Feb. 3, 2009
- Purchase Iowa Season Tickets and Iowa City NCAA First/Second Round Tickets
- Follow the Hawkeyes to the Big Ten Tournament
- Basketblog
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
Complete Release in PDF Format
THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (13-8, 6-4) entertain the Indiana Hoosiers (15-5, 8-3) Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (CST) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are $9 for adults, while youths and UI students will be admitted free. Thursday will be Iowa’s second-straight home game and Indiana’s second-consecutive road contest. The Hawkeyes are in sixth-place in the Big Ten standings, only one loss behind Indiana, Purdue and Minnesota.
ON THE INTERNET
Hawkeye fans can watch Thursday night’s game for free online at bigtennetwork.com.
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 game on WMT AM-600 in Cedar Rapids, KXIC AM-800 in Iowa City and WHO AM-1040 in Des Moines. 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 991 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 602-389 (.607). That includes a 302-150 (.668) mark in Big Ten contests and 281-82 (.774) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HAMLIN UPDATE
JoAnn Hamlin suffered a sprained left ankle during practice on Jan. 22 and has missed Iowa’s last three contests. She is questionable for Thursday’s game vs. Indiana.
SCOUTING INDIANA
Indiana (15-5) started the season 14-3, but has since lost two of its last three, with both losses coming on the road. Thursday will conclude a stretch of playing four of five away from Bloomington. The Hoosiers are currently tied with Purdue for third place in the Big Ten standings with 8-3 records. Indiana lost its last contest at No. 14 Ohio State, 59-51, Sunday afternoon. The Buckeyes outscored the Hoosiers 17-6 at the foul line. Indiana was only 6-13 (.462) from the charity stripe, while Ohio State was 17-24 (.708). Additionally, Indiana was only 5-19 (.263) from long distance. Sophomore Jori Davis and senior Whitney Thomas led the Hoosiers, scoring 15 and 12 points, respectively. Senior Amber Jackson averages a team-best 13.8 points and ranks second in rebounding (7.0). Thomas pulls down a team-best 9.1 rebounds and ranks second in scoring (12.6). Junior Jamie Braun averages 11.7 points and a team-best 3.6 assists per outing. During conference play, Indiana ranks first in Big Ten turnover margin (+5.73) and steals (8.82). The Hoosiers also rank second in scoring (66.2), scoring margin (+7.2), 3-point field goal percentage (.328) and offensive rebounds (14.37). Indiana is coached by Felisha Legette-Jack, who is in her eighth season as a collegiate head coach (106-97, .522) and her third with Indiana (52-34, .605).
ALL-TIME SERIES
Thursday will be the 54th meeting between Iowa and Indiana, with the Hawkeyes leading the series, 38-15. Iowa boasts a 21-3 advantage in games played at Iowa City, including 11-straight wins inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hoosiers’ last victory in Iowa City came on Feb. 20, 1994 (63-59). Indiana has won two of the last three in the series, including a 76-54 win on Jan. 4, 2009, in Bloomington.
HOME SWEET HOME
Iowa has maintained a solid home court advantage the last couple years. Dating back to last season, Iowa has won 16 of its last 17 home games. Iowa is 9-1 in home contests this season. Purdue snapped Iowa’s 12-game winning streak with a 69-60 win Dec. 28 in Iowa City.
IOWA, INDIANA NOTES
? Eleven of Iowa’s 21 games have been decided by 17 points or more (7-4).
? Iowa boasts a perfect 9-0 record when allowing 59 points or less, are 13-1 when shooting a higher field goal percentage than its opponents and 12-0 when leading at halftime this season.
? Kristi Smith, Megan Skouby and JoAnn Hamlin have had solid outings in games against Indiana. Smith has made 20-21 (.952) from the foul line and averages 11.2 points in six career starts vs. the Hoosiers. Skouby averages 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds, and Hamlin averages 11.0 points and 7.0 rebounds against Indiana.
? Indiana shot 51 percent (28-55) from the field in its win over Iowa on Jan. 4, in Bloomington. The Hoosiers outscored Iowa, 34-4 in the paint, 18-6 in second chance opportunities and 22-10 in points off turnovers.
? Megan Skouby cracked Iowa’s all-time scoring top ten with 21 points at Illinois (Jan. 15). Skouby now has 1,326 points and is just nine points from tying Lisa Becker for eighth place.
