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UI Women's Basketball Media Day 2012

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Photo by: Heather Coit

Illinois teammates Ivory Crawford, left, and Kierra Morris pose together at Ubben Basketball Complex in Urbana on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012.

Beat writer Jeff Huth's preview: Illinois vs. Iowa State at Junkanoo Jam at Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas, 9 a.m. today

The Lineups
Illinois (3-1)
STARTERS
Pos. Name           Yr. Ht. PPG
G Alexis Smith      So. 5-9 9.5
G Amber Moore       Jr. 5-11 15.3
G Ivory Crawford     So. 5-10 16.8
F McKenzie Piper     Fr. 6-0  5.5
F Karisma Penn      Sr. 6-2 20.5
FYI: With four three-pointers Friday, Moore moved past Melissa Parker (1996-2000) into fourth place on school career list at 136.
OFF THE BENCH
F Taylor Tuck       So. 6-0 8.3
F Nia Oden          So. 5-10 3.3
G Cassie Dumoulin    Jr. 5-8 0.0

Iowa State (3-0)
STARTERS
Pos. Name         Yr. Ht. PPG
G Nikki Moody      So. 5-8 4.5
G Brynn Williamson      So. 5-11 11.3
F Chelsea Poppens   Sr. 6-2 13.0
F Hallie Christofferson     Jr. 6-3 12.7
C Anna Prins   Sr. 6-7 11.3
FYI: Poppens, a 1,000-point career scorer and fifth on Iowa State’s all-time rebound chart, is on the initial Naismith Player of the Year Watch List.
OFF THE BENCH
G Nicole Blaskowsky       Fr. 5-7  3.3
G Emiah Bingley     Fr. 5-7  9.0
C Madison Baier          Fr. 6-4 1.5

Details
TV: none
Radio: Taped delayed at 4 p.m. today on WDWS 1400-AM, WDAN 1490-AM, Mike Koon (play by play)
Series: Iowa State leads 5-2

Prediction: This is by far Illinois’ most telling game of the season to date. Under 18th-year head coach Bill Fennelly, Iowa State has become an established national power, averaging more than 21 wins per season and making 15 postseason appearances, including two trips to the NCAA Elite Eight. If the Illini are competitive against the Cyclones — or even manage an upset — it would be the most significant proof yet that Matt Bollant has Illinois pointed in the right direction. There’s precedent, at least on the Illini bench. Bollant’s Wisconsin-Green Bay team knocked off host Iowa State 71-57 last March in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Iowa State 75, Illinois 71. (N-G prediction record 3-1).