Feb. 6, 2009
- Purchase Iowa Season Tickets and Iowa City NCAA First/Second Round Tickets
- Follow the Hawkeyes to the Big Ten Tournament
- Basketblog
- From the Desk of Lisa Bluder…
- 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 (14-8, 7-4) travel to Minneapolis, MN, this weekend to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-6, 8-3). Tip-off is scheduled for 2:06 p.m. in Williams Arena. Iowa enters Sunday’s clash winners of six of its last seven games, while Minnesota has won five of its last six. Minnesota is in third place in the Big Ten standings, while Iowa is in sixth. The Hawkeyes are only one-half game behind fourth-place teams Purdue and Indiana and one full game behind the third-place Golden Gophers.
ON THE INTERNET
Hawkeye fans can watch Sunday afternoon’s game for free online at bigtennetwork.com.
ON THE RADIO
Brent Balbinot and Shelley Till will call Sunday afternoon’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.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 992 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 603-389 (.608). That includes a 303-150 (.669) mark in Big Ten contests and 282-82 (.775) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
HAMLIN UPDATE
JoAnn Hamlin suffered a sprained left ankle during practice on Jan. 22 and has missed Iowa’s last four contests. She is questionable for Sunday’s game at Minnesota.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
Beginning Sunday, Minnesota will play two of its next three games at home, where it boasts a 10-1 home record. The Golden Gophers’ lone home setback came to South Dakota State (65-55 on Dec. 9). Four of Minnesota’s last seven victories have come by four points or less, including a two-point (63-61) road triumph at Penn State Thursday night. Minnesota senior Emily Fox led all scorers with 22 points, shooting 10-14 from the field. The Golden Gophers shot 7-17 (.412) from distance, while the Lady Lions were just 3-11 (.273) from behind the 3-point arc. Fox averages a team-best 12.8 points and 2.2 steals. Junior Katie Ohm averages 10.3 points and has drained a team-best 57-137 (.416) from 3-point range. Ellis-Milan averages 11.9 points and a team-best 8.0 rebounds. Minnesota boasts a +6.6 scoring margin and +1.2 rebounding margin. The Golden Gophers shoot 72.5 percent from the free throw line and 40 percent from the field. Minnesota ranks first in the league in 3-point field goal percentage (.362) and third in rebounds allowed (34.0), steals (8.95) and 3-pointers made (6.09). Pam Borton is in her 10th season (217-113, .658) as a head coach, including her sixth year on the Golden Gopher sidelines (148-67, .688).
ALL-TIME SERIES
Sunday will be the 61st meeting between the two schools. Iowa owns a commanding 40-20 advantage in the all-time series. The Hawkeyes also hold a 16-11 edge in games played at Minneapolis. Four of the last five games have been decided by three points or less, including two going to overtime. The Hawkeyes have won three straight in the series, including two consecutive in Williams Arena. The Golden Gophers’ last win over the Hawkeyes was an 80-78 overtime thriller on Jan. 25, 2007, in Iowa City. Minnesota’s last victory over Iowa in Minneapolis (81-50) was on Feb. 3, 2005.
IOWA, MINNESOTA NOTES
? Iowa boasts a perfect 9-0 record when allowing 59 points or less, are 14-1 when shooting a higher field goal percentage than its opponents and 13-0 when leading at halftime this season.
? Wendy Ausdemore and Kristi Smith have had solid outings in games against Minnesota. Ausdemore has made 17-34 (.500) from behind the 3-point arc and averages 14.7 points in six career contests vs. the Golden Gophers. Smith averages 13.2 points and 4.7 assists.
? Megan Skouby is just one point from tying Lisa Becker for eighth place in career scoring at Iowa. Furthermore, her two blocks in Iowa’s win over Indiana Thursday night moved her past Toni Foster and into second place in Iowa career rejections (146). She will finish her career in second place. Tangela Smith, who is first, has 89 more blocks than Skouby.
? Iowa and Minnesota are two of the Big Ten’s top 3-point shooting teams. The Golden Gophers rank first in percentage (.362), followed by the Hawkeyes (.359).
? Kamille Wahlin ranks second in assists (2.73), and fifth in scoring (7.0) and field goal percentage (.475), amongst Big Ten freshmen, in conference games only rankings.
