BYU COUGARS || 6-1, 0-0 || Big 12 Conference
WHAT'S AT STAKE || With a win, the Cougars would add a signature win to Coach Amber Whiting's young resume by knocking off the No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes. It would also mark Coach Whiting's second win over a ranked opponent since taking over the program in 2022, the first coming over the No. 18 Baylor Bears on Feb. 7, 2024.
TURKEY WEEK SUCCESS || BYU is 4-1 during Thanksgiving week under Coach Whiting. The Cougars played Washington State and Troy in 2022 and Wake Forest and Saint Louis in 2023 at the North Shore Showcase, going 3-1 in Hawaii. BYU won its first game at the Cancun Challenge last night 63-51 over Rice.
COUGAR ASSIST CLUB || BYU has assisted on 116-of-184 (.630) made field goals this season and has had three or more players finish in double-figures in four of six games this season. Against Rice, the Cougars had three players in double figures and five who recorded at least two assists.
CALVERT’S NATURAL HABITAT || With the graduation of Lauren Gustin, Emma Calvert has moved back to playing her natural position as a back-to-the-basket forward. By doing so, she is more active in the pick-and-roll action but continues to stretch the floor with her prowess from downtown.
With her increased roll, Calvert has become the second-leading scorer for BYU at 14.6 points per game on an efficient 53.3 percent from the floor and 40 percent from behind the arc. The senior also has the second-most blocks (4) and is the third-leading rebounder at 5.3 per game.
Head Coach – Amber Whiting
- Alma Mater: BYU, 2001
- Division I Career Record: 38-35 || 3rd Season
- Record at BYU: 38-35 || 3rd Season
IOWA HAWKEYES || 7-0, 0-0 || Big Ten
HAWKEYE'S SUPERSTAR TRANSFER || Lucy Olsen, who was the nation's third-leading scorer in 2022-23 at Villanova at 23.3 points per game, has been a needed replacement for a Caitlin Clark-less Iowa team. The senior guard is the leading scorer (17.3) and leader in assists (5.3) for the Hawkeyes while shooting 48.9 percent from the floor and grabbing 4.5 boards per game.
NEW COACH, SAME LEGACY || Despite the retirement of legendary coach Lisa Bluder, Jan Jensen has helped the Hawkeyes pick up right where they left off. Jensen is in her 25th season as a coach of Iowa women's hoops, 24 coming as the Associate Head Coach to Bluder. In her time with Iowa, Jensen has helped the Hawkeyes to 22 postseason appearances, 18 NCAA Tournament trips and five Big Ten tournament titles, including three-consecutive with national player of the year Caitlin Clark in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Like Clark, Jensen also led the nation in scoring in 1991 at 29.6 points per game at Drake.
STUELKE'S COMING OUT PARTY || Hannah Stuelke became the fifth Hawkeye since 2009 to have 650+ points and 350+ rebounds by the end of their sophomore season. (Ally Disterhoff, Caitlin Clark, Megan Gustafson, and Jamie Printy) Stuelke is the leading rebounder for the Hawkeyes at 7.5 per game, the third-leading scorer at 14.2 points per game and fourth in assists with 16 on the season, 2.3 per game.
Head Coach – Jan Jensen
- Alma Mater: Drake, 1991
- Career Record: 7-0 || 1st Season
- Record at Iowa: 7-0 || 1st Season
