March 3, 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
Iowa Big Ten Media Guide in PDF Format
THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (20-9, 13-5) will play their first game of the 2009 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Friday at approximately 7:15 p.m. (CST) at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The Hawkeyes earned a No. 4 seed and will play fifth-seeded Minnesota (19-10, 11-7) in the quarterfinals. Iowa finished in a three-way tie, with Michigan State and Purdue, for second place in the Big Ten standings. However, the Hawkeyes lost the tiebreakers and fell to the fourth slot. The Black and Gold enter the tournament on a six-game winning streak, which is the longest active streak in the conference. Additionally, Iowa has won 12 of its last 14 to finish with the identical record of a year ago, 20-9 overall and 13-5 in Big Ten play. Iowa has reached the Big Ten Tournament semifinals six times and captured the tournament title in 1997 and 2001. Purdue is the two-time defending tournament champion after topping Ohio State in 2007 and Illinois in 2008.
ON THE TUBE
All tournament games leading up to the championship game will be televised to a national cable audience on the Big Ten Network (HD). Tracey Warren, Vera Jones and Shireen Saski will call the action Friday and Saturday. The championship contest will air Sunday on ESPN2.
ON THE RADIO
Brent Balbinot and Shelley Till will call each Iowa Big Ten Tournament game for the Hawkeye Radio Network. Hawkeye fans can listen to the game on WMT AM-600 in Cedar Rapids 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.
TICKET INFORMATION
Fans can purchase tickets for the 2009 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office. Single-game tickets range from $12-$16. An all-session ticket (10 games) is $65. Fans interested in sitting in the Iowa section can call the UI Ticket Office at 1-800-IA-HAWKS.
IOWA TO PLAY IN ITS 1,000TH GAME
Iowa has played 999 games, since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 609-390 (.610). That includes a 309-151 (.672) mark in Big Ten contests and 285-82 (.777) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
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 1,200 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 4,134 combined points: Smith (1,421), Skouby (1,416) and Ausdemore (1,297). 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.
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.
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 during her tenure.
SERIES RECORDS AT BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
The Hawkeyes are 3-0 against Illinois (1996, 1997 and 2001); 2-0 against Minnesota (1995 and 2003) and Michigan (2008); 1-0 vs. Ohio State (1998); 2-2 vs. Northwestern (1997, 1999, 2000 and 2003); 2-2 vs. Indiana (1997, 2001, 2002 and 2007); 1-4 vs. Purdue (1996, 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2008); 0-1 against Wisconsin (1982); 0-2 vs. Penn State (1995 and 2005) and Michigan State (2004 and 2006).
IOWA BIG TEN TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Hawkeyes won their second Big Ten Tournament title in dramatic fashion eight years ago when they upset the defending tournament champion and fifth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers (75-70) in Grand Rapids, MI. Iowa holds an overall record of 13-12 (.520) in Big Ten Tournament games. This marks the fourth time the Hawkeyes have garnered a No. 4 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa won the tournament as a No. 4 seed in 1997, which is the only time a No. 4 seed has won. The Hawkeyes beat Northwestern, Indiana and Illinois to earn the league’s automatic NCAA Tournament berth. Iowa lost to fifth-seeded Indiana, in overtime, in the 2002 quarterfinals and fell to Michigan State in the 2004 quarterfinals, as a fourth seed. Iowa has played against Minnesota twice before at the Big Ten Tournament, winning both contests. The Black and Gold bounced the Golden Gophers, 57-44, in the 1995 first round and, 80-77, in the 2003 quarterfinals. The No. 4 seed is 8-6 in quarterfinal contests against the fifth seed. The No. 5 seed has won the last two meetings against the No. 4 seed (Penn State beat Illinois, 61-49, in 2007 and Michigan State bounced Minnesota, 56-51, in 2008).
IOWA TRAVEL SCHEDULE
The Hawkeyes will depart for the tournament Thursday afternoon following an early afternoon practice in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa will be housed in the Indianapolis Hilton, located on 120 West Market Street.
IOWA HOLDS TOURNAMENT RECORDS
Iowa holds Big Ten Tournament records for field goals in a game (37), free throw percentage in a single-game (1.000, 12-12), fewest turnovers in a game (5) and average points per game (80.7).
