I have heard at least one journalist who thinks her jersey (or number?) should be retired & hung in CHA.
Megan Gustafson: Naismith, AP, USBWA, ESPN & Honda National POY! Lisa Leslie Award! 2x B1G POY!
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
Only one women's Iowa jersey has been retired; should there be 2?
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From the Gazette:
Should Iowa retire Megan Gustafson's No. 10? "Oh, goodness, yes," says Lisa Bluder
IOWA CITY — At some point this week, Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder has (or perhaps, had) a meeting with athletics director Gary Barta.
On the agenda is Megan Gustafson. More specifically, her jersey number and its potential retirement.
Bluder is all for it — “Oh, goodness, yes,” she said in a phone interview last week — and she expects Barta to be on board.
“I can’t imagine there’s going to be any push-back from him,” Bluder said. “I think it's something that needs to be done, and needs to be done soon.”
Only one Iowa women’s basketball player has had her number retired. Michelle Edwards’ No. 30 was immortalized after she graduated in 1988.
Gustafson’s No. 10 would — and Bluder said, should — be the second.
“She led the country in scoring and field-goal percentage last year, and she might do it again,” Bluder said. “We hope she is going to be an All-American again. It’s very similar to what (Edwards) did.”
Through 20 games (the 12th-ranked Hawkeyes are 16-4 overall, 7-2 in the Big Ten heading into Thursday’s game at Michigan, with a 5 p.m. tipoff at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich.), Gustafson — a 6-foot-3 senior post — is No. 1 nationally in points per game (26.4) and double-doubles (19), No. 3 in field-goal percentage (.699) and fourth in rebounds per game (12.9).
She is Iowa’s career leader in points (2,331) and rebounds (1,236). She is fourth in blocked shots (201).
Currently, 10 women in NCAA Division-I history have accumulated more than 2,600 points and more than 1,350 rebounds in their careers.
If Gustafson maintains her current pace, she will finish with 2,621 and 1,378, and that’s a conservative estimate, assuming no more than one game in either the Big Ten tournament or the NCAA Tournament.
Statistically, nobody in Iowa history compares. The only mark against Gustafson is this — in her career, the Hawkeyes have not won a game in the NCAA Tournament.
If Gustafson’s number is retired, when?
The most logical idea is to do it as part of Senior Day, March 3 against Northwestern.
“I’d love to do it then,” Bluder said. “I just don’t want to take away from Tania (Davis) and Hannah (Stewart, the other two Iowa seniors).
To do it as part of the postseason banquet is a possibility, but that wouldn’t be in front of the Iowa fans.
The Hawkeyes are on pace to earn a top-four seed for the NCAA Tournament, and top-four seeds host first-and second-round games.
But to honor Gustafson at that time probably would be nixed by the NCAA, and would be an awkward distraction anyway.
Next season? Gustafson most likely will be playing overseas.
So that brings us back to the Northwestern game, and Bluder had an idea.
“We could honor Megan before the game, and all of our seniors afterward,” she said.
l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com
LINK: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/...-10-oh-goodness-yes-says-lisa-bluder-20190130
Should Iowa retire Megan Gustafson's No. 10? "Oh, goodness, yes," says Lisa Bluder
IOWA CITY — At some point this week, Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder has (or perhaps, had) a meeting with athletics director Gary Barta.
On the agenda is Megan Gustafson. More specifically, her jersey number and its potential retirement.
Bluder is all for it — “Oh, goodness, yes,” she said in a phone interview last week — and she expects Barta to be on board.
“I can’t imagine there’s going to be any push-back from him,” Bluder said. “I think it's something that needs to be done, and needs to be done soon.”
Only one Iowa women’s basketball player has had her number retired. Michelle Edwards’ No. 30 was immortalized after she graduated in 1988.
Gustafson’s No. 10 would — and Bluder said, should — be the second.
“She led the country in scoring and field-goal percentage last year, and she might do it again,” Bluder said. “We hope she is going to be an All-American again. It’s very similar to what (Edwards) did.”
Through 20 games (the 12th-ranked Hawkeyes are 16-4 overall, 7-2 in the Big Ten heading into Thursday’s game at Michigan, with a 5 p.m. tipoff at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich.), Gustafson — a 6-foot-3 senior post — is No. 1 nationally in points per game (26.4) and double-doubles (19), No. 3 in field-goal percentage (.699) and fourth in rebounds per game (12.9).
