon Versyp is coaching at her alma mater. She is in her second season (44-17, .721) on Purdue’s sidelines and her eighth season overall (161-82, .663) as a head coach.
LAST MEETING
Iowa took an early lead and never looked back as it downed Purdue 69-53 inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Jan. 24. The win snapped a three-game losing skid to the Boilermakers and was Iowa’s largest margin of victory over Purdue since a 17-point win (80-63) March 8, 1986, at West Lafayette.
The Hawkeyes once again had an overall team effort and a huge lift from the bench. Smith paced all scorers with 19 points to go along with six assists. Iowa’s bench had 25 points to Purdue’s seven, led by Skouby’s 17. Ausdemore had 11 points and forward Krista VandeVenter added another eight.
The Hawkeyes steamed the Boilermakers early as they enjoyed a 14-7 lead with 14:45 left. Iowa’s stellar 3-point and free throw shooting helped provide a 35-24 first-half margin. Iowa shot 12-29 (41 percent) from the floor and 4-7 (57 percent) from downtown to go along with its perfect 7-7 free throw shooting. Purdue was 8-21 (38 percent) inside the arc and 2-7 (29 percent) outside, while the Boilermakers were 6-8 (75 percent) from the charity stripe.
Iowa also took advantage of 12 Purdue mistakes to their eight. Second-chance points helped the Hawkeyes forge the 11-point halftime lead as they pulled down seven offensive boards and 18 total to Purdue’s 14. Graham’s aggressive play helped her to six first-half rebounds and eight on the game.
Iowa enjoyed a double-digit lead until 3:37 left in the game when Purdue’s Danielle Campbell hit a layup before getting fouled by Solverson, who picked up her fifth on the game, and had to make a premature exit. Purdue trailed by nine at 57-48. France rained in a triple and inched even closer, 61-53, as the Hawkeyes continued to struggle with the full-court press.
Iowa finished shooting 22-52 (42 percent) from the field and 6-13 (46 percent) from 3-point range. The Hawkeyes took advantage of the charity stripe as they went 19-21 (91 percent), which included several key free throws down the stretch. Purdue finished 18-51 (35 percent) from the floor, 5-20 (25 percent) from downtown and 12-18 (67 percent) at the free throw line.
IOWA WINNING STREAK NOTES
During Iowa’s eight-game winning streak, Iowa has boasted a +10.5 scoring margin and a +9.0 rebounding margin. The Hawkeyes shot .785 from the foul line, made 6.4 triples per contest and averaged 17.1 assists. Five of the victories came at home, with three coming on the road.
IOWA, PURDUE NOTES
? Iowa won a total of six conference games last season (6-10). The Hawkeyes are 10-3 after 13 games this year.
? Iowa has had seven players lead the team in scoring at least once during the season (Kristi Smith, Wendy Ausdemore, Megan Skouby, Johanna Solverson, Krista VandeVenter, Stacy Schlapkohl and Lindsey Nyenhuis).
? In Iowa’s last four games, Iowa has trailed only 17:59 of 160 minutes. The Hawkeyes never trailed vs. Purdue and at Penn State. Iowa trailed only nine seconds at Northwestern and 17:50 vs. Michigan.
? Iowa has made 139-369 (.377) from 3-point territory, while Purdue is only 71-242 (.293) from behind the arc.
? Iowa’s Johanna Solverson averaged 6.5 assists per game the last four contests. She is tied with Nadine Domond for fifth in Iowa career assists (357).
? Four Purdue players average better than five rebounds per contest.
? Iowa has three players average double figures vs. Purdue in their career: Kristi Smith (17.3), Megan Skouby (13.0) and Wendy Ausdemore (12.8).
? Iowa boasts an 11-3 record in home games, including 6-1 in Big Ten play.
? The Hawkeyes have defeated every Big Ten team at least once this season, except Ohio State.
? Iowa is 17-2 when scoring 60 points or more and 15-1 when having a higher field goal percentage than the opposition.
? Iowa has held 12 opponents to 58 points or less this season (10-2).
? Kristi Smith has netted 15 points, or more, a team-best 10 times this year. She has topped 20 points three times this season.
? Iowa has begun playing its final 10 regular season games, a statistic that the NCAA Committee looks at when determining at-large berths for the NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes have started this final stretch 5-0.
? Iowa has two wins over top-40 RPI rated teams (Minnesota, 28 and Purdue, 43). Iowa ranks 37th in the latest ratings, while Purdue is 43rd. The Boilermakers have played the 11th-best strength of schedule in the country.
? Iowa is 117-15 when leading at the half in eight years under Coach Bluder. The Hawkeyes have led at half in 11 of their 14 conference games this year.
? Iowa is 98-19 when holding opponents to 69 points or less, including a 44-3 mark when opponents score 59 points or less.
? Point guard Kristi Smith has collected seven assists four times this year (Dartmouth, Mississippi State, Western Illinois and Minnesota). Johanna Solverson has led the Hawkeyes in assists a team-best 10 times, including six of the last seven contests.
? Iowa played five non-conference games against teams from a major conference: SEC (Mississippi State), Pac-10 (Arizona State), ACC (Georgia Tech), Big XII (Iowa State) and MWC (Wyoming).
? Iowa’s 44-point win over N. Illinois (87-43) tied the program’s 17th-largest margin of victory, equaling its 93-49 win over Iowa State (Nov. 29, 1987).
IOWA ALONE IN FIRST
Purdue’s loss at Michigan State Monday night kept Iowa alone in first place in the Big Ten standings by a full game over Purdue and Ohio State. The Hawkeyes are 10-3, while the Boilermakers and Buckeyes are 9-4. This is the latest, in a single-season, the Hawkeyes have been in first place under Coach Bluder. The last time Iowa was in first place this late in the season was 1998, when the Black and Gold last won a regular season title.
Below are the Big Ten leaders’ final strecth of games:
IOWA (10-3): at Purdue, Minnesota, at Ohio State, Northwestern, at Wisconsin
PURDUE (9-4): Iowa, at Ohio State, at Michigan, Michigan State, at Illinois
OHIO STATE (9-4): Purdue, Iowa, at Indiana, at Penn State, Northwestern
MINNESOTA (8-5): at Penn State, at Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, at Michigan
INDIANA (7-5): Michigan State, Michigan, at Wisconsin, Ohio State, at Minnesota, Penn State
NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 3
Iowa has three players who have scored over 900 career points: Johanna Solverson (1,018), Megan Skouby (976) and Kristi Smith (932). Solverson ranks 23rd in career Iowa scoring, followed by Skouby (24th) and Smith (26th). Smith is only five points from moving past Randi Peterson (936) into 25th.
IOWA COMPLETES SEASON SWEEP OF PENN STATE, 73-65
Iowa made eight of its first nine field goal attempts, sprinting out to an 18-4 advantage at Penn State and never looked back in its 73-65 triumph Sunday afternoon in the Bryce Jordan Center. The win was Iowa’s eighth in a row and was Head Coach Lisa Bluder’s 500th of her career.
Kristi Smith, Johanna Solverson and Wendy Ausdemore fueled the Hawkeye offense. Smith netted 13 of her game-high 20 points in the second half, bolstered by a perfect 7-7 from the foul line. Solverson scored 11 of her 16 points in the first 20 minutes, including scoring Iowa’s first seven points. Ausdemore contributed 10 points.
Penn State closed to within one point twice late in the second half, but Iowa responded each time. Up 58-57, Johanna Solverson drained a 3-pointer from the baseline to extend Iowa’s lead to four (61-57) with 3:40 left. Up 61-60, Kristi Smith scored six-straight points to give the Hawkeyes a seven-point cushion (67-60) with 1:29 left.
Iowa shot a blistering 95 percent from the foul line, missing only one attempt (19-20). Additionally, the Hawkeyes drained all seven attempts in the final 90 seconds to secure the victory.
Iowa shot 52 percent (25-48) from the field, while Penn State shot only 36 percent (18-50).
LAST OUTING TIP-INS
? Penn State has lost seven of its last eight contests, while Iowa earned its eighth-straight victory, the most consecutive wins by any Big Ten squad this season. Iowa’s last loss came Jan. 10 at Michigan State.
? Iowa snapped a four-game losing skid at the Bryce Jordan Center (Iowa’s last win at Penn State came six years ago to date, Feb. 10, 2002). The Hawkeyes have now won three-straight overall games against the Lady Lions. Iowa improves to 14-19 all-time against Penn State.
? Iowa out-rebounded Penn State 29-24. The Hawkeyes have out-boarded their opposition the last four contests. Iowa ranks first in Big Ten rebounding margin.
? Wendy Ausdemore has netted double digits 17 times this season, including 10 of the last 12 contests. Kristi Smith has topped 20 points a team-best three times this year.
? Johanna Solverson, who netted her 1,000th career point last Thursday vs. Michigan State, scored 11 of her 16 points in the first 20 minutes. She fouled out with 3:09 to play. Solverson also finished with four assists to move past Jolette Law and tie Nadine Domond for fifth in Iowa career assists (357). She also had a game-high seven rebounds.
? Iowa led 30-20 late in the first half, but the Lady Lions closed the half on an 8-3 run to cut their deficit to five (33-28). The Black and Gold led by as many as 14 points in the first stanza. Iowa shot 50 percent (14-28) from the floor in the first 20 minutes.
AUSDEMORE, VANDEVENTER EARN ACADEMIC HONOR
Wendy Ausdemore and Krista VandeVenter were named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic all-District third team, Feb. 7.
Ausdemore boasts a 3.67 cumulative GPA and is majoring in business. The junior ranks second in team scoring (11.0), first in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage (.437) and second in 3-pointers made (2.36). Ausdemore, who was recognized on the all-district second team a year ago, ranks fourth in Iowa career 3-pointers (134). The native of Neola, IA, has netted double figures in 15 of Iowa’s 22 games this season, including eight of the last 10.
VandeVenter has a 3.52 cumulative GPA and is majoring in integrative physiology. The senior has started 101 of 107 career games, averaging 7.4 points and 7.0 rebounds. VandeVenter is tied for seventh in Iowa career rebounding (745). The native of Osseo, MN, ranks 18th in Big Ten rebounding (5.5) this year.
Iowa and Minnesota were the only Big Ten teams with at least two student-athletes honored.
CLEANING THE GLASS
Since Big Ten Conference play began, Iowa ranks first in rebounds allowed (32.5) and rebounding margin (+5.6) and third in rebounding (38.1) and offensive rebounding (13.54).
Iowa boasted a +13.5 rebounding margin in its last four victories. Iowa boasted a +18 rebounding edge (49-34) at Northwestern, +18 (44-26) vs. Indiana, +13 (43-30) vs. Michigan State and +5 (29-24) at Penn State. The Hawkeyes have out-rebounded seven opponents during the eight-game winning streak.
Iowa’s leading rebounders are Jenee Graham (5.2) and Krista VandeVenter (5.1). In fact, Iowa has four players (Graham, VandeVenter, Wendy Ausdemore and Johanna Solverson) who average better than 4.0 boards per contest.
IMPROVED DEFENSE
Last season Iowa ranked last in Big Ten scoring defense (71.7) and field goal percentage defense (.447).
Through 24 games this year, Iowa ranks first in conference field goal percentage defense (.378) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.290) and fourth in scoring defense (59.3).
SOLVERSON JOINS ELITE COMPANY
Johanna Solverson joined elite company Thursday night when she collected 18 points and eight assists. She is one of only two Hawkeyes to ever amass over 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 350 assists and 175 steals (Franthea Price). Solverson currently has 1,018 points, 522 rebounds, 357 assists and 186 steals. Price totaled 1,742 points, 726 rebounds, 387 assists and 321 steals.
SMITH AND SOLVERSON’S NUMBERS RISE DURING BIG TEN PLAY
Point guard Kristi Smith and small forward Johanna Solverson’s numbers have improved since conference play.
Smith averaged 11 points and 3.2 assists in Iowa’s 11 non-conference games. In Iowa’s 14 Big Ten games, she is averaging 15.6 points and 3.23 assists. Furthermore, she is averaging 16.6 points and 2.9 assists the last 10 games.
Solverson, a team co-captain, averaged 5.8 points and 1.8 assists during non-league play and 11.7 points and 4.08 assists during conference action. In Iowa’s last 11 games, she averaged 12.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists. She is Iowa’s assists leader during conference play.
HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
Iowa averages 6.5 more points at home than on the road. The Black and Gold also averages 3.2 more assists and 3.4 more rebounds at home than on the road. Iowa has a higher free throw percentage on the road (.756) than at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (.723). Here are the home and away comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSHome .446 .386 .723 38.4 16.6 16.6 68.6Away .429 .363 .756 35.0 13.4 17.2 62.1
WINS, LOSSES COMPARISONS
The Black and Gold average 15.4 more points in their victories (70.4) than their losses (55.0). Furthermore, Iowa shoots 9.6 percent better from the foul line and pulls down 6.1 more rebounds in wins. Here are the wins and losses comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSWins .454 .397 .755 38.8 16.4 16.5 70.4Losses .402 .320 .659 32.7 12.6 18.0 55.0
DOWNTOWN SUCCESS
Iowa has been very accurate shooting the ball behind the arc this season. The Hawkeyes rank third in the Big Ten, shooting 37.7 percent (139-369) from 3-point range. Three Hawkeyes have combined for 122 of their 139 triples (Wendy Ausdemore, 56; Kristi Smith, 38; Johanna Solverson, 30). Iowa has shot 40 percent or better from 3-point range 11 times this year, including a season-best 62.5 percent (10-16) against Northern Illinois. Iowa was 10-20 (.500) vs. Indiana. Last season, Iowa ranked third nationally in 3-point shooting percentage (.402).
Ausdemore ranks second in 3-pointers made by an Iowa junior (56). Lindsey Meder ranks first for Hawkeye juniors with 68, established during the 2000-01 season. Ausdemore’s 3-point percentage (.434) ranks 18th in the country. She has attempted the fifth-most triples amongst the nation’s leaders.
BIG TEN RANKINGS
Iowa ranks in the top three in 11 Big Ten statistical categories. The Hawkeyes rank first in field goal percentage defense (.378) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.290), second in and 3-pointers made (5.79), scoring margin (+6.5), field goal percentage (.439) and rebounds allowed (32.9) and third in assists (15.29), 3-point field goal percentage (.377), rebounding margin (+4.1), defensive rebounding (25.13) and assist/turnover ratio (0.9). Individually, Wendy Ausdemore ranks first in 3-point field goal percentage (.434), second in 3-pointers made (2.33) and 19th in scoring (11.3). Kristi Smith ranks seventh in 3-pointers made (1.58) and 3-point field goal percentage (.349), ninth in assist/turnover ratio (1.35), 10th in free throw percentage (.814),11th in scoring (13.5) and 13th in assists (3.21).
IOWA “THINK PINK” EVENT SET FOR SUNDAY
Iowa will host its first “Think Pink” event Sunday vs. Minnesota at 3:35 p.m. Hawkeye fans are encouraged to wear pink. The following are the promotional details for the game.
? Iowa will be wearing pink-trimmed uniforms, shoelaces and warm-up shirts
? The first 1,500 fans receive a free pink Hawkeye cancer awareness koozie
? Hawkeye fans will be able to obtain the last of four trading card sets Sunday.
? Pink 3-point placards will be handed out
? Pink prizes will be given away throughout the game, including hats, crocs and tickets
? Players will be available for autographs, after the game, on the concourse.
? Both the American Cancer Society and Holden Cancer Research center on the UI campus will have tables on the concourse and accepting any outside donations. ACS will be handing out shower cards as well.
? During the second half of every home game, one lucky Hawkeye fan will win an iPod Shuffle, while another will win an iTunes gift card during “Big Ten SuperFan T-Shirt Toss”. Each winner will be included in a final drawing at Iowa’s home finale vs. Northwestern (Feb. 28) for an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis (March 6-10).
HAWKEYES PEN FIVE TO NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT
Hannah Draxten, Shante Jones, Kelly Krei, Tia Mays and Kamille Wahlin have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Iowa.
“This is a large balanced class that covers every position,” said Head Coach Lisa Bluder.
Draxten, a 6-0 wing player, has been a varsity starter since eighth grade, starting in 104 consecutive games for Fergus Falls High School in Minnesota. She has been the team’s leading scorer all four years. A two-year team captain, Draxten holds the all-time Fergus Falls High School records (boys and girls) for scoring (1,830) and rebounding (755). She has averaged 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds over her career. Draxten is a two-time Class 3A first team all-state and all-conference honoree.
