Feb. 10, 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
Thursday night pits last year’s co-Big Ten champions against each other for the first time this season. The Iowa Hawkeyes (14-9, 7-5) will entertain No. 18 Ohio State (19-4, 10-2). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (CST) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are $9 for adults, while youths and UI students are admitted free. Thursday will likely be Iowa’s last game of the regular season against a ranked opponent. Both Iowa and Ohio State are coming off road losses Sunday. The Buckeyes suffered only their second Big Ten defeat at Michigan State, while the Hawkeyes had their fifth conference loss at 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 993 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 603-390 (.607). That includes a 303-151 (.667) 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 five contests. She is questionable for Thursday’s game vs. Ohio State.
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.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the only ranked Big Ten team in the two major polls. Ohio State is leading the Big Ten standings by one-half game over second-place Michigan State. Michigan State toppled Ohio State, 52-46, Sunday in East Lansing, MI. The Spartans led start-to-finish, limiting the Buckeyes to a season-low 46 points. The Buckeyes shot only 1-14 (.071) from distance and had only one player score in double figures. Ohio State sophomore center Jantel Lavender led all scorers with 19 points (8-20 FG, 3-4 FT) and had a team-high eight rebounds. Freshman point guard Samantha Prahalis had a game-high five steals and also contributed five points and three rebounds in defeat. Lavender is the defending Big Ten Player of the Year and currently ranks first in Big Ten scoring (21.0) and rebounding (10.8). Prahalis is the leading candidate for Big Ten Freshman of the Year leading the league in assists (5.65), ranking eighth in steals (1.83) and 25th in scoring (9.6). The Buckeyes rank first in Big Ten scoring defense (54.3) and scoring margin (+12.7), second in scoring offense (67.0), free throw percentage (.758), field goal percentage (.430), rebounds allowed (33.9) and rebounding margin (+5.9). Ohio State is 6-2 in road games this season and 13-2 in home contests. Thursday will be the Buckeyes’ second-straight road contest. Additionally, Ohio State is in the middle of a stretch in which it plays four of five on the road. Jim Foster is in his 31st season (675-270, .714) as a head coach, including seven years on the Buckeye sidelines (171-45, .792).
ALL-TIME SERIES
Thursday will be the 50th meeting between Iowa and Ohio State, with the Buckeyes owning a slim, 25-24, edge. Iowa has a 15-8 advantage over Ohio State in games played in Iowa City. The Buckeyes have won the last 10, in the series, and 11 of the last 12. Iowa’s last victory (70-65) over Ohio State came on Jan. 20, 2002, in Iowa City.
IOWA, OHIO STATE NOTES
? Iowa has two Ohio natives on its roster: Megan Skouby (Mentor) and Shane Jones (Dayton). Skouby’s grandfather played for the Buckeyes.
? Iowa boasts a perfect 9-0 record when allowing 59 points or less, are 14-2 when shooting a higher field goal percentage than its opponents and 13-1 when leading at halftime this season.
? Ashlee Trebilcock had an amazing game against the Hawkeyes in last year’s meeting in Iowa City. Trebilcock tallied 25 points on 9-14 shooting from the field, including 2-5 from distance, and 5-6 from the free throw line. Also, in last year’s game at Columbus, Trebilcock shared game-high scoring honors with Jantel Lavender (18 points).
? Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith have had solid outings in games against Ohio State. Skouby has made 12-13 (.923) from the foul line and averages 12.4 points in six career contests vs. the Buckeyes. Smith averages 13.7 points and 4.7 assists.
? Megan Skouby surpassed Lisa Becker for eighth place in Iowa’s career scoring after totaling 21 points at Minnesota. Skouby, who has 1,355 points, will likely finish her career eighth in career scoring. Tangela Smith ranks seventh with 1,598 points. Also, Skouby will likely finish her career second in blocks (148). Smith, who is first, has 87 more blocks than Skouby.
? Kristi Smith cracked the top ten career scoring chart with her totals from Sunday’s road game. Smith surpassed Amy Herrig and leaped into 10th place with 1,326 points. She is only nine points from tying Lisa Becker for ninth.
? Kamille Wahlin ranks second in assists (3.0), and fifth in field goal percentage (.437), and sixth in scoring (7.1), amongst Big Ten freshmen, in conference games only. Additionally, she ranks first among all Big Ten players in assist/turnover ratio (2.12) and 12th in assists (3.0), in league games only.
? Last season, Megan Skouby blocked 23 shots in 32 games; she already has amassed 41 through 23 games this season. Her single-season best is 47 rejections, which she accomplished her freshman campaign. Her 41 blocks this season rank fourth-best in a single-season for an Iowa senior.
