Friday, February 6, 2009
Sophomore forward Nicollette Smith is always talking.
Since day one, when Kansas began preseason individual workouts, Smith has shouldered the responsibility of communicating with the Jayhawks’ most athletic — and raw — player: freshman forward Aishah Sutherland.
And Kansas will need Sutherland’s athletic ability tomorrow at Missouri at 1 p.m.
breakbox
What: Kansas vs Missouri Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Mo. When: 1 p.m. TV: FSN, Channel 36
“I see how much talent she has and I try to talk her through everything,” Smith said. “She doesn’t like to talk that much, and that’s why people have to talk to her a lot if you’re on the court. If you don’t talk, it’ll be quiet.”
Indeed, Sutherland’s quiet nature is easily noticed.
On the court, when coach Bonnie Henrickson barks corrections on defense, Sutherland simply nods. With reporters surrounding her after games, Sutherland’s responses are short and direct, barely audible above the other conversations.
That’s why Smith keeps talking.
“I make it a point of emphasis that whenever I’m with her, I’m just talking with her,” Smith said. “I know that one day, if not this season then next season, she’s going to be able to talk through something on her own. That’s going to help us tremendously.”
At times this season, Sutherland’s impact on the Jayhawks has been loud and clear. In Kansas’ loss to Kansas State on Jan. 24, Sutherland surprised many by playing 32 minutes, scoring nine points and grabbing 12 rebounds off the bench.
Then, on Wednesday, Sutherland’s sheer athletic ability was on display again. Facing a Colorado team unable to match her size and quickness, Sutherland scored a career-high 12 points and dominated stretches in the second half.
And as impressive as Sutherland’s development has been, Smith’s maturation may be more so.
“She talks her through everything,” Henrickson said. “Even coming to a timeout, she’s in her ear talking about, ‘Hey, we need to play it this way.’ That’s where that kid has grown. She has a really good basketball IQ, but she’s committed to being vocal and communicating.”
Still, sandwiched between Sutherland’s two solid performances was a freshman lapse. Against Texas A&M last Saturday, Sutherland played just 10 minutes because Henrickson said she didn’t possess the same energy and intensity that made her so effective against Kansas State.
In some games, Sutherland has provided a spark on both ends of the court. In others, she doesn’t appear completely focused, often wandering on offense.
“My anxiety level and my gray hair ... I just wish she’d be really good in practice tomorrow, that would help,” Henrickson said. “It’s pretty obvious early if she’s with it or not. It was pretty obvious early she wasn’t with it at A&M and pretty obvious early (Wednesday) that she had good focus and concentration.”
After her impressive performance in the Colorado game, consistency became a key word for Henrickson and teammates.
“I’m not surprised that she played like that tonight, but it’s just her consistency,” junior forward Danielle McCray said. “Once she keeps being consistent for us, that’s when we’re going to keep winning games.”
On Wednesday night, Sutherland scored 10 points — many on put backs — and grabbed four rebounds in the second half. At the time, Colorado was slicing into Kansas’ lead, but Sutherland’s baskets helped reassert the Jayhawks.
“Now, I think, ‘Just get a rebound,’” Sutherland said. “The game is that simple: get a rebound and put it back up. Don’t think too much about a play, just play basketball.”
Yet, for those times when Sutherland needs a little direction, Nicollette Smith’s voice is often the first she hears, shouting directions or defensive assignments.
“Her teammates stay on her because they know she’s good enough to help us win, so they get frustrated with her,” Henrickson said. “She really responds to that in a good way. She doesn’t want to let them down.”
— — Edited by Sonya English
Kansas defense lacks patience, consistency
Despite Sutherland’s struggles, Jayhawks pull a narrow victory to Tigers.
Sutherland plays big
Moving the freshman to a new position gives the Jayhawks another option.
Women’s team’s talent not enough to win
Women’s basketball will need more than skill to beat Texas tonight in ...
Davis named to Naismith Women's Early-Season Watch ...
