Friday, February 27, 2009
Iowa to Play Regular Season Finale at Northwestern
THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (19-9, 12-5) hit the road for their regular-season finale Sunday at Northwestern (7-21, 3-14). Tip-off is slated for 2:05 p.m. in Welsh-Ryan Arena at Evanston, IL. Iowa has won 11 of its last 13 games, while Northwestern has lost 11 of its last 13. Iowa has won five straight, which ties Purdue for the longest active winning streak in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes enter Sunday’s game tied with Michigan State for third place in the Big Ten standings.
FIRST-DIVISION FINISH
Iowa has recorded another first-division finish in the Big Ten standings. Bluder’s Hawkeyes have finished in the upper half of the Big Ten Conference six times in her nine years as head coach. The Hawkeyes are one win from notching their 20th of the season. Bluder has mentored Iowa to three 20-win seasons during her tenure.
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
Northwestern will be playing in its third game in seven days Sunday, after beating Minnesota (62-53) at home last Monday and losing at Penn State (65-50) last Thursday. Sunday will be Northwestern’s “Senior Day”. They will recognize a four-member senior class. Penn State out-scored Northwestern 46-28 in the second half en route to a 65-50 win in University Park, PA, Thursday night. In the loss, Amy Jaeschke scored a team-high 18 points and secured a team-high seven rebounds. Kristin Cartwright added 15 points, but had eight turnovers. The Lady Lions forced 28 Northwestern turnovers and converted the Wildcat miscues into 24 points. Six of Northwestern’s 21 setbacks have come by six points or less and the Wildcats have lost two games in overtime. Northwestern is 7-8 in home games, including 3-5 in home league contests. Jaeschke averages a team-best 13.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per contest. Kristin Cartwright, the daughter of former Chicago Bulls star Bill Cartwright, averages 10.2 points. Eckhart averages a team-best 3.3 assists. Northwestern ranks second in Big Ten blocks (4.68) and sixth in rebounds allowed (34.4). The Wildcats get out-scored by 7.0 points, on average, in the second half. Joe McKeown is the newest Big Ten head coach. McKeown is in his first season on the Wildcat sidelines after coaching at George Washington. He is in his 23rd season as a head coach (516-195, .726).
ALL-TIME SERIES
Sunday will be the 54th meeting between Iowa and Northwestern, with the Hawkeyes leading the series 41-12. Iowa boasts a 19-5 advantage in games played at Evanston. The Hawkeyes have won 15 straight in the series (all during Bluder’s tenure), including seven-consecutive at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Iowa boasts a 19.8-point margin of victory average during the winning streak, including a 21.6 point margin of victory in contests played at Evanston. The Wildcats’ last win over Iowa came at the 2000 Big Ten Tournament (53-52) in Indianapolis.
IOWA, NORTHWESTERN NOTES
• Kachine Alexander will celebrate her 20th birthday Saturday (Feb. 28).
• Iowa’s Lisa Bluder and Northwestern’s Joe McKeown have combined for 1,039 victories and 48 years as a head coach. Bluder has won 523 games in 25 years, while McKeown has won 516 in 23 seasons.
• Last year, Iowa went 13-5 in Big Ten play to win a share of the regular season title with Ohio State. The Hawkeyes are on pace to finish with the same league record this season, 13-5.
• 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 and 16-1 when leading at halftime this season.
• Kachine Alexander, who stands 5-9, leads the Big Ten in rebounding, pulling down 9.7 per contest in 17 league games. Also, Alexander has attempted the most free throws of any Big Ten athlete (153) in 28 overall games. The 153 free-throw attempts are 16 from the school single-game record.
• Iowa’s senior trio of Kristi Smith (1,402), Megan Skouby (1,397) and Wendy Ausdemore (1,286) is the first-ever senior class of three players in Big Ten history to each have eclipsed 1,250 points.
• Iowa had five players score in double figures in the previous meeting between Iowa and Northwestern on Jan. 18 in Iowa City. JoAnn Hamlin led all scorers with 16 points. Hannah Draxten contributed 13 points, followed by Kristi Smith (11), Megan Skouby (10) and Kachine Alexander (10). Alexander also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. Iowa assisted on 25 of its 29 field goals en route to victory. Brittany Orban tallied 13 points and Kristin Cartwright netted 12 points to lead the Wildcats.
• Kristi Smith, Megan Skouby, Wendy Ausdemore and Kristi Smith have had solid outings in multiple games against Northwestern during their careers. Skouby averages 17.7 points, including 24-26 (.923) from the foul line, and 5.0 rebounds. Kristi Smith averages 9.5 points, including 8-16 (.500) from distance, and 3.3 assists. Ausdemore averages 10.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
• Kristi Smith has reached double figures a team-best 21 times this year, including 13 of the last 14 contests. Also, Smith has made 23-straight free throws, dating back to the Indiana game (Feb. 5).
• Kristi Smith’s 58 triples this season are a single-season best for the senior and rank second-best in school history for an Iowa senior.
• Kristi Smith’s two assists at Michigan moved her past Johanna Solverson and into third place in Iowa all-time assists (493). She is only one dime from reaching 400.
• 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 32nd in the country and strength of schedule of 37th. 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 (59) in its second game of the year. Northwestern is rated 230th in the RPI and 73rd in strength of schedule. The numbers are based on the report published Feb. 27.
