March 17, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format
THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (21-10, 13-5) will meet the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (21-9, 8-6) in Iowa City, IA, in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championships. The two teams are in the Oklahoma City Region. Tip-off is slated for approximately 8:30 p.m. (CDT) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Top-seeded Oklahoma (28-4) will face 16th-seeded Prairie View A&M (23-10) in the first game of the Sunday night doubleheader at approximately 6 p.m. Iowa is the eighth seed, while Georgia Tech is seeded ninth. The Iowa-Georgia Tech winner will play the winner of Oklahoma-Prairie View A&M Tuesday, March 24 at approximately 8:30 p.m. (CDT). The Hawkeyes tied for second in the Big Ten Conference, while the Yellowjackets tied for fifth in the ACC. The Sooners won the Big 12 regular season championship, while the Panthers won the SWAC regular season and tournament championship.
IOWA CITY NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The UI Department of Athletics first hosted an NCAA Women’s Basketball 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 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.
TICKET INFORMATION
Fans can purchase tickets for the NCAA First and Second Rounds in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Single-session tickets range from $12-17, while all-session tickets range from $18-28. Fans can purchase tickets online (hawkeyesports.com), in person at the UI Ticket Office or over the phone (1-800-IA-HAWKS). There is a $3 surcharge for internet transactions.
ON THE TUBE
First round games played at the Iowa City site will be televised to a regional cable audience on ESPN2 and nationally on ESPNU. Dave Barnett, Sarah Kustok and Ron Johnson will call the action. Also, all games can be watched free online at espn360.com.
ON THE RADIO
Brent Balbinot and Shelley Till will call each Iowa NCAA Tournament 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 1,001 games, since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 610-391 (.609). That includes a 309-151 (.672) mark in regular season Big Ten contests and 285-82 (.777) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
ON IOWA
Iowa finished the regular season in a three-way tie, with Michigan State and Purdue, for second place in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes enter the NCAA Tournament winners of 13 of their last 16 contests, and six of the last seven. Iowa enters the tournament with the same record it had a year ago, 21-10. Iowa defeated every Big Ten team at least once except Michigan State and Purdue. Five of the Hawkeyes’ six road victories came during conference play. Iowa’s last NCAA Tournament victory came against Virginia (69-62) in the first round of the 2002 tournament at Storrs, CT.
SATURDAY PRACTICE SCHEDULE
All four team practices in Carver-Hawkeye Arena Saturday are free to the public. Top-seeded Oklahoma will practice first from noon-1 p.m. No. 16 Prairie View A&M will practice from 1:05-2:05 p.m. Eighth-seeded Iowa will practice from 2:10-3:10 p.m., while ninth-seeded Georgia Tech will practice from 3:15-4:15 p.m. These are the only practice sessions open to the media and public. Should Iowa advance, its Monday closed practice would be from 2:40-4:10 p.m. and its press conference would be from 4:20-4:50 p.m.
IOWA CITY TOURNAMENT CENTRAL WEB PAGE
For updated information, quotes, notes, live stats, etc. throughout the NCAA Tournament in Iowa City, fans can visit the tournament central page located on the women’s basketball page at hawkeyesports.com.
HOME SWEET HOME
Iowa has maintained a solid home court advantage the last couple years. Dating back to last season, Iowa has won 20 of its last 21 home games. Iowa finished the 2008-09 regular season with a 13-1 home record. The lone setback came to Purdue (69-60).
IOWA NCAA TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Iowa received an at-large berth into the 2009 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championships. A total of five teams (Iowa, Auburn, Maryland, Montana and Ohio State) will be making their 18th NCAA Tournament appearance this weekend. The 18 NCAA appearances are the eighth-most of any tournament team this year. This marks the second-straight year Iowa earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament and third time in the last four years. This year’s senior class will have played in three NCAA Tournaments (2006, 2008 and 2009), only the second class under Coach Lisa Bluder to accomplish the feat.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 8
This year marks the first time Iowa has ever received a No. 8 seed. In the last four NCAA Tournaments the Hawkeyes have competed in, Iowa has been as a nine seed three times (2002, 2004, 2008) and a No. 10 seed (2006) once.