? Last season, Megan Skouby blocked 23 shots in 32 games; she already has amassed 39 through 22 games this season. Her single-season best is 47 rejections, which she accomplished her freshman campaign.
? 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 16 times, including the last eight contests.
? Wendy Ausdemore is two points from reaching 1,200 career points and three 3-point field goal attempts from 500 in her career.
? Eleven of Iowa’s 22 games have been decided by 17 points or more (7-4).
? Iowa has an RPI rating of 35th in the country and strength of schedule that ranks 26th. Minnesota is rated 32nd in the RPI and 45th in strength of schedule. The numbers are based on the report published Feb. 6.
LAST MEETING
In the last meeting between Iowa and Minnesota, the Golden Gophers outrebounded the Hawkeyes, 42-27, but still lost by 17 points (74-57). Iowa collected 19 assists and shot 52 percent from the field, including a staggering 62.5 percent in the final 20 minutes. JoAnn Hamlin tallied 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Kristi Smith added 20 points and four assists to lead Iowa. Minnesota was led by Kiara Buford (12 points) and Ashley Ellis-Milan (11 points, 10 rebounds). The Hawkeyes held Emily Fox, Minnesota’s leading scorer, to only four points on 2-11 shooting from the field. Starter Katie Ohm netted just three points in only 12 minutes of action.
HOMECOMING
Iowa has three current players on its roster who hail from the state of Minnesota: Kachine Alexander (Minneapolis), Hannah Draxten (Fergus Falls) and Kamille Wahlin (Crookston). Both Draxten and Wahlin said that multiple charter buses are planning on making the trip to Minneapolis Sunday to watch the game. Iowa will add one more Minnesotan to its roster next season, Theairra Taylor (St. Paul).
AUSDEMORE LIKES PLAYING MINNESOTA
Wendy Ausdemore’s last two games at Minnesota have been tremendous. In the last two games at Williams Arena, Ausdemore averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists. She shot 76.5 percent (13-17) from the field, 72.7 percent (8-11) from 3-point range and 100 percent (5-5) from the foul line. She drained four triples in each of her last two games at Minnesota.
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 22 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 assist/turnover ratio (1.69), second in assists (4.91), and third in rebounds (9.7) and defensive rebounds (7.18), in league game rankings. Additionally, she became the first Big Ten player to ever post two triple-doubles in the same season when she accomplished the feat twice in four games. 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 NAMED BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kachine Alexander is the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week after leading Iowa to a triple-overtime victory over Penn State. Alexander has earned the honor twice in the last three weeks. The native of Minneapolis, MN, became the first Hawkeye to ever amass two triple-doubles in a career, let alone twice in four games, 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 multiple 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. The sophomore made 85 percent (17-20) of her free throws, in two games last week.
IOWA HOLDS ON IN TWO-POINT WIN OVER INDIANA
Iowa won its sixth game in seven tries Thursday night with a 69-67 triumph over Indiana in Carver-Hawkeye Arena at Iowa City. The Hawkeyes led by 13 points with three minutes remaining in the contest. Indiana mounted a furious comeback to cut its double-digit deficit to only two points multiple times under a minute to go, but Iowa sank its free throws down the stretch to preserve the win. Wendy Ausdemore paced the Hawkeyes, scoring 20 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Kamille Wahlin contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and a game-high five assists, while Kristi Smith tallied 17 points. Iowa shot 57 percent (12-21) from the floor in the second half and 44 percent (22-50) for the game. The Hoosiers shot 28 percent (21-75) from the field, attempting 25 more field goals that the Hawkeyes. Indiana’s Jamie Braun led all scorers with 21 points, netting 14 second-half points. Jori Davis, Indiana’s second-leading scorer, was held without a point and fouled out at the 7:00 mark of the second half.
LAST OUTING TIP-INS
? Iowa improved to 39-15 all-time against the Hoosiers. The Hawkeyes also improved to 22-3 against Indiana in Iowa City, including winning the last 12.
? Iowa almost made as many free throws as it did field goals. The Hawkeyes made 22 field goals and 21 free throws. The Hawkeyes shot 81 percent (21-26) from the foul line, including 16-20 (.800) in the second half and 44 percent (22-50) from the field.