? Kachine Alexander, who stands 5-9, leads the team and ranks sixth in Big Ten rebounding, pulling down 8.3 per contest.
? Iowa players have corralled double-digit rebounds 18 times this season. Kachine Alexander has accomplished the feat a team-best nine times, JoAnn Hamlin six times, Wendy Ausdemore twice and Megan Skouby once.
? Iowa has held nine of the 14 teams it has beat to 58 points or less.
? Kristi Smith has reached double figures a team-best 17 times this year, including the last nine contests.
? Wendy Ausdemore’s 13 points on Sunday increased her career scoring total to 1,211. The Hawkeyes now have three seniors (Ausdemore, Smith and Skouby) who have over 1,200 career points.
? Eleven of Iowa’s 23 games have been decided by 17 points or more (7-4).
? Iowa has an RPI rating of 36th in the country and strength of schedule that ranks 23rd. Ohio State is rated 12th in the RPI and 19th in strength of schedule. The numbers are based on the report published Feb. 10.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Thursday will be Iowa’s fourth game against a ranked opponent (No. 3 California, No. 12 Duke and No. 22 Iowa State). Iowa is 1-2 against ranked foes this season, beating Iowa State at home, but falling to California and Duke away from Iowa City. These are Iowa’s most recent wins vs. nationally ranked opponents:
At Home: 66-46 over 22nd-ranked Iowa State, 12/7/08On the Road: 78-67 over 18th-ranked Michigan State, 2/1/04Neutral Court: 54-47 over 21st-ranked Oklahoma, 11/27/04
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 23 games this season, she is averaging 8.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Alexander, who stands 5-9, ranks second in Big Ten assist/turnover ratio (1.58) and assists (4.75), and third in rebounds (9.3) and defensive rebounds (6.83), 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.
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).
MINNESOTA RALLIES TO BEAT IOWA
Minnesota outscored Iowa 15-2 the last four minutes of the game to overcome a seven-point deficit and win 64-58 Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, MN. With Iowa leading by six (56-50), Minnesota center Ashley Ellis-Milan sank her first triple of the year to close the deficit to three. On their next offensive possession, Ellis-Milan scored a traditional 3-point play to even the contest at 56-56. Both teams then exchanged buckets before the Golden Gophers secured the victory by scoring the game’s final six points. Iowa’s Megan Skouby posted game highs in scoring (21 points) and rebounding (11 boards). It marked Skouby’s first career double-double and the 11 rebounds were a personal best. Wendy Ausdemore contributed 14 points, while Kristi Smith added 13. Ellis-Milan tallied 21 points and seven rebounds, while Kiara Buford netted 10 points off the bench. Iowa held Minnesota’s leading scorer, Emily Fox, to only five points (2-14 FG). Iowa shot the ball well in the first half, 12-24 (.500) from the field and 5-11 (.455) from 3-point range. However, the Hawkeyes missed all nine 3-point attempts and was only 12-31 (.387) overall from the field in the final 20 minutes.
LAST OUTING TIP-INS
? Minnesota snapped a three-game losing skid to the Hawkeyes with Sunday’s win. Iowa now leads the all-time series, 40-21. Sunday was Minnesota’s first triumph over Iowa in Minneapolis since beating Iowa on Feb. 3, 2005.
? Sunday was a homecoming for three Hawkeyes who hail from the state of Minnesota: Kachine Alexander (Minneapolis), Hannah Draxten (Fergus Falls) and Kamille Wahlin (Crookston). About 300-400 fans were at the game cheering for the Hawkeyes and the three Minnesota natives.
? Minnesota attempted nine more free throws than the Hawkeyes. The Golden Gophers sank 14-16 (.875) from the foul line, while the Hawkeyes were 5-5 (1.000).
? JoAnn Hamlin missed her fifth-straight game with a sprained left ankle. Hamlin is Iowa’s second-leading rebounder and fifth-leading scorer. Despite playing without Hamlin, Iowa outrebounded Minnesota 38-31.
? Kamille Wahlin tallied eight points, seven rebounds and a game-high six assists.
? Iowa led 56-49 with four minutes remaining, but the Golden Gophers ended the game on a 15-2 run, sparked by six-straight Ashley Ellis-Milan points.
? The Golden Gophers improved to 11-1 in home games this year.
? Iowa led 29-23 at intermission. Sunday marked the 14th contest this season that Iowa led halftime. Iowa lost for the first time (13-1) this year when leading at the break. The Hawkeyes led by as many as 12 points (20-8) in the first half.