BLUDER IN THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
This marks Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder’s 10th trip to the NCAA Championships. Before mentoring the Hawkeyes, Bluder coached the Drake Bulldogs to four tournaments in her 10 seasons. Bluder, who is a two-time Big Ten and WBCA Regional Coach of the Year, is 3-9 all-time in NCAA Championships games, 2-5 with Iowa and 1-4 with Drake. Two of Bluder’s victories came in overtime. In 2001, Iowa bounced Oregon (89-82) in Salt Lake City and in 1995, Drake defeated Mississippi (87-81) in Washington, D.C.
FIVE BIG TEN TEAMS INVITED TO NCAA TOURNAMENT
A total of five Big Ten teams made the NCAA Tournament (Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue, Iowa and Minnesota). Three of the five Big Ten teams are first and second round site hosts. Purdue and Minnesota are the only schools not hosting this season.
HAWKEYE TRIO MAKE BIG TEN HISTORY
Iowa’s senior trio of, Kristi Smith, Megan Skouby and Wendy Ausdemore are the first three players, from the same class, to eclipse 1,300 career points in Big Ten history. Furthermore, it is believed that they are the highest scoring trio, from the same class, in Big Ten history. The three senior Hawkeyes have combined for 4,213 points: Smith (1,447), Skouby (1,435) and Ausdemore (1,331). Iowa’s senior trio topped Purdue’s 2004 senior trio of Shereka Wright (2,251), Erika Valek (1,219) and Beth Jones (640), who accumulated 4,110 points. The record was broken in the Hawkeyes’ regular season finale at Northwestern.
IOWA VS. TOURNAMENT FIELD
Iowa is 4-7, this season, against teams competing in the 2009 Division I Women’s Basketball Championships. Iowa went 2-1 against Minnesota this season, winning in Iowa City (74-57) and in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament (79-64), but falling in Minneapolis (64-58). The Hawkeyes split two meetings with Ohio State, winning 85-75 in Iowa City, but losing 72-56 in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa routed Iowa State (66-46) in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes lost at Duke (71-47) and at Michigan State (68-56). Iowa also lost to California (76-43) on the third day of the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. The Hawkeyes lost both meetings this year to Purdue, 69-60 in Iowa City and 60-49 in West Lafayette, IN.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS EXPERIENCE
Iowa has four players with NCAA Tournament game experience: seniors Wendy Ausdemore, Kristi Smith and Megan Skouby and junior JoAnn Hamlin. Ausdemore, Skouby and Smith saw action in Iowa’s 67-62 loss to BYU in Denver, in 2006 when they were freshmen. Skouby collected 19 points and six rebounds; Smith recorded two points and three rebounds; Ausdemore registered five points and three rebounds. Last year, in a 67-61 loss to Georgia in Norfolk, VA, Ausdemore netted 16 points; Smith registered 17 points, five rebounds and four assists; Skouby had nine points; Hamlin totaled two points and two rebounds.
IOWA IN THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Iowa is 16-17 all-time in the NCAA Championships, including a 7-3 record in first round games and a 5-9 mark in the second round. The last time the Hawkeyes advanced past the first round was 2002, when they were a No. 9 seed. Iowa defeated eighth-seeded Virginia (69-62) in Storrs, CT. The Hawkeyes have advanced to one Final Four (1993), three Elite Eights (1987, 1988, 1993) and five Sweet 16s (1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1996).
FIRST-DIVISION FINISH
Iowa recorded another first-division finish in the Big Ten standings, tying Michigan State and Purdue for second place. Bluder’s Hawkeyes have finished in the upper half of the Big Ten Conference six times in her nine years as head coach. Iowa has tied for second place twice under Bluder and five times overall. Additionally, the Hawkeyes notched their 20th win of the regular season in the finale at Northwestern. Bluder has mentored Iowa to four 20-win seasons, including guiding Iowa to back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time, the last two seasosns.