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT HISTORY
This year marks the 15th time the Big Ten will hold a conference tournament. This will be the ninth year that Conseco Fieldhouse will host the Big Ten Women’s Tournament. Eight year’s ago, the tournament was held in Grand Rapids, MI, which was a first for the conference tournament. Prior to the 2001 tournament, the seven other tournaments were held in Indianapolis, IN. Only six teams have won the conference tournament. Purdue has won the most with seven, followed by Iowa and Penn State with two. Ohio State, Michigan State and Indiana have each won one. The Boilermakers boast the best winning percentage (.800) in the tournament, while the Hawkeyes rank fourth (.520). The lowest seed to capture a tournament title was fifth-seeded Indiana in 2002. The top seed has won the tournament only once since 2000 (Ohio State in 2006). A record-setting attendance total of nearly 39,000 watched in 2006 as the Buckeyes captured its first title.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Friday will be the 62nd meeting between Iowa and Minnesota. Iowa owns a commanding 40-21 advantage in the all-time series. The Hawkeyes are 2-0 against Minnesota in Big Ten Tournament contests. Five of the last six contests have been decided by six points or less, including two going to overtime. The Hawkeyes have won three of the last four meetings. Iowa and Minnesota split the season series with each team winning on its home floor. The Hawkeyes posted a 74-57 triumph on Jan. 11 in Iowa City, while Minnesota recorded a come-from-behind 64-58 victory on Feb. 8 in Minneapolis.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
Minnesota lost four of its last six games heading into the Big Ten Tournament. In the last week, the Gophers lost at Northwestern, won at Michigan State, but finished with a home loss to Illinois. Minnesota is 5-14 (.263) in Big Ten Tournament contests, with two of the victories coming in the 2005 tournament. Three Minnesota players were honored on all-Big Ten teams. Senior Emily Fox was a second team selection by both the media and coaches. Junior Ashley Ellis-Milan was a third team honoree by both voting panels, while Kiara Buford was recognized on the coaches all-freshman team. Six of Minnesota’s last nine victories have come by six points or less, including a buzzer-beater at Michigan (60-59). Fox averages a team-best 12.8 points and 2.2 steals. Junior Katie Ohm averages 9.2 points and has drained a team-best 67-169 (.396) from 3-point range. Ellis-Milan averages 11.8 points and a team-best 7.4 rebounds. The Gophers shoot 72.3 percent from the free throw line and 39.5 percent from the field. Minnesota ranks second in the league in steals (9.1) and turnover margin (+3.62), third in 3-pointers (5.9), and fourth in assist-turnover ratio (0.84). Pam Borton is in her 10th season (220-117, .653) as a head coach, including her sixth year on the Golden Gopher sidelines (151-71, .680).
IOWA, BIG TEN TOURNAMENT NOTES
? Iowa recorded its second-largest comeback in school history, erasing a 19-point second-half deficit to bounce seventh-seeded Indiana, 81-76, in the 2001 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals at Grand Rapids, MI. The Hawkeyes ultimately won the tournament. Iowa posted its largest comeback this season, rallying from 20 points down in the second half at Penn State (Feb. 15).
? Iowa is 7-7 in Big Ten Tournament contests under ninth-year Head Coach Lisa Bluder. The Hawkeyes are 4-7 in tournament games played at Conseco Fieldhouse the last seven years. Iowa advanced to the semifinals last season before falling to eventual-champion Purdue.
? Since 2001, 36 of the 80 tournament games (46 percent) have been decided by eight points or less.
? 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 won six road games this 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.
? Iowa boasts a perfect 11-0 record when allowing 59 points or less, are 15-2 when shooting a higher field goal percentage than its opponents, 19-2 when scoring 60 points or more, 17-1 when leading at halftime and 10-2 in games decided by 10 points or less.
? 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 most free throws of any Big Ten athlete (158) in 29 games. The 158 free-throw attempts are only 11 from the school single-game record.
? Iowa has 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). Additionally, 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 (1,421), Megan Skouby (1,416) and Wendy Ausdemore (1,297) is the first-ever senior class of three players in Big Ten history to each have eclipsed 1,200 points.
? Iowa shoots 79.8 percent (67-84) from the foul line the last two minutes of games, including 85 percent (51-60) with under a minute to go.
