Friday, October 30, 2009
Then junior guard Daniel McCray drives past a Kansas State player in a game last season. This year McCray was named Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year.
Burnt red-, orange- and lemon-colored leaves blanket Lawrence’s surface. The chills of the stirring winds mask the warmth of the sun, signaling winter’s nearby arrival. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, as fall begins to slowly wrap itself into the past. Yes, it’s that time of the year again. Lace up the kicks, and tuck in the jerseys. It’s hoops season.
At second place in the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll, Kansas women’s basketball is just three votes behind first-place Baylor. But once the regular season tips off in Allen Fieldhouse Sunday against Pittsburg State, the transparency of hype will morph into reality.
“There’s a difference between predicting success and achieving success,” coach Bonnie Henrickson said.
With four starters returning, Kansas aims to build off of last season’s 22-14 record and establish itself as not just a Big 12 threat, but as a national powerhouse. Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year guard-forward Danielle McCray and her turbo-charged teammate, guard Sade Morris, are both seniors. So you better believe that they’re going to make this year count.
“It’s a new season,” Morris said. “We’re trying to win a Big 12 Championship.”
After last season’s devastating finale, a loss to South Florida in the WNIT championship game in Allen Fieldhouse, this year’s experienced squad is ready to forget history and move forward with a deep bench and considerably higher expectations.
“It kind of places a target on your back,” junior center Krysten Boogard said. “There’s a lot more people noticing our program.”
Pittsburg State went 20-9 last year, with an impressive 8-3 record on the road, so don’t expect the in-state opponents to falter with ease. If Kansas passively approaches the home opener, senior center Nicole McCombs, who led the Gorillas with 15.7 ppg last season, could dominate the paint with easy put-backs off of rebounds.
Henrickson looks to counter that possibility with a collective focus on defense.
“We’ve got to do a better job of protecting the paint and not fouling,” Henrickson said.
The only way Kansas can make efficient defense really count is by utilizing each possession.
“We need to limit our turnovers, get more possessions and make them turn the ball over more,” Boogard said.
But the rumbles of Allen Fieldhouse this Sunday will only be the start of something much more.
“We’re trying to make it to the NCAA Tournament,” Morris said. “It’s time to have the season that we’ve always dreamed.”
Quote of the day:
“I feel like there’s a lot more people noticing our program, just because of the way we ended last season and the way we showcased ourselves. I think it’s exciting to hopefully have a lot more people in the stands for our first game.”
— Junior center Krysten Boogaard.
Key to the game
Defense in the paint: The Jayhawks need to win the battle in the paint in order to come away with a victory against Pitt. State this Sunday. In past seasons Kansas has struggled in defending its paint without committing fouls. The Gorillas have talent beneath the basket, and if the Jayhawks don’t make the necessary adjustments, they could start their season with a surprising loss.
What to watch for
Point guard play: Former Kansas point guard Ivana Catic is the only missing starter from the 2008-2009 team. That leaves a big question mark on the roster as the Jayhawks begin a new season. Although two of the three current point guards are playing their first game under coach Bonnie Henrickson, expect the talent of the newcomers to help the Jayhawks power past the Gorillas. Freshman guard Angel Goodrich has a knack for finding open players. That, along with the experience of junior college transfer Rhea Codio, should give the Jayhawks a little bit of a spark.
— Edited by Lauren Cunningham
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