Davis is still healing from her stress fracture but hopes to be ...
Smith adds depth behind starters
Junior forward brings versatility and communication skills off the bench.
Smith tears ACL but could still play ...
The senior guard has scored 17 points off the bench this season.
Reserve plays strong in WNIT win
Sutherland’s impressive performance includes new career high in points scored.
Freshmen get chance to play exhibition
Kansas focusing on weaknesses to prepare for game against Emporia State this ...
Smith, Henrickson reconcile differences
Sophomore forward learns to adapt and mature after a recalcitrant first season.
Sutherland finds consistency in Kansas victory at ...
Searching for consistency all season, senior forward Aishah Sutherland found just that ...
Sutherland matures against top players
Freshman forward performs well, but still shows room for improvement.
Practice makes perfect for recovering Kansas
Although they’d much rather play a game, the women’s basketball team is ...
Sutherland breaks out; Kansas wins 86-56
Sophomore forward Sutherland and freshman point guard Goodrich contribute to women’s basketball ...
Killer instinct comes back to guard
Kansas scores 106 points, the most under coach Bonnie Henrickson in a ...
Davis fights for starting position
Freshman Carolyn Davis harneses her “nice” personality and gets aggressive.
Boyd helps Jayhawks sweep Longhorns in season ...
Extended playing time gives Asia Boyd a chance to prove her skill
Aishah Sutherland to receive recognition as sole ...
Also, after her season-ending injury, Kansas forward Carolyn Davis is now playing ...
Women’s only senior has eyes on NCAA ...
Aishah Sutherland comes from a basketball family, and plays to set an ...
McCray playing ‘fast’
Junior guard has a cold first half, but Henrickson believes benching early ...
Women’s basketball must step up to replace ...
Coach Bonnie Henrickson expects freshman forward Chelsea Gardner to fill in the ...
Jayhawks get first shot at redemption
After falling 76-65 to Texas A&M on Jan. 21, Kansas travels to ...
The Morning Brew
Weldon will be missed after her sudden departure from the women’s basketball ...
Boogaard’s return to court helps Jayhawks win
After missing four games with a stress reaction in her leg, Krysten ...
Women’s basketball awaits Morris’ return
After being injured in the game against Texas Tech, Sade Morris is ...
Sutherland and Goodrich shine in game against ...
Women’s basketball team defeats the Tigers 72-63
Senior guard helps lead the team
Ivana Catic coaches fellow players in her role as “Bonnie on the ...
Two coaches' storied pasts
Bonnie Henrickson and Tennessee coach Pat Summitt have crossed paths numerous times ...
All-American Smith doesn't measure success in awards
Senior contributes more than court time
Jamie Boyd rarely left the bench, but her dedication to the team ...
Sutherland comes up big in first game
Sophomore scores 20 points, grabs nine rebounds in first half of Jayhawks’ ...
Sutherland makes history with 1,000-point career
Senior Aishah Sutherland meets a career milestone, but wants to now focus ...
KU looks for positives in losing streak
After fourth straight loss, Jayhawks look for better play off the bench.
Women one step from WNIT championship
Kansas defeats Illinois State 75-72 in front of record crowd to advance ...
Jayhawks putting the pieces together after Davis’ ...
Freshman Chelsea Gardner and other bench players will need to step up ...
Women's team earns emotional victory
The Kansas women’s basketball team beat Southern Methodist University 75-52 on Thursday ...
3 more wins give Jayhawks 6-0 record
Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Classic was a success for Jayhawks and junior forward ...
Goodrich and Davis embrace roles on and ...
Angel Goodrich and Carolyn Davis are each other's support systems during this ...
After cold start, freshman guard heats up
Coach Bonnie Henrickson gains confidence as Monica Engelman starts showing improvements.
Women's basketball team secures ninth straight victory
Sutherland and Davis lead the Jayhawks in their 73-59 victory over the ...
Late Night in the Phog not just ...
The women’s basketball team kicked off their season at an extra-spirited Late ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID