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BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2006
letter from the editors
BY KRISTEN JARBOE
AND MICHAEL PHILLIPS
EDITOR@KANSAN.COM
Attending the University of Kansas means attending KU basketball games.
The two seem to go hand-in-hand for students, as well as faculty and staff. It's so important that students have to camp out days before a big game, just to get a good seat in Allen Fieldhouse.
I think we can all remember our first time camping the 6 a.m. shift at the Fieldhouse, looking jealously at the other groups who knew to bring air mattresses. But on game night it's all worth it, as you lock arms with 16,299 of your closest friends for the singing of the alma mater.
It's in that spirit that we bring you this year's The University Daily Kansan basketball preview. Anticipation runs high every year, especially for those of us
eager to forget football season, but this year the men's basketball team is favored by some to win the national championship in Atlanta next April.
The Kansan will be there for every game, with complete coverage in the newspaper and live coverage year-round at Kansan. com.
The women's basketball team is also in anticipation of a season that could turn out any number of different ways. Seven freshmen will look to establish themselves as the class that vaults Kansas into the Big 12's upper-tier.
Tonight at Allen Fieldhouse the season will get underway, but first take a minute to read about the coaching staff and the players that will make an impact this year for both teams. We also caught up with a Jayhawk who knows a thing or two about winning. Enjoy!
Jarboe is Kansan correspondent editor. Phillips is Kansan sports editor.
(table of contents)
Designed by Jacky Carter and Drew Bergman
3C》 Seven freshmen look to shape the team's future
3C》 Florida game highlights schedule
4C》Junior forward ready to play after last season's suspension 4C》Wright ready for sophomore season 4C》Kaun has high hopes for season
Chalmers embraces team concept 5C》 Expectations high for Bill Self 5C》 NBA can wait for Rush
5C >> After trying to make it on his own,
6C Jeff Boschee trades NBA spotlight for high school gym
7C》 Lack of seniors leaves leadership void 7C》 Women's team will leave home
8C》 Freshmen bring rock star abilities homegrown humility
Henrickson settling in during third year Players appreciate her motto for the team, enjoy coaching strategies
BY JILLIAN GARRETT
Sharita Smith had just finished her freshman year when she found out about coach Marian Washington quitting. Along came Bonnie Henrickson, a coach who had a record of 158-62 and seven post-season appearances at her previous school Virginia Tech.
"It hasn't been a hard transition," Smith, now a senior guard, said. "When a new coach comes, you've got to respect them."
In just two seasons, Henrickson has brought the women's team to a new level. Last season, they started out 12-0, including a win over top 25 Texas. They finished the season 17-13 after a two-point loss in the NIT tournament.
"Her motto is "Together we can," Smith said of Henrickson. "And we've come to believe that."
But that was then. She's now in her third season and expectations are high. Her team is almost officially her team: Washington's recruits have dwindled down to one, and the freshmen class is up to seven, a class that is in the top 20 of recruiting classes in the nation.
"She expects us to work," Lindsay Ballweg, freshman guard said. "And I'll do whatever I can."
Henrickson's respect has a lot to do with recruiting, but last year Katie Smith, sophomore guard, decided to try her luck at walking onto the newly remolded team.
Smith said Henrickson was a big factor in deciding whether to try out for the team.
"I had heard a lot about her," she said.
Although Henrickson has gained respect as a coach she still has only two years under her belt.
Last year, her guidance snapped a 36-game winning streak the Texas Longhorns held over the Jayhawks heads.
Coach Bonnie Henrickson enters her third season with a new team that is a "breath of fresh air."
In the 2004-2005 season, her team grabbed the most wins the Jayhawks have had in four years. And the post season appearance at the NIT tournament was the University's first since 2000.
"Our chemistry is good. It's the best since I've been here," Henrickson said.
Henrickson came to Kansas with a challenge awaiting her. With a record sitting of 3,000 plus fans attending the women's games last season, this year might break even more attendance records.
But in the end, it's all about the team on the court and the amount of effort they're exerting.
"These kids have been a breath of fresh air," Henrickson said. "I love their energy. We've got a lot of work to do, but I have a group that wants to work and that's exciting."
Kansan correspondent Jillian Garrett can be contacted at editor@ kansan.com.
Edited by Kristen Jarboe
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