WAHLIN SHINES IN STARTING ROLE
Kamille Wahlin was moved to a starting role the last five games, due to the absence of JoAnn Hamlin. In her first five career starts, Wahlin averaged 11.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 35.6 minutes of action. She currently ranks second in assists (3.0), fifth in field goal percentage (.437), and sixth in scoring (7.1), amongst Big Ten freshmen, in conference games only. Additionally, she ranks first among all Big Ten players in assist/turnover ratio (2.12) and 12th in assists (3.0), in league games only. 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 Iowa’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 last Thursday. The freshman tallied 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists. At Minnesota, she was credited with eight points, seven rebounds and a game-high six assists.
MAKING THE FREEBIES
Senior Megan Skouby ranks second in the conference and ranks 26th nationally in free throw accuracy, shooting .855 (71-83). Wendy Ausdemore has missed only five free throw attempts this season (43-48, .896). As a team, Iowa shoots .789 (325-412) from the charity stripe, ranking sixth in the nation. The Hawkeyes have made (325) nearly as many free throws as their opponents have attempted (353).
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 (4.8), 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.
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 five different players post double-doubles a total of 12 times through 23 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, while senior Megan Skouby psoted her first career double-double at Minnesota last Sunday.
HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
Iowa averages 15.4 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 (.749). Iowa averages 4.6 more rebounds per game, 4.8 more assists and 2.8 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 18.2 more points in victory. Also, Iowa averages 5.1 fewer turnovers in its victories. Finally, Iowa averages .396 from behind the 3-point arc in its wins, compared to only .296 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 9.6 points, while Alexander averages 5.8 points and 1.7 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 134-18 when leading at the half in nine years under Coach Bluder, including 13-1 this season. The Hawkeyes are 113-26 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).
COMPARING SMITH AND WAHLIN’S FRESHMAN NUMBERS
Kamille Wahlin is on the same path as Kristi Smith in her freshman season. Below are Kamille’s and Kristi’s freshman year numbers.
Kristi Smith's Freshman Campaign in 2005-06="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/strong%3E%3Cstrong%3EGP/GS%20%20%20%20FG-FGA%20%203-Ptrs%20%20FT-FTA%20%20RB%20%20AS%20%20ST%20%20PTS%20AVG%3C/strong%3E29/21%20%20%2074-156%20%2022-53%20%20%2036-43%20%20%2061%20%2082%20%2029%20%20206%207.1%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cahref="http: onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/iowa/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/wahlin_kamille00.html"="">Kamille Wahlin's Freshman Campaign in 2008-09="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/strong%3E%3Cstrong%3EGP/GS%20%20%20%20FG-FGA%20%203-Ptrs%20%20FT-FTA%20%20RB%20%20AS%20%20ST%20%20PTS%20AVG%3C/strong%3E23/5%20%20%20%2051-112%20%2013-37%20%20%2023-31%20%20%2065%20%2054%20%2018%20%20138%206.0%3C/pre%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cstrong%3E%3Cem%3EAUSDEMORE%20IN%20THE%20RECORD%20BOOKS%3C/em%3E%3C/strong%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Ca%20href="/roster.aspx?rp_id=3340" class="imported_story_link" oldlink="/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/ausdemore_wendy00.html">Wendy Ausdemore, a senior, has her name all over the Hawkeye record books for 3-point shooting. The native of Neola, IA, is 204-503 (.406) 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 204 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 the same number of 3-pointers as two-point field goals this season. Ausdemore, who ranked third in the country in 3-point percentage a year ago, has made 44 triples and 44 two-pointers through 23 games. Last season, Ausdemore made 78 treys and 54 two-pointers in 32 contests.
HAWKEYES RANK WELL IN BIG TEN STATISTICS
The Iowa Hawkeyes rank first in seven statistical Big Ten games only categories: scoring (67.8), free throw percentage (.777), field goal percentage (.432), 3-pointers made (7.17), 3-point field goal percentage (.384), assist/turnover ratio (1.13) and assists (16.75). Individually, Kachine Alexander ranks second in assist/turnover ratio (1.58) and assists (4.75), and third in rebounding (9.3) and defeinsive rebounding (6.83). Kristi Smith ranks first in 3-pointers made (2.83), second in 3-point field goal percentage (.447), third in minutes played (37.08), and fourth in scoring (14.8). Megan Skouby rates fifth in blocked shots (1.83) and sixth in free throw percentage (.815).
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.
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.
TRIFECTA
Iowa has three seniors who have reached the 1,200-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 1,200-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.
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 hit the road again Sunday for a contest at Penn State in University Park, PA. Tip-off is slated for 2:05 p.m. (CST).