8B GAME DAY
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2007
KU TIP-OFF
PLAYER TO WATCH
Taylor Mcintosh
Will the Jayhawks play as hard as they can, even though it's an exhibition game?
The senior forward and team captain pulled down a game high 11 rebounds in the Jayhawks first game but shot only one-for-eight from the field. Her rebounds will be an important part of the game plan, Her shooting performance was abnormally poor, and she'll be eager to get out and prove it was a fluke. In the first game, McIntosh and her fellow post players missed more layups than they made, something that can't happen again.
QUESTION MARK
On paper, an exhibition loss means nothing. For a team's psyche, however, it means everything. Kansas can't afford to lose this game because of the repercussions it could have when the regular season gets underway. Playing smart defense and finishing shots are the two most important things for coach Bonnie Henrickson's players Thursday night. Without both of them, they could have a loss before ever really playing a game.
HIGH-SCORING HORNETS VISIT
Kansas frontcourt must recover from shooting struggles
KANSAS VS. EMPORIA STATE,7 p.m. today. Allen Fieldhouse
Kansas
OFFENSE
Kansas had more than its fair share of problems offensively before pulling away for an 82-48 exhibition victory against Pittsburg State. The Jayhawks shot a pedestrian 30 percent in the first half, which included a plethora of missed layups. Sophomore guards Danielle McCray and Sade Morris scored a combined 35 points in Sunday's win, coming mostly from 10- to 15-foot jump shots. The Jayhawks' forwards were a combined 7-for-26 in their first game. Look for senior Taylor McIntosh and freshman Krysten Boogaard to come out with something to prove after disappointing premieres.
— Taylor Bern
Emporia State
DEFENSE
Against Pittsburg State, Jayhawk guards showed a vulnerability to dribble penetration, something they'll need to take care of before the regular season. Pittsburg State guard DePrice Taylor breezed right past defenders for 13 points, and Kansas will see plenty more quick guards like her before too long. Also, the Gorillas threw up 18 three-pointers in the loss. They made only three, but the Jayhawks can't allow that many three-point attempts. The Jayhawks did a good job limiting Pittsburgh State's trips to the free-throw line, but they need to expand the quick feet used for that kind of defense out to the perimeter.
OFFENSE
Emporia State was 10th in NCAA Division II in scoring offense last season when it put up almost 78 points per game. It was also one of the best shooting teams in the nation, ranking among the top 20 in field goal percentage, free throw percentage and three-point percentage. The Hornets will begin 2007 ranked third in Division II, and they return 6-foot-2 senior forward Michelle Stueve, last year's Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association leading scorer and a two-time All-American. Despite losing the team's assist leader, guard Tegan Stuart, and adding eight new faces, the
Taylor McIntosh
Hornets shouldn't exactly struggle to score, with three of last season's ton four scores returning
season's top four scorers returning.
DEFENSE
The Hornets outscored opponents by 16 points per game last season, mostly because of their prolific offensive play. But the team also relied on solid defensive performances. Coach Brandon Schneider will have to integrate eight new players into a defense
that allowed opponents to shoot only 36.9 percent last season. Although Emporia State ranked 14th in the nation in most blocked shots last season behind 6-foot-1 center Cecilia Henningsen and 6-5 center Denisa Svarova, it will need to find different sources to protect the rim this season after both graduated.
ESU TIP-OFF
PLAYER TO WATCH Cassondra Boston
Michelle Stueve is the most obvious candidate, but the Hornets' success will hinge on last season's MIAA freshman of the year, Cassondra Boston. The 5-foot-6 guard must navigate Kansas' defensive pressure to distribute the ball, but she will also take on considerable scoring duties herself. Boston shot 36 percent from three-point range last year and averaged 12.1 points for the Hornets, second on the team behind Stueve. In order for Emporia State to have any chance of success against Kansas, Boston will have to score efficiently and limit costly turnovers.
QUESTION MARK
Can the Kansas forward tandem of Taylor Mcntosh and Porscha Weddington slow down Stueve?
Kansas will focus its defensive efforts on stopping the talented senior. Coach Bonnie Henrickson will try to force Emporia State to find other scoring options. Stueve is not a typical post player: She shot 189 three pointers last season and made 35 percent. But Kansas should be able to limit her touches and use double teams to provide defensive pressure if needed.
— Andrew Wiebe
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN