Nov. 17, 2008
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- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
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- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
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THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) return to action Tuesday when they travel to Lawrence, KS, to face the Kansas Jayhawks (1-0). Tip-off is slated for 11:05 a.m. inside Allen Fieldhouse.
ON THE TUBE
Tuesday’s game will be televised to a national cable audience on ESPN. Beth Mowins and Kara Lawson will call the action.
ON THE RADIO
Brent Balbinot and former Hawkeye Abby Emmert will call Tuesday morning’s game for the Hawkeye Radio Network. Hawkeye fans can listen to the contest on KXIC 800-AM in Iowa City and WMT in Cedar Rapids. Balbinot is in his fifth season as Iowa’s play-by-play voice, while Till is in her fourth providing analysis. Hawkeye fans can also follow the game via live stats (gametracker). The `GT’ link can be accessed under the `Calender’ tab on the front page of hawkeyesports.com or on the women’s basketball schedule page.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 970 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 589-381 (.607). That includes a 295-146 (.669) mark in Big Ten contests and 273-81 (.771) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Tuesday will be the fifth meeting between Iowa and Kansas with the series tied 2-2. Iowa won the last meeting between the two schools (63-49) in the championship game of the 2006 WBCA Classic held in Kansas City, MO. The Jayhawks hold a 2-0 advantage in games played in Lawrence, beating Iowa in 1988 and 1995.
ON IOWA
Last season, Iowa won a share of the Big Ten regular season conference championship with Ohio State. The title is the program’s ninth, the second-most behind Ohio State (11). Iowa lost to eventual champion Purdue (80-73) in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Last year marked the first time since the 2004-05 season (Michigan State and Ohio State) that there were co-champions. The Hawkeyes won of 11 of their last 13 regular season contests, including eight straight during conference play. The eight-game winning streak was the longest by any Big Ten team throughout the season. Furthermore, Iowa won a Big Ten-best five league road games.
SCOUTING KANSAS
Kansas opened its season with a 106-64 triumph over Sacred Heart Friday in Lawrence. Kansas has been tabbed for a ninth-place finish in the preseason poll of league head coaches. The Jayhawks return four starters and 11 letterwinners off last year’s team that finished 17-16 overall. Kansas is led by junior guard-foward Danielle McCray, who was the team leader in both scoring (14.9) and rebounding (7.1) a year ago. McCray finished the campaign rated in the top 15 of the Big 12 in eight different statistical categories. The Jayhawks also return 6-5 sophomore center Krysten Boogaard, who earned a spot on the Big 12 All-Rookie team after averaging 9.4 points and 5.5 boards per game. Freshman guard Angel Goodrich will miss the entire season after suffering a torn ACL in her left knee one week into practice. The 5-4 guard was expected to see significant minutes in her first season. Kansas is coached by Bonnie Hendrickson, who is in her 12th season as a head coach, her fifth with Kansas. Hendrickson’s overall record is 216-127 (.630), while she is 58-65 (.472) on the Kansas sidelines. Hendrickson served as an assistant coach at Iowa from 1995-97. Kansas’ top assistant, Karen Lange, is a 1996 graduate and four-year University of Iowa letterwinner.
HAMLIN RETURNS TO HOME STATE
Junior JoAnn Hamlin returns to her home state Tuesday. Hamlin hails from Douglass, KS, which is about a two and a half hour drive from Lawrence. Hamlin competed against Kansas three times during the 2005-06 campaign as a freshman, while playing for Kansas State. She averaged 7.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in the three contests, including collecting 12 points, seven rebounds and a career-high four blocks in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament.
IOWA, KANSAS NOTES
? Lisa Bluder will be gunning for her 150th win as Iowa’s head coach Tuesday.
? Both Iowa and Kansas won their season openers by 42 points.
? Iowa starts the season with seven games in 14 days.
? Iowa faced Virginia Tech, a team coached by Bonnie Hendrickson, in the first round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament in Blacksburg, VA.
? Sophomore reserve Kelsey Cermak is doubtful for Tuesday’s game due to injury. She did not play in Iowa’s exhibitions or opener.
? Iowa’s 87 points vs. Texas State tied its season high scoring total from last year (87 points in wins over Northern Illinois and Wisconsin).
? Iowa’s 23 assists vs. Texas State equaled its season-high of a year ago in victories over Western Illinois and Northern Illinois.
? Iowa’s 47-second half points topped last year’s most points scored in a half (46 points, twice).
IOWA ROUTS TEXAS STATE IN OPENER
Iowa never trailed in a convincing 87-45 triumph over Texas State Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. With Iowa having only one day to rest and prepare for Kansas, Iowa’s starters played only about half the game. Four Hawkeye starters scored double digits: Megan Skouby (18), JoAnn Hamlin (13), Kristi Smith (12) and Kachine Alexander (10). Three Hawkeyes led the team in rebounding with six: Wendy Ausdemore, Hannah Draxten and Alexander. As a team, Iowa shot 64.3% (18-28) in the second half and 55.9% (33-59) for the game. Texas State made only 23.4% (15-64) of its field goals in defeat. Iowa dominated the Bobcats in the paint, outscoring them 44-2.
LAST MEETING
Iowa captured the fifth-annual WBCA Classic championship with a 63-49 victory over Kansas on Nov. 12, 2006 in Kansas City, MO. Three Hawkeye sophomores earned all-tournament accolades, Wendy Ausdemore, Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith. Skouby was recognized as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Iowa had four players post double figures. Skouby netted 11 of her game-high 17 points in the second half. Ausdemore tallied 12 points, while Smith scored 10 and Stacy Schlapkohl contributed 11 off the bench. Skouby also corralled eight rebounds, all of which were defensive. Kansas started the game making six of its first eight field goal attempts, but Iowa limited the Jayhawks to only 4-19 shooting the final 15 minutes of the half. Trailing 12-10, Iowa closed the half on a 24-8 run to claim a 34-20 advantage. The Jayhawks cut Iowa’s lead to 36-32, going on a 12-2 run the first seven minutes of the second half. The Hawkeyes made only one of its eight field goal attempts during that span. Leading by only four (48-44) midway through the second half, Iowa scored nine straight points to build a 13-point cushion (57-44). For the second-straight game the Hawkeyes converted their free throws down the stretch, making 4-6 the final four minutes. For the game, Iowa converted 82.6 percent of its foul shots, making 19-23 attempts. Kansas was only 4-5 from the charity stripe. Jenee Graham pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds. Iowa shot 47.6 percent (20-42) from the field, bolstered by 57.1 percent (4-7) shooting from behind the 3-point arc. Iowa’s defense held the Jayhawks to only 7.7 percent (1-13) from 3-point range.
AUSDEMORE NEARING 1,000-POINT PLATEAU
Senior Wendy Ausdemore has scored 955 career points, just 45 shy of 1,000. Teammates Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith accomplished the feat last season as juniors.
IOWA APPROACHES MILESTONES
Iowa’s women’s basketball program has 589 overall wins and 296 Big Ten Conference victories. Additionally, Coach Bluder, who won her 500th a year ago, has 149 Iowa victories.
MEDIA COVERAGE
The Big Ten Conference and Iowa Hawkeye women’s basketball fans will enjoy unprecedented coverage in 2008-09. A minimum of seven games will be televised to a national cable audience, six on the Big Ten Network and another on ESPN. Iowa will also have some games broadcast locally in Eastern Iowa on KCRG. Also, a minimum of 10 Iowa Big Ten games will be streamed, free of charge, on www.bigtennetwork.com. Plus, Iowa’s three games at the Paradise Jam (Nov. 27-29) will be streamed on www.paradisejam.com for a small fee.
IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa received one vote in the preseason Associated Press poll and three votes in the preseason USA Today/Coaches poll.
PRE-SEASON RANKINGS
Iowa has been picked to finish fourth in the Big Ten by the league coaches and fifth by a selected media panel. The coaches picked Purdue to win the conference, while the media selected Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won outright, or shared, the last four regular season conference titles. Ohio State sophomore Jantel Lavender was selected as the pre-season Player of the Year by both voting groups.
HAWKEYES RETURN EIGHT
Iowa returns eight letterwinners, including two starters from a team that finished 21-11 overall, tied for first in the Big Ten with a 13-5 mark and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament. Returning starters include point guard Kristi Smith and small forward Wendy Ausdemore. Iowa also returns part-time starter Megan Skouby.
HAWKEYES RETURN ALL-BIG TEN STANDOUTS
Kristi Smith was a 2008 first team all-Big Ten performer, Wendy Ausdemore earned honorable mention accolades, while Megan Skouby was named the league’s first “Sixth Player of the Year” award winner. Furthermore, Smith was an honorable mention all-American.
SIMILARITIES
Coach Bluder sees similarities between this season’s senior and freshman classes. This year’s senior class was asked, in 2005-06, to step-up and make an immediate impact when they were freshmen. Iowa’s freshman class this year will, again, be asked to provide depth and will likely play a pivotal role in the team’s success.
RAINING THREES
Iowa made 116 three-pointers a year ago, which is the most-ever by a Big Ten team during conference play. For the season, the Hawkeyes made 194-506 (.389), which ranks third in school history for percentage. The 197 triples were only two from equaling the school single-season record of 199 set in 2001-02.
WINNING THE CLOSE ONES
The Hawkeyes were a perfect 5-0 during conference play in games decided by five points or less in 2007-08. Iowa won two overtime contests: at Minnesota (68-66) and at home vs. Wisconsin (78-74). Iowa edged out Minnesota (72-69) and Michigan (66-61) in Iowa City and Illinois (60-58) at Champaign.
CHALLENGING SCHEDULE AWAITS
The defending Big Ten co-champion Hawkeyes will play 20 of 29 regular season games against teams that competed in 2008 post-season tournaments, including six teams (eight games) that participated in the NCAA tournament. Iowa will play 16 home regular season contests (two exhibitions) and will also host one of 16 sites for the 2009 NCAA Tournament in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, March 22 and 24, 2009. Four Iowa opponents are ranked in the Associated Press preseason poll (No. 8 Duke, No. 9 California, No. 18 Ohio State and No. 23 Purdue).
AUSDEMORE IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Wendy Ausdemore enters her senior season with her name all over the Hawkeye record books for 3-point shooting. The native of Neola, IA, is 161-383 (.420) from long distance. Her career shooting accuracy from beyond the arc currently ranks first in the Big Ten and Hawkeye record books. Former Ohio State Buckeye Caity Matter (270-657, .411) ranks second, while former Hawkeye Lindsey Meder (261-644, .405) is third. Ausdemore’s 161 treys ranks second in Iowa annals behind Meder’s 261. Last season, Ausdemore was 78-171 (.456), with her percentage ranking third in the nation, and first among players with over 150 attempts. Also, Ausdemore made a school-best 62 triples as a sophomore and 78 as a junior.
RECORD BREAKERS
Iowa broke two school records in 2007-08: field goal percentage in a half (73.9 percent at Wisconsin) and consecutive 3-pointers made in a game (seven vs. Minnesota). Additionally, Wendy Ausdemore tied her own Carver-Hawkeye Arena record, making six triples vs. Purdue.
HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s 2008-09 roster features four players from the state of Iowa (Wendy Ausdemore, Kelsey Cermak, Kelly Krei and Nicole VanderPol). The Hawkeyes also have three players from Minnesota (Kachine Alexander, Hannah Draxten and Kamille Wahlin). Iowa’s 13-person roster also features players from Ohio (Shante Jones and Megan Skouby), Colorado (Kristi Smith), Kansas (JoAnn Hamlin) and Michigan (Lindsey Nyenhuis).
TRIFECTA
Iowa had three players eclispe the 1,000-point plateau a year ago: Johanna Solverson, Megan Skouby and junior Kristi Smith. Last season marked the first time in the program’s 34-year history three players reached the 1,000-point plateau in the same season. Solverson scored 18 points in a home win over Michigan State (Feb. 7, 2008). The native of Lake Zurich, IL, reached 1,000 points in 117 games. Skouby scored six points at No. 20 Ohio State (Feb. 21, 2008) to become the 24th Hawkeye to amass 1,000 career points. Skouby, who is a native of Mentor, OH, accomplished the feat in only 82 games and she did so in front of family and friends. Smith netted 19 points vs. Purdue (March 8, 2008) to become the 25th Iowa player to tally 1,000 points. The Thornton, CO, native accomplished the feat in 90 contests.
