WBB Notebook: at Minnesota

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s basketball team heads to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to take on the Minnesota Gophers inside Williams Arena on Sunday, Jan. 31. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. (CT) and will stream live on Big Ten Network Plus.

WATCH/FOLLOW ALONG

• The game will be streamed live on BTN Plus. To see if your cable package gives you access to BTN Plus content, sign up for BTN Plus, or learn more about it, visit btnplus.com.
• Live stats are available on the women’s basketball schedule page on hawkeyesports.com.

AUDIO COVERAGE

• Rob Brooks and Jamie Cavey Lang will call the action on the Hawkeye Radio Network. A link to the broadcast is available on the women’s basketball schedule page on hawkeyesports.com.
• Brooks is in his fifth year as the play-by-play announcer for the Iowa women’s basketball team. He has been Iowa football’s sideline reporter since 2004. He has called seven different Iowa sports on radio or television.
• Lang is in her fifth year as Iowa’s color commentator. She lettered at Iowa from 2002-05. Lang finished her Hawkeye career with 1,265 points and 506 rebounds. She was a two-time All-Big Ten selection.

FAN INFORMATION

• Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, there will be no men’s and women’s basketball general admission single game or season ticket sales to home games at this time.
• Visit hawkeyesports.com/fancutouts to purchase fan cutout(s) for all winter sports in Carver-Hawkeye Arena; 20 percent of the revenue will benefit UI Dance Marathon, with the remainder of the profits supporting the UI student-athletes’ scholarship fund.
• Programs, posters, and magnets will not be printed this season.

B1G IN THE RANKS

• Five Big Ten teams are ranked on the AP Poll, including No. 7 Maryland, No. 12 Michigan, No. 14 Ohio State, No. 16 Indiana, and No. 23 Northwestern.
• The conference is represented by five schools on the USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll, including No. 10 Maryland, No. 11 Ohio State, No. 13 Michigan, No. 15 Indiana, and No. 23 Northwestern. Iowa is receiving 11 votes and Michigan State is receiving 9 votes.

SCOUTING MINNESOTA

• Minnesota is 5-7 on the season and 4-6 in conference play, winning its last three games over Purdue (, Penn State, and Nebraska.
• As a team, the Gophers ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers attempted (296), 3-pointers made (96), and 3-pointers per game (8.0).
• Four Gophers are averaging double figures, including Jasmine Powell (16.6), Sara Scalia (14.7), Kadiatou Sissoko (12.7), and Gadiva Hubbard (11.5).
• Sissoko pulls down 6.8 rebounds per game and Powell averages 5.3 rebounds.
• Powell averages 1.6 steals per game and Hubbard averages 1.1 steals.

THE SERIES

• Iowa leads the all-time series, 54-27, winning the last four matchups over the Gophers, including 92-79 win inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Jan. 6.
• Last season, the two teams met twice. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Hawkeyes won, 76-75, and at home, Iowa won 90-82.
• During the matchup earlier this season, freshman Caitlin Clark recorded her third career double-double, posting a career-high 37 points and added 11 rebounds to achieve the feat.
• Junior Monika Czinano was one rebound from a double-double, tallying 19 points and nine rebounds.

HAWKS ON THE SEASON

• Iowa is 9-4 on the season and 5-4 in conference play, falling in its most recent contest to No. 23 Northwestern, 80-87.
• Freshman Caitlin Clark leads the Hawkeyes, averaging 25.5 points. Junior Monika Czinano and sophomore McKenna Warnock follow, averaging 19.8 and 12.6 points per game, respectively.
• Warnock leads the Hawkeyes, averaging 9.5 rebounds per game, while Clark and Czinano follow with 6.7 and 6.4 per game, respectively.
• Sophomore Gabbie Marshall is leading Iowa with 33 steals, Clark’s 21 steals and Martin ‘s 15 follow on the season. Against Western Illinois (Dec. 22), Marshall recorded six steals — the most from a Hawkeye this season.
• Clark recorded her first collegiate triple-double against Western Illinois, tallying 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. Clark is the first Hawkeye to reach the accomplishment since Sam Logic against Baylor (March 27, 2015) and marks the 10th triple-double in program history, which ties the second-most in the NCAA.