SMITH PICKED TO COMPETE IN 3-POINT SHOOTOUT
Hawkeye senior Kristi Smith has been picked to compete in ESPNs Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships. Smith will be one of eight women and eight men from Division-I schools to compete in the 3-point contest. The competition will be held at The Palace of Auburn Hills Thursday, April 2, in Detroit, MI. This will be the 21st annual event, which is always held in the site city of the Men’s Final Four. The event will be televised on a tape-delayed basis on ESPN April 2 from 8-10 p.m. (CDT).
SMITH MAKES IOWA HISTORY
Senior Kristi Smith became Iowa’s seventh multiple first team all-Big Ten honoree. She is the the first Hawkeye to be named to the first team in back-to-back years since Lindsey Meder in 2001 and 2002. Smith is became the first player in Iowa women’s basketball history to ever amass over 400 points and 100 assists in three seasons. Former Hawkeye all-Americans Jolette Law and Michelle Edwards accomplished the feat of collecting 400 points and 100 assists in two seasons. Smith registered 402 points and 124 assists as a sophomore and 425 points and 103 assists her junior campaign. This season, Smith has accumulated 414 points and 100 assists. Smith reached her 100th assist in Iowa’s last game vs. No. 12 Ohio State at the Big Ten Tournament on March 7.
FIVE HAWKEYES EARN ALL-BIG TEN ACCOLADES
All five University of Iowa women’s basketball starters were recognized on the 2008-09 All-Big Ten teams. Senior Kristi Smith earned first team honors by both the media and coaches. Smith becomes only Iowa’s seventh multiple first team all-Big Ten honoree and first back-to-back selection since Lindsey Meder in 2001 and 2002. Sophomore Kachine Alexander was recognized on the second team by the coaches and the third team by the media. Senior Wendy Ausdemore was a third team pick by the coaches and an honorable mention selection by the media. Senior Megan Skouby was tabbed honorable mention by both the coaches and media. Freshman Kamille Wahlin was honored on the coaches all-freshman squad. Alexander was the highest honored underclassmen by the league’s coaches. Wahlin becomes Iowa’s first all-freshman team award winner since Skouby in 2006. This marks the third-straight year Ausdemore and Smith earned all-Big Ten recognition, while Skouby earned an all-conference award all four years. Skouby was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was tabbed second team all-league in 2006. She was an honorable mention selection as a sophomore and was named Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year her junior campaign. Smith was a third team all-league honoree as a sophomore and a first team pick last season. Ausdemore was a third team selection as a sophomore and an honorable mention pick a year ago.
SCOUTING GEORGIA TECH
Georgia Tech, who will be making its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance, enters tournament play winners of eight of its last 11. This marks Georgia Tech’s third trip to the state of Iowa in 16 months. The Yellow Jackets played Iowa, in Iowa City, in November (2007) in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Four months later, Georgia Tech traveled to Des Moines as a No. 10 seed and lost to seventh-seeded Iowa State in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Twelve months later, the Yellow Jackets return to Iowa to meet the Hawkeyes in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Georgia Tech played eight games this year against ranked opponents, winning three. The Yellowjackets beat No. 21 Michigan State 70-57, No. 2 North Carolina 66-62 and No. 19 Virginia (74-66), all at home. The Yellow Jackets did play top-ranked and undefeated Connecticut to its second-closest game of the year, losing 82-71 in Storrs, CT. The Yellow Jackets are 13-2 in home contests this season, but only 4-5 in true road games. But the five road losses came at No. 1 Connecticut, No. 4 Duke, Florida State, Wake Forest and No. 7 North Carolina. The Yellow Jackets lost to Clemson, 81-69, in the first round of the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, NC. Georgia Tech is led by Alex Montgomery, who averages a team-best 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds. She also has made a team-best 72-200 (.360) 3-pointers. Jacqua Williams averages 11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and a team-best 3.3 assists and 3.6 steals. Iasia Hemingway averages 10.9 points and 5.3 rebounds. Georgia Tech averages 67.5 points, 38.6 rebounds, 14.0 steals and 21.3 turnovers per contest, while allowing its opposition only 56.8 points, 34.0 rebounds and 9.2 steals. Georgia Tech’s 14-player roster is comprised of student-athletes from eight states and Australia. MaChelle Joseph is in her sixth season as a collegiate head coach, all at Georgia Tech (105-75, .583).