IOWA FAST BREAKS
? Iowa boasted a 13-3 record in home games, including 8-1 in Big Ten play a year ago.
? The Hawkeyes defeated every Big Ten team at least once in 2008-09, except Ohio State (0-2).
? Kristi Smith netted 15 points, or more, a team-best 15 times last season. She topped the 20-point plateau five times.
? Iowa is 121-17 when leading at the half in eight years under Coach Bluder. The Hawkeyes are 101-22 when holding opponents to 69 points or less, including a 46-4 mark when opponents score 59 points or less.
? Iowa is slated to play six non-conference games against teams from a major conference: Big East (South Florida), Pac-10 (California), ACC (Duke), Big XII (Kansas, Texas Tech and Iowa State).
BLOGGING
Iowa Hawkeye fans will be treated once again to behind-the-scenes information this season as senior Wendy Ausdemore, and sophomore Kelsey Cermak and freshman Hannah Draxten will have their own blogs, which will be posted on hawkeyesports.com. The trio will share their thoughts on practices, games, road trips, and everything else surrounding the program. Additionally, fans will be able to watch behind-the-scenes clips of the team with Lindsey Nyenhuis’ video blog.
GET TO KNOW HER CAMPAIGN
The Big Ten Conference announced its latest public service effort for women’s basketball. The Get to Know Her campaign is a fully integrated effort that will allow fans to see the non-basketball sides of their favorite student-athletes via multimedia tools and on-campus promotions. Elements of the Get to Know Her campaign include a fan club, theme nights, a weekly newsletter, Big Ten Network-produced PSAs, video and print feature stories, a Facebook page and fan rewards. Fans can sign up to be members of the Get to Know Her Club at all Big Ten women’s basketball home games. Fans will receive special rewards for joining the club, while membership privileges include special access, giveaways and insider information on Big Ten women’s basketball. Fans will also enjoy increased chances to learn about their favorite women’s basketball players through multimedia outlets. Written feature stories will appear on the Big Ten website throughout the conference season, while the Big Ten Network will air features and Get to Know Her PSAs through the duration of the 2008-09 campaign.
HY-VEE CY-HAWK SERIES
Iowa leads the fifth annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series, 7-4, after three events. The Cyclones beat the Hawkeyes 3-0 in volleyball (Sept. 12) to earn two points and finished ahead of Iowa at the men’s cross country regional meet. Iowa beat Iowa State 17-5 in football to earn the only three-point event. The Hawkeyes also downed the Cyclones in women’s soccer, 3-2, and finished ahead of Iowa State at the women’s cross country regional meet. There are seven events remaining, with the next competition slated for Dec. 6 in wrestling (Iowa City).
IOWA INFORMATION ON THE WEB
Statistics and play-by-play accounts of all Iowa Hawkeye 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 `GT’ link.
UI TO HOST NCAA TOURNAMENT GAMES IN 2009
The University of Iowa and Carver-Hawkeye Arena will serve as one of 16 first and second round hosts for the 2009 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. Games will take place Sunday, March 22 (6 p.m./8:30 p.m.) and Tuesday, March 24, 2009 (8:30 p.m.). Adult tickets prices are $28 for the three tournament games and $18 for students and senior citizens if they purchase their tickets over the phone or at the UI Ticket Office. The two ticket prices are $31 and $21, respectively, if purchased on the Internet. The UI Department of Athletics first hosted an NCAA Championship site in 1986 when it served as one of four regional final sites. Carver-Hawkeye Arena has hosted NCAA Women’s Championship games 11 years (1986-90, 92-94, 96-98). The UI and Carver-Hawkeye Arena have entertained the regional finals four times and first and/or second rounds nine times. The NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1994. The last time Iowa City hosted a first and second round site was in 1998. Iowa defeated Massachusetts in the first round, but lost to Kansas in the second round. The Hawkeyes boast a 9-4 record in NCAA Championship games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
ON THE HORIZON
Iowa returns home to host the 23rd annual KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge. The Hawkeyes will play Boston University Saturday at 12:05 p.m. and then will face Portland/Providence Sunday at 2:35 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.