Weekly Release #17
2/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Opening Tip
The University of Michigan women's basketball closes out its regular season along with the careers of senior co-captains Jennifer Smith (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt HS) and Stephanie Gandy (Detroit, Mich./Northern HS) this week with a pair of Big Ten games at Crisler Arena. First, the Wolverines look for the season sweep and Smith goes for the Michigan single-season scoring record against Northwestern on Thursday (Feb. 26, 7 p.m.). Smith is just five points shy of breaking the Wolverines single-season scoring mark. The Wolverines then celebrate Senior Day 2004 against 12th-ranked Minnesota on Sunday (Feb. 29, 3:30 p.m.). Michigan (11-16, 4-10 Big Ten) enters the final week of Big Ten action tied for seventh in the league with Illinois and each team has two games remaining. Indiana (4-11 Big Ten) and Wisconsin (3-10 Big Ten) round out the conference's foursome vying for seeds No. 7-10 at the Big Ten Tournament (March 4-8) in Indianapolis, Ind.
What: Michigan vs. Northwestern (Thursday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m.)
Where: Crisler Arena (13,751)
Radio: WHNE AM-1290/MgoBlue.com
Television: UMTV/MgoBlue.com
What: Michigan vs. Minnesota (Sunday, Feb. 29, 3:30 p.m.)
Where: Crisler Arena (13,751)
Radio: WHNE AM-1290/MgoBlue.com
Television: UMTV/MgoBlue.com
IN THE PAINT
All-Big Ten and All-America candidate Jennifer Smith is just five points from adding the title of Michigan's all-time single-season scoring leader to her vast list of accomplishments during a career senior season. Smith's 577 points this season are the most scored by a Wolverine since Peg Harte (1982-83) rolled up 581 during the 1982-83 campaign. A career 12.4 scorer heading into this season, Smith leads the Big Ten with a 21.4 average and could become the first Wolverine to ever win a Big Ten scoring title.
Poised to become the school's single-season scoring leader, Jennifer Smith continues her ascent in the Michigan career record books as well. Already one of just two players in school history with at least 1,600 career points and 700 career rebounds, Smith has 1,632 career points and is 16 shy of surpassing Trish Andrew (1990-93) and moving into second place on the Wolverines' all-time scoring list. Diane Dietz (1979-82) owns the Michigan career scoring record with 2,066.
Fellow senior co-captain Stephanie Gandy is finishing her Wolverine career in style as well. Gandy netted 13 points against Indiana on Thursday (Feb. 19) for her 14th game in double figures this season and ninth in her last 13 outings. Gandy is one of only five Wolverines to rank among the school's top 20 all-time in scoring (No. 15, 1,114), rebounding (No. 16, 498), assists (No. 17, 201) and steals (No. 14, 127).
A win over Northwestern would give the Wolverines a season sweep over a Big Ten foe for the second time this season. The Wolverines also swept their two-game season series with Wisconsin.
Michigan is a perfect 11-0 when it shoots for a higher percentage than its opponent.
The Opponents
Northwestern (8-18, 1-14 Big Ten): The Wildcats have lost three straight, including a 73-46 decision to Minnesota on Sunday (Feb. 22), since earning their only Big Ten win of the season with a 48-36 victory over Indiana on Feb. 12 Samantha McComb is the only Northwestern player averaging in double figures (10.3) Northwestern on the Internet: www.nusports.com ... Series: Northwestern leads, 30-18.
No. 12 Minnesota (20-5, 9-5 Big Ten): The Golden Gophers are 2-2 in their last four after winning 18 of their first 21 this season Minnesota has been without Lindsay Whalen its last three games after she went down with an injury against Ohio State on Feb. 12. Whalen is second in the Big Ten in scoring (20.7) Minnesota is second in the Big Ten in scoring (72.7), first in scoring margin (+14.9) and first in rebounding margin (+6.4). A big reason for the rebounding margin is junior center Janel McCarville, who averages a double-double with 15.0 points and 10.0 rebounds Minnesota on the Internet: www.gophersports.com ... Series: Series tied, 21-21.