She is Iowa’s career leader in points (2,331) and rebounds (1,236). She is fourth in blocked shots (201).
Currently, 10 women in NCAA Division-I history have accumulated more than 2,600 points and more than 1,350 rebounds in their careers.
If Gustafson maintains her current pace, she will finish with 2,621 and 1,378, and that’s a conservative estimate, assuming no more than one game in either the Big Ten tournament or the NCAA Tournament.
Statistically, nobody in Iowa history compares. The only mark against Gustafson is this — in her career, the Hawkeyes have not won a game in the NCAA Tournament.
If Gustafson’s number is retired, when?
The most logical idea is to do it as part of Senior Day, March 3 against Northwestern.
“I’d love to do it then,” Bluder said. “I just don’t want to take away from Tania (Davis) and Hannah (Stewart, the other two Iowa seniors).
To do it as part of the postseason banquet is a possibility, but that wouldn’t be in front of the Iowa fans.
The Hawkeyes are on pace to earn a top-four seed for the NCAA Tournament, and top-four seeds host first-and second-round games.
But to honor Gustafson at that time probably would be nixed by the NCAA, and would be an awkward distraction anyway.
Next season? Gustafson most likely will be playing overseas.
So that brings us back to the Northwestern game, and Bluder had an idea.
“We could honor Megan before the game, and all of our seniors afterward,” she said.
l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com
LINK: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/...-10-oh-goodness-yes-says-lisa-bluder-20190130
Her Hoop Stats@herhoopstatsThe Wooden Award watch list has two @bigten representatives.
Check out their stats.
(1) Kaila Charles, Maryland
@__KC5 for @umdwbb:
https://herhoopstats.com/stats/player/11e8e154-c749-3a94-b147-12df17ae4e1e/…
(2) Megan Gustafson, IOWA
@MeganGustafson for @IowaWBB:
https://herhoopstats.com/stats/player/11e8e153-e405-6c44-b147-12df17ae4e1e/…
10:30 PM - 5 Feb 2019
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Once again "GOAT" is used in describing Gustafson; the greatest of all time.
But, greatest in Iowa' women's basketball history? Or does it go further? Greatest in B1G women's basketball history, too?
Here is the tweet from TODAY, Feb 5, with that "GOAT" reference:
But, greatest in Iowa' women's basketball history? Or does it go further? Greatest in B1G women's basketball history, too?
Here is the tweet from TODAY, Feb 5, with that "GOAT" reference:
The senior has been named to the John R. Wooden Award Late Season Top-20 List!
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As you can see below, Gustafson is currently ranked in the top-six nationally in eight statistical categories.
Release from today:
Women's Basketball 2/5/2019
Gustafson Named to Wooden Award Late Season Top-20
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa senior Megan Gustafson has been named to the Wooden Award Late Season Top-20, ESPNW announced late Monday evening.
The list is comprised of 20 student-athletes who are front-runners for the John R. Wooden Award All-America Team and Most Outstanding Player Award. The list is chosen by a poll of national women's college basketball media members.
Gustafson is currently ranked in the top-six nationally in eight statistical categories.
* She leads the nation in points per game (26.6)
* She leads the nation in total points (585)
* She leads the nation in field goals made (245)
* She ranks second in double-doubles (20)
* She ranks second in field goal percentage (70.4)
* She ranks third in defensive rebounds per game (10)
* She ranks fourth in rebounds (277)
* She ranks sixth in rebounding (12.6)
The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2019 John R. Wooden Award Women's Player of the Year. The National Ballot, including 15 players, will be announced in early March. The Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced the week of the Elite Eight. The winner of the award will be presented during the ESPN College Basketball Awards on Friday, April 12.
Gustafson and the No. 16/12 Hawkeyes return to action Thursday, hosting Michigan State. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. (CT) on BTN. Tickets are $12 for adults and free for youth and UI students.