ALL-TIME SERIES
Iowa is 0-1 all-time against Georgia Tech, falling 76-57 on Nov. 28, 2007 in Iowa City. The meeting came in the inaugural Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Iowa is 2-1 all-time against Oklahoma. This will be the Sooners’ first-ever trip to Iowa City and Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes have met the Sooners twice in the last five years. Iowa beat 21st-ranked Oklahoma, 54-47, in the championship game of the 2004 Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas. The 22nd-ranked Sooners cruised past the Hawkeyes, 85-68, Nov. 25, 2005 in the first round of the Odwalla Classic in San Francisco, CA. In the last meeting, Megan Skouby netted 11 points, while Kristi Smith and Wendy Ausdemore each tallied seven. All three players, who were freshman at the time, came off the bench. Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris, who is a three-time all-American, poured in 30 points and 14 rebounds, while her sister Ashley had 14 points and seven rebounds. Iowa saw, but did not play, Oklahoma last year. Iowa and Oklahoma were both in Cancun, Mexico, for the Caribbean Challenge, but the teams were in opposite brackets. Iowa has never played Prairie View A&M. Prairie View A&M, who will be making its second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, is located in Prairie View, TX, which is near Houston.
IOWA, NCAA TOURNAMENT NOTES
? Iowa’s senior class has amassed 73 wins, the third-most of a Lisa Bluder coached Iowa team. This year’s seniors will be playing in their third NCAA Tournament. The last class to play in three NCAA Tournaments was the 2004 senior class.
? Iowa boasts a perfect 11-0 record when allowing 59 points or less, are 16-2 when shooting a higher field goal percentage than its opponents, 20-2 when scoring 60 points or more, 18-1 when leading at halftime and 10-2 in games decided by 10 points or less.
? Georgia Tech Head Coach MaChelle Joseph has Big Ten ties. Joseph was a four-year starter at Purdue (1989-92). She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year (1989), first team all-league (1990-92) and Conference Player of the Year her senior campaign (1992). Joseph was also an assistant coach at Illinois for one season (1992-93) and Purdue for three (1993-96).
? Prairie View A&M’s head coach is Cynthia Cooper-Dyke. Cooper-Dyke won four WNBA titles with the Houston Comets and was named the league’s MVP in 1997 and 1998.
? In addition to the Paris twins, Oklahoma’s roster includes Carlee Roethlisberger and Abi Olajuwon. Roethlisberger is the younger sister of Pittsburgh Steeler QB Ben Roethlisberger. Olajuwon is the daughter of NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon. Eight states are represented on OU’s roster.
? Iowa pulled off the largest second-half comeback in school history when it rallied from 20 points down to beat Penn State 63-57 on Feb. 15, 2009, in University Park, PA.
? Last year, Iowa went 13-5 in Big Ten play to win a share of the regular season title with Ohio State. The Hawkeyes finished with the same league record this season, 13-5. Iowa has won 13 conference games or more in a single-season 14 times. Twelve of the 14 times have come during 18-game league schedules.
? Kachine Alexander has grabbed 272 rebounds, which is the most by a Hawkeye, since Randi Peterson grabbed 273 during the 2000-01 campaign. Amy Herrig secured 306 her senior season in 1998-99.
? Iowa won six true road games during the regular season, including five during Big Ten play. The five victories during conference play rank fourth-best in the league. Ohio State, Purdue and Michigan State each had six road wins to rank first.
? Kachine Alexander, who stands 5-9, finished the regular season ranked second in rebounding, pulling down 9.7 per contest in 18 league games. Also, Alexander has attempted the second-most free throws of any Big Ten athlete (162) in 31 games. The 162 free-throw attempts are only nine from the school single-game record.
? Iowa had four players ranked in the top-15 in Big Ten assists: Kachine Alexander (second, 4.5); Kristi Smith (seventh, 3.44); Kamille Wahlin (11th, 3.06); Wendy Ausdemore (14th, 2.72). Also, three of the four rank high in assist/turnover ratio: Kamille Wahlin (first, 2.04); Kachine Alexander (second, 1.59); Kristi Smith (seventh, 1.29).
? Iowa’s senior trio of Kristi Smith (1,447), Megan Skouby (1,435) and Wendy Ausdemore (1,331) is the first-ever senior class of three players in Big Ten history to eclipse 1,300 points each.
? Iowa shoots 80.2 percent (69-86) from the foul line the last two minutes of games, including 85.4 percent (53-62) with under a minute to go.
? Kristi Smith has reached double digits a team-best 24 times this year, including 16 of the last 17 games. Also, Smith has made 37-38 (.974) from the free-throw line, dating back to the Indiana game (Feb. 5).
? Kristi Smith’s 63 triples this season are a single-season best for the senior and rank second-best in school history for an Iowa senior.
? Kamille Wahlin ranked second in assists (3.06), scoring (8.7) and 3-point percentage (.415), third in rebounding (3.6), and fifth in field goal percentage (.446), amongst Big Ten freshmen, amongst Big Ten freshmen, in conference games only rankings. She boasts a staggering 2.3 assist/turnover ratio in her 13 starts.
? Iowa players have corralled double-digit rebounds 22 times this season. Kachine Alexander has accomplished the feat a team-best 13 times, JoAnn Hamlin six times, Wendy Ausdemore three times and Megan Skouby once. The last time an Iowa player controlled double-digit rebounds 13 times or more in a season was Amy Herrig (18), during the 1998-99 season.
? Iowa has an RPI rating of 37th in the country and strength of schedule is 41st. Georgia Tech is rated 35th in the RPI and 47th in strength of schedule.
LAST MEETING VS. GEORGIA TECH
It took spectacular efforts by Chioma Nnamaka and Janie Mitchell to carry Georgia Tech to a deceptively lopsided, 76-57, victory over Iowa in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Nov. 28, 2007. The game was part of the inaugural ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Iowa’s Wendy Ausdemore made all seven of her second-half field goal attempts, including all three 3-point attempts, to score 18 points over the final 20 minutes. With 8:15 remaining, Ausdemore pulled down a defensive rebound as the Hawkeyes nursed a 50-49 lead. Over the final seven-plus minutes, Georgia Tech outscored Iowa 27-7. The Yellow Jackets scored 55 of their 76 points off turnovers and second-chance points. Iowa committed 26 miscues. Nnamaka scored 17 of her game-high 24 points in the final 20 minutes. Mitchell scored 11 of her 18 points in the second half with seven points and two assists coming during the final five minutes. Ausdemore led Iowa with 23 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Ausdemore scored nine consecutive points from the 16:37 mark to the 14:24 mark. Her 10-foot jumper off a drive to through the middle of the lane tied the game at 40. Following a technical foul on Georgia Tech Coach MaChelle Joseph, Iowa’s Megan Skouby made both free throws, giving the Hawkeyes their first lead (42-40) since 9:19 remained in the first half. Skouby added seven points with a blocked shot. For the game, Iowa shot 42 percent from the field (21-50) and 78.6 percent from the line (11-14). During the second half, Ausdemore scored 18 points and the rest of the team combined for 13 points.
SMITH AND SKOUBY BATTLE FOR EIGHTH PLACE
Only 12 points separate Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith for eighth place on Iowa’s all-time scoring list. Smith has amassed 1,447 points, followed by 1,435 for Skouby. Skouby (118) has played four fewer games than Smith (122). Wendy Ausdemore (1,331) is only four points from surpassing Lisa Becker for 10th place.
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: www.hawkeyesports.com/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%3E31/14%20%20%2086-181%20%2026-64%20%20%2031-42%20%20%2097%20%2083%20%2021%20%20229%207.4%3C/pre%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cem%3EKASHIN'%20IN%3C/em%3E%3C/strong%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Sophomore%20%3Ca%20href="/roster.aspx?rp_id=3337" class="imported_story_link" oldlink="/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/alexander_kachine00.html">Kachine Alexander, who is a second team all-Big Ten honoree, has made a name for herself in the Big Ten with her improved play. Last year, she played only 18 games, averaging 2.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists. Through 31 games this season, she is averaging 9.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Alexander, who stands 5-9, ranked second in rebounding (9.7), defensive rebounding (7.17), assist/turnover ratio (1.59) and assists (4.5), 10th in offensive rebounds (2.5), 15th in free throw percentage (.757) and field goal percentage (.425), and 18th in scoring (10.9), in Big Ten Conference games only. 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.
PRE-SEASON RANKINGS
Iowa was 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 won outright, or shared, the last five regular season titles, which includes this season. Iowa finished in a three-way tie for second place with Michigan State and Purdue this season.
SENIOR DUO IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Seniors Kristi Smith and Wendy Ausdemore have their names all over the Hawkeye record books for 3-point shooting. Smith, who will compete in ESPNs 3-Point Shootout at the Men’s Final Four on April 2 in Detroit, MI, is shooting at a 40.9 percent (183-447) clip for her career, which ranks second in Big Ten history behind Ohio State’s Caity Matter (.411, 270-657). Ausdemore (.406, 219-539) ranks third-best in league history. Former Hawkeye Lindsey Meder (.405, 261-644) ranks fourth. Ausdemore’s 219 treys ranks second in Iowa annals behind Meder’s 261. Smith’s 183 triples rate third best. Smith’s 63 treys this season rank second-best in Iowa single-season history for a senior, while Ausdemore’s 59 rank third. 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.
MAKING THE FREEBIES
Iowa has done an amazing job, recently, getting to the free throw line and taking advantage of the free shots. The Hawkeyes attempted an average of 17.9 free throws the last nine games and made 14.6 of those attempts (.817, 161-197). Senior Megan Skouby ranks third in the conference and 45th nationally in free throw accuracy, shooting .827 (91-110). Wendy Ausdemore has missed only five free throw attempts this season (52-57, .912). Kachine Alexander has attempted the second-most free throws in the Big Ten this season (162). The 162 are the most by a Hawkeye since Kristi Faulkner attempted 165 in 33 games during the 2002-03 campaign. The school record for free throw attempts is Amy Herrig’s 169, which she established in 1998-99. As a team, Iowa shoots .794 (446-562) from the charity stripe, ranking fourth in the nation. The Hawkeyes have nearly made as many free throws (446) as their opponents have attempted (456). Iowa is on pace to shatter the Big Ten single-season record for free throw percentage. The record is 78.8 percent (461-585), which was established by the Hawkeyes during the 2006-07 campaign.
WINS, LOSSES COMPARISONS
There are big differences, statistically in Iowa’s wins vs. losses. The Hawkeyes average 18.4 more points in victory. Also, Iowa averages 5.4 fewer turnovers in its victories. Finally, Iowa averages .396 from behind the 3-point arc in its wins, compared to only .304 in defeat. Individually, Kristi Smith averages 15.1 points, including making 45-100 (.450) from 3-point territory, in victories. Also, Kachine Alexander averages 11.5 points, 4.9 assists and 9.8 rebounds in Hawkeyes wins. In losses, Smith averages only 9.7 points, while Alexander averages 6.0 points and 1.6 assists.
HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
Iowa averages 12.3 more points at home than on the road. The Black and Gold have a much-higher free throw percentage at home (.824) than on the road (.758). Iowa averages 3.0 more rebounds per game, 4.8 more assists and 2.0 fewer turnovers at home than on the road.
DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Last season, Iowa had only three players record a double-double in 32 games (Wendy Ausdemore, Johanna Solverson and Megan Skouby). This season, Iowa has had five different players post double-doubles a total of 17 times through 31 games. The last time Iowa had at least 17 double-doubles in a season was during 1998-99 campaign. That team collected a total of 22 double-doubles. Kachine Alexander has posted a team-best eight double-doubles this season, which includes two triple-doubles. The sophomore registered double-doubles vs. Providence, Michigan, No. 13 Ohio State, Wisconsin and Illinois, and also added triple-doubles vs. Northwestern and Penn State. The last Iowa player to record eight or more double-doubles in a season was Jennie Lillis in 2002-03. Lillis had nine double-doubles that season. JoAnn Hamlin has four double-doubles (Boston, Iowa State, Minnesota and Wisconsin) this year. Wendy Ausdemore collected double-doubles vs. Texas Tech and South Florida in the Paradise Jam and also at Penn State. Kamille Wahlin had her first double-double vs. Michigan, while senior Megan Skouby posted her first career double-double at Minnesota.
HAWKEYES-LADY LIONS MAKE BIG TEN HISTORY
The Iowa-Penn State triple overtime game on Feb. 1, 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.
TRIFECTA MAKES HISTORY
Iowa has three seniors who have reached the 1,300-point plateau. Wendy Ausdemore, Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith became the first trio, from the same class, in Big Ten history to ever eclipse 1,300 points! Purdue and Illinois each have three members from their 1988 class score 1,000 points or more. Smith currently has 1,447 points, followed by Skouby (1,435) and Ausdemore (1,331). 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.
DISTRIBUTING THE BALL
Kachine Alexander has been putting up big assist numbers. The sophomore had 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 ranked second in assists (4.69), in league 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 10-0 this season when Alexander has five assists or more, and only 2-7 with two assists or fewer.
TRIPLE THREAT
Kachine Alexander, who was tabbed second team all-Big Ten and earned conference Player of the Week honors twice this year (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 four NCAA Division I student-athletes to post multiple triple-doubles this season. Kansas State’s Shalee Lehning, UT-San Antonio’s Monica Gibbs and St. Mary’s Louella Tomlinson are the other three players to have two triple-doubles this year. In total, there have been 13 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).
WAHLIN SHINES IN STARTING ROLE
Kamille Wahlin moved to a starting role the last 13 games. She first entered the starting lineup after JoAnn Hamlin went down with an injury, but has remained in the starting lineup since Hamlin’s return. In her 13 career starts, Wahlin averages 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists and a staggering 2.3 assist/turnover ratio and 35 minutes of action. Wahlin has posted double figures in eight of her 13 starts. She ranked second in assists (3.06), scoring (8.7) and 3-point percentage (.415), third in rebounding (3.6), and fifth in field goal percentage (.446), amongst Big Ten freshmen, in conference games only rankings. Additionally, she ranked first in assist/turnover ratio (2.04), fourth in 3-point percentage (.415), 11th in assists (3.06) and field goal percentage (.446), 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 Iowa’s triple overtime thriller, the freshman logged 43 minutes of court time, recording 18 points and seven boards. Wahlin helped Iowa to a two-point victory (69-67) over Indiana on Feb. 5. 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. The native of Crookston, MN, netted a personal-best 19 points and collected a team-high five assists in Iowa’s 10-point upset home win over No. 13 Ohio State. Wahlin was credited with 10 points and a personal-best eight boards in Iowa’s last win vs. Wisconsin. She contributed a team-high 13 points in Iowa’s home victory over Illinois. Wahlin tallied 13 of her 16 points in the second half and also dished out a game-high six assists in Iowa’s win at Northwestern. In two games at the Big Ten Tournament, Wahlin averaged 9.5 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds. Wahlin posted team highs in points (11), rebounds (7) and assists (7) against top-seeded Ohio State in the semifinals.