? Kristi Smith has reached double figures a team-best 22 times this year, including 14 of the last 15 contests. Also, Smith has made 33-34 (.971) from the free-throw line, dating back to the Indiana game (Feb. 5).
? Kristi Smith’s 59 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 2.5 assist/turnover ratio the last 11 games.
? Kristi Smith’s two assists at Michigan moved her past Johanna Solverson and into third place on Iowa all-time assist list. She has 403 career assists and will finish her career third on Iowa’s all-time chart.
? Iowa players have corralled double-digit rebounds 21 times this season. Kachine Alexander has accomplished the feat a team-best 12 times, JoAnn Hamlin six times, Wendy Ausdemore three times and Megan Skouby once. The last time an Iowa player controlled double-digit rebounds 12 times or more in a season was Jerica Watson (12), during the 2001-02 season.
? Iowa has an RPI rating of 34th in the country and strength of schedule is 48th. Iowa has four wins over teams in the RPI top-50, including two ranked in the top 25. Iowa’s lowest RPI-ranked loss this year came at Kansas (58) in its second game of the year. Minnesota is rated 50th in the RPI and 56th in strength of schedule. The numbers are based on the report published March 2.
SMITH ABOUT TO MAKE IOWA HISTORY
Senior Kristi Smith, who just became Iowa’s seventh multiple first team all-Big Ten honoree and first Hawkeye to be named to the first team in back-to-back years since Lindsey Meder in 2001 and 2002, could become the only player in Iowa women’s basketball history to amass over 400 points and 100 assist in three seasons. Smith joined former Hawkeye all-Americans Jolette Law and Michelle Edwards in becoming the only players to record two seasons of 400 points and 100 assists. Smith registered 402 points and 124 assists as a sophomore and 425 points and 103 assists her junior campaign. This season, Smith has accumulated 388 points and 94 assists.
SMITH AND SKOUBY BATTLE FOR EIGHTH PLACE
Only five points separate Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith for eighth place on Iowa’s all-time scoring list. Smith has amassed 1,421 points, followed by 1,416 for Skouby. Skouby (116) has played four fewer games than Smith (120).
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%3E29/12%20%20%2078-170%20%2025-62%20%20%2029-40%20%20%2089%20%2073%20%2020%20%20210%207.2%3C/pre%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%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 29 games this season, she is averaging 9.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Alexander, who stands 5-9, ranks 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.
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 is shooting at a 41.1 percent (179-436) clip for her career to tie Ohio State’s Caity Matter (.411, 270-657) for first in Big Ten history. Ausdemore (.404, 214-530) ranks fourth-best in league history behind former Hawkeye Lindsey Meder (.405, 261-644). Ausdemore’s 214 treys ranks second in Iowa annals behind Meder’s 261. Smith’s 179 triples rate third best. Smith’s 59 treys this season rank second-best in Iowa single-season history for a senior. 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.
HAWKEYES DROP NORTHWESTERN IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE
All five Hawkeye starters netted double figures to lead Iowa to an 86-79 triumph at Northwestern. The win was Iowa’s 16th straight over the Wildcats. Iowa led by as many as 16 points in the second half and sank 8-9 from the free-throw line the last two minutes to secure Iowa’s 20th victory of the season. Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith shared game-high scoring honors, each scoring 19 points. Kamille Wahlin scored 13 of her 16 points in the second half and also dished out a game-high six assists. Kachine Alexander contributed 13 points and a game-high eight rebounds, while Wendy Ausdemore had 11 points and a career-high five steals. Both teams shot the ball extremely well from the free throw line and the field. Iowa shot 21-25 (.840) from the charity stripe and 50 percent (30-60) from the field. The Wildcats shot 89.5 percent (17-19) from the foul line and 55.8 percent (29-52) from the floor. Smith was 10-11 (.909) from the free throw line.
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. Ohio State sophomore Jantel Lavender was selected as the pre-season Player of the Year by both voting groups. Iowa finished in a three-way tie for second place with Michigan State and Purdue.
