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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Kansas looks to leaders in Paradise Jam tournament
STELLA LIANG
sliang@kansan.com
While it will continue to be chilly in Kansas over Thanksgiving break, the Kansas women's basketball team (3-1) will be in the Virgin Islands. The team will compete in the Paradise Jam tournament and play against three opponents, but there will also be time to enjoy the island.
"The players are excited, and they should be excited," coach Bonnie Henrickson said. "The team bonding, that element of it, traveling like that, but you also have quality competition on a neutral floor in a beautiful setting."
The team's first game will be on Thanksgiving at 2:30 p.m. against Central Michigan. The Jayhawks play Xavier the next day and finish the tournament against Duke on Saturday. Each team will play every other team once, and whoever finishes with the best record will win the Island Division. Another set of four teams will compete in
the Reef Division.
The five freshmen have not encountered a tournament environment before, but the team is looking to its upperclassmen,
"There are things we can hang our hat on, a couple of things we did really well, we've got to repeat that."
BONNIE HENRICKSON women's basketball coach
"As leaders, it's different for everybody this year, but coach [Henrickson] has told us plenty of times we do have to drag them along or let them know how it's going to be and how we need to come in mentally," Knight said.
such as juniors Natalie Knight and Chelsea Gardner, to take the lead.
The Jayhawks are focusing on
their matchup with Central Michigan and taking a one-game-at' a time approach.
Central Michigan (1-2) averages 83.7 points a game and takes many shots. Henrickson said Central Michigan has a tough schedule, and its current record is not indicative of how good the team is.
Xavier (2-2) is a young team that has eight freshmen on its roster. The Musketeers have been inconsistent, but even with such an inexperienced group the two leading scorers on the team are seniors. Guard Shatyra Hawkes averages 21.5 points per game and guard Ashley Wanninger adds 14.8 points a game.
No. 2 Duke will be the Jayhawks' biggest test. The Blue Devils had four players named to the Naismith Preseason List and currently outscore their opponents by over 37 points per game.
The Jayhawks are coming off their first loss of the season, which was against Minnesota on the road. Kansas controlled much of
the first half, gave up a lead in the second and attempted a comeback that fell short. Henrickson said there were both positives and negatives to earning that loss.
"There are things we can hang our hat on, a couple of things we did really well, we've got to repeat that," Henrickson said. "Then we've got to clean up the rest."
Henrickson said the team should gain confidence from how it started the game and made a comeback, but the Jayhawks also need to be tougher when they are struggling with their shots.
The Jayhawks are turning to their next road trip hoping to learn from their loss.
"We know it's going to be a trip of a lifetime." Knight said. "We are going to have time for fun. We know when it's time to be serious and when it's time to have fun."
Edited by Heather Nelson
Senior guard Natalie Knight looks for an open teammate during Kansas' game against Pittsburg State on Oct. 30. Knight is averaging 6.5 points and 2.8 rebounds this season.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Battle 4 Atlantis brings steady, varied competition
BLAKE SCHUSTER
hschuster@kansan.com
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-0):
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-0):
Scoring leader: Codi Miller-McIntyre (18.6)
Rebound leader: Devin Thomas (11.6)
Assist leader: Codi Miller-McIntyre (4.8)
At A Glance:
Wake Forest is second in the nation in rebounding (49.2 rpg), but hasn't necessarily played anyone too capable of knocking it off in general. The Demon Deacons have all but coated through their first few games, which makes Kansas their first real challenge.
Villanova Wildcats (4-0):
At A Glance:
Scoring leader: JayVaughn Pinkston (20.3)
Rebound leader: Daniel Ochefu (8.8)
Assist leader: Darrun Hilliard (4.3)
University of Southern California Trojans (4-1):
At A Glance:
The Wildcats enter the Bahamas with the No. 26 field goal defense in the nation. Opponents, including the same Towson team the Jayhawks recently defeated, are only shooting 36.7 percent against Villanova. The key for Villanova will be the play of Darrun Hilliard – a guard who is averaging 14 points and 4.3 rebounds so far.
Scoring leader: Byron Wesley (19.8)
Rebound leader: Byron Wesley (8.8)
Assist leader: Pe'Shon Howard (4.2)
Since dropping its season opener at Utah State, USC has bounced back with four straight wins heading into the Battle 4 Atlantis. This will be the first time we get to see coach Andy Enfield back in the national spotlight after taking Florida Gulf Coast to the Sweet 16 last year.
Tennessee Volunteers (3-1):
Scoring leader: Jordan McRae (21.5)
Rebound leader: Jerome Maymon (8.5)
Assist leader: Jordan McRae (3.0)
At A Glance:
It's pretty clear Jordan McRae is the Volunteers' best
weapon. He's the team leader in scoring and assists, which is a large reason why Tennessee has three victories under its belt. Unfortunately, the marquee matchup in the Vols' opener set them back a bit. Xavier was able to hand the Volunteers' their only loss on the year. In that game, Tennessee shot just 37 percent from the line and lost 67-63.
Xavier Musketeers (4-0):
Scoring leader: Semaj Christon (16.3)
Rebound leader: Matt Stainbrook (9.0)
Assist leader: Dee Davis (7.0)
At A Glance:
Xavier's signature win came against Tennessee in a game that could have gone either way, if the Vols hadn't committed 25 fouls and given the Musketeers a chance to win it at the line. Xavier should become a top team by March, but it's still pretty untested as of now, just like every other school.
No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes (5-0):
Scoring leader: Roy Devyn Marble (14.6)
Rebound leader: Aaron White (7.6)
Assist leader: Roy Devyn Marble (3.8)
At A Glance:
The Hawkeyes are off to an impressive start thanks to Roy Devyn Marble – senior guard who leads the team in points and assists. Iowa is averaging 92.6 points per game right now. And while it hasn't faced stiff competition, that will change when Xavier takes the court with them on Thursday.
University of Texas El Paso Miners (3-2):
Scoring leader:McKenzie Moore (14.0)
Rebound leader:Vince Hunter (7.4)
Assist leader:McKenzie Moore (3.0)
At A Glance:
The Miners haven't had the easiest start to the season. After falling twice to New Mexico State they'll face off against a Tennessee team with a lot to prove in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis. UTEP is expected to contend in Conference USA this year, but probably won't in the Bahamas.
Edited by Heather Nelson
Freshman guard Frank Mason goes up for a dunk during Kansas' game against University of Louisiana-Monroe. Mason is averaging 8.3 points per game and a .773 free throw percentage.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
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