Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Enough of the exhibition stuff, it’s time for some real tests.
And that is exactly what Kansas will get this year, with perhaps the toughest non-conference schedule in Coach Bonnie Henrickson’s six-yea
Senior guard LaChelda Jacobs drives past an Emporia State player during the Jayhawks’ final exhibition game Sunday. Kansas will open regular season play this Sunday as they enter a stretch of non-conference game against notable opponents such as Michigan, Xavier and UCLA.
r tenure at Kansas. And after all of that, Baylor, Texas and the other powers of the Big 12 await. If this talented Kansas team will go anywhere this year, they’re going to have to earn it. Let’s take a look ahead at a few of the toughest non-conference match-ups on the way.
Michigan (10-20, 3-15) Vs. Kansas, Nov. 22 in Lawrence, 2 p.m.
You might remember coach Kevin Borseth from his YouTube-circulated rants about his team’s struggles with offensive rebounding. What you might not have already seen is the improved talent that his team brings to Lawrence this year. After a mainly forgettable season last year, the maize and blue are in need of a fresh start — something that this young group can provide. Despite losing some key players by graduation, junior guard Veronica Hicks leads the gritty Big Ten squad with dizzying speed and endless hustle. Incoming freshman guard Dayeesha Hollins should make an immediate splash and 6-foot-6 senior center Krista Phillips will pose a great match-up for junior center Krysten Boogaard.
Freshman guard Angel Goodrich says:
“We just got to take the game the same way as any other game. Just like any other team. Get prepared, get ready and look to ‘em as if they’re the best team and just play ‘em the same way.”
Xavier (25-7, 13-1) Vs. Kansas, Nov.26 in Granda Bahama Island, 3:30 p.m.
Down to the tropics Kansas goes for arguably the toughest battle of the year. Xavier will kick off the season as the No. 11 team in the nation, their highest ranking ever (narrowly edging the 12 spot they held last year for five weeks.) The Musketeers won the Atlantic 10 regular season title and led the entire nation in field goal percentage defense and third in rebounding margin. Looking past the graduations of players Tudy Reed and Jerri Taylor, junior forward Amber Harris will return from injury and look to get back right where she left off (15.3 ppg and 8.9 rpg in the 2007-2008 season). Xavier also brings back Ta’Shia Phillips, last year’s Atlantic 10 player after averaging a double-double with 13.9 ppg and 12.1 rpg and preseason Atlantic 10 third team selection junior guard Special Jennings.
Senior guard/forward Danielle McCray says:
“It’s gonna prepare us down the road for some tough games we’re that gonna be in. Xavier has a really good post player, Ta’Shia Phillips. I played with her on the U.S.A. team. She’s a really good post presence for them inside.”
UCLA (19-12, 9-9) Vs. Kansas, Dec. 3 in Lawrence, 7 p.m.
Not only will this be a clash of two historically prestigious basketballs schools, but it will also be a battle of two experienced and talented teams. The Bruins return their top four scorers from last year, including leading scorer junior guard Doreena Campbell (12.9 ppg). They finished with an impressive 10-3 non conference record last year, but were only 2-2 away from Pauley Pavilion. They were recently tabbed to finish 4th in the Pac-10 by the conference’s coaches poll, however that ranking is deceiving, as they were only four votes behind second-place California. The Bruins boast a talented back court and will be ready to run with Kansas. Expect a tight one from two similarly-agile teams.
Coach Henrickson says:
“We haven’t won so much here that we think we can sleep through anybody. These kids do a great job of respecting an opponent and committing to prepare the same way every day.”
— Edited by Jonathan Hermes
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