IOWA DROPS ILLINOIS ON SENIOR NIGHT
Iowa and its five-member senior class beat Illinois, 69-56, Thursday night on the Hawkeyes’ “Senior Night” in Iowa City. Although it was “Senior Night”, it was a trio of underclassmen that helped the Black and Gold to their 11th victory in their last 13 games. Sophomore Kachine Alexander posted her team-leading seventh double-double, recording 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Freshman Kamille Wahlin chipped in 13 points, while freshman Hannah Draxten contributed eight points and two assists off the bench. Iowa outscored Illinois, 15-7 at the foul line, shooting 88 percent from the charity stripe. The Fighting Illini were led by Jenna Smith, who poured in a game-high 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
LAST OUTING TIP-INS
• Iowa improves to 44-16 all-time against Illinois after Thursday’s victory. Also, Iowa improves to 23-5 against the Fighting Illini in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have now won 41 of the last 48 meetings against Illinois, including nine of the last 10.
• Thursday was Iowa’s “Senior Night”. The Hawkeyes paid tribute to five outstanding seniors after the contest: Wendy Ausdemore, Kristi Smith, Lindsey Nyenhuis, Nicole VanderPol and Megan Skouby.
• All 12 players saw action for Iowa, including senior Nicole VanderPol who saw a few seconds late in the game. VanderPol has been sidelined with an injury since the second game of the year.
• Kristi Smith dished out a game-high six assists, to go along with her nine points. Kachine Alexander added five assists. The Hawkeyes improved to 10-0 when she collects five assists or more.
• The Black and Gold posted a season low in turnovers, recording only four miscues. The previous low was eight, at Illinois, earlier this season.
• Iowa out-rebounded Illinois by nine (38-29).
• Iowa, who ranks fifth in the nation in free throw shooting, made 15-17 (.882) from the charity stripe. Illinois also shot well, 7-9 (.778).
• Iowa’s bench outscored Illinois’ reserves, 16-3.
• The Hawkeyes assisted on 18 of its 24 field goals.
MAKING THE FREEBIES
Iowa has done an outstanding job, recently, getting to the free throw line and taking advantage of the free shots. The Hawkeyes attempted an average of 18.1 free throws the last eight games and made 15.1 of those attempts (83.4%). Iowa was 14-16 (.875) vs. Penn State, 21-26 (.808) vs. Indiana, 26-32 (.813) vs. No. 13 Ohio State, 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 first in the conference and 29th nationally in free throw accuracy, shooting .849 (79-93). Wendy Ausdemore has missed only five free throw attempts this season (49-54, .907). Kachine Alexander has attempted more free throws than any other Big Ten student-athlete this season (153). The 153 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 .796 (406-510) from the charity stripe, ranking fifth in the nation. The Hawkeyes have made more free throws (406) than their opponents have attempted (398). Iowa is on pace to break 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.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Hawkeyes Set To Host Illinois On Senior Night
THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (18-9, 11-5) return home Thursday for their regular-season home finale against the Illinois Fighting Illini (8-19, 4-12). Tip-off is slated for 8:06 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are $9 for adults, while youths and UI students are admitted free. The Iowa Hawkeyes will recognize five outstanding seniors Thursday night on “Senior Night”. Wendy Ausdemore, Lindsey Nyenhuis, Megan Skouby, Kristi Smith and Nicole VanderPol will be honored after the game. Iowa has won four straight, which ties Purdue for the longest active winning streak in the Big Ten. Illinois enters Thursday’s contest on a two-game losing skid.
SPECIAL GUEST IN IOWA CITY THURSDAY NIGHT
Gina Glocksen, who was the ninth-place finisher in the 2007 American Idol competition, will be the Hawkeyes’ special guest Thursday night for “Senior Night”. The Tinley Park, IL, native, will sing the national anthem, perform a song at halftime and also sign autographs. Glocksen is friends with Hawkeye senior Lindsey Nyenhuis.
ON THE TUBE
Thursday’s game will be televised live to a national cable audience on the Big Ten Network (HD). Brent Stover and Brenda VanLengen will call the action.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK - - 6
Iowa’s senior trio of, Kristi Smith (1,393), Megan Skouby (1,389) and Wendy Ausdemore (1,276), have combined for 4,058 points during their illustrious four-year careers. The trio is only six points from becoming the highest scoring trio, from one class, in Big Ten history. Purdue’s 1988 senior trio of Sharon Versyp (1,565), Christa LaCroix (1,289) and Lisa Jahner (1,209) accumulated a record 4,063 points.
FIRST-DIVISION FINISH
Iowa’s win at Michigan Sunday coupled with Indiana’s loss to Ohio State clinched another upper division finish for Lisa Bluder and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Bluder’s Hawkeyes have finished in the first division of the Big Ten Conference six times in her nine years as head coach.
HOME SWEET HOME
Iowa has maintained a solid home court advantage the last couple years. Dating back to last season, Iowa has won 19 of its last 20 home games. Iowa boasts a 12-1 home record this season.