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2/7/2019
2:46:27 PM
Iowa's Gustafson and Wisconsin's Happ Named Basketball Senior CLASS Award Finalists
Iowa senior center Megan Gustafson and Wisconsin senior forward Ethan Happ are among 20 basketball standouts nationwide that have been named finalists for the 2018-19 Senior CLASS Award, which is presented annually to one male and one female senior student who have made notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their athletic platforms to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 30 men’s candidates and 30 women’s candidates announced earlier in the season. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner, and fans are encouraged to submit votes online at the Senior CLASS Award website through March 25. Fan votes will be combined with those of the media and Division I head coaches to determine the winners. The Senior CLASS Award recipients will be announced during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four® and NCAA Women’s Final Four®.
For more information on each of the finalists, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
LINK: https://bigten.org/news/2019/2/7/me...-basketball-senior-class-award-finalists.aspx
2:46:27 PM
Iowa's Gustafson and Wisconsin's Happ Named Basketball Senior CLASS Award Finalists
Iowa senior center Megan Gustafson and Wisconsin senior forward Ethan Happ are among 20 basketball standouts nationwide that have been named finalists for the 2018-19 Senior CLASS Award, which is presented annually to one male and one female senior student who have made notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their athletic platforms to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 30 men’s candidates and 30 women’s candidates announced earlier in the season. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner, and fans are encouraged to submit votes online at the Senior CLASS Award website through March 25. Fan votes will be combined with those of the media and Division I head coaches to determine the winners. The Senior CLASS Award recipients will be announced during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four® and NCAA Women’s Final Four®.
For more information on each of the finalists, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
LINK: https://bigten.org/news/2019/2/7/me...-basketball-senior-class-award-finalists.aspx
JORDAN GUSKEY | NCAA.COM | FEBRUARY 7, 2019
Women's basketball: The Iowa basketball legacy Megan Gustafson is leaving is remarkable
--MEGAN GUSTAFSON IS IOWA'S CAREER LEADER IN POINTS AND REBOUNDS
Megan Gustafson breaks records.
She did at South Shore High School in a small Wisconsin town called Port Wing. And she has as a star for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
It may have taken some time for Iowa, this season ranked 16th with a 17-5 record, to find its footing after Gustafson arrived in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes missed the NCAA tournament her freshman and sophomore seasons after eight straight appearances and instead played in the WNIT. But Iowa made the Big Dance last year and is poised for deep runs in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments, if not titles in each. Not to mention a regular season conference crown.
And as Gustafson leads Iowa on that run, it’s time to take a look back on the career she’s had and the numerous records she’s broken. So many records, that we can't get to all of them here. We tracked down Gustafson for an interview on her remarkable career with the Hawkeyes.
2,388 career points
Gustafson would have rather beaten Michigan State on Dec. 30 than lost to the Spartans and passed a former teammate for the program’s scoring record. She said she’d make the switch "in a heartbeat." But what’s done is done and Thursday the Hawkeyes have another shot at the Spartans. The senior phenom passed Ally Disterhoft, who finished her career with 2,102 points, and has since scored less than 20 points just once. When she scored 19.
Gustafson now has 2,388 career points with seven regular season games left and postseason opportunities to add to that total. It’s a number highlighted by a program-record, single-season mark of 823 points she set last season — which included a single-game record of 48 points — but not one buoyed by stellar 3-point shooting. The 6-foot-3 Gustafson set the Iowa record for field goals made, field goal percentage, free throws made and free throws attempted as a junior but she’s attempted just two 3s in her career and made her first this season.
Translation, opponents know they have to stop her inside and can’t. Gustafson leads Iowa, the Big Ten and NCAA with 26.6 points per game this season.
“Something that I kind of pride myself on, is work ethic,” Gustafson said. “It’s something that I can always control. I can always control my effort. I can’t always control everything else.”
1,256 career rebounds
Gustafson set this program record this season, too. It came earlier in the campaign, Dec. 5 against rival Iowa State, and during a win. But this time she surpassed Cindy Haugejorde and Haugejorde’s mark of 1,067 rebounds.
Gustafson is a rebounding machine. She owns a career average of 10.4 rebounds per game and could have a second-straight year of more than 400 rebounds. The 411 she recorded as a junior set the Iowa record for rebounds in a season. And all this has allowed her to rack up 75 career double-doubles. That’s a program record, too.
Although, each time she sets one she doesn’t dwell on it for more than a couple days.
“I think I used it more as reflecting than anything else just to kind of look back on what I’d been able to do,” Gustafson said.
