Feb. 2, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Get To Know Her
Allyssa DeHaan, Michigan State
When Allyssa DeHaan leaves Michigan State, she will be remembered for being one of the most decorated players in program history and one of the NCAA's all-time best shot blockers. Currently the tallest women's basketball player in the nation at 6-9, DeHaan hopes her long strides lead her to fulfill her career aspirations of becoming a pediatrician. After pursuing a professional basketball career either in the WNBA or overseas, she is intent upon returning to the classroom for medical school and reaching her long-term goals.
On Any Given Sunday
All five Big Ten women's basketball games on Sunday featured wins by the team ranked lower in the conference standings. Highlighting the schedule, Indiana, tied for seventh in the Big Ten at the time of the game, knocked off first-place Ohio State, marking the highest-ranked opponent the Hoosiers have beaten under head coach Felisha Legette-Jack. Second-place Penn State also fell, beaten by seventh-place Michigan. Ninth-place Iowa downed third-place Purdue, while Illinois and Northwestern, both tied for 10th, defeated Minnesota (sixth) and Wisconsin (tied for third), respectively.
Everyone's a Winner
Last week, the 2009-10 group of Big Ten women's basketball teams became the first in conference history to each win 10 or more games in a season. After the weekend's games, every Big Ten team will now finish with at least 11 victories. In addition, every squad has at least four conference wins, a feat which has happened just once previously (1988-89) in the Big Ten. Never before has every Big Ten team won five or more conference games.
Top to Bottom
The Big Ten is the only conference in the nation with all its teams boasting a .364 or better winning percentage in conference games. The Big Ten joins the Big 12 as the only two conferences with all their teams at or above .500 on the year.
Big Ten Celebrates Black History Month
Throughout the month of February, the Big Ten will commemorate the achievements of African-Americans on Big Ten campuses with feature stories on its Black History Month website. Among the former student-athletes to be recognized are seven women's basketball players. On Wednesday, the Big Ten will honor former Northwestern standout Ifeoma Okonkwo. Okonkwo persevered through some trying times during college, and is now playing professionally in Portugal. Read her full story on www.Bigten.org, beginning Wednesday.
Knocking `Em Down
Indiana's win over No. 4/6 Ohio State and Michigan's victory against No. 23/rv Penn State on Sunday marked the teams' second victories over top-25 opponents this season. Seven Big Ten squads own two wins over ranked opposition, led by Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin, who are all 2-1 in top-25 games. Michigan State and Purdue are both 2-2, while Northwestern is 1-1, giving conference teams 11 total wins over top-25 foes.
Big Ten Report Card
Continuing to boast high rankings in the NCAA RPI Report, the Big Ten and the Big 12 are the only conferences in the nation to place each of their teams within the report's top 90. The Big Ten is led by No. 10 Ohio State, followed by No. 14 Michigan State and No. 24 Wisconsin. Michigan is up 10 spots from last week, to No. 33, followed by No. 41 Illinois and No. 47 Penn State. Also posting big improvements, Indiana is up seven spots to No. 59, Northwestern is up 12 places to No. 81, and Purdue improved its standing by 17 notches to No. 87.
It's Been A While
Northwestern's win over Wisconsin on Sunday was the Wildcats' 13th of the season, marking the first time since 1996-97 that that the program had tallied that many wins. It also marked the first time since 1998-99 that the Wildcats had won four or more conference games. Michigan picked up its 13th win of the season on Sunday with a victory against Penn State, giving the Wolverines 13 or more wins for just the second time in the last six seasons. With its next win, Penn State will pick up its 16th victory for the first time since 2004-05.
Still Streaking
Ohio State's Jantel Lavender continues to claim the longest double-digit scoring streak in the nation. The junior tallied 20 points against Indiana on Sunday, increasing her streak to 90 games, which spans the entire length of her career. Penn State's Tyra Grant boasts the second-longest active streak in the conference, having posted double-digits in her last 33 straight games, dating back to last season, most recently with a 19-point performance against Michigan on Sunday.
Playing the Wildcard
The Big Ten Network announced on Monday its wildcard selections for the final two dates of the regular season. On Thursday, Feb. 25, the Network will broadcast Northwestern at Ohio State at 6:30 p.m. ET. On Sunday, Feb. 28, it will air Minnesota at Michigan State at 2 p.m. ET, followed by Penn State at Indiana at 4 p.m. ET. Additional games will also be streamed live on www.BigTenNetwork.com.
Neighborhood Watch Program
Six Big Ten players earned spots on the Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List. Illinois' Jenna Smith, Michigan State's Allyssa DeHaan, Northwestern's Amy Jaeschke, Ohio State's Samantha Prahalis and Jantel Lavender and Penn State's Tyra Grant are in contention for the trophy, which is presented annually to college basketball's Player of the Year.
Wooden is Watching
The Big Ten placed five players on the 2009-10 John R. Wooden Award Women's Preseason Top 30 List, leading all conferences. Preseason candidates from the Big Ten included Illinois senior Jenna Smith, Michigan State senior Allyssa DeHaan, Ohio State junior Jantel Lavender and sophomore Samantha Prahalis and Penn State senior Tyra Grant. OSU was one of just four schools with multiple players on the list, and Prahalis was the only sophomore to make the cut. DeHaan and Lavender both earned spots on the Midseason Top 20 List, released on Jan. 13.
Wade For Me
Illinois' Jenna Smith, Michigan State's Allyssa DeHaan and Ohio State's Jantel Lavender and Samantha Prahalis were also on the 25-player 2009-10 preseason "Wade Watch" list for the State Farm Wade Trophy Division I Player of the Year. With four selections, the Big Ten is tied with the ACC, Big East and Pac-10 for tops among all conferences. The Buckeyes are one of three schools with multiple players on the list, and Prahalis is one of just two sophomores to be named.
Stay Classy
Illinois' Jenna Smith, Michigan State's Allyssa DeHaan and Penn State's Tyra Grant are candidates for the 2009-10 Lowes Senior CLASS Award. Student-athletes eligible for the award must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - classroom, character, community and competition.
Set Your TiVo
Big Ten women's basketball will once again experience vast national television coverage, with nearly 90 percent of home games set to be broadcast on the Big Ten Network, www.BigTenNetwork.com, ESPN2 or CBS Sports this season. In addition to its linear network package, www.BigTenNetwork.com will stream additional games that will be produced in HD-quality.
Back Home Again...
Big Ten women's basketball will once again return to the city of Indianapolis and Conseco Fieldhouse for the 2010 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament. The 2010 event marks the third of a five-year agreement that places both the men's and women's tournaments in the Circle City. This year's tournament will be the ninth consecutive and 15th overall in Indianapolis and will be held on four consecutive days beginning Thursday, March 4. The championship game will be played Sunday, March 7.
Deep in the Heart of Texas
Big Ten women's basketball has its sights set on San Antonio, Texas, during the 2009-10 season as the 2010 NCAA Women's Final Four will be held April 4 and 6 at the Alamodome. The conference has sent five teams to the past 11 Final Fours, including two in the last six seasons. The 2010 championship event will be hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio.