Michigan-Northwestern, Round 1
Michigan can gain its season sweep of the Wildcats this Thursday after winning the team's first meeting 62-43 on Jan. 10 in Evanston, Ill. The Wolverines actually trailed by one at the half (25-24) but outscored the Wildcats 38-18 in the second half behind .500 (15-30) shooting. Stephanie Gandy finished with a game-high 22 points while Jennifer Smith totaled 21.
Michigan-Northwestern Series
Although Northwestern leads the all-time series 30-18, Michigan has 11 of the last 12 over the Wildcats, including six straight at Crisler Arena. Michigan's last home loss to Northwestern was a 90-79 decision on Jan. 7, 1996. Michigan has outscored the Wildcats 75.0-62.7 during the six-game home win streak.
Michigan-Minnesota, Round 1
The Wolverines faced Minnesota in both team's Big Ten opener on Jan. 1 a bit shorthanded when Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) did not make the trip for personal reasons. Playing without its second-leading scorer, the Wolverines stayed in the game with a solid defensive effort and held Minnesota almost 10 points under its season average in a 64-44 final. Jennifer Smith delivered 16 points and eight boards in her battle against Minnesota center Janel McCarville, but Lindsay Whalen poured in 32 points in the Gopher win.
Michigan-Minnesota Series
Michigan's loss to Minnesota earlier this season evened the all-time series between the Big Ten rivals at 21 games apiece. Minnesota won the first eight meetings of the series, but Michigan bounced back to win 10 of 11 between Jan. 26, 1996, and Feb. 1, 2001. Minnesota has won the last four. Michigan's last win in the series was also its last home win, which was a 69-51 victory on Feb. 1, 2001. Then just a freshman, Stephanie Gandy started and scored six points for the Wolverines.
Friendly Confines
Michigan can clinch a winning home record for the season with one win its last two games. The Wolverines are 7-5 in front of the home fans and their five losses are by an average of just 6.6 points, including a two-point loss to Ohio State (51-49) and five-point loss to Michigan State (59-54) after leading the Spartans by 17 in the first half. Ann Arbor native Tabitha Pool seems to really enjoy playing in front of the hometown fans. The junior, who is averaging 13.2 points for the season, is averaging 17.0 at home while shooting .474 (81-171) from the field and .489 (22-45) from behind the arc.
Senior Leadership
Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Gandy each scored in double figures for the 14th time this season at Indiana when the pair accounted for 42 of Michigan's 52 points scored with efforts of 29 and 13 points, respectively. Michigan is 7-7 when the pair totals double digits in the same game.
March to the Stripe
Jennifer Smith knocked down a career-best 14 free throws vs. Indiana last Thursday (Feb. 19), which broke the previous career best she set one game prior with 13 at Penn State (Feb. 15). The senior is averaging 17.0 free throw attempts in her last two games. Smith has now made 183 charity tosses this season, which leads the Big Ten and smashed the previous Michigan mark of 148 set by LeeAnn Bies (1999-2002) during the 2001-02 season. Smith is just 17 shy of becoming only the third player in Big Ten history with 200 made free throws in a season. Current Purdue forward Shereka Wright accomplished the feat twice, connecting for 231 (2002-03) and 205 (2001-02) while Ohio State's Katie Smith hit for 205 (1995-96).
Smith Countdown Begins
Jennifer Smith moved into fourth place on Michigan's all-time single-season scoring list when she scored 29 points at Indiana to run her season point total to 577. The senior All-American candidate needs just five points to break the school's single-season scoring mark of 581 set by Peg Harte (1982-83) during the 1982-83 season.
Michigan's Single-Season Scoring Leaders
| 1. | Peg Harte, 1982-83 | 581 |
| 2. | Jennifer Smith, 2003-04 | 577 |
No. 2 on Career List in her Sights
At her current pace, not only would Jennifer Smith break the school's single-season scoring total, she would move all the way to second-place on the Wolverine scoring list. Smith is on pace to score 642 points during the regular season, which would give her 1,697 for her career and move her into second place on the all-time list behind Diane Dietz (1978-82), who totaled 2,066 points for her career.
Michigan's Career Scoring Leaders
| 1. | Diane Dietz (1978-82) | 2,066 |
| 2. | Trish Andrew (1989-93) | 1,647 |
| 3. | Jennifer Smith (2000-present) | 1,632 |
Double Trouble
While Tabitha Pool's scoring has improved as the season has worn on, she has been the Wolverines' best rebounder for the entire season. Currently listed fourth in the conference in rebounding (7.8), Pool remains tied for third in double-doubles with six.
Pool's Double-Doubles This Season
| Opponent | Result | Pts. | Reb. |
| Cincinnati | W, 73-69 | 10 | 11 |
| vs. No. 5 Texas Tech | L, 61-74 | 16 | 11 |
| Xavier | W, 65-56 | 33 | 13 |
| Indiana | W, 65-59 | 15 | 13 |
| No. 8 Penn State | L, 56-68 | 19 | 11 |
| Ohio State | L, 49-51 | 29 | 11 |
All-America Consideration
Jennifer Smith continues to put together the type of season that should garner All-American consideration after collecting 29 points at Indiana. She entered last week's action ranked No. 13 in the nation in scoring at 21.1 points. Smith is the only player in the conference ranked among the top 13 in scoring (1st, 21.4), rebounding (t-6th, 7.4), field goal percentage (14th, .472) and free throw percentage (9th, .803).
Michigan Falls at Indiana
In a preview of a potential 8-9 matchup at the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan opened up a double-digit first-half lead (17-7) but could not hold on in a 65-52 loss at Indiana on Feb. 19. Jennifer Smith kept the Wolverines alive in the second half, finishing with 29 points, including 13 from the charity stripe, but only one other Wolverine scored more than six points with Stephanie Gandy netting 13. Michigan shot just .281 (16-57) from the field.
PLAYER NOTES
Sierra Hauser-Price (Van Nuys, Calif./Notre Dame Prep), who has started all but two games at point guard this season, grabbed a steal in her seventh straight game against Indiana, tying her for the team lead (37) with Kelly Helvey (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic HS) and Tabitha Pool.
Michigan is 5-2 when Stephanie Gandy makes at least five trips to the free throw line.
Jennifer Smith has played at least 39 minutes in five of Michigan's last six games and at least 36 minutes in six straight. She has totaled at least 35 minutes of action in 20 of the Wolverines' 27 games this season. Smith is the only Wolverine to start all 27 games this season.
Jennifer Smith has scored 20-plus points a team-leading 16 times this season and has led the Wolverines in scoring on 18 occasions.
Niki Reams (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS) leads the Wolverines in assist-turnover ratio (0.79) and is second with 54 offensive rebounds.
Despite averaging the sixth-most minutes (20.0) on the team, Kelly Helvey remains tied for the team lead with 37 steals.
Tabitha Pool remains among the team's top two in scoring (13.5), rebounding (7.4), assists (55), blocks (22) and steals (37).
RECORD/MILESTONE WATCH
Stephanie Gandy, who reached the 200-career assist mark on Feb. 15, is two rebounds shy of becoming the 16th player in school history to reach 500 career rebounds.
Stephanie Gandy will move into a tie for fourth on the career list for games played when she plays in her 115th career game on Thursday vs. Northwestern. Likewise, Jennifer Smith will play in her 113th career game, moving her into a tie for eighth place.
Stephanie Gandy is two triples shy of reach 50 for her career.
Tabitha Pool is four steals shy of reaching 100 for her career.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Jennifer Smith is not the only attraction in Ann Arbor this season, first-year coach Cheryl Burnett and her up-tempo style of basketball are beginning to catch on with the Wolverine faithful. Michigan recently completed a homestand that included the first back-to-back women's basketball crowds in excess of 4,000 fans in the program's history. The Wolverines hosted 4,136 fans in a win over Wisconsin on Feb. 8 and then broke the school record when 4,611 fans watched Michigan face Michigan State on Feb. 12. The Wolverines are averaging 2,279 fans this season, which is up 38.5 percent from last season and is the best single-season attendance average since Michigan averaged 2,596 for the 1996-97 campaign.
Jennifer Smith's 31-point effort against Illinois was her school-record sixth game this season with at least 30 points. Smith broke the record shared by Diane Dietz (1979-82) and Abby Currier (1978-81), who each totaled five 30-plus point games in a season. Dietz, who is the school's all-time leading scorer, did so in 1979-80 while Currier turned the trick during the 1977-78 season.
Smith's 30-plus point games
| Opponent | Result | Pts. |
| Western Michigan | W, 66-53 | 32 |
| vs. No. 5 Texas Tech | L, 61-74 | 30 |
| Charlotte | W, 72-65 | 37 |
| Indiana | W, 65-59 | 33 |
| at Wisconsin | W, 63-60 | 19 |
| at Illinois | L, 78-94 | 31 |
Michigan's Jennifer Smith posted her fourth 30-plus performance of the season with 33 points as she carried the Wolverines to an important 65-59 conference win over Indiana on Jan. 10. Smith's performance, which included matching a school-record by going 12-12 from the stripe, earned her co-Big Ten Player of the Week honors. It was her second conference weekly award of the season.
Junior forward Tabitha Pool enjoyed her best day in a Michigan uniform when she poured in a career-best 33 points while matching a career high with 13 boards while leading Michigan to a 65-56 win over Xavier on Dec. 21. Pool's efforts earned the Ann Arbor native her second career Big Ten Player of the Week distinction.
Jennifer Smith bettered her career-best 32-point performance vs. Western Michigan with a 37-point effort in Michigan's 72-65 win over Charlotte on Dec. 3. Smith's effort matched the second-best single-game performance in school history, which Diane Dietz (1978-82) accomplished on Jan. 31, 1980, vs. Grand Valley State. Dietz owns the Wolverine single-game record with 45 points on Feb. 27, 1982 vs. Illinois. Smith collected 12 rebounds in the win for the second of three double-doubles this season.
Michigan's 68-51 win over Texas-Arlington on Saturday (Nov. 29) concluded the busiest November in school history. The Wolverines went 4-3 in November, including a run to the semifinals of the Preseason WNIT, after having never before played more than five games in the season's opening month.
Jennifer Smith netted her second career game of 30 or more points with a 30-point performance against then-No. 5 Texas Tech at the SMU Hoops for Cure Classic in Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 28. She followed that up one night later with a 24-point effort in a win over Texas-Arlington to garner All-Tournament recognition.
Jennifer Smith's career-high 32 points in the win over Western Michigan made her the first Wolverine to score more than 30 points in a game since LeeAnn Bies tallied 31 in a 75-64 loss at Xavier on Dec. 8, 2002.
Jennifer Smith earned the first Big Ten Player of the Week honor for the 2003-04 season and the first of her career on Nov. 17 after compiling 24 points and eight rebounds while notching a career-best with 10 makes at the charity stripe. Smith also chipped in with a career-best four steals as Michigan opened up the Cheryl Burnett era with a 79-68 win over Miami (Ohio) in the Preseason WNIT first round.
Stephanie Gandy opened the season with back-to-back 23-point efforts in Preseason WNIT wins over Miami (Ohio) and Cincinnati. Gandys consecutive outings of 20-plus points were the first of her career and helped land her on the Preseason WNIT All-Tournament team.
Michigan opened the Cheryl Burnett era with a bang, defeating Miami (Ohio) 79-68 on Nov. 15 and then earning a 73-69 victory over Cincinnati on Nov. 17 to advance to the Preseason WNIT semifinals in the Wolverines' initial tournament appearance. Michigan's bid for a title game appearance was thwarted by a 65-50 loss at then-No. 15 Rutgers on Nov. 21 in the semifinals. Stephanie Gandy led the way during Michigan's three-game run, averaging 18.0 points and 6.0 rebounds. Jennifer Smith totaled 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Wolverines.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