121 appearances, and counting …
Gustafson’s favorite moments wearing a Hawkeyes uniform are the big wins, not the times she passed another former Iowa great for a single-game, single-season or career mark. There’s the upset win against Big Ten power Ohio State last season at home. There’s the win against Iowa State, at Iowa State, last season, too. It was the first time the Hawkeyes won a game in Ames since Dec. 17, 1989.
“That was incredible,” Gustafson said. “I remember thinking my freshman year when we lost there that I wanted to win my junior year.”
And any of the hard-fought wins the past three-plus seasons Iowa’s had she’s been there for. Gustafson hasn’t missed a game since she joined the program and can boast of starts in 102 of those 121 appearances.
It’s why, even though she has a future in the WNBA, it’ll be so hard to leave.
“I think that it does help a little bit that I’m going to continue playing basketball,” Gustafson said. “I love basketball so much. It’s been my whole life, pretty much. Knowing that I’m still able to continue playing even at a higher level is really exciting to me. At the same time, there’s nothing like the University of Iowa. I love it so much.”
LINK to Article: https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketbal...etball-iowa-basketball-legacy-megan-gustafson
Women's basketball: The Iowa basketball legacy Megan Gustafson is leaving is remarkable
--MEGAN GUSTAFSON IS IOWA'S CAREER LEADER IN POINTS AND REBOUNDS
Megan Gustafson breaks records.
She did at South Shore High School in a small Wisconsin town called Port Wing. And she has as a star for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
It may have taken some time for Iowa, this season ranked 16th with a 17-5 record, to find its footing after Gustafson arrived in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes missed the NCAA tournament her freshman and sophomore seasons after eight straight appearances and instead played in the WNIT. But Iowa made the Big Dance last year and is poised for deep runs in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments, if not titles in each. Not to mention a regular season conference crown.
And as Gustafson leads Iowa on that run, it’s time to take a look back on the career she’s had and the numerous records she’s broken. So many records, that we can't get to all of them here. We tracked down Gustafson for an interview on her remarkable career with the Hawkeyes.
2,388 career points
Gustafson would have rather beaten Michigan State on Dec. 30 than lost to the Spartans and passed a former teammate for the program’s scoring record. She said she’d make the switch "in a heartbeat." But what’s done is done and Thursday the Hawkeyes have another shot at the Spartans. The senior phenom passed Ally Disterhoft, who finished her career with 2,102 points, and has since scored less than 20 points just once. When she scored 19.
Gustafson now has 2,388 career points with seven regular season games left and postseason opportunities to add to that total. It’s a number highlighted by a program-record, single-season mark of 823 points she set last season — which included a single-game record of 48 points — but not one buoyed by stellar 3-point shooting. The 6-foot-3 Gustafson set the Iowa record for field goals made, field goal percentage, free throws made and free throws attempted as a junior but she’s attempted just two 3s in her career and made her first this season.
Translation, opponents know they have to stop her inside and can’t. Gustafson leads Iowa, the Big Ten and NCAA with 26.6 points per game this season.
“Something that I kind of pride myself on, is work ethic,” Gustafson said. “It’s something that I can always control. I can always control my effort. I can’t always control everything else.”
1,256 career rebounds
Gustafson set this program record this season, too. It came earlier in the campaign, Dec. 5 against rival Iowa State, and during a win. But this time she surpassed Cindy Haugejorde and Haugejorde’s mark of 1,067 rebounds.
Gustafson is a rebounding machine. She owns a career average of 10.4 rebounds per game and could have a second-straight year of more than 400 rebounds. The 411 she recorded as a junior set the Iowa record for rebounds in a season. And all this has allowed her to rack up 75 career double-doubles. That’s a program record, too.
Although, each time she sets one she doesn’t dwell on it for more than a couple days.
“I think I used it more as reflecting than anything else just to kind of look back on what I’d been able to do,” Gustafson said.
121 appearances, and counting …
Gustafson’s favorite moments wearing a Hawkeyes uniform are the big wins, not the times she passed another former Iowa great for a single-game, single-season or career mark. There’s the upset win against Big Ten power Ohio State last season at home. There’s the win against Iowa State, at Iowa State, last season, too. It was the first time the Hawkeyes won a game in Ames since Dec. 17, 1989.
