Familiar Voice Calls Iowa Women’s First Round NCAA Game

The Number 2 seed Iowa Hawkeyes Women play their first NCAA tournament game Friday at 3PM inside sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena against #15 Illinois State Redbirds.

If you're one of the many who won't be able to attend, might I suggest a great place to catch the broadcast is through Illinois State's radio station website, WZND.com. Why the Redbirds broadcast you say?  I happen to know the announcer.  Joey Dwyer will be handling the call with his courtside host Leo Staudacher.

Joey handles the Quad City Storm games 'casts this season, and some other calls for QCSportsnet.  He's had the good fortune of calling Illinois State Athletics for ESPN as part of his involvement with WZND. But this is his first time Calling an NCAA Tournament game.

One thing I learned from watching Joey's career evolve, is the work and prep that goes into making each game call.  And I thought I did a lot of prep for a morning show!  He's cross-referencing rosters, printing out play trends, stats, matchups and then studies the info to find where each team might intersect.  It's a pleasure for me to watch, and listen to him, knowing what went into the broadcast.

That same is true for the team hosting call on the Hawkeyes side of the court, whether it's students or the Big10 network.  So ditch the video for a moment, and let the play-by-play guys show you what's happening.

The game, for most, is already in hand, as the Hawkeyes have roughed up bigger, and better opponents this season.  It would be a miracle for Redbirds (The OTHER ISU) to match up well, find their outside shooting, and play their best defensive game of the year all at the same time, and in the rare setting of an NCAA game.  So for me, I'm listening to hear my kid, in the last month of his college career, call the biggest game of his college career.

Good luck to the Redbirds. I hope they play a great competitive game that's exciting to call.  It will be exciting for me to listen either way.  Check it out for a bit on WZND.com.