Wahlin, a native of Crookston, MN, is a 5-8 left-handed point guard who averaged 19.9 points for her Crookston High School basketball team that went 24-3 a year ago. A third-year captain, she boasts career averages of 16.5 ppg, 4.8 apg and 3.0 spg. Wahlin established school records in scoring, assists, steals and field goals. Her team finished second in the Minnesota state tournament her sophomore campaign, where she was recognized on the all-tournament squad. She was tabbed Minnesota Coaches Association All-State and was her team’s MVP the last two seasons. Wahlin sank 47 consecutive free throws last year. Wahlin played on the same AAU team (North Tartan Larson) as Draxten last summer.
Krei, a native of Iowa City, has averaged 17.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.1 assists the last three years for City High. A two-time captain, she was a first team all-state honoree her freshman and junior years and was a second team selection as a sophomore. Krei is a three-time first team all-conference, all-district and all-area honoree. The 6-2 forward was named the 2007 Mississippi Valley Conference Player of the Year in basketball and track.
Mays, a native of Des Moines, is a four-year starter for Des Moines East High School. She was a pre-season Street & Smith’s honorable mention all-American in 2006. Last season as a junior, she was an all-state, all-conference and all-district performer. A second-year captain, she helped lead her team to a school-best 19-5 record and a berth to the Girls State Tournament. A 6-1 forward, she led the Lady Scarlets in points (15 ppg), rebounds (10 rpg), blocks (4 bpg) and field goal percentage (63%).
Jones is a 5-9 guard/forward from Dayton, OH. Jones played her first two years at Stivers School for the Arts and competed for Carroll High School last season. She averaged 17.8 points her junior year and was tabbed first team all-league and second team all-conference, all-district and all-southwest. Jones was named MVP of Carroll High School her junior season. She was selected first team all-league, all-conference and all-district her sophomore campaign. Jones was the highest scorer in the area her sophomore year (28.0 ppg) and named Stivers High School MVP.
SOLVERSON RETURNS FOR SIXTH SEASON
Johanna Solverson, who’s next start will be the 100th of her career, has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA after missing the last two seasons due to consecutive ACL tears in her right knee. Solverson has played with 27 different players during her six years at Iowa.
The 6-2 small forward played in all but one game her first three seasons. One of Iowa’s most versatile players, she boasts a career average of 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals in 118 games.
Solverson is only the second Iowa women’s basketball player to receive a sixth year from the NCAA. Simone Edwards (1993-97) received a sixth year after suffering two season-ending knee injuries. Edwards played two full seasons and a partial third with the Hawkeyes after transferring to Iowa from Seminole Junior College.
HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster features five players from the state of Iowa (Wendy Ausdemore, Kelsey Cermak, Abby Emmert, Stacy Schlapkohl and Nicole VanderPol). The Hawkeyes also have two players from Illinois (Jenee Graham and Johanna Solverson) and Minnesota (Kachine Alexander and Krista VandeVenter). Iowa’s 13-person roster also features players from Colorado (Kristi Smith), Kansas (JoAnn Hamlin), Michigan (Lindsey Nyenhuis) and Ohio (Megan Skouby).
BLOGGING
Iowa Hawkeye fans will again be treated to behind-the-scenes information this season as seniors Jenee Graham and Johanna Solverson and junior Lindsey Nyenhuis will blog during the season, which will be posted on hawkeyesports.com. The trio will share their thoughts on practices, games, road trips, and everything else concerning the program.
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE
All-session tickets for the 2008 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament presented by Xbox 360 Live are $65, while single-session tickets range from $12-16. Tickets can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (319) 363-1888.
The tournament returns to Indianapolis for the 13th time in 14 years and has attracted more than 29,000 fans for each of the last six events. The 2006 tournament attendance of 38,638 and session average of 7,728 were both event records. In the past 13 years of Big Ten Tournament play, the conference has welcomed more than 382,000 fans. Six different league representatives have become tournament champions. Purdue leads all teams with six titles followed by two championships for both Iowa and Penn State and a single title for Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State.
IOWA INFORMATION ON THE WEB
Statistics and play-by-play accounts of all 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 night featuring Iowa Hawkeye Women’s Head Coach Lisa Bluder, on KXIC-AM 800 in Iowa City, 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 east side of Iowa City.
ON THE HORIZON
The Hawkeyes return home for its final regular season Sunday home game when its entertains Minnesota this Sunday at 3:35 p.m. Iowa will then travel to Ohio State (Feb. 21).
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