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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6. 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Timeka O'Neal brings junior college triumphs
KIRSTEN PETERSON
@KeepUpWithKP
After coming off a 30-2 season, a conference title and a No.2 ranking in the final NJCAA D-II poll with the Cavaliers, junior college transfer Timeka O'Neal is ready to lead the Jayhawks, just like she did at Johnson County Community College.
"It's a really huge transition coming from Johnson County to Kansas," O'Neal said. "The tradition here is just overwhelming; it's crazy. It's a really good transition though."
In last Sunday's exhibition game against Fort Hays State, O'Neal came in at the 13-minute mark and immediately got the ball and drained a 3-pointer, igniting a big roar from the Kansas crowd.
She didn't stop there. With only a minute and a half left in the first half, O'Neal instantly got the ball again and sunk another three to win over Jayhawk fans. O'Neal also impressed coach Henrickson with her performance.
"Both Timeka and Lauren
(Aldridge) called plays more than I thought. I've had young point guards who looked more (to me). They went," Henrickson said.
Under Henrickson, O'Neal faces a lot of high expectations after being a star at Johnson County. Just because O'Neal is a new face on the Jayhawk roster doesn't mean that Henrickson will treat her any differently than her teammates who have been a Jayhawk for years.
"My favorite part about being a Jayhawk is just honestly having the opportunity. I mean, I never thought I would be a Jayhawk."
TIMEKA O'NEAL
Point guard
"She doesn't let up on me," O'Neal said of Henrickson. "She doesn't treat me any differently than any other player. She's on me on the things I do wrong to make sure I get it right. I try to
limit those mistakes and try to do my best every practice."
Henrickson isn't known for going easy on her players in practice, and O'Neal knew that when she committed to Kansas. "(There's) a lot more running," O'Neal said. "They're more into you. Not saying that Johnson County wasn't, but KU's just a lot more technical and you have to be on your game every day."
O'Neal looked in high spirits before she went into practice Wednesday afternoon. When asked what her favorite part about being a Jayhawk was, a huge smile came across her face.
"What's not to like about being a Jayhawk?" O'Neal said. "My favorite part about being a Jayhawk is just honestly having the opportunity. I mean, I never thought I would be a Jayhawk. Just saying I'm a Jayhawk is the best thing about being a Jayhawk.
"I'm going to try my hardest to bring that along to KU and contribute as much as I can for this team," O'Neal said.
Edited by Drew Parks
4 games to watch
Two nonconference and two conference women's basketball games to mark on your calendar
Kansas vs. No. 3 Notre Dame (November 30)
Coming into this game, the Jayhawks should be sitting at 5-1 or 6-0 on the year, meaning that confidence should be at an all-time high. Additionally, while Kansas is 500 miles further from the "neutral location" where this game will be played, neither team is close enough to call it a home game, which should also help the Jayhawks. If Kansas can get the win against Notre Dame, not only will the Jayhawks be rolling headed into the second half of the nonconference schedule, but a trip to the Sweet 16 or beyond might be in the cards.
No.15 California at Kansas (December 7)
The Kansas Jayhawks will take on the California Golden Bears at Allen Fieldhouse in one of the biggest home contests of the year. These two teams last met in December of 2012, when the No. 19 Jayhawks lost by nine points on the road to the No.8 Golden Bears. A sophomore by the name of Natalie Knight had 13 points and six assists, while another sophomore, Chelsea Gardner, scored 12. Now Knight and Gardner are seniors and the leaders of the Jayhawks, and you can bet that they'll be out for revenge come December.
Kansas at Iowa State (January 28)
You won't want to miss the Iowa State versus Kansas game in Ames. Both teams have four returning starters, and both have some great additions. By then, Kansas will have had to learn how to control its personal fouls because the Cyclones averaged 80.4 percent last season from the charity stripe.
Oklahoma State at Kansas (February 7)
Oklahoma State at Kansas will be a great game to watch out for with Oklahoma State having six newcomers and one transfer. The Cowgirls will have a brand new team up against the Jayhawk veterans, who have had had time to build chemistry on the court. Last season when the Cyclones and Jayhawks faced off in conference play, the Cyclones put up 19 points off turnovers, which could be a problem if the Jayhawks don't protect the rock.
Scott Chasen and Kirsten Peterson
Big 12 WBB Predictions: Kansas sits at seventh
SCOTT CHASEN
@SChasenKU
1. Texas
2. Baylor
3. West Virginia
4. Oklahoma State
5. Oklahoma
6. Iowa State
7. Kansas
8. TCU
9. Kansas State
10. Texas Tech
Texas is primed to win the Big 12, especially considering that the Longhorns will return four of their five starters from last year, in addition to having the nation's fourth-ranked recruiting class according to ESPN. After Texas, Baylor has to be the odds-on favorite to finish second. Baylor is coming off of a fourth consecutive regular season title, but the Bears lost two starters from last
year, including Odyssey Sims, who went on to be selected with the second overall pick in the WNBA draft. Kansas will likely finish in the lower half of the conference, but that doesn't mean the NCAA Tournament is out of reach, as six Big 12 teams reached the tournament last season.
Edited by Lyndsey Havens
KIRSTEN PETERSON
@KeepUpWithKP
1. Baylor
2. Texas
3. West Virginia
4. Oklahoma State
5. Oklahoma
6. Iowa State
7. Kansas
8. Kansas State
9. TCU
10. Texas Tech
This season, Baylor looks undefeatable coming off of a 16-2 conference record last season, with West Virginia matching that record. However, with Texas, Kansas, TCU and Iowa State all having returning starters, it looks as though they will all have a foundation to build off of this upcoming season. Iowa State seems to have the upper hand with an All-Big 12 honoree
Nikki Moody and All-Big 12 freshman team members Seanna Johnson and Jadda Buckley. I may regret not ranking Kansas higher, but until I see its first conference win, I'm in the dark about how well these women play under pressure.
Edited by Lyndsey Havens