Weekly Release #17
2/22/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
| MICHIGAN (19-6, 11-3 Big Ten) at IOWA (9-15, 6-8 Big Ten) | |
| When | Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000 (7 p.m. CST) |
| Site | Iowa City, Iowa (Carver-Hawkeye Arena/15,500) |
| Radio | None |
| Television | None |
| Series Record | Iowa leads, 28-6 |
| Last Meeting | Jan. 23, 2000 -- Michigan 82, Iowa 78 |
| Coaches | Michigan -- Sue Guevara (Saginaw Valley, 1982) Overall: 71-39 (4th season); at U-M: same Iowa -- Angie Lee (Iowa, 1984) Overall: 84-57 (5th season); at Iowa: same |
| On the Web | Iowa -- www.hawkeyesports.com |
MICHIGAN (19-6, 11-3 Big Ten) vs. NORTHWESTERN (6-19, 3-12 Big Ten) | |
| When | Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000 (2 p.m. EST) |
| Site | Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Arena/13,562) |
| Radio | WTKA-1050 AM |
| Television | UMTV (MediaOne channel 22 in Ann Arbor area) |
| Series Record | Northwestern leads, 29-10 |
| Last Meeting | Jan. 24, 1999 -- Michigan 64, Northwestern 54 |
| Coaches | Michigan -- Sue Guevara (Saginaw Valley, 1982) Overall: 71-39 (4th season); at U-M: same Northwestern -- June Olkowski (Rutgers, 1982) Overall: 154-157 (11th season); at NU: 6-19 (1st season) |
| On the Web | Northwestern -- www.nusports.com |
Looking at the Wolverines
Michigan, which has won seven straight games, will bring a 19-6 overall mark and a 11-3 Big Ten slate into this week's action. The Wolverines have won six consecutive games, one shy of their season-high seven straight victories to open the season.
U-M won two games last week, beating Wisconsin (78-73) on Thursday (Feb. 17) and Michigan State (90-87 in double overtime) on Sunday (Feb. 20). The Wolverines have won 12 of their last 15 games.
Michigan is led by senior forward Stacey Thomas (Flint, Mich./Southwestern Academy), who ranks first on the team in scoring (15.3 ppg), rebounding (8.0 rpg) and steals (3.4 spg). Thomas has posted double-figure scoring in 16 of the last 17 games.
Other key Wolverines include sophomore guard Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS), junior guard Anne Thorius (Horsholm, Denmark/Rungsted Gymnasium), sophomore forward Raina Goodlow (Detroit, Mich./Dominican HS) and senior center Alison Miller (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven HS). Ingram ranks second in scoring (13.0 ppg), while Thorius is fifth in scoring (9.1 ppg) and first in assists (92). Goodlow is the team's fourth-leading scorer (9.8 ppg) and is shooting 53.6 percent (96-of-179) from the floor. Meanwhile, Miller ranks third in rebounding (5.0 rpg) and is sixth in scoring (6.5 ppg).
Michigan is averaging 73.2 points, while allowing 66.5 points per game. The Wolverines are shooting 43.5 percent (658-of-1511) from the field and 74.0 percent (398-of-538) from the charity stripe.
Scouting Iowa
Since falling to Michigan State on Feb. 6, Iowa has won three straight games, including a 77-53 victory over Minnesota on Sunday (Feb. 20). The Hawkeyes also have beat Illinois (80-73) on Feb. 13 and Ohio Sate (68-60) on Feb. 17 in this stretch.
The Hawkeyes, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Angie Lee, field a young lineup. Iowa's roster features two freshmen, seven sophomores and four juniors. Sophomore guard Lindsey Meder paces the Hawkeye attack. Meder is averaging 19.0 points and 4.3 rebounds. She is shooting 41.8 percent from the floor and 37.6 percent from three-point land
Other Hawkeyes to watch include junior guard Cara Consuegra and junior center Randi Peterson. Consuegra is the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 14.5 points and leads the team with 5.1 assists per game. Peterson is averaging 7.0 points and 8.5 boards. As a team, Iowa is averaging 67.8 points, while allowing 71.0 points per game.
Scouting Northwestern
Northwestern will enter Sunday's game with a 6-19 overall mark and a 3-12 Big Ten slate. Northwestern dropped a pair of games last week, falling to Minnesota (76-67 in overtime) on Thursday (Feb. 17) and Penn State (66-34) on Sunday (Feb. 20). The Wildcats have lost nine straight games.
Junior center Tami Sears leads the Wildcats in scoring (12.2 ppg) and rebounding (7.5 rpg). Sears led NU is scoring the past two games, adding 15 vs. Minnesota and 16 against Penn State. Other key performers for first-year head coach June Olkowski are junior guard Dana Leonard, senior forward Leslie Schock and freshman guard Emily Butler. Leonard is averaging 10.5 points and 2.9 assists, while Schock is averaging 8.9 points and 5.2 boards. Meanwhile, Butler is averaging 7.1 points, 3.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds.
Northwestern is averaging 53.2 points per game while allowing 69.4 points. The Wildcats are shooting 38.6 percent (498-of-1289) from the floor.
The Series
Iowa leads the all-time series, 28-6. However, Michigan has recorded wins in four of the last five meetings. U-M also has picked up two straight road victories in Iowa City -- 75-63 on Jan. 26, 1997, and 86-67 on Jan. 22, 1999. Michigan head coach Sue Guevara is 4-1 all-time against the Hawkeyes. In the first meeting of the season, senior Stacey Thomas scored a career-high 32 points in leading the Wolverines to an 82-78 victory. Freshman LeeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS) came off the bench to add 18 points and 10 boards.
Northwestern leads the all-time series, 29-10. However, Michigan has turned the tides in recent years, winning three straight games (1/2/98, 77-69; 2/15/98, 70-64 in overtime; and 1/24/99, 64-54). Since taking over the Michigan program, Guevara is 4-4 all-time against the Wildcats. Northwestern is 13-5 all-time in games played at Crisler Arena. The Wolverines handed Northwestern a 64-54 defeat at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston on Jan. 24, 1999. U-M received balanced scoring in the win, led by Stacey Thomas with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Last Week for Michigan
Michigan posted two impressive victories last week, recording a 78-73 victory over Wisconsin on Thursday (Feb. 17) and posting a 90-87 double overtime win at Michigan State on Sunday (Feb. 20).
U-M continued to roll on its home court with the victory over Wisconsin. The win was Michigan's fifth straight and the team's seventh consecutive home win. Michigan freshman center LeeAnn Bies made the key shot of the game. Bies hit a basket underneath on a pass from Thorius to put U-M up 69-68 with 2:57 remaining. Bies, who was fouled on the shot, converted the free throw as Michigan increased its lead to 70-68. It was a lead that Michigan would not relinquish in posting its 18th win of the season.
Sophomore guard Alayne Ingram paced the Wolverine attack with a career-high 24 points. Stacey Thomas (14 points), LeeAnn Bies (14) and Raina Goodlow (10) were the other players scoring in double figures. Thomas also added 10 boards for her ninth double-double of the season.
The Michigan-Michigan State game provided all the drama one could ask for. The Wolverines overcame an 11-point deficit in both halves to post a 90-87 double overtime victory on Michigan State in East Lansing.
LeeAnn Bies and Anne Thorius led the Wolverines with 24 and 21 points, respectively, and came up big for U-M late in the game. Bies scored half her career-high 24 points after leading scorer Stacey Thomas fouled out with 2:26 left in regulation. Thorius scored Michigan's final six points, including a three-pointer with 0:19 left in the second OT that gave the Wolverines an 89-87 lead.
Quotes
Michigan Head Coach Sue Guevara
On the Wisconsin game ... "The theme on our media guide is "Making History" and that is exactly what this team is doing. I have to commend Wisconsin. We knew the second half was going to be a dogfight. We struggled to score at the start of the second half. But we didn't panic."
On the come-from-behind win at MSU ... "Both teams played outstanding basketball. But my team came back. They battled back. They did it without Stacey Thomas, who fouled out. Michigan State came out hotter than hot. I was angry at our defense in the first half. There was a lack of effort, so I challenged them. They came out in the second half and executed. We had some big performances tonight."
On coaching against Karen Langeland in her final home game ... "Did I want her to lose her last game at the Breslin Center No. But she was playing Michigan. And I was taught for 10 years here with her to prepare my team to win. And that's what we did."
Wolverine Injury Report
Michigan has no major injuries.
Bies Named P-O-W
LeeAnn Bies has been selected as this week's Big Ten Women's Basketball Player of the Week. It is the first time in her career that Bies has earned the honor. Bies averaged 19 points and 6.5 rebounds, and shot 62.5 percent from the field and 88.9 percent from the free throw line for the week.
In U-M's 90-87 double overtime win over the Spartans, Bies scored a career-high 24 points in 40 minutes. She canned a pair of free throws with 21 seconds remaining in regulation that put Michigan up 70-68, and posted eight points in the two overtime sessions. She finished 10-of-18 (.556) from the floor and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. She also grabbed seven boards and added one block, one assist and one steal.
Bies turned in solid performance U-M's mid-week win over Wisconsin, adding 14 points, six boards and two steals in 23 minutes. She hit a layup to put U-M up by one, 69-68, with 2:57 remaining. Bies, who also was fouled on the shot, converted the ensuing free throw as Michigan increased its lead to two and never looked back in grabbing the win.
Bies Making Her Case
LeeAnn Bies is making her case for Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. She ranks third on the team in scoring (9.9 ppg) and second in rebounding (6.0 rpg) and leads the squad in blocked shots (23). She is shooting 49.3 percent (69-of-140) from the floor and 83.7 percent (108-of-129) from the free throw line.
In Big Ten play only, Bies is averaging 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds. She is shooting 48.2 percent (41-of-85) from the floor and 84.0 percent (63-of-75) from the charity stripe.
Bies From the Line
LeeAnn Bies leads the conference in free throw percentage (.837, 108-of-129) through games of Feb. 20. She has scored 108 of her 248 points from the charity stripe, or 43.5 percent of her offensive production.
Ingram Has Career Night
Sophomore guard Alayne Ingram had a career night against Wisconsin (Feb. 17). She scored a career-high 24 points, on 10-of-18 (.556) shooting from the floor and 4-of-5 (.800) shooting from three-point land. Ingram's four threes were her first since she canned two in a loss at Penn State on Jan. 27 -- a span of five games. Ingram, a native of Lansing, Mich., followed up with 19 points and five assists in the double overtime win at Michigan State.
Ingram has been on a tear as of late, posting double-figure scoring in five of the last six games. For the season, she is averaging 13.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Consecutive Wins
The Wolverines carry a six-game winning streak into this week's action. It is the second lengthy winning streak this season for U-M, which opened the season with seven straight victories.
The seven consecutive wins (11/19/99 to 12/4/99) is tied for the second-best mark in school history. The 1998-99 team set the record with nine consecutive wins, beginning with a 96-73 win over Detroit and ending with a 75-65 overtime loss to Illinois. Michigan's longest winning streaks:
| | Wins | Dates |
| 1. | 9 | 11/18/98 to 12/28/98 |
| 2. | 7 | 11/19/99 to 12/4/99 |
| | 7 | 2/4/90 to 3/2/90 |
| | 7 | 1975-76 (no dates available) |
| 5. | 6 | 1/30/00 to present |
| | 6 | 12/5/87 to 1/3/88 |
| | 6 | 11/28/89 to 12/14/89 |
Off The Bench
Senior forward Kenisha Walker is having a season to remember. After missing the final eight games of the of 1998-99 season with a torn ACL, Walker has returned with vengeance. The Grand Rapids, Mich., native adds a defensive spark on the floor for the Wolverines. In U-M's win over the Spartans (Feb. 20), U-M was down by two (84-82) in the second overtime and Walker picked off a pass with 1:54 remaining. The Wolverines marched down the court and tied the game on a layup by LeeAnn Bies. For the season, Walker is averaging 3.2 points, 2.3 boards and 1.1 steals.
Double Trouble
Senior forward Stacey Thomas posted her team-leading ninth double-double of the season and 24th of her career with 14 points and 10 boards against Wisconsin (Feb. 17). Against Michigan State (Feb. 20), Thomas added 18 points before fouling out with 2:26 remaining in regulation. Thomas leads Michigan in scoring (15.3 ppg), rebounding (8.0 rpg) and steals (3.4). She has started all 24 games and is averaging 32.8 minutes per game.
Tickets Available for Big Ten Basketball Tournament
Tickets are now available for the 2000 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament at the University of Michigan ticket office. The Big Ten Tournament will be held from March 2-5, 2000, at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. For $45, fans can watch 10 games in four days, including the championship game on Sunday afternoon. Contact the Michigan Ticket Office at 734-764-0247 for more information.
Individual single-session tickets are now on sale through TicketMaster. Contact TicketMaster at 317-239-5151 for ordering information.
Making History
"Making History" is the theme of the 1999-2000 Michigan women's basketball team, and this team is making history. A few examples of Michigan's historic season to date:
- Michigan recorded its 11th win of the season in the Big Ten on Sunday (Feb. 20) at Michigan State. The 11 wins in conference play matches the school record for the most Big Ten wins in school history (11), set during the 1989-90 season.
- With the win at MSU, the Wolverines secured the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Conference Tournament for the first time in school history. U-M, which holds the tie-breaker over both Purdue and Illinois, will finish no worse than tied for second in the final Big Ten standings. It will be U-M's best-ever finish, breaking the previous mark of a tie for third place in 1996-97.
- U-M opened the season with seven consecutive wins. That mark ranks as the best start in school history.
- Michigan picked up its first-ever win in 18 attempts in Columbus, Ohio, when the Wolverines posted a 65-61 victory over the Buckeyes on Feb. 6.
From the Line
Michigan continues to lead the Big Ten Conference in free throw percentage (.740, 398-of-538) through all games of Feb. 20. In Big Ten Conference games only, U-M also leads the league in free throw percentage (.752, 224-of-298). The Michigan record for free throw percentage in a season is 73.9 percent, set in 1985-86.
Individually, five players are shooting 75.0 percent or better. Anne Thorius leads the team with an 86.4 mark (51-of-59), while LeeAnn Bies is second at 83.7 percent (108-of-129). Alayne Ingram (.817, 49-of-60), Heather Oesterle (.786, 11-of-14) and Raina Goodlow (.750, 42-of-56) are the other three players connecting on at least 75 percent of their shots from the charity stripe.
Individually, Bies leads the Big Ten Conference in free throw percentage at 83.7 percent. Thorius actually would rank ahead of Bies if she met the minimum requirement of 2.5 made free throws per game. Thorius is averaging 2.1 made per game.
Home Sweet Home
The Wolverines are 10-1 at Crisler Arena this season, including a perfect 7-0 mark in Big Ten play only. U-M's only home loss is to Vanderbilt (Dec. 7). The Wolverines will close out the home portion of their schedule when they face Northwestern this Sunday (Feb. 27). Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. EST.
Consecutive Home Wins
Michigan has currently won seven consecutive home games. The seven consecutive wins are tied for the best mark in school history. The Wolverines will be looking for their eighth consecutive home win when they face Northwestern on Feb. 27. Michigan's top home winning streaks:
| | Wins | Dates |
| 1. | 7 | 3/11/89 to 1/5/90 |
| | 7 | 12/30/99 to current |
| 2. | 6 | 2/28/86 to 12/13/86 |
| | 6 | 2/14/97 to 12/21/97 |
| 5. | 5 | 1/11/77 to 2/7/77 |
| | 5 | 12/9/78 to 1/6/79 |
Single-Season Home Wins
Michigan picked up its 10th home win of the season against Wisconsin on Thursday (Feb. 17). That mark is tied for second on the single-season home wins list. The school record for home wins in a season is 11, set in 1989-90. U-M will try and tie the mark when it faces Northwestern this Sunday (Feb. 27). Michigan's single-season home wins record:
| | Wins | Season |
| 1. | 11 | 1989-90 |
| 2. | 10 | 1999-2000 (still active) |
| | 10 | 1981-82 |
| 4. | 9 | 1978-79 |
| 5. | 8 | 1985-86 |
| | 8 | 1997-98 |
Miller's Numbers
Senior center Alison Miller posted back-to-back solid efforts last week for the Wolverines. Against Wisconsin (Feb. 17), she added eight points, six boards and three assists. In U-M's double overtime win at Michigan State (Feb. 20), the Grand Haven, Mich., native recorded four points, seven boards and three steals. Miller is averaging 6.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in 25 games this season.