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 18.9 free throws the last nine games and made 15.8 of those attempts (83.5%). Iowa was 14-16 (.875) vs. Penn State, 21-26 (.808) vs. Indiana, 26-32 (.813) vs. Ohio State, 21-25 (.840) at Northwestern, 20-24 (.833) vs. Wisconsin, 15-17 (.822) vs. Illinois, 11-14 (.786) at Penn State, 9-11 at Michigan and 5-5 (1.000) at Minnesota. Senior Megan Skouby ranks second in the conference and 20th nationally in free throw accuracy, shooting .857 (84-98). Wendy Ausdemore has missed only five free throw attempts this season (51-56, .911). Kachine Alexander has attempted more free throws than any other Big Ten student-athlete this season (158). The 158 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 .798 (427-535) from the charity stripe, ranking fifth in the nation. The Hawkeyes have made more free throws (427) than their opponents have attempted (417). 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 18.2 more points in victory. Also, Iowa averages 5.8 fewer turnovers in its victories. Finally, Iowa averages .398 from behind the 3-point arc in its wins, compared to only .296 in defeat. Individually, Kristi Smith averages 15.1 points, including making 43-93 (.462) from 3-point territory, in victories. Also, Kachine Alexander averages 11.4 points, 4.9 assists and 9.7 rebounds in Hawkeyes wins. In losses, Smith averages only 9.6 points, while Alexander averages 5.8 points and 1.7 assists.
HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
Iowa averages 12.9 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 (.764). Iowa averages 3.3 more rebounds per game, 4.7 more assists and 2.6 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). So far this season, Iowa has had five different players post double-doubles a total of 16 times through 29 games. The last time Iowa had at least 16 double-doubles in a season was during 2000-01 campaign. That team, which was Lisa Bluder’s first Hawkeye team, also collected a total of 16 double-doubles. Kachine Alexander has posted a team-best seven 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 seven 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.
TRIFECTA MAKES HISTORY
Iowa has three seniors who have reached the 1,200-point plateau. Wendy Ausdemore, Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith became the first trio, from the same class, in Big Ten history to ever eclipse 1,200 points! Purdue and Illinois each have three members from their 1988 class score 1,000 points or more. Smith currently has 1,421 points, followed by Skouby (1,416) and Ausdemore (1,297). 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.
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 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 was moved to a starting role the last 11 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 11 career starts, Wahlin averages 11.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists and a staggering 2.5 assist/turnover ratio and 35 minutes of action. Wahlin has posted double figures in seven of her 11 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.
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.
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 ranks 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 2-6 with two assists or fewer.
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.
? Kristi Smith ranks 17th nationally in 3-point field goal percentage (.424), while Megan Skouby ranks 20th in free throw percentage (.857). As a team, Iowa ranks fifth in free throw percentage (.798), 24th in 3-point field goal percentage (.363), 27th in assist/turnover ratio (1.0), 31st in assists (15.5) and 35th in fewest fouls (14.9).
? 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 138-18 when leading at the half in nine years under Coach Bluder, including 17-1 this season. The Hawkeyes are 117-26 when holding opponents to 69 points or less, including a 57-4 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).
? 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).
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).
HAWKEYES RANK WELL IN BIG TEN STATISTICS
The Iowa Hawkeyes rank 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).
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.
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 four games against ranked opponents this season (No. 3 California, No. 12 Duke, No. 13 Ohio State and No. 22 Iowa State). Iowa went 2-2 against those teams, beating Iowa State (66-46) and Ohio State (85-75) at home, but falling at Duke (71-47) and vs. California (76-43) in the Paradise Jam. 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
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.
JANE MEYER NAMED WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COMMITTEE CHAIR
Jane Meyer, senior associate director of athletics at the University of Iowa, will serve as chair of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee during the 2009-10 academic year. The appointment was made by the committee and confirmed by the NCAA Division I Championships/Sports Management Cabinet. Meyer’s term as chair will begin Sept. 1. Currently serving her fourth year as a member of the committee, she will succeed Jacki Silar, associate director of athletics at Duke University, who is serving as chair of the committee for 2008-09 and will continue to serve on the committee for the 2009-10 academic year. “To have had the opportunity to work alongside past chairs Joni Comstock, Judy Southard and Jacki Silar for the last four years has been a great experience. Their leadership has been extraordinary,” Meyer said. “To be selected chair of this committee is an honor. With so many good things happening in our game, it’s an exciting time to be working with the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.”