Underdog KU faces OSU

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Kansas may have defeated Missouri to end the regular season Thursday, but the result ultimately caused Oklahoma State to lose the most.

Now, instead of facing a deflated Kansas State team in the first round of the Big 12 Conference Tournament in Oklahoma City today, the Cowgirls will have to play the surging Jayhawks.

Less than a month ago, it seemed as if Kansas (10-19, 4-12) had cemented itself at the bottom of the Big 12 standings. Then the Jayhawks went 4-3 to end the season and passed Kansas State to move up to the No. 11 seed in the tournament.

“Everybody this time of the year is playing for something,” coach Bonnie Henrickson said, “We’ll be ready, we’ve got good momentum going into the tournament.”

pullquote

We’ll be ready, we’ve got good momentum going into the tournament.

-coach Bonnie Henrickson

As the No. 6 seed, Oklahoma State (20-9, 8-8) may need an impressive performance in Oklahoma City to get into the NCAA tournament.

Kansas, on the other hand, will be upset-minded and seeking revenge. The Cowgirls beat the Jayhawks 68-54 early in the conference season.

“We get Oklahoma State, it’s another shot at them and trying to get a win.” senior guard Shaquina Mosley said, “It’s like getting a rematch.”

With Mosley as the floor general the Jayhawks have fared well in rematches recently. Their last two victories have come avenging early season losses against Kansas State and Missouri.

Plus, much has changed since the two teams last faced. Senior guards Mosley and Sharita Smith didn’t even start in the game against the Cowgirls.

Since then, both have started nearly every game and Mosley is averaging 16 points a game. Smith has been pivotal defensively, holding virtually all of the players she guarded to less than their season average.

“The Oklahoma State game seems like such a long time ago,” Henrickson said. “But they were aggressive and jumped out on us early. We’ve got to better on Riley and Green.”

Guards Danielle Green and Andrea Riley are two of Oklahoma State’s most potent offensive players. They combined for 25 points and eight assists last time against Kansas. With Mosley and Smith in the Jayhawk backcourt, the two won’t find it as easy to get into a rhythm this time around.

Kansas knows its poor regular season has placed it at a disadvantage in the tournament. The Jayhawks, however, are determined to use whatever means necessary to end their season on a high note.

“We don’t want to be able to say our last game we didn’t give it our all,” junior forward Taylor McIntosh said. “So we want to go in there, make a run and play as hard as we can.”

Kansan sportswriter Case Keefer can be contacted at ckeefer@kansan.com.

— Edited by Darla Slipke

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