Gameday: Women's Basketball KU-OSU

By By Michael Phillips (Contact), Ryan Schneider (Contact)

Friday, January 20, 2006

Kansas

Player to watch: Freshman guard Ivana Catic has turned heads with her spectacular play on the offensive side of the ball, but has struggled against Big 12 Conference competition on defense. In the same way that the Jayhawks can count on Catic to make a big pass, they need her to make stops on the other end of the court.

Key to victory: Opponents have defeated Kansas with zone defenses that keep the ball from getting inside to senior forward Crystal Kemp. When the Cowgirls start to move defenders closer to the basket, the Jayhawks three-point duo of senior guards Erica Hallman and Kaylee Brown will be called on to hit some big shots.

Season in review: Entering the season, the Jayhawks just wanted to play somewhere in March. After a 12-0 start, the Jayhawks started to get national attention, including a spot on ESPN’s Bracketology. A three-game losing streak has brought fans back to earth, but winning Sunday would put the Big Dance back into play.

Previous Meeting: After a huge February victory against Missouri in 2005, Kansas failed to build momentum, losing to Oklahoma State 57-54 in Stillwater, Okla. The ’Hawks led most of the game, but surrendered the lead with four minutes to play. The team’s record dropped to 10-11. Kansas did not reach .500 for the remainder of the season.

— Michael Phillips

Oklahoma St.

Player to watch: Junior center Whitney Pegram enters the game as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 17 points and 5.6 rebounds a game. Pegram is a force on the defensive end. She ranks sixth in the nation in blocked shots.

Key to victory: Pegram could present a defensive problem, matched up against Kansas senior forward Crystal Kemp. If Pegram can hold Kemp under her season average of 19.5 points per game, the Cowgirls could pull out a victory. The key for Oklahoma State will be to shut down Kemp and force Kansas’ streaky shooting guards to make shots.

Season in review: The Cowgirls come to Lawrence under new coach Kurt Budke on a five-game losing streak. The only games Oklahoma State has won this season have come at home against the likes of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Texas Å&M-Commerce.; Playing away from Gallagher-Ibal Arena hasn’t been as kind. The team has dropped 23 consecutive road games dating back to the 2003 season.

Previous meeting: The Cowgirls won only their second and final conference game last season against the Jayhawks. They won 57-54 in Stillwater, Okla. A 15-3 Oklahoma State run early in the second half sealed the victory against a cold-shooting Kansas team. Junior center Christian Hood, the Cowgirls’ only returning starter, scored 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds. The victory was Oklahoma State’s last conference victory.

— Ryan Schneider

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