IOWA, ILLINOIS CONNECTIONS
Illinois second-year Head Coach Jolette Law is a 1990 graduate of the University of Iowa. Law, who was a 1990 all-American, played four years (1986-90) for former Iowa and Hall of Fame Coach C. Vivian Stringer. Law currently ranks 17th in Iowa career scoring (1,137), sixth in steals (205) and seventh in assists (353). The Hawkeyes won or shared four Big Ten championships, reached the Elite Eight twice and helped Iowa win 46-straight home games during her career. Law will be making her first appearance in Carver-Hawkeye Arena as a head coach Thursday night. Law was back in Iowa City in December 2006, when Rutgers visited Iowa City for the 2006 Hawkeye Challenge. Law was an assistant for C. Vivian Stringer and Rutgers.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS
After starting the season 4-16, Illinois has gone 4-3 its last seven games. The Illini are 4-10 in games away from home, including a 4-5 mark in true road contests. Illinois lost its last two games, 68-50 at Purdue and 67-56 vs. Penn State at home. In the loss to Penn State, the Lady Lions outscored the Illini 19-8 at the free throw line. Also, Penn State’s bench scored 22 points to Illinois’ zero. Jenna Smith paced the Illini, recording her 31st career double-double (22 points, 13 rebounds). The 31 double-doubles, ties Indiana’s Whitney Thomas and Ohio State’s Jantel Lavender for the most among active Big Ten players. Smith has now reached double figures in 35-straight contests. Smith, a pre-season all-Big Ten honoree, averages a team-best 18.1 points, 53 blocks and .471 shooting percentage from the field. She also pulls down 8.6 rebounds per outing. Lacey Simpson averages 11.2 points and a team-best 9.0 rebounds. Like Iowa, Illinois has a thin bench, playing only two bench players in its last game. The Illini average only 52.2 points per game, while allowing 59.4. Illinois has made only 75 triples this season, shooting 25.5 percent from behind the 3-point arc. Jolette Law is in her second season as a head coach, both years at Illinois. Her record is 28-34 (.452) on the Fighting Illini sidelines. Last season, Law guided Illinois to the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Thursday will be the 60th meeting between Iowa and Illinois, with the Hawkeyes boasting a 43-16 advantage. The 43 victories are the most the Hawkeyes have against any other team. Iowa has won 40 of the last 47 meetings, including eight of the last nine. Iowa owns a commanding 22-5 advantage in games played at Iowa City. Thursday will be Illinois’ first visit to Iowa City since a 74-69 triumph on Feb. 15, 2007. Iowa is 20-3 against the Fighting Illini in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes defeated Illinois earlier this season, 72-62, Jan. 15 in Champaign, IL.
IOWA, ILLINOIS NOTES
• Last year, Iowa went 13-5 in Big Ten play to win a share of the regular season title with Ohio State. The Hawkeyes are on pace to finish with the same league record this season, 13-5.
• This season marks the sixth time in nine years that Coach Bluder has guided the Hawkeyes to at least 18 victories. Bluder has mentored Iowa to three 20-win seasons during her tenure.
• Iowa’s last two games of the season are vs. the bottom two teams in the Big Ten standings. In Fact, the Hawkeyes’ last five games of the regular season will be against the bottom five of the league.
• Iowa boasts a perfect 10-0 record when allowing 59 points or less, are 15-2 when shooting a higher field goal percentage than its opponents and 15-1 when leading at halftime this season.
• Kachine Alexander, who stands 5-9, leads the Big Ten in rebounding, pulling down 9.7 per contest in 16 league games. Also, Alexander has attempted the most free throws of any Big Ten athlete (146) in 27 overall games.
• Iowa’s senior trio of Kristi Smith (1,393), Megan Skouby (1,389) and Wendy Ausdemore (1,276) is the first-ever senior class of three players in Big Ten history to each have eclipsed 1,250 points.
• Kristi Smith, Megan Skouby and Wendy Ausdemore have had good games against Illinois in their careers. Smith averages 11.4 points, including 11-20 from distance, and 3.4 assists in five starts vs. the Illini. Ausdemore averages 14.6 points, sinking all 14 free throw attempts, while Skouby averages 13.8 points and 4.3 rebounds.
• Kristi Smith has reached double figures a team-best 21 times this year, including the last 13 contests. Also, Smith has made 19-straight free throws, dating back to the Indiana game (Feb. 5).
• Kristi Smith’s 57 triples this season are a single-season best and tie Kristi Faulkner (2003-04) for second-best in school history by an Iowa senior.
• Kamille Wahlin ranks second in assists (3.0), fourth in scoring (8.0), rebounding (3.6) and 3-point field goal percentage (.400), amongst Big Ten freshmen, in conference games only rankings.
• Iowa has an RPI rating of 32nd in the country and strength of schedule of 28th. 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 (59) in its second game of the year. Illinois is rated 132nd in the RPI and 18th in strength of schedule. The numbers are based on the report published Feb. 23.
IOWA HANGS ON TO BEAT MICHIGAN
Iowa won its fourth-straight game Sunday with a 68-64 triumph at Michigan. The Hawkeyes led start-to-finish and led by as many as 16 points in the second half. Wendy Ausdemore tallied a game-high 19 points on 7-12 shooting from the field, including 3-6 from 3-point territory, and 2-2 from the foul line. Ausdemore has been on fire during Iowa’s four-game winning streak, draining 26-45 (.578) from the floor. Kristi Smith registered 13 points, while JoAnn Hamlin added nine. Three Hawkeyes grabbed eight rebounds each: Kachine Alexander, Megan Skouby and Wendy Ausdemore. Smith controlled a season-high seven boards. Despite not shooting the ball very well, Iowa won the game with defense and rebounding. The Hawkeyes boasted a +18 rebounding margin (50-32), allowing a season-low seven offensive rebounds to the Wolverines. Iowa grabbed a season-high 19 offensive rebounds. Iowa turned its second-chance opportunities into 14 points, to only four for Michigan.
MAKING THE FREEBIES
Iowa has done an outstanding job, recently, getting to the free throw line and taking advantage of the free shots. The Hawkeyes attempted an average of 18.7 free throws the last six games, including making 15.3 of those attempts. Iowa was 21-26 (.808) vs. Indiana, 26-32 (.813) vs. No. 13 Ohio State, 20-24 (.833) vs. Wisconsin, 11-14 (.786) at Penn State, 9-11 at Michigan and 5-5 (1.000) at Minnesota. Senior Megan Skouby ranks first in the conference and 29th nationally in free throw accuracy, shooting .846 (77-91). Wendy Ausdemore has missed only five free throw attempts this season (47-52, .904). Kachine Alexander has attempted more free throws than any other Big Ten student-athlete this season (146). The 146 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 .793 (391-493) from the charity stripe, ranking fourth in the nation. The Hawkeyes have made more free throws (391) than their opponents have attempted (389).
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. Both Smith and Ausdemore are shooting at a 40.9 percent clip from 3-point territory. Ausdemore has converted 213-521 and Smith 177-433. Smith and Ausdemore’s career shooting accuracy from distance currently ranks second in the Big Ten and first in Hawkeye record books. Former Ohio State Buckeye Caity Matter (270-657, .411) ranks first. Former Hawkeye Lindsey Meder (261-644, .405) ranks fourth. Ausdemore’s 213 treys ranks second in Iowa annals behind Meder’s 261. Smith’s 177 triples rate third best. 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.
Monday, February 23, 2009
73-year-old Ken Mink is just another apathetic college athlete
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Ken Mink's is by now a familiar tale. The Roane State College walk-on who was according to his account falsely accused of delinquency as a college hoopster in 1956, revived his career this year at the ripe age of 73. It's a goofy little feel-good story about a man fighting back against the march of time. Or something. It's really just an old dude that gets to sit on a basketball bench for a season, but it's fun, so I blog about it. Anyway, there's some slightly shocking news regarding Mink, news that you might want to be sitting down for. (Are you sitting? Of course you are. You're at a computer.) It seems Mink has lost his eligibility after failing a Spanish class, and his team is being asked to forfeit a game. College kids these days. Does the "student" in "student-athlete" mean nothing to them? Click here to read more. |
Friday, February 20, 2009
Hawkeyes Hit the Road, Travel to Michigan Sunday
THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (17-9, 10-5) hit the road for a contest in Ann Arbor, MI, against the Michigan Wolverines (10-16, 3-12) Sunday. Tip-off is slated for 1:05 p.m. (CST) in Crisler Arena. Sunday is Michigan’s “Senior Day”. The Wolverines will say good-bye to five seniors. Iowa has won nine of its last 11 games, while Michigan has dropped 10 of its last 11.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK - - 46
Iowa’s senior trio of, Megan Skouby (1,381), Kristi Smith (1,380) and Wendy Ausdemore (1,257), have compiled a combined 4,018 points during their illustrious four-year careers. The trio is only 46 points from becoming the highest scoring trio, from one class, in Big Ten history. Purdue’s 1988 senior trio of Sharon Versyp (1.565), Christa LaCroix (1,289) and Lisa Jahner (1,209) accumulated a record 4,063 combined points.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
Michigan will play its final home game of 2008-09 Sunday against Iowa. Michigan finishes at Purdue and at Indiana next week. The Wolverines have had some tough finishes this season, losing nine games by eight points or fewer, including five by four points or less. Michigan is 7-6 in home games this season, but have lost five of its last six. Michigan is coming off a difficult 52-27 loss at Michigan State Thursday night. The 27 points is a school-record for fewest points in a single-game and are the fewest of any Division I school this season. Veronica Hicks and Jessica Minnfield were Michigan’s leading scorers, each netting seven points. The Wolverines shot only 19.1 percent (9-47) from the field and almost had as many turnovers (23) as it did points (27). The Wolverines will recognize their five seniors before Sunday’s contest: Carly Benson, Ashley Jones, Jessica Minnfield, Melina Queen and Stephanie Skrba. The Maize and Blue are led by Minnfield and Benson. Minnfield averages a team-best 10.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 93 assists. Benson ranks second in scoring (9.0) and first in 3-pointers (53-167, .317). Forty-three percent of Michigan’s field goal attempts have come from beyond the 3-point arc. The Wolverines have sank 169 triples. Five players have made 18 or more treys. Michigan’s head coach is Kevin Borseth. Borseth is about to conclude his second season (29-30, .492) with the Wolverines. His overall records stands at 535-240 (.690) in 27 seasons as a head coach.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Sunday will be the 52nd meeting between Iowa and Michigan, with the Hawkeyes boasting a 40-11 advantage in the series. Iowa owns a 16-7 edge in games played in Ann Arbor. The Hawkeyes have won 11 of the last 12, including three of the last four contests played at Crisler Arena. The Wolverines beat Iowa 63-46 last season in Ann Arbor, Dec. 30, 2007. Iowa defeated Michigan, 77-69, on Jan. 26, 2009 earlier this season in Iowa City.
IOWA, MICHIGAN NOTES
• Sunday will be the first of three “Senior Nights” Iowa will be a part of. After Sunday, the Hawkeyes will recognize their own seniors Thursday night and then conclude the regular season in Northwestern’s final home game, next Sunday.
• Iowa’s Kamille Wahlin and Michigan’s Courtney Boylan were two prized recruits coming out of the state of Minnesota. Boylan was named Minnesota’s Miss Basketball, while Wahlin was a finalist.
• Iowa’s last three games of the season are vs. the last bottom teams in the Big Ten standings.
• Iowa boasts a perfect 10-0 record when allowing 59 points or less, are 15-2 when shooting a higher field goal percentage than its opponents and 14-1 when leading at halftime this season.
• Kachine Alexander, who stands 5-9, leads the team and ranks fifth in Big Ten rebounding, pulling down 8.7 per contest.
• Iowa’s senior trio of Megan Skouby (1,381), Kristi Smith (1,380) and Wendy Ausdemore (1,257) is the first-ever senior class of three players in Big Ten history to each have eclipsed 1,225 points.
• Iowa shoots 80 percent (56-70) from the foul line the last two minutes of games, including 88 percent (43-49) with under a minute to go.
• Kristi Smith and Wendy Ausdemore shared game-high scoring honors, both scoring 21, in the first meeting against Michigan earlier this season. Also, Kachine Alexander posted a double-double (10 points and 14 rebounds). For the Wolverines, Krista Phillips registered 16 points and nine rebounds and Veronica Hicks added 15 points. Iowa’s JoAnn Hamlin missed her first game of the season after sustaining an ankle injury in practice the week before.