DOUBLE-DOUBLES

• Freshman Caitlin Clark has recorded four double-doubles on the season, including Western Illinois (Dec. 22), accomplishing her first career double-double against in-state opponent, Drake (Dec. 2), with 30 points and 13 assists. The freshman’s third double-double was achieved against Minnesota (Jan. 6) included a career-high 37 points and 11 rebounds, and her most recent against Ohio State (Jan. 13) included 27 points and 10 rebounds.
• Sophomore Warnock has four career double-doubles, adding two this season. She recorded her third career double-double, tallying 14 points and 13 rebounds in Iowa’s win over Northern Iowa (Nov. 25) and her fourth against Ohio State with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
• Junior Monika Czinano recorded double-doubles in both matchups against Northwestern this season. In the first meeting (Jan. 9), Czinano posted 28 points and 12 rebounds. On the Hawkeyes home court (Jan. 28), Czinano recorded a career-high 34 points and added 11 rebounds.

NATIONALLY SPEAKING

• As a team, Iowa is ranked in top-25 nationally in eight statistical categories, including ranking second in field goal percentage (51.0), third in scoring offense (88.1), fifth in assists per game (20.3), ninth in total assists (264), 16th in 3-point percentage (37.9), 20th in assist-turnover ratio (1.28), 24th in free-throw percentage (76.9), and 25th in 3-pointers per game (8.7).
• Junior Monika Czinano, freshman Caitlin Clark, and sophomore McKenna Warnock rank among the top 25 nationally in 15 statistical categories, including Czinano’s leading field-goal percentage (66.7), 111-of-160 from the field.
• Clark ranks second in triple-doubles (1), fifth in points per game (25.5) and total points (332), sixth in total assists 82), 10th in assists per game (6.3), 11th in field goals made (110), 12th in 3-pointers attempted (113), 15th in 3-pointers made (40) and 3-pointers per game (3.08), 17th in free throws made (72), 18th in field goal attempts (241), and 23rd in free throw attempts (89).
• Warnock ranks 18th in defensive rebounds per game (7.9), and Czinano ranks 10th in field goals made (111).

B1G STANDINGS

• As a team, the Hawkeyes are leading the Big Ten Conference in field-goal percentage (.510) and assists per game (20.3).
• Iowa ranks second in scoring offense (88.1), total assists (264), 3-point percentage (37.9), 3-pointers made (113), 3-pointers per game (8.7), free throws made (200), free throw attempts (260), and 3-pointers attempted (298).
• The Hawkeyes rank third in free-throw percentage (76.9) and rebound margin (5.1).

RANKING B1G INDIVIDUALS

• Hawkeye individuals rank in the Big Ten top-five in 21 statistical categories.
• Freshman Caitlin Clark leads the Big Ten in five statistical categories, including total points (332), total assists (82), assists per game (6.3), field goals attempted (241), and 3-pointers attempted (113).
• Clark is ranked second in six additional statistical categories, including triple doubles (1), points per game (25.5), field goals made (110), free throws made (72), 3-pointers per game (3.08), and 3-pointers made (40). She also ranks third in free-throw attempts (89).
• Junior Monika Czinano leads the conference in field-goal percentage (.667) and field goals made (111) and ranks fourth in points per game (19.8) and total points (257).
• Sophomore McKenna Warnock is leading the conference in defensive rebounds per game (7.9), ranks second in rebounds per game (9.5), and ranks third in total rebounds (114).
• Sophomore Gabbie Marshall ranks third in the conference in steals (33) and ranks fifth in steals per game (2.54).

