KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2010 / BASKETBALL PREVIEW
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What to look for-Women's
GOODRICH'S RETURN
Junior guard Angel Goodrich will return to the team after two seasons plagued with injury. Goodrich injured her right ACL her freshman year and her left ACL during her sophomore campaign.Now,after working with trainers since her surgery in January,Goodrich is ready to get back out onto the court.Last season Goodrich started 15 games and led the conference in assists with 7.1 per game before her injury.After 15 games Goodrich already had 106 assists,and averaged 6.8 points,2.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals.
Goodrich, who was the top point guard recruit in the nation, was cleared to play in July after six months of rehab. During that time she worked on strengthening both knees in an effort to complete her first full season as a redshirt sophomore. Goodrich is also looking forward to being more vocal and becoming a leader for Kansas.
LEADERSHIP
After the Jayhawks lost their leading scorer, Danielle McCray, to an ACL tear shortly after Goodrich's injury, they were forced to reevaluate the team and their roles on the team. They needed a new leader and it changed game by game with different players stepping up. One of the biggest questions still facing the Jayhawks is who will fill the scoring void left by the absence of McCray and Sade Morris, who were drafted to play overseas after McCray had been drafted seventh in the 2010 WNBA Draft. Signs point to sophomores Monica Engelman and Carolyn Davis stepping up to take a larger role in the team. They contributed 7.5 and 10.2 points per game respectively last season and Engelman started for the team after Angel Goodrich was hurt and Carolyn started for the Big 12 season. The team will need consistent leaders and with the spot wide open almost anyone one the team could fill the void. Davis, Engelman and Goodrich were named team captains for the upcoming season.
Senior Krysten Boogaard, who averaged 8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, has the opportunity for an impressive senior year. The Regina, Saskatchewan native played all 33 games last season and started in 20 of them. Boogaard made 104 of 170 shots for a 61.2 field goal percentage. In the WNIT Boogaard hit her stride and averaged 16.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and shooting 70.8 percent of her shots from the field. She recorded double digits in 12 different games and had double figures in rebounding in three games. As the most experienced returning starter, Boogaard will have a larger leadership role.
OFFENSE
Over the summer, Boogard worked with assistant coach Tory Verdi on improving her offense around the rim. She also gained more muscle in preparation for her senior season. Henrickson is hoping to play Boogaard and Davis at the same time to improve scoring around the basket this season.
After two years of reaching the WNIT, the veterans now have the tournament experience to go further in not only the Big 12 Tournament, but also the NIT or NCAA Tournaments this year. Following a disappointing loss in the Sweet 16 to Illinois State in the WNIT last season the Jayhawks are hopeful to continue postseason participation. Coach Henrickson and the team are optimistic.
POSTSEASON
Coach Henrickson and the team are optimistic about their chances to advance to the NCAA tournament for the first year since 2000.
Monica Engelman drives past an Iowa State player at Allen Field House. Kansas lost 54-57.
— Kathleen Gier
Carolyn Davis battles to maintain possession of the ball against Kansas State guard Mariah White last season. Davis finished with a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Jerry Wang/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Women's schedule
Date Opponent Time
10/31/10 vs. Fort Hays State 2 p.m.
11/07/10 vs. Washburn 2 p.m.
11/14/10 vs. South Dakota 2 p.m.
11/17/10 vs. Texas A&M CC 7 p.m.
11/21/10 at Wisconsin 5 p.m.
11/26/10 vs. North Dakota State 7 p.m.
11/27/10 vs. Memphis 6 p.m.
11/28/10 vs. Fordham 1:30 p.m.
12/01/10 vs. Maine 7 p.m.
12/04/10 at SMU 2 p.m.
12/09/10 at Michigan 6 p.m.
12/12/10 vs. Alabama 2 p.m.
12/19/10 vs. SIUE 2 p.m.
12/22/10 at Creighton 5:30 p.m.
12/30/10 vs. UT Arlington 7 p.m.
01/03/11 vs. UMKC 7 p.m.
01/08/11 vs. Texas Tech 7 p.m.
01/12/11 at Colorado 8 p.m.
01/16/11 at Nebraska 2 p.m.
01/19/11 vs. Baylor 7 p.m.
01/23/11 vs. Oklahoma 12 p.m.
01/26/11 at Missouri 7 p.m.
01/29/11 at Kansas State 2 p.m.
02/02/11 vs. Colorado 7 p.m.
02/05/11 at Texas 2 p.m.
02/09/11 vs. Iowa State 7 p.m.
02/12/11 at Texas A&M 7 p.m.
02/19/11 vs. Missouri 7 p.m.
02/23/11 at Oklahoma State 7 p.m.
02/26/11 vs. Nebraska 7 p.m.
03/01/11 at Iowa State 7 p.m.
03/05/11 vs. Kansas State 6:30 p.m.
Games to watch - Women's
KANSAS VS. MICHIGAN, DEC. 9. ANN ARBOR, MICH.
Michigan lost in the WNIT Semifinals last year to Miami (Fla.), but senior guard Veronica Hicks was named to the 2010 WNIT All-Tournament team. Hicks led her team in scoring with 13.2 points per game. As the lone senior on the roster, Hicks will play an important leadership role. This game should be a good matchup — the Jayhawks reached the third round of the WNIT tournament last year and the finals the year before.
KANSAS VS. CREIGHTON, DEC. 22, OMAHA, NEB. Jays
Kansas faced Creighton in both the regular season and the second round of the WNIT last season and won both games by a close margin. Creighton will be looking to avenge their loss in the tournament last year and the match-ups between the two teams on the perimeter will be challenging.
KANSAS VS. BAYLOR, JAN. 19, LAWRENCE
Baylor, who was chosenunanimously to finish the Big 12 regular season in first place, returns their 2010 Big 12 Player of the Year Brittney Griner and adds the Preseason Newcomer and Preseason Freshman of the year choices. Griner will be a difficult opponent to guard as well as score against.
KANSAS VS. TEXAS A&M, FEB.12, COLLEGE STATION,TEXAS
The Aggies were picked to finish second in the Big 12 regular season standings. Texas A&M won the Big 12 Championship last year and has appeared in the NCAA Tournament for five straight years. The Aggies return three of their five starters from last year's team. Senior Danielle Adams was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Women's Basketball Team.
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