“That was incredible,” Gustafson said. “I remember thinking my freshman year when we lost there that I wanted to win my junior year.”
And any of the hard-fought wins the past three-plus seasons Iowa’s had she’s been there for. Gustafson hasn’t missed a game since she joined the program and can boast of starts in 102 of those 121 appearances.
It’s why, even though she has a future in the WNBA, it’ll be so hard to leave.
“I think that it does help a little bit that I’m going to continue playing basketball,” Gustafson said. “I love basketball so much. It’s been my whole life, pretty much. Knowing that I’m still able to continue playing even at a higher level is really exciting to me. At the same time, there’s nothing like the University of Iowa. I love it so much.”
LINK to Article: https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketbal...etball-iowa-basketball-legacy-megan-gustafson
Megan had 41 points & 14 rebounds in last night's win over #23 Michigan State.
She shot an amazing 71% from the floor (17/24 Field Goals).
Iowa remains undefeated at CHA.
Final
71 --#23 MICHIGAN STATE
86 --#16 IOWA
She shot an amazing 71% from the floor (17/24 Field Goals).
Iowa remains undefeated at CHA.
Final
71 --#23 MICHIGAN STATE
86 --#16 IOWA
ESPN Women's HoopsVerified account@ESPN_WomenHoop
8:35 AM - 8 Feb 2019
Megan Gustafson scored 41 points for @IowaWBB on Thursday. The senior has scored at least 25 points in six straight games, and has 21 double-doubles this season.
RECAP: https://es.pn/2ShDAOB (PC: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports)
BTN is all Hawkeyes today from 3 pm until 9 pm.
(1) The Iowa women are at Ohio State today.
When: 3:00 pm CT Tip
TV: BTN
(2) The men's game vs Northwestern tips at 5:30 of course.
(3) At 8:00 pm CT is "The Journey," featuring Jordan.
(1) The Iowa women are at Ohio State today.
When: 3:00 pm CT Tip
TV: BTN
(2) The men's game vs Northwestern tips at 5:30 of course.
(3) At 8:00 pm CT is "The Journey," featuring Jordan.
Iowa Women's BBallVerified account@IowaWBB 14m14 minutes ago
Gustafson leads the #Hawkeyes with 10 points and 9 rebounds at the half. #FightForIowa
Gustafson leads the #Hawkeyes with 10 points and 9 rebounds at the half. #FightForIowa
Better than OSU's. If some weren't wearing the black shirt underneath it would be better.
Megan's stats for this game (Iowa beats Ohio State):
29 points (14/19 FGs)
16 rebounds
29 points (14/19 FGs)
16 rebounds
Yeah, I think you're right. Either they all wear the black shirt underneath or none of them do.
I’m pretty sure she made a couple shots from behind the backboard. Insane.
77 all time double doubles. Tied for first ever if I heard that right. She is fantastic and I think what I love about her the most is what a great teammate she is. She is a major WOW and we may never see another better in Iowa Women’s BB. She deserves POY nationally. Will she get snubbed because of less press? I hope not. Proud she is a Hawk.
It's because of great players like MG that I'm so disappointed that WBB is not part of the journey. Make it an hour long show and give the women equal air time. Amazing players and coaches on the women's side that deserve to have their stories told
How bout we just let the women be comfortable!! I think the athletic dept supplies undershirts shirts for the team's regular jerseys. If the black undershirt disturbs you so much then write a letter to Barta to spend the $100 for the pink undershirts in addition to the gold, black and white undershirts.
agreed. she is one of the best players ever in B1G women's basketball history & a great story; she comes from a very small town & "The Journey" would do a great job telling her story
They do need to hype MG. I only started watching the girls after the boys hit gutter with Lick and I've gotta say no one in the last ten years has been close. Given her career numbers and season numbers how could she not win the Wooden award?
Sad that ESPNw has to acknowledge their own bias admitting they are 'surprised' this is her 1st ESPN POTW award despite multiple honorable mentions. Probably heard the announcers on TV when they mentioned she would be a shoe in for National POY if she played for ND or UConn and decided they couldn't look foolish again for snubbing her.
http://www.espn.com/womens-college-...stafson-destroying-defenses-nation-top-scorer
ESPN article on Gustafson
ESPN article on Gustafson