Speaking of the Record Book
Senior forward Stacey Thomas will leave Michigan with her name firmly entrenched in the Wolverine record book. Thomas currently sits in fifth place on U-M's career scoring chart with 1,502 points. Former Wolverine Abby Currier (1977-81) holds down fourth place with 1,550 points. Thomas needs 49 more points to move into fourth.
The career records do not just end on the scoring chart. The Flint, Mich., native ranks first in Wolverine history in steals (354), eighth in scoring average (13.7 ppg), fifth in field goals made (601), 10th in field goal percentage (.440), sixth in free throws made (253), fourth in rebounds (810), fourth in rebound average (7.4), 13th in assists (218), fifth in blocked shots (80) and tied for seventh in career games played (110).
Dishing It Out
Junior guard Anne Thorius dished out a season-high eight assists in the win over Wisconsin (Feb. 17). With the eight assists vs. UW and four more against Michigan State (Feb. 20), Thorius increased her career total to 367 assists. That mark places her third on U-M's all-time assist chart, and Thorius needs just 19 more to surpass Carol Szczechowski (1987-91) for second place on the career chart with 385 helpers. Lori Gnatkowski (1980-84) holds the U-M career assists mark with 402.
Big Ten Steals Record
Senior forward Stacey Thomas became the Big Ten Conference's all-time steals leader with two thefts in the first half against Purdue (Jan. 8). Thomas eclipsed the mark of 327, previously held by Wisconsin's Keisha Anderson (1994-97). Thomas, who is Michigan's all-time steals leader, now has 354 career thefts.
She currently leads the Big Ten in steals (3.4) through games of Feb. 20 and ranks 14th in the nation. The 5-10 forward already has 84 steals this season, a mark that places her third on U-M's single-season steals chart.
Thomas has led Michigan in steals in each of the last three seasons, recording 71 as a freshman, 89 as a sophomore and 110 last season. The 110 steals is a Michigan single-season record. She is on pace to become only the second Michigan player to lead the team in steals in each of her four seasons. Lori Gnatkowski (1980-84) is the other U-M player.
Durable Equals Thomas
Stacey Thomas will go down in Michigan women's basketball history as one of the most durable players all-time. Thomas has played in 107 consecutive games, a mark which places her tied for seventh on U-M's career games played chart. The Flint, Mich., native is averaging 31.1 minutes over her career.
Big Ten Wins Records
Michigan tied the school record for Big Ten wins in a season with 11, also set during the 1989-90 season. The Wolverines have two games remaining (Jan. 24 at Iowa and Jan. 27 vs. Northwestern) to try and break the school record. With Michigan's win on Sunday (Feb. 20), the Wolverines clinched second place in the Big Ten Conference and the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. The second-place finish eclipses U-M's previous best finish of third, recorded by the 1997-98 squad.
Wolverine Bites
Michigan received 55 votes in this week's Associated Press Top 25 poll and 26 votes in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll ... U-M is 10-1 at home and 9-5 on the road this season ... Stacey Thomas leads the team and is second in the Big Ten with nine double-doubles ... the Wolverines are averaging 21.5 free throw attempts per game ... Michigan has two foreign players on its roster -- Anne Thorius, who hails from Horsholm, Denmark, and Susana Jara, who hails from Quito, Ecuador ... Michigan is 18th in the latest RPI rankings, while the Big Ten Conference is fifth ... The Wolverines are 15-1 when allowing 69 points or fewer ... In Big Ten games only, Anne Thorius is ranked second in free throw percentage (.886), while LeeAnn Bies is fourth (.840).