B1G RECORD-BREAKING HAWK

• Junior Monika Czinano posted a double-double, scoring 28 points and pulling down 12 rebounds at No. 22/23 Northwestern (Jan. 9). Czinano shot 13 of 14 from the field. Czinano’s field goal percentage (.929) is a Big Ten Record with a minimum of 12 attempts in a Big Ten contest, shooting 13-of-14 against the Wildcats. On three occasions, a Big Ten women’s basketball player has made 12 of 13 (.917) — the last being Indiana’s Quacy Barnes on Feb. 22, 1998 against Michigan State.
• Against No. 23 Northwestern (Jan. 28), Czinano made 15-consecutive buckets — a Big Ten single-game record. With Czinano making her final three shots in Iowa’s previous game against Purdue (Jan. 18), her streak ran 18-consecutive makes — another Big Ten record. The previous co-record holder, Iowa’s Megan Gustafson and Indiana’s Mackenzie Holmes, each made 17 in a row. Gustafson made 17 in a row over a three-game stretch from Nov. 9-17, 2018 (1 vs. Oral Roberts, 13 at WKU, 3 vs. NC Central) — the only other time it’s happened within the same season. Holmes made 17 in a row in consecutive games, crossing over seasons making her last four shots in the Big Ten semifinals  (Mar. 7) against Maryland and added 13 against Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 25).

YOU SERIOUS, CLARK?

• In the nation, Clark ranks second in triple-doubles (1), fifth in points per game (25.5) and total points (332), sixth in total assists 82), 10th in assists per game (6.3), 11th in field goals made (110), 12th in 3-pointers attempted (113), 15th in 3-pointers made (40) and 3-pointers per game (3.08), 17th in free throws made (72), 18th in field goal attempts (241), and 23rd in free throw attempts (89).
• In the conference, Clark leads the Big Ten in five statistical categories, including total points (332), total assists (82), assists per game (6.3), field goals attempted (241), and 3-pointers attempted (113).
• Clark is ranked second in six additional statistical categories, including triple doubles (1), points per game (25.5), field goals made (110), free throws made (72), 3-pointers per game (3.08), and 3-pointers made (40). She also ranks third in free-throw attempts (89).
• Clark broke onto the Iowa freshman all-time assist list after tallying eight assists against Northwestern (Jan. 28). Clark tied the eighth most assists from a freshman (82) with Kristi Smith (2005-06)
• Freshman Caitlin Clark is one of six women’s basketball players to record a triple-double this season, posting 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists against Western Illinois (Dec. 22, 2020). Indiana’s Grace Berger is the only women’s basketball player to record two this season. Clark is the first Hawkeye to reach the accomplishment since Sam Logic against Baylor (March 27, 2015) and marks the 10th triple-double in program history, which tied the second-most in the NCAA.
• Clark was the first Big Ten freshman to be named the ESPN National Player of the Week on Dec. 14.
• The NCAA named Clark to the NCAA Starting five — a list of the top five women’s basketball players for the week — on Dec. 9 and Dec. 30.
• Clark has recorded four double-doubles, including a triple-double this season and recorded four 30-point games, including a collegiate-best 37 points in Iowa’s win over Minnesota (Jan. 6).
• Clark is the only freshman since 2015-16 to put up 30 points and have at least 10 assists in a single game. At Drake, Clark tallied 30 points and 13 assists.
• Clark’s 13 assists against Drake (Dec. 2) are the most from a Big Ten Freshman since Maryland’s Destiny Slocum had 13 against Illinois on February 9, 2017.