• Kristi Smith, Megan Skouby and Wendy Ausdemore have had good games against Michigan in their careers. Smith averages 11.7 points, including 11-11 from the foul line, and 2.7 assists in seven starts vs. the Wolverines. Ausdemore averages 9.4 points, while Skouby averages 9.0 points and 5.3 rebounds.
• Iowa has an RPI rating of 33rd in the country and strength of schedule that ranks 25th. Iowa has five wins over teams ranked in the RPI top-50, including two ranked in the top 25. Michigan is rated 115th in the RPI and 36th in strength of schedule. The numbers are based on the report published Feb. 20.
SPECIAL GUEST IN IOWA CITY ON “SENIOR NIGHT”
Gina Glocksen, who was the ninth-place finisher in the 2007 American Idol competition will be in Iowa City for Iowa’s regular season finale vs. Illinois next Thursday. The Tinley Park, IL, native, will sing the national anthem. Glocksen is friends with Hawkeye senior Lindsey Nyenhuis.
HAWKEYES BEAT WISCONSIN THURSDAY NIGHT
Iowa used an 11-0 run to start the second half, gaining control of the game and cruising to a 72-65 win over Wisconsin Thursday night in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. For only the second time this season, five Hawkeyes scored in double figures. Kachine Alexander, Wendy Ausdemore and Megan Skouby shared game-high scoring honors with 15 points apiece. Alexander also secured a team-high 12 rebounds for her team-best sixth double-double of the season. After attempting and making only two free throws in the first half, the Hawkeyes attacked the basket the final 20 minutes and finished the game 20-24 (.833) from the foul line. Conversely, Wisconsin was only 5-9 (.556) from the charity stripe for the game.
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 40.9 percent (175-428) clip from 3-point territory, while Ausdemore is shooting 40.8 percent (210-515). Smith’s career shooting accuracy from distance currently ranks second in the Big Ten and first in Hawkeye record books. Former Ohio State Buckeye Caity Matter (270-657, .411) ranks first. Ausdemore is currently slotted third, followed by former Hawkeye Lindsey Meder (261-644, .405) in fourth. Ausdemore’s 210 treys ranks second in Iowa annals behind Meder’s 261. Smith’s 175 triples rate third best. 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.
ON THE HORIZON
The Hawkeyes will play their regular season home finale Thursday when they entertain the Illinois Fighting Illini at 8:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Minnesota Drops 73-62 Decision To No. 20/17 Ohio State
Minnesota played 36 minutes of solid basketball, but a four-minute stretch midway through the second half proved costly as No. 20/17 Ohio State defeated the Gophers, 73-62, in Williams Arena on Thursday. The Buckeyes remain in a first-place tie with the win at 12-3 (21-5) in Big Ten play. The Gophers’ record falls to 18-8 overall and 10-5 in Conference play. Emily Fox led the Gophers with 18 points.
Ohio State broke the game open in the second half using a 13-0 run to turn a 36-34 deficit into a 47-36 lead. The Buckeyes scored six baskets after Gopher turnovers with Brittany Johnson capping the run with five straight points.
A Katie Ohm basket at the 12:15 mark snapped a Gopher scoreless streak that had extended over four minutes. Ohio State pushed its lead to as big as 14 points at 54-40.
Fox hit a three-pointer to ignite a 9-1 Gopher run to close the gap to six points at 55-49. The teams exchanged baskets with a Samatha Prahaulis three-pointer and a Brittany McCoy jumper before Star Allen scored six consecutive points for the Buckeyes to push the lead back into double digits at 64-53.
Fox would try again to get her team going. She scored five straight points to bring the Gophers back to within six at 64-58. Prahaulis stepped up once again, drawing the foul and hitting both free throws. Johnson added another big triple and the lead was back up to nine points.
McCoy, who finished with 12 points, drove for a quick layup and drew the foul from Prahualis but missed the free throw. The Buckeyes scored on their end then forced Minnesota in its 11th turnover of the second half. Lavender who quietly scored 14 points made the Gophers pay by making a jump and up the lead to 73-60.
The Minnesota defense did exactly what they had hoped in the first half. The Gophers collected six steals and forced 11 Buckeye turnovers. McCoy grabbed three steals in the first half to lead the way.
The Gophers were able to push the ball and score off transition and took a 30-26 lead into halftime. Minnesota was unable to take advantage of having Buckeye All-American Lanvender on the bench with two fouls. She sat the last 12:29 of the half with the Gophers leading 13-9. The teams each scored 17 points the rest of the way.
Minnesota plays its next game on Monday, Feb. 23 at Northwestern.
- UM -
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Hawkeyes Entertain Wisconsin Thursday
THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (16-9, 9-5) return home to host the Wisconsin Badgers (15-11, 5-10) Thursday night. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are $9 for adults, while youths and UI students are admitted free. Iowa has won eight of its last 10 games, while Wisconsin has lost six of its last seven. The Hawkeyes are currently in fifth place in the Big Ten standings, while the Badgers are seventh.
HOME SWEET HOME
Iowa has maintained a solid home court advantage the last couple years. Dating back to last season, Iowa has won 18 of its last 19 home games. Iowa boasts an 11-1 home record this season.
