What you should learn before the season

By Christian Lucero

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Late Night has come and gone. With the Nov. 1 season opener approaching, here are the five things you need to know about the 2009-2010 Kansas Jayhawks.

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Photo by Weston White

Senior guard Sade Morris takes the ball to the basket in a game last season. Though sometimes overshadowed by senior Danielle McCray, Morris, last season’s second leading scorer, could prove invaluable to her team. “She just has to turn the corner and believe she is an elite player in this league,” coach Bonnie Henrickson said of Morris.

  1. The team is ready for the big dance

Losing in the WNIT Championship game at home ended a magical run for Kansas last season, and the returning players want to rekindle that magic. Nearly every player has spoken about the motivation the team’s postseason run has provided. And returning star players, highly touted recruits and the growing loyal fan base has the Jayhawks thinking big.

“We have positioned ourselves, with player development, with fans and with recruiting, to do very well,” coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “The bar is set much higher.”

  1. Senior Danielle McCray

is definitely hype-worthy

The list is growing.

An All-Big 12 performer last season, she led the team with averages of 21.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. She was selected for the WNIT All-Tournament Team for her role in leading the Jayhawks during the postseason, and she won a gold medal for Team USA at the World University Games in Serbia this summer. Now she’s been listed as preseason 2nd Team All American, and preseason Big 12 Player of the Year heading into her senior campaign.

There’s no reason to think that list won’t get longer. McCray has blossomed into one of the best players in the Big 12. Now a co-captain, McCray’s play will be the deciding factor in whether the Jayhawks are able to build on their success from a year ago.

  1. Don’t sleep on Sade Morris

Because she shares the backcourt with McCray, Morris often gets overlooked. It’s a mistake the Jayhawks hope opposing teams make all season. Morris, a senior guard from Norman, Okla., has improved her numbers each season since arriving in Lawrence. After notching a respectable average of 6.4 points per game her freshman season, Morris boosted that number to 9.8 her sophomore year. Last season, not only was she the team’s second leading scorer at 12.7 points per contest, but she tallied season averages of 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Morris was also instrumental in Kansas’ postseason run. During the five games the Jayhawks played in the WNIT, she averaged 17.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists, earning her a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

And her effect on the team isn’t just about her numbers. Morris has consistently shown her knack on the defensive end during her career and was named the team’s best defender at the conclusion of last season. Henrickson also noticed Morris’ play stood out during the team’s WNIT campaign.

“Danielle and Sade are buying into playing Batman and Robin, being a dynamic duo,” Henrickson said. “She just has to turn the corner and believe she is an elite player in this league.”

  1. Changing of the (point) guard

The Jayhawks lost a staple in their lineup at point guard in Ivana Catic but now have what Henrickson regards as a good problem to have: a choice between Rhea Codio and Angel Goodrich to replace her.

“These are two playmakers who both handle the ball well,” Henrickson said. “It will come down to who makes good decisions with the basketball.”

Goodrich, a highly touted recruit out of Tahlequah, Okla., is coming off a medical redshirt year. She suffered a torn ACL and was forced to sit out her first year. Codio is a proven collegiate player who has the leadership and experience Goodrich lacks. Says who?

Henrickson compared Goodrich to Sherron Collins in terms of playmaking and scoring abilities and gave similar praise for Codio.

“She passes real well but can creating scoring opportunities for herself,” Henrickson said of Codio.

Henrickson also noted the situation as day to day and didn’t rule out a possible platoon between Goodrich and Codio. Expect to see Henrickson give both of them equal time early in the season.

  1. Both coaches, players determined on defense

Henrickson said both players and coaches had been focusing on defensive drills in hopes of becoming a better defensive team.

The Jayhawks’ defense is anchored by a strong perimeter presence of Morris and McCray, and the roster is dotted with talented defenders, including Nicollette Smith and LaChelda Jacobs. An increased defensive drive from down low in Krysten Boogaard and Aishah Sutherland would help the Jayhawks separate from other defenses in the Big 12. Last year, Kansas allowed 60.5 points per game and held opponents to a .378 field-goal percentage, statistics that sit comfortably among the middle of the pack in conference.

— Edited by Abbey Strusz

Comments

KU62 (anonymous) says...

I am glad to hear the optimism on the distaff side. I hope the focus on defense pays off big time. The back court seems to be our strength on offense, but that can be a problem on a night when more than one is a little "off". Playing inside-out won't be too effective without legitimate inside presence, so we have to hope the 'bigs' make big strides in that direction.

Coach Bonny doesn't really need my advice -- she's bringing the program along nicely in one of the tougher leagues around. Here's hoping for banners to hang all over AFH at season's end.

October 28, 2009 at 11:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

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