THEY’RE KIND OF A B1G DEAL

• Freshman Caitlin Clark is the second Big Ten freshman to win both awards — Big Ten Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week — three times, in a season. The first to accomplish the milestone was Minnesota’s Amanda Zahui during the 2013-14 season.
• Clark has accumulated nine weekly honors this season — three Player of the week honors and six Freshman of the Week honors..
• Sophomore McKenna Warnock earned her second Big Ten honor of her career, the conference announced on Jan. 4. Her first was a Freshman of the Week honor, on Jan. 27, 2020.
• Clark averaged 24.5 points, five rebounds, five assists, and 1.5 steals in a pair of Big Ten matchups against Rutgers and Illinois. In Iowa’s win over Rutgers, 90-84, Clark scored 12 of the Hawkeyes’ final 21 points. She followed up her Rutgers performance by scoring 21 points in 26 minutes of play at Illinois.
• Warnock played solid games against Rutgers and Illinois, averaging 18 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. From the field, she shot 72.2 percent and from 3-point range, she shot 69.2. The Marshall, Wisconsin, native recorded a career-high five 3-pointers against the Scarlet Knights, knocking down four in the first quarter.
• Clark swept the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Player and Freshman of the Week awards for the third time onDec. 28.

THE CAITLIN CLARK AWARD

• Freshman Caitlin Clark has been named Freshman of the Week seven times this season. Clark has tallied 12 Big Ten Weekly honors on the year, including the seven freshman honors, three Big Ten Player of the Week honors, and two Player of the Week Honor Roll nods.
• Clark’s most recent honors were awarded on Jan. 18 after recording her fourth career double-double and ninth 20-point game in the Hawkeyes’, 82-84, overtime loss against No. 15 Ohio State. Clark netted 27 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to accomplish the feat and added five assists, two blocks, and a steal against the Buckeyes to fill her stat line.
• The West Des Moines, Iowa, native averaged 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in a pair of Big Ten matchups against Minnesota and Northwestern. In Iowa’s win over Minnesota, Clark recorded her third-career double-double, scoring a career-high 37 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Against Northwestern, she added eight assists and eight rebounds.
• Clark averaged 24.5 points, five rebounds, five assists, and 1.5 steals in a pair of Big Ten matchups against Rutgers and Illinois. In Iowa’s win over Rutgers, 90-84, Clark scored 12 of the Hawkeyes’ final 21 points. She followed up her Rutgers performance by scoring 21 points in 26 minutes of play at Illinois.
• Clark registered her first career triple-double against Western Illinois on Dec. 22, tallying 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. She filled her stat line, adding three steals and a block in the matchup with the Leathernecks. Clark’s triple-double was the first from a Hawkeye since Sam Logic against Baylor (March 27, 2015) and the 10th in program history.
• Clark averaged 34.5 points, seven rebounds, five assists, 1.5 steals, and a block against No. RV/24 Iowa State and Michigan State. In Iowa’s comeback win over Iowa State, Clark made the game-winning shot with 22 seconds remaining on a deep, step-back 3-pointer, giving the Hawkeyes their fifth-consecutive win over the Cyclones. She scored 34 points, pulled in seven rebounds, dished out six assists, and registered two steals against the in-state rivals. Against Michigan State, Clark posted a career-high 35 points and two blocks, and added seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
• Clark averaged 26.5 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and 2.5 steals in the Hawkeyes wins over Drake and Wisconsin. In Iowa’s in-state bout versus Drake, Clark tallied 30 points, 13 assists, four steals, three rebounds, and a block. Against Wisconsin, she posted 23 points, five assists, five rebounds, and a steal.
• Clark scored 27 points, pulled down eight rebounds, dished out four assists, registered three steals, and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line – believed to be the best debut for a Hawkeye freshman. Clark’s 27 points are the most in a Big Ten debut since Maryland junior Eleanna Christinaki had 32 points in a win over Coppin State (Dec. 20, 2017). Her 27 points are believed to be the most in a Big Ten freshmen debut since Illinois’ Robin Preacely had 27 points against Illinois State (Dec. 1, 1992).

RECORD WATCH

• Head coach Lisa Bluder is 16 wins away from the 800-career win mark.
• With several games left in the regular season, Caitlin Clark’s 332 points is one point shy from breaking onto the freshman all-time scoring list. Former Hawkeye Jennie Lillis is currently ranked 10th with 333 points as a freshman (2001-02).

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes return to action Thursday, Feb. 4, at Ohio State in Columbus. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. (CT) on Big Ten Network.