HAWKEYES ADVANCE TO BIG TEN TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS
The Iowa Hawkeyes, who were seeded fourth, advanced to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. Iowa cruised past Minnesota, 79-64, in the quarterfinals, but fell to top-seeded, and eventual champion, Ohio State, 72-56 in the semifinals. Against Minnesota, Iowa had four players score in double figures. Wendy Ausdemore led all scorers, pouring in 25 points, bolstered by 10-16 shooting from the field, including 4-5 from 3-point territory. Kristi Smith and Kachine Alexander each chipped in 15 points, while Megan Skouby added 10. Alexander also secured a game-high 13 rebounds, while Smith dished out a team-high five assists. The Buckeyes sprinted out to a 20-2 advantage and never looked back. Kamille Wahlin posted team highs in scoring (11), rebounds (7) and assists (6) for the Black and Gold. Smith contributed 11 points, while Ausdemore and Skouby netted nine points each.
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).
IOWA FAST BREAKS
? Senior Nicole VanderPol will not play the rest of the year, due to injury. VanderPol played in the first two games of the season and saw a couple seconds on “Senior Night” vs. Illinois on Feb. 26.
? Iowa has only three wins this season when trailing at the half: two coming against Penn State and the other vs. Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes were behind by two (36-34) at intermission vs. Penn State Feb. 1. The Black and Gold also trailed the Lady Lions 41-23 Feb. 15 on the road. Iowa rallied from 12 points down in the first half against the Lady Lions (Feb. 1) and a school-record 20 points in the second half (Feb. 15) at Penn State. Iowa trailed Wisconsin 32-30 at the break, but won by seven (72-65) on Feb. 19 in Iowa City.
? Iowa is 139-18 when leading at the half in nine years under Coach Bluder, including 18-1 this season. The Hawkeyes are 118-26 when holding opponents to 69 points or less, including a 57-4 mark when opponents score 59 points or less.
? Five of the eight teams that competed in the November Paradise Jam will be competing in the NCAA Tournament: Iowa, Villanova, California, Baylor and Central Florida. The other three teams that competed were Texas Tech, South Florida and Wisconsin, who were a couple wins shy from, likely, earning an at-large berth to the tournament.
? 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).
? Wendy Ausdemore’s 14 three-point attempts vs. Penn State (Feb. 1) tied a school single-game record. Crystal Smith attempted 14 triples at Louisiana Tech, while Lindsey Meder shot 14 treys vs. Colorado and Ohio State.
? 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 was 4-0 in bus trips this season (Drake, Wisconsin, Illinois and Northwestern).
HAWKEYES RANKED WELL IN BIG TEN STATISTICS
The Iowa Hawkeyes ranked first in six statistical Big Ten games only categories: scoring (69.8), free throw percentage (.797), 3-pointers made (6.83), 3-point field goal percentage (.389), assist/turnover ratio (1.15) and assists (16.17). Individually, Kachine Alexander ranked second in assist/turnover ratio (1.59), rebounding (9.7), defensive rebounding (7.17) and assists (4.5). Kristi Smith ranks first in 3-pointers made (2.44), second in minutes played (37.33), third in 3-point percentage (.444) and fourth in scoring (15.2). Megan Skouby rated fifth in free throw percentage (.837), sixth in blocked shots (1.28) and eighth in field goal percentage (.454). Kamille Wahlin ranked first in assist/turnover ratio (2.04), fourth in 3-point percentage (.415), and 11th in assists (3.06) and field goal percentage (.446). Wendy Ausdemore ranked fifth in 3-pointers (1.94) and field goal percentage (.462), and sixth in scoring (13.2).
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 VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa played five games against ranked opponents this season (No. 3 California, No. 12 Duke, No. 12 Ohio State, No. 13 Ohio State and No. 22 Iowa State). Iowa went 2-3 against those teams, beating Iowa State (66-46) and Ohio State (85-75) at home, but falling at Duke (71-47), vs. California (76-43) in the Paradise Jam and Ohio State (72-56) in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals in Indianapolis, IN. Below are Iowa’s most recent wins vs. nationally ranked opponents:
At Home: 85-75 over 13th-ranked Ohio State, 2/12/09
On the Road: 78-67 over 18th-ranked Michigan State, 2/1/04
Neutral Court: 54-47 over 21st-ranked Oklahoma, 11/27/04