? Last season, Megan Skouby blocked 23 shots in 32 games; she already has amassed 37 through 21 games this season. She currently sits third on Iowa’s career rejections list with 144. She is only two blocks from surpassing Toni Foster for second.
? Kachine Alexander, who stands 5-9, leads the team and ranks fifth in Big Ten rebounding, pulling down 8.5 per contest.
? Iowa players have corralled double-digit rebounds 17 times this season. Kachine Alexander has accomplished the feat a team-best nine times, JoAnn Hamlin six times and Wendy Ausdemore twice.
? Iowa has held nine of the 12 teams it has beat to 58 points or less.
? Kristi Smith has reached double figures a team-best 15 times, including the last seven contests.
? Iowa has an RPI rating of 42nd in the country and strength of schedule that ranks 27th. Indiana is rated 29th in the RPI and 47th in strength of schedule. The numbers are based on the report published Feb. 2.
ALEXANDER NAMED BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The Big Ten announced Tuesday that Iowa sophomore Kachine Alexander has been named Big Ten Player of the Week. Alexander takes home her second weekly honor in three weeks after leading Iowa to a triple-overtime victory over Penn State Sunday. The native of Minneapolis, MN, became the first Hawkeye to ever amass two triple-doubles in a career, let alone four weeks apart, when she accomplished the feat again in Sunday’s, 97-89, triple-overtime win over the Lady Lions. The Hawkeyes became the first Big Ten team to ever win a triple-overtime conference game, since league play officially began in 1982-83. Alexander registered a team-high 26 points, a staggering 21 rebounds and 10 assists against Penn State. The 26 points and 21 rebounds are personal bests. Additionally, Alexander was a perfect 10-10 from the foul line, including sinking all six attempts in the 15 extra minutes. The sophomore was two assists from of a triple-double through regulation, but dished out assists on Iowa’s first two overtime field goals and achieved the mark at 3:02 of the first overtime. Alexander is one of only three NCAA Division I student-athletes to post two triple-doubles this season. Kansas State’s Shalee Lehning and St. Mary’s Louella Tomlinson are the other players to have two triple-doubles this year. In total, there have been 12 triple-doubles, by a total of nine different players in 2008-09. In Iowa’s two games last week, Alexander made 85 percent of her free throws, sinking 17-of-20 attempts.
HAWKEYES-LADY LIONS MAKE BIG TEN HISTORY
The Iowa-Penn State triple overtime game last Sunday, in Iowa City, made Big Ten history. Iowa became the first Big Ten school to win a triple overtime conference game, since league play officially began in 1982-83.
KASHIN’ IN
Sophomore Kachine Alexander has made a name for herself in the Big Ten with her improved play. Last season, she played only 18 games, averaging 2.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists. Through 21 games this season, she is averaging 9.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Alexander, who stands 5-9, ranks first in Big Ten rebounding (9.9) and assist/turnover ratio (1.7), second in assists (5.1) and defensive rebounds (7.5), in league game rankings. Additionally, she became the first Hawkeye to ever post two triple-doubles when she accomplished the feat twice in four games this season. The Minneapolis, MN, native had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists vs. Northwestern (Jan. 18) and 26 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists vs. Penn State (Feb. 1). Both games were Iowa wins. Alexander is 17-20 (.850) from the foul line in Iowa’s last two games, including a perfect 10-10 (1.000) vs. Penn State last Sunday.
HAWKEYES OUTLAST PENN STATE IN THREE OVERTIMES
In a game that didn’t want to end, the Iowa Hawkeyes ultimately came away with a 97-89 win over Penn State in three overtimes in Iowa City last Sunday. Iowa had an 11-point cushion (64-53) with six minutes left in regulation, but the Lady Lions closed the second half on a 17-6 run to send the game into extra time. Iowa led by as many as five (81-76) with 2:19 left, but Penn State, again, rallied to even the score. The Lady Lions had a chance to take the lead with nine seconds remaining, but Janessa Wolff missed a pair of free throws and the contest went to a second overtime. The Black and Gold led by as many as four (85-81) with 3:08 left in the second overtime, but could not put Penn State away. Penn State’s Tyra Grant tied the game at 87-87 with 14 seconds left and Iowa had an opportunity to win with four seconds left when Megan Skouby corralled an offensive rebound, but couldn’t get her follow-up shot to fall. Iowa scored the first eight points in the third overtime, bolstered by two beautiful jumpers by freshman Kamille Wahlin. The Hawkeyes would eventually outscore the Lady Lions 10-2 in the third overtime. Iowa’s Kachine Alexander dazzled the crowd once again, collecting her second triple-double in four games. The sophomore collected 26 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists. Alexander was two assists from a triple-double through regulation and recorded two assists on Iowa’s first two field goals of the first overtime to achieve her second triple-double at the 3:02 mark of the first overtime. The 26 points and 21 rebounds are career bests. Wahlin started her third career game and totaled personal bests in scoring (18) and rebounding (7). Wendy Ausdemore contributed 15 points and a career-high seven assists, while Kristi Smith matched a season high with 21 points. Penn State junior Tyra Grant led all scorers with 33 points. Brianne O’Rourke contributed 20 points and nine assists, while Mashea Williams added 19 points and nine rebounds.
LAST OUTING TIP-INS
? Sunday’s game featured 12 ties and 10 lead changes.
? Sunday was Iowa’s first-ever three-overtime game and it was Iowa’s first-ever multi-overtime win. Iowa was previously 0-3 in double overtime games. Iowa’s last double overtime game was a 95-91 loss at Louisiana Tech on Nov. 22, 2005.
? Iowa attempted a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record 34 triples, making 11 (.324). The old mark was 29 set by Southern Illinois vs. Iowa (Nov. 19, 2004).
? Penn State’s Tyra Grant finished with a game-high 33 points. Her 30 field goal attempts is a new Carver-Hawkeye Arena record, breaking the old mark of 29 by Iowa’s Franthea Price vs. Howard (Nov. 25, 1989).
? Iowa missed only two free throws (14-16, .875). Penn State was 7-12 (.583) from the charity stripe, including Janessa Wolff misfiring on a pair of free throws with the game tied with nine seconds left in the first overtime.
? Penn State sophomore starter Julia Trogele left the game early in the first half due to injury and did not return.
? Iowa had four players play 50 minutes or more: Wendy Ausdemore (51), Kristi Smith (51), Kachine Alexander (50) and Megan Skouby (50). Penn State had two players play 52 minutes or more: Brianne O’Rourke (54) and Evelyn Lewis (52).
DISTRIBUTING THE BALL
Kachine Alexander has been putting up big assist numbers, as of late. The sophomore dished out eight assists vs. Minnesota (Jan. 11) and followed up that performance with nine at Illinois (Jan. 15). Against Northwestern (Jan. 18), Alexander collected a game and career-high 12 helpers. The 12 assists tied the school single-game and Carver-Hawkeye Arena record. She was credited with 10 dimes vs. Penn State (Feb. 1). Alexander ranks second in assists (5.1) during conference play. Alexander’s 29 combined assists vs. Minnesota, Illinois and Northwestern are believed to be the most ever by a Hawkeye in a three-game span. Iowa is 7-0 this season when Alexander has five assists or more, and only 2-6 with two assists or fewer.
WAHLIN SHINES IN STARTING ROLE
Kamille Wahlin was moved to a starting role the last three games, due to the absence of JoAnn Hamlin. In her first three career starts last week, Wahlin averaged 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 35 minutes of action. In her first career start against Michigan (Jan. 26), she posted a double-double, the first of her career, recording 14 points and a personal-best 10 assists. The 10 assists are believed to be the most in a single-game by an Iowa freshman. At Michigan State, Wahlin was under the weather with the flu, but still managed to play 27 minutes and collect six points and two assists. In Sunday’s triple overtime thriller, the freshman logged 43 minutes of court time, recording season bests in scoring (18) and rebounding (7).
MAKING THE FREEBIES
Senior Megan Skouby ranks second in the conference and ranks 32nd nationally in free throw accuracy, shooting .854 (70-82). Wendy Ausdemore has missed only four free throw attempts this season (32-36, .889). As a team, Iowa shoots .785 (299-381) from the charity stripe, ranking fifth in the nation. The Hawkeyes have made (299) nearly as many free throws as their opponents have attempted (315).
DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Last season, Iowa had only three players record a double-double in 32 games (Wendy Ausdemore, Johanna Solverson and Megan Skouby). So far this season, Iowa has had four different players post double-doubles a total of 11 times through 21 games. JoAnn Hamlin has posted four double-doubles (Boston, Iowa State, Minnesota and Wisconsin) this year. The last Iowa player to record four or more double-doubles in a season was Jennie Lillis in 2002-03. Lillis had nine double-doubles that season. Kachine Alexander registered double-doubles vs. Providence and Michigan, and also added triple-doubles vs. Northwestern and Penn State. Ausdemore had back-to-back double-doubles vs. Texas Tech and South Florida in the Paradise Jam. Kamille Wahlin had her first double-double vs. Michigan.
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.
AUSDEMORE IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Wendy Ausdemore, a senior, has her name all over the Hawkeye record books for 3-point shooting. The native of Neola, IA, is 202-495 (.408) from long distance. Ausdemore’s career shooting accuracy from beyond the arc currently ranks second in the Big Ten and first in Hawkeye record books. Former Ohio State Buckeye Caity Matter (270-657, .411) ranks first, while former Hawkeye Lindsey Meder (261-644, .405) is third. Ausdemore’s 202 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.
HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
Iowa averages 15.9 more points at home than on the road. The Black and Gold have a much-higher free throw percentage at home (.821) than on the road (.741). Iowa averages 5.1 more rebounds per game, 5.7 more assists and 3.3 fewer turnovers at home than on the road.
WINS, LOSSES COMPARISONS
There are big differences, statistically in Iowa’s wins vs. losses. The Hawkeyes average 18.9 more points in victory. Also, Iowa averages 5.8 fewer turnovers in its victories. Finally, Iowa averages .401 from behind the 3-point arc in its wins, compared to only .302 in defeat. Individually, Kristi Smith averages 14.6 points, including making 31-64 (.484) from 3-point range, in victories. Also, Kachine Alexander averages 11.0 points, 5.5 assists and 9.5 rebounds in Hawkeyes wins. In losses, Smith averages only 9.0 points, while Alexander averages 6.3 points and 1.5 assists.
IOWA FAST BREAKS
? Kristi Smith ranks 18th nationally in 3-point field goal percentage (.433), and Megan Skouby ranks 32nd in free throw percentage (.854) and blocks per game (1.8).
? Iowa is 133-17 when leading at the half in nine years under Coach Bluder, including a perfect 12-0 mark this season. The Hawkeyes are 112-25 when holding opponents to 69 points or less, including a 55-4 mark when opponents score 59 points or less.
? Iowa’s 12 blocks at Drake (Dec. 20) tied the school single-game record previously set vs. UC Santa Barbara in 1995.
? Iowa played seven non-conference games against teams from a major conference: Big East (Providence and South Florida), Pac-10 (California), ACC (Duke), Big 12 (Kansas, Texas Tech and Iowa State).
? Megan Skouby tied a Paradise Jam tournament game record with four blocked shots against Texas Tech (11/27/08). Additionally, she blocked a career-high six shots at Purdue (1/8/09).
? Iowa boasted a +21.3 scoring margin in its three wins over in-state competition. The Hawkeyes dropped Iowa State by 20, Northern Iowa by 26 and Drake by 18.
? Iowa’s loss to South Florida was its first overtime loss since falling 80-78 to Minnesota (Jan. 25, 2007) in Iowa City.
? Iowa is 3-0 in bus trips this season (Drake, Wisconsin and Illinois). The Hawkeyes have one bus trip remaining on their schedule (at Northwestern on March 1).
LIKING THE DISTANCE
Wendy Ausdemore has made more 3-pointers than two-point field goals this season. Ausdemore, who ranked third in the country in 3-point percentage a year ago, has made 42 triples and 36 two-pointers through 21 games. Last season, Ausdemore made 78 treys and 54 two-pointers in 32 contests.