SCOUTING WISCONSIN
Thursday will be Wisconsin’s second game in four days after falling to Indiana in overtime (67-61) Monday night at home. The Badgers have a difficult finish to the regular season. Monday night’s loss to the Hoosiers, the Badgers had a three-point lead in the final seconds, but Kim Roberson drained the game-tying 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. Indiana ultimately prevailed in the extra session. Wisconsin’s Tara Steinbauer netted a team-high 17 points and had nine rebounds. Teah Gant contributed 16 points and Lin Zastrow 14. Indiana outscored Wisconsin, 18-10, at the free throw line and sank four more triples (7-3) than the Badgers. Alyssa Karel leads the Badgers this season, averaging 13.0 points per contest and making a team-best 44 triples. Zastrow is second in team scoring (7.3) and first in rebounding (5.0). As a team, Wisconsin shoots only 66.6 percent (283-425) from the foul line. Junior Mariah Dunham, who averaged 9.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 20 games, was dismissed from the team earlier this month. In the previous game vs. Iowa Dec. 22 in Madison, Dunham collected 14 points and eight rebounds in a starting role. The Badgers are 5-7 in games away from home, including a 2-7 mark in true road contests. Wisconsin’s only road Big Ten victory this season came at Illinois on New Year’s Day. Wisconsin’s head coach is Lisa Stone, an Iowa graduate and former Hawkeye basketball player. Stone is 87-89 (.494) in six seasons with the Badgers and 462-207 (.691) in 24 seasons as a head coach.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Thursday will be the 55th meeting between Iowa and Wisconsin, with the Hawkeyes boasting a 34-20 advantage. The Hawkeyes have won 10 of the last 12 in the series, including five straight. Wisconsin’s last victory over the Hawkeyes (84-73) came on Feb. 11, 2007 in Madison, WI. Iowa owns a 20-8 edge in games played in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have won the last two meetings in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Wisconsin’s last victory (88-78) in Iowa City came on Feb. 6, 2005.
IOWA, WISCONSIN NOTES
• Lin Zastrow and Alyssa Karel had solid performances against Iowa in the previous meeting Dec. 22, 2008 in Madison, WI. Zastrow netted a team-high 18 points, while Karel contributed 11 points.
• Three Hawkeyes average double figures in games against Wisconsin. Kristi Smith averages 14.2 points and 2.8 assists in six starts vs. the Badgers. Wendy Ausdemore averages 13.5 points, including 15-27 (.556) from distance, and 2.0 assists in six games. Megan Skouby averages 14.0 points, including 18-22 (.818) from the foul line and 4.6 rebounds in five contests.
• Kamille Wahlin ranks second in assists (3.0), fourth in scoring (7.9), rebounding (3.3), and fifth in field goal percentage (.442) and 3-point field goal percentage (.394), amongst Big Ten freshmen, in conference games only rankings. Additionally, she ranks first in Big Ten assist/turnover ratio (2.26), and 12th in assists (3.0) and field goal percentage (.442), in league games only.
• Last season, Megan Skouby blocked 23 shots in 32 games; she already has amassed 41 through 23 games this season. Her single-season best is 47 rejections, which she accomplished her freshman campaign. Her 41 blocks this season rank fourth-best in a single-season for an Iowa senior.
• Wendy Ausdemore’s 17 points Sunday increased her career scoring total to 1,242. The Hawkeyes have three seniors (Ausdemore, Smith and Skouby) who have over 1,225 career points. The senior trio is the first-ever, in one class, in Big Ten history to top 1,225 points.
• Kachine Alexander, who stands 5-9, leads the team and ranks fifth in Big Ten rebounding, pulling down 8.6 per contest.
• Kristi Smith has reached double figures a team-best 19 times this year, including the last 11 contests.
• Kristi Smith, who is in fourth place in Iowa all-time assists (389) is 11 from reaching 400. Megan Skouby, who is tied for 20th in career rebounding (482), is 18 from reaching 500.
• Iowa players have corralled double-digit rebounds 19 times this season. Kachine Alexander has accomplished the feat a team-best 10 times, JoAnn Hamlin six times, Wendy Ausdemore three times and Megan Skouby once. The last time an Iowa player controlled double-digit rebounds 10 times or more in a season was Jenee Graham (11), during the 2006-07 season.
• Iowa has an RPI rating of 34th in the country and strength of schedule that ranks 24th. Iowa has five wins over teams ranked in the RPI top-50, including two ranked in the top 25. Wisconsin is rated 57th in the RPI and 32nd in strength of schedule. The numbers are based on the report published Feb. 17.
FIVE YEARS AGO...
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. Nearly five years ago to the day Iowa pulled off another incredible comeback. On Feb. 12, 2004, the Hawkeyes overcame an eight-point deficit with 39 seconds left in regulation to defeat Wisconsin 87-82 in overtime. Iowa guard Kristi Faulkner scored an astonishing 15 points (four 3-pointers, one lay-up and one free throw) in the final 1:50 of regulation to help send the game into the extra session.
SPECIAL GUEST IN IOWA CITY ON “SENIOR NIGHT”
Gina Glocksen, who was the ninth-place finisher in the 2007 American Idol competition will be in Iowa City for Iowa’s regular season finale vs. Illinois Feb. 26. The Tinley Park, IL, native, will sing the national anthem. Glocksen is friends with Hawkeye senior Lindsey Nyenhuis.
HAWKEYES RECORD HISTORIC COMEBACK IN WIN AT PENN STATE
Iowa posted the largest comeback in school history when it overcame a 20-point second half deficit to beat Penn State 63-57 in front of 9,536 fans at University Park, PA, last Sunday. Penn State closed the first half on an 18-3 run to take a commanding 41-23 cushion into the half. The Lady Lions made the first bucket of the second half to stretch their advantage to 43-23. However, the Hawkeyes mounted a furious comeback outscoring Penn State 40-14 the rest of the way to escape with a victory. Iowa’s Kristi Smith equaled a season high with 21 points, bolstered by 5-10 shooting from distance. Kachine Alexander, who was held scoreless and without a rebound the first 20 minutes, collected nine points and nine rebounds in the second half. Seven of her nine points came from the charity stripe. Wendy Ausdemore contributed 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. Ausdemore had two huge offensive rebounds and field goals the final 5:45 of the game. Ausdemore had a put-back at the 5:38 mark to give Iowa its first lead (52-51) and drained a 3-pointer to put the Black and Gold up five (59-54) with 19 seconds remaining. Penn State’s Tyra Grant led all scorers with 26 points, 20 coming in the first half.