? Wendy Ausdemore shot a career-high 11-12 (.917) from the charity stripe.
? Kachine Alexander totaled nine points, eight rebounds and three assists. The sophomore fouled out of the game at the 2:58 mark of the second half.
? Freshman Kamille Wahlin started her fourth-straight game for the injured JoAnn Hamlin. Wahlin collected 10 points, five assists and tied a season high with seven boards.
? Indiana dominated Iowa on the glass, 49-37. The Hoosiers collected 29 offensive rebounds, but the Black and Gold only allowed 15 second-chance points.
WAHLIN SHINES IN STARTING ROLE
Kamille Wahlin was moved to a starting role the last four games, due to the absence of JoAnn Hamlin. In her first four career starts, Wahlin averaged 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 35.2 minutes of action. She currently ranks second in assists (2.73), and fifth in scoring (7.0) and field goal percentage (.475), amongst Big Ten freshmen, in conference games only rankings. 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 last Sunday’s triple overtime thriller, the freshman logged 43 minutes of court time, recording season bests in scoring (18) and rebounding (7). Wahlin helped Iowa to a two-point victory (69-67) over Indiana Thursday night. The freshman tallied 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
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 (4.91), in 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.
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 five free throw attempts this season (43-48, .896). As a team, Iowa shoots .786 (320-407) from the charity stripe, ranking fifth in the nation. The Hawkeyes have made (320) nearly as many free throws as their opponents have attempted (337).
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 22 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.
HOME SWEET HOME
Iowa has maintained a solid home court advantage the last couple years. Dating back to last season, Iowa has won 17 of its last 18 home games. Iowa boasts a 10-1 home record this season. Purdue snapped Iowa’s 12-game winning streak with a 69-60 win Dec. 28 in Iowa City.
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.
HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
Iowa averages 15.3 more points at home than on the road. The Black and Gold have a much-higher free throw percentage at home (.820) than on the road (.741). Iowa averages 4.8 more rebounds per game, 5.4 more assists and 3.0 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 18.5 more points in victory. Also, Iowa averages 5.6 fewer turnovers in its victories. Finally, Iowa averages .396 from behind the 3-point arc in its wins, compared to only .302 in defeat. Individually, Kristi Smith averages 14.8 points, including making 33-70 (.471) from 3-point range, in victories. Also, Kachine Alexander averages 10.9 points, 5.3 assists and 9.4 rebounds in Hawkeyes wins. In losses, Smith averages only 9.0 points, while Alexander averages 6.3 points and 1.5 assists.
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.
IOWA FAST BREAKS
? Senior Nicole VanderPol will not play the rest of the year, due to injury. VanderPol only played in the first two games of the season.
? Kristi Smith ranks 18th nationally in 3-point field goal percentage (.427), while Megan Skouby ranks 32nd in free throw percentage (.854).
? Iowa’s only win this season when trailing at the half is against Penn State. The Hawkeyes were behind by two (36-34) at intermission. Also, Iowa rallied from 12 points down in the first half against the Lady Lions, which is Iowa’s biggest deficit in a win this season.
? Iowa is 134-17 when leading at the half in nine years under Coach Bluder, including a perfect 13-0 mark this season. The Hawkeyes are 113-25 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 (at Northwestern).
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 203-497 (.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 203 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.
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 43 triples and 39 two-pointers through 22 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), is the first player in Big Ten history to record two triple-doubles in a 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 multiple 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 seven statistical Big Ten games only categories: scoring (68.6), free throw percentage (.772), field goal percentage (.432), 3-pointers made (7.36), 3-point field goal percentage (.397), assist/turnover ratio (1.12) and assists (16.45). Individually, Kachine Alexander ranks first in assist/turnover ratio (1.69), second in assists (4.91), and third in rebounding (9.7) and defeinsive rebounding (7.18). Kristi Smith ranks first in 3-pointers made (2.91), third in 3-point field goal percentage (.457) and minutes played (37.0) and fourth in scoring (14.9). Megan Skouby rates fifth in blocked shots (1.82) and sixth in free throw percentage (.815).
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. The Hawkeyes are the only Big Ten team with three 1,000-point scorers on their current roster. 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.
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 return home to host nationally-ranked Ohio State next Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Thursday will be the only regular season meeting between the two schools.