Fast Start Nets Record
With the win over Rice (Dec. 4), Michigan set a new school record for wins to begin the season with seven. The previous mark was six, recorded by the 1989-90 squad which started the season at 6-0 and finished with a 20-10 mark and the school's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. It is the first time in Sue Guevara's tenure that Michigan has started out 7-0. Her previous best start was 5-0 to begin the 1996-97 season. The Wolverines' best-ever records to start the season:
| | Start | Year | Final Record |
| 1. | 7-0 | 1999-2000 | |
| 2. | 6-0 | 1989-90 | 20-10 |
| 3. | 5-0 | 1996-97 | 15-11 |
| 4. | 3-0 | 1981-82 | 17-9 |
| | 3-0 | 1997-98 | 19-10 |
Bring in the Fans
Michigan had the sixth-largest women's basketball crowd in Crisler Arena history with 3,406 fans against Michigan State. The Crisler Arena single-game team record is 4,246 fans, set vs. Northwestern on Feb. 15, 1998.
Block the Ball
Michigan broke a 20-year single-game team record with 16 blocks against New Mexico State (12/3). Freshman LeeAnn Bies led the way for Michigan with a season-best six blocks. The previous best was 14, set against Indiana on Jan. 13, 1979. Ironically, current Michigan assistant coach Yvette Harris was a member of the U-M team which held the record. Harris recorded nine blocks in that game, which ranks third all-time in single-game history.
Shooting the Three
Michigan set a new school record for three-point field goal percentage in a single game at 69.2 percent against Minnesota (Jan. 2). U-M was 9-of-13 from beyond the arc, including 8-of-11 (.727) in the first half. The 69.2 percent breaks the previous mark of 66.7 percent, set against Northwestern on March 1, 1996.
Double-Digit Wins
Michigan reached the 10-win plateau for the 1999-2000 season in just 13 games, which is the second fastest mark in school history. Only the 1996-97 squad reached 10 wins faster -- 12 games. Michigan's top five marks to 10 wins.
| | Games | Year |
| 1. | 12 | 1996-97 |
| 2. | 13 | 1999-2000 |
| | 13 | 1997-98 |
| 4. | 14 | 1981-82 |
| | 14 | 1975-76 |
Kipping Suspended Indefinitely
Sophomore forward Ruth Kipping (Quincy, Ill./Quincy HS) has been suspended indefinitely from the University of Michigan women's basketball team. Kipping played in the first 17 games in 1999-2000, averaging 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds.
Looking Ahead
The Wolverines will conclude the regular season by facing Northwestern on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. EST at Crisler Arena. The Northwestern game will mark Senior Day activities for the Michigan women's basketball team. U-M will honor three seniors -- Alison Miller, Stacey Thomas and Kenisha Walker -- in a pregame ceremony.
The Schedule
Michigan's 1999-2000 schedule features a total of nine NCAA Tournament teams, including two NCAA Final Four participants, from 1998-99. In addition to Colorado State, the Wolverines will face Louisiana State, Cincinnati, Holy Cross, Illinois, Penn State, Ohio State, Louisiana Tech (NCAA Final Four) and Purdue (NCAA national champion).
In addition, Colorado, Rice, Michigan State and Wisconsin (WNIT runner-up) played in the Women's National Invitation Tournament along with the Wolverines last spring.
Wolverines Picked for Fifth in Coaches Poll
The Michigan women's basketball team was picked to finish tied for fifth with Michigan State in the Big 10 Conference coaches preseason top-five picks. Michigan finished 1998-99 with an 18-12 mark and an 8-8 Big Ten slate, while Michigan State posted a 17-14 overall mark and an 8-8 conference slate. Penn State (22-8, 12-4 Big 10), which finished second in the Big 10 last season, was picked as the favorite to win the conference crown this year. Penn State returns center Andrea Garner, who was voted the preseason Player of the Year by the coaches. Illinois (19-12, 10-6) was picked to finish second, Wisconsin (19-14, 9-7) third, and defending national champion Purdue (34-1, 16-0) at No. 4. The voting was done by all 11 head coaches.
In the voting done by the Big Ten media, the top three preseason picks were Illinois, Penn State and Purdue, respectively.
Contact: Becky Olsen (734) 763-4423