TRIPLE THREAT
Kachine Alexander, who was tabbed Big Ten Player of the Week twice this season (Jan. 20 and Feb. 3), has recorded two triple-doubles this season. The 5-9 guard totaled 10 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists in Iowa’s win against the Northwestern Wildcats. The 12 assists are a personal best and match the school single-game and Carver-Hawkeye Arena record. She became the first player to register a triple-double during a Big Ten game since Feb. 8, 2007, when Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds and 11 blocks against Minnesota. The last triple-double involving points, rebounds and assists in league play was courtesy of Iowa’s Cara Consuegra (17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) on Feb. 3, 2000. The sophomore repeated the feat three games later when she totaled 26 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists in a triple-overtime triumph over Penn State. She is the only Hawkeye to ever record two triple-doubles. Alexander is one of only three NCAA Division I student-athletes to post two triple-doubles this season. Kansas State’s Shalee Lehning and St. Mary’s Louella Tomlinson are the other two players to have two triple-doubles this year. In total, there have been 12 triple-doubles, by a total of nine different players in 2008-09. Alexander became only the second Iowa basketball player, male or female, to post a triple-double (Cara Consuegra).
HAWKEYES RANK WELL IN BIG TEN STATISTICS
The Iowa Hawkeyes rank first in six statistical Big Ten games only categories: scoring (68.6), field goal percentage (.431), 3-pointers made (7.7), 3-point field goal percentage (.403), assist/turnover ratio (1.15) and assists (16.6). Individually, Kachine Alexander ranks second in first in rebounding (9.9) and assist/turnover ratio (1.7), and second in assists (1.7) and defensive rebounds (5.1). Kristi Smith ranks first in 3-pointers made (3.0), third in 3-point field goal percentage (.469) and minutes played (37.1) and fourth in scoring (14.7). Megan Skouby rates fifth in free throw percentage (.815) and sixth in blocked shots (1.8).
TRIFECTA
Iowa has three seniors who have reached the 1,000-point plateau. Wendy Ausdemore, Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith became the first senior trio at Iowa to eclipse 1,000 points. The 1998 senior duo of Tangela Smith and Tiffany Gooden reached the milestone, the 1990 tandem of Franthea Price and Jolette Law accomplished the feat, and the 1987 duo of Lisa Becker and Lisa Long both tallied 1,000 points. Skouby and Smith accomplished the feat last season as juniors, while Ausdemore topped 1,000 points early this season. Ausdemore netted a game-high 21 points in an overtime loss to South Florida (Nov. 28, 2008). The native of Neola, IA, reached 1,000 points in 97 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.
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.
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.
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).
FITZGERALD EARNS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
Former Drake athlete Jenni Fitzgerald received the Drake Double D Award in Des Moines, IA, on Jan. 17. The award is presented annually to Drake letterwinners for achievements in their chosen fields of endeavor and/or community service since leaving Drake. The Double D Award is the highest honor Drake bestows on its student-athletes. Since its inception in 1968, the Double D honor has been presented to 234 former Drake letterwinners. Fitzgerald was the starting point guard for the Drake women’s basketball team from 1986-91. She was named team MVP as a junior and was named captain as a senior while earning All-Gateway Conference honors. She was a four-year starter for the Bulldogs and only the second player in Drake history to start every game of her collegiate career. Fitzgerald graduated from Drake, ranking second on the school career steals list (250) third on the school career free throw percentage chart (.802) and third on the school career assist list (516). In February 2007, Jan Jensen, who also played women’s basketball at Drake, earned the Double D Award.
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.
“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 7:30-8:30 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.
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.
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT ALL-SESSION TICKETS ON SALE
Make sure you have the best seats to cheer on the Hawkeyes at the 2009 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis at Conseco Fieldhouse March 5-8. Secure the best seats available by contacting the UI Athletic Ticket Office at (800) IA-HAWKS. All-session tickets are on sale for $65. The Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments will call Indianapolis and Conseco Fieldhouse home through 2012. Indianapolis has staged 13 of the 14 previous women’s tournaments. The 2009 tournament features all 11 Big Ten teams in action, competing in 10 games over four days to crown the 2009 champion and earn the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. Six different conference representatives have won the tournament championship. Reigning Big Ten Tournament Champion Purdue leads all teams with seven titles, followed by two championships for both Iowa and Penn State and one title each for Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State. The 2009 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament bracket, along with information on tickets, travel, lodging, tournament history and more, can be found at bigten.org and indianasportscorp.com.
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
The Hawkeyes travel to Minnesota to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sunday. Tip-off is slated for 2:05 p.m. in Williams Arena.