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 40.9 percent (174-425) clip from 3-point territory, while Ausdemore is shooting 40.7 percent (209-513). Smith’s career shooting accuracy from distance currently ranks second in the Big Ten and first in Hawkeye record books. Former Ohio State Buckeye Caity Matter (270-657, .411) ranks first. Ausdemore is currently slotted third, followed by former Hawkeye Lindsey Meder (261-644, .405) in fourth. Ausdemore’s 209 treys ranks second in Iowa annals behind Meder’s 261. Smith’s 174 triples rate third best. 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.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Class AAAA Section Previews
It is never too early to look at how the state sections are shaping up so today I will start.
| Section 1AAAA Standings |
| |||||||
| QRF Rank | Team (QRF) | Section | Overall | For | Agst | Streak | ||
| | | W | L | W | L | AVG | AVG | |
| Rochester John Marshall (83.0) | 8 | 1 | 15 | 5 | 51.0 | 41.4 | Won 1 | |
| Rochester Century (68.1) | 7 | 3 | 15 | 6 | 55.6 | 49.5 | Won 4 | |
| Northfield (66.7) | 2 | 1 | 13 | 8 | 53.2 | 51.3 | Won 1 | |
| Farmington (58.0) | 4 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 56.6 | 59.8 | Lost 1 | |
| Owatonna (47.0) | 3 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 48.9 | 54.2 | Lost 2 | |
| Winona (43.1) | 2 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 51.4 | 57.2 | Won 1 | |
| Hastings (45.5) | 2 | 2 | 5 | 16 | 46.0 | 54.8 | Lost 1 | |
| Rochester Mayo (30.1) | 0 | 8 | 3 | 17 | 45.5 | 58.4 | Lost 3 | |
The above tool is from www.Minnesota-scores.net. They break it down in a few ways as you can see, for this section using this tool would be a great gage with the seeding coming out pretty close to this.
| Section 2AAAA Standings |
| |||||||
| QRF Rank | Team (QRF) | Section | Overall | For | Agst | Streak | ||
| | | W | L | W | L | AVG | AVG | |
| Richfield (96.7) | 2 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 72.4 | 48.0 | Won 17 | |
| Chaska (115.2) | 5 | 1 | 18 | 4 | 61.3 | 49.9 | Lost 1 | |
| Bloomington Kennedy (94.7) | 4 | 0 | 16 | 5 | 62.7 | 56.0 | Won 2 | |
| Eden Prairie (102.7) | 2 | 3 | 15 | 8 | 65.3 | 58.4 | Won 2 | |
| Shakopee (57.2) | 0 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 47.6 | 43.3 | Won 1 | |
| Edina (93.0) | 1 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 54.8 | 51.0 | Lost 4 | |
| Prior Lake (73.9) | 1 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 57.3 | 60.9 | Lost 1 | |
| Bloomington Jefferson (58.9) | 2 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 50.6 | 50.4 | Lost 8 | |
Now we get a little more controversial. As you can see, by both sectional record and overall record Richfield should get the number 1 seed. But wait....Kennedy also is undefeated in sectional match ups, AND they beat Chaska in January. Richfield has shown consistency by winning 19 games, 17 in a row AND defeated a team that beat them earlier. Chaska by far has played the toughest schedule, both in and out of conference.
If you go by record then the order will be as above. I think it should go Chaska, Kennedy, Richfield, Eden Prairie, and Edina, Flip a coin for the last 3.
| Section 3AAAA Standings |
| |||||||
| QRF Rank | Team (QRF) | Section | Overall | For | Agst | Streak | ||
| | | W | L | W | L | AVG | AVG | |
| Lakeville North (110.6) | 9 | 1 | 17 | 6 | 59.8 | 48.7 | Won 1 | |
| Eastview (90.9) | 11 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 64.9 | 58.1 | Won 1 | |
| Eagan (68.0) | 4 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 59.7 | 63.3 | Lost 1 | |
| Burnsville (79.6) | 3 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 60.4 | 60.3 | Won 2 | |
| Lakeville South (64.0) | 2 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 49.4 | 53.5 | Lost 2 | |
| Rosemount (72.9) | 5 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 62.8 | 64.5 | Won 2 | |
| Apple Valley (57.8) | 2 | 8 | 6 | 17 | 58.9 | 66.9 | Lost 3 | |
| Park of Cottage Grove (47.9) | 0 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 48.5 | 57.0 | Won 1 | |
This section was hit by the injury bug. Lakeville North is the clear favorite based upon talent and record but Eastview was the winner last year and Eagan can sneak up on folks but consistency is the issue there.
| Section 4AAAA Standings |
| |||||||
| QRF Rank | Team (QRF) | Section | Overall | For | Agst | Streak | ||
| | | W | L | W | L | AVG | AVG | |
| Woodbury (104.0) | 6 | 0 | 17 | 3 | 57.2 | 45.8 | Won 4 | |
| St. Paul Central (79.1) | 1 | 0 | 18 | 5 | 66.0 | 44.7 | Won 7 | |
| White Bear Lake (93.5) | 7 | 1 | 16 | 6 | 59.5 | 50.5 | Won 5 | |
| Stillwater Area (65.3) | 5 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 51.5 | 52.5 | Won 1 | |
| Henry Sibley (42.7) | 0 | 3 | 10 | 11 | 53.0 | 52.0 | Lost 4 | |
| Tartan (46.5) | 3 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 48.3 | 54.5 | Lost 1 | |
| North St. Paul (45.4) | 1 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 50.7 | 54.2 | Won 2 | |
| Cretin-Derham Hall (54.4) | 0 | 7 | 6 | 15 | 52.3 | 61.7 | Won 2 | |
Last year no one gave Central a chance to win the title except maybe just 1 person bold enough to predict it as early as mid January ---- ME. Not this time. As much as I believe in the love hate coaching style that Willie and Tom have, and that gives Central some unpredictability, I think Woodbury can be strong enough to come out of this balanced section. Watch out for White Bear Lake!!!
| Section 5AAAA Standings |
| |||||||
| QRF Rank | Team (QRF) | Section | Overall | For | Agst | Streak | ||
| | | W | L | W | L | AVG | AVG | |
| Centennial (121.0) | 7 | 1 | 20 | 2 | 72.1 | 55.7 | Won 12 | |
| Champlin Park (97.9) | 7 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 65.9 | 55.4 | Lost 1 | |
| Osseo (107.3) | 6 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 60.2 | 48.3 | Won 2 | |
| Mounds View (94.5) | 3 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 47.8 | 41.4 | Lost 1 | |
| Irondale (57.6) | 1 | 2 | 12 | 8 | 54.3 | 48.8 | Won 1 | |
| Roseville (71.6) | 0 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 57.9 | 54.4 | Lost 2 | |
| Maple Grove (85.0) | 0 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 57.0 | 55.1 | Lost 2 | |
| Park Center (38.8) | 1 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 51.0 | 61.2 | Lost 1 | |
If you had to pick the most disappointing team over the past 3 years (in terms of how they finished) Centennial would have to be in the top 2. Not this year.
| Section 6AAAA Standings |
| |||||||
| QRF Rank | Team (QRF) | Section | Overall | For | Agst | Streak | ||
| | | W | L | W | L | AVG | AVG | |
| Hopkins (135.3) | 3 | 2 | 21 | 2 | 68.8 | 49.1 | Won 2 | |
| Minneapolis South (111.2) | 3 | 1 | 21 | 2 | 71.2 | 45.3 | Won 18 | |
| Robbinsdale Armstrong (114.6) | 5 | 2 | 18 | 3 | 64.5 | 52.0 | Won 4 | |
| Wayzata (97.4) | 3 | 1 | 12 | 8 | 54.6 | 50.6 | Lost 1 | |
| Minnetonka (80.5) | 2 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 59.2 | 55.3 | Lost 4 | |
| Minneapolis Southwest (42.0) | 1 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 48.5 | 48.6 | Won 2 | |
| Robbinsdale Cooper (47.9) | 2 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 47.5 | 48.7 | Won 1 | |
| St. Louis Park (21.5) | 0 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 38.3 | 53.4 | Lost 1 | |
First a personal note on this section - I have followed most of these teams very closely all season because I do the Podcasts for Hopkins. That aside, Welcome to the pre-state tournament tournament!
Based upon records, with sectional records being the tie breaker South gets the #1 seed. But wait. An argument is being made that the QRF ranking (basically based upon schedule strength) should be the tie-breaker. But wait. How do you control the quality of the teams you play in the conference? Without taking away from season records let’s look at non-conference schedules alone.
To date the average QRF of South's non-conference schedule is 99.9. For Hopkins the average is 88.5. Based upon this South still gets the 1 seed.
But wait.....Armstrong and Wayzata will have something to say about this yet with 1 game vs. Hopkins left for each and a rematch of Wayzata vs. Armstrong is yet to come as well.
| Section 7AAAA Standings |
| |||||||
| QRF Rank | Team (QRF) | Section | Overall | For | Agst | Streak | ||
| | | W | L | W | L | AVG | AVG | |
| St. Francis (81.9) | 2 | 0 | 19 | 3 | 63.3 | 48.2 | Won 7 | |
| Cambridge-Isanti (60.4) | 3 | 2 | 15 | 7 | 55.4 | 50.0 | Won 1 | |
| Forest Lake (75.5) | 4 | 0 | 12 | 9 | 55.6 | 51.9 | Lost 2 | |
| Duluth East (62.5) | 0 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 57.5 | 50.3 | Won 1 | |
| Blaine (55.6) | 6 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 53.7 | 57.5 | Won 1 | |
| Coon Rapids (50.6) | 2 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 51.3 | 60.1 | Won 1 | |
| Andover (41.6) | 5 | 4 | 5 | 17 | 47.0 | 60.9 | Lost 2 | |
| Anoka (37.8) | 0 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 43.5 | 54.0 | Lost 3 | |
Not knowing anything on these teams in general, and seeing Forest Lake the other day, I would say this is a 2 team race with upset minded Blaine in the background.
| Section 8AAAA Standings |
| |||||||
| QRF Rank | Team (QRF) | Section | Overall | For | Agst | Streak | ||
| | | W | L | W | L | AVG | AVG | |
| Bemidji (105.0) | 4 | 1 | 19 | 2 | 69.4 | 46.9 | Won 9 | |
| St. Cloud Apollo (60.5) | 3 | 5 | 14 | 9 | 59.8 | 55.4 | Lost 1 | |
| Brainerd (67.4) | 5 | 3 | 12 | 8 | 53.9 | 52.3 | Won 1 | |
| Elk River (65.2) | 1 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 56.2 | 55.1 | Won 3 | |
| Alexandria (66.3) | 5 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 65.9 | 56.4 | Lost 1 | |
| Moorhead (72.7) | 3 | 5 | 11 | 9 | 55.8 | 57.6 | Won 1 | |
| Buffalo (61.5) | 2 | 2 | 11 | 12 | 55.0 | 49.9 | Lost 1 | |
| St. Cloud Tech (49.3) | 3 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 53.9 | 56.1 | Won 1 | |
See you in March at the big show Bemidji.
