THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
3B
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KANSAS VS. MISSOURI
7TONIGHT, ALLEN FIELDHOUSE
OFFENSE:
All indicators are in place to predict a breakout game from Kansas offensively. Senior guard Shaquina Mosley has frustrated opponents with her ability to both penetrate the lane for easy baskets and knock down midrange jump shots. She leads the Jayhawks with 12.5 points per game in Big 12 Conference play. When freshman guard Kelly Kohn and freshman forward Danielle McCray get on a roll, their shots are as lethal as any. The problem is both have been streaky and can easily have a bad night, as witnessed by their combined 36 percent from the field shooting in conference play. But in the victory against the Longhorns Saturday, Kohn had 17 points and McCray had 15. The combined 32 points could serve as a signal that the pair is prepared to shoot lights out in the coming week. Add this in with junior forward Taylor Mcintosh's average of 12 points in the last five games and it seems that the Jayhawks are finally in the final stages of producing a consistently effective offense. This is something the Tigers already possess. Four Missouri players are averaging double digits in points, including senior EeTisha Riddle at 16 points a game. The Tigers average 72 points a game, fifth in the Big 12.
DEFENSE:
Advantage:
It's fairly easy to see why an offensive explosion could be in store for Kansas against Missouri. To call the Tiger defense dreadful might be an understatement. Missouri is dead last in the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense at 44 percent and three-point field-goal percentage defense at 33 percent. The Tigers are also in the bottom half of the conference in defensive rebounds, steals and blocks. Statistics show Kansas is not much better off. The Jayhawks rank last in defensive rebounding and blocked shots. That's mostly reflective on the frontcourt, however, which has improved drastically in the two straight victories. When McNtosh stays out of foul trouble, she's a force in the paint and doesn't let opponents score in the low post. In both of its last two games, Kansas defense rose to the occasion and won games. The Jayhawks held the Longhorns 16 points below their season average. Despite going into overtime last Wednesday, Colorado only scored two more points than its season average against Kansas and shot below 10 percent from three-point range.
Going into a week that features its two biggest rivals, Kansas finally has a two-game winning streak to be proud of. It's amazing what a simple turn of good fortune can do. Coach Bonnie Henrickson has been saying all year that her players practice like they are undefeated and thinks they can beat anyone. But for the first time this year, that team attitude is on display for everyone to see. Shaquina Mosley's two straight game-winning shots and the celebrations at midcourt that followed have spirits soaring. Kansas will also be motivated to meet archrival Missouri for the first time this season. The Tigers are limping into Lawrence on a four-game losing streak. Their season looked promising after going 12-1 in non-conference play but has been a disaster since. This is best evidenced by their 26-point loss to Oklahoma State only four days ago. Kansas and Missouri are tied for last place in the Big 12, but if momentum plays any factor in Wednesday's game the Tigers are on the verge of sitting comfortably alone at the bottom of the standings.
MOMENTUM:
Advantage:
Advantage:
Case Keefer
The Kansas player responsible for guarding Riddle will be junior forward Taylor McIntosh. After an up-and-down first half of the season, the junior forward has come on strong lately, scoring nine points per game in conference play to go along with her always relentless defense.
52 percent from the field.
Senior guard Sharita Smith has provided intense defense and plenty of leadership, while freshman guard Kelly Kohn is finally snapping out of an extended shooting slump. Smith held Texas point guard Carla Cortijo to while Kohn supplied the offense with 17 points on 6-for-8 shooting.
If Riddle can lure McNltosh into committing early fouls, Henrickson may be forced to bring sophomore forward Marrija Zinic off of the bench, in turn losing the defensive toughness McNltosh provides. However, if McNltosh can stay out of foul trouble, Kansas holds the upper hand in the first installment of this season's Border War series.
Tonight the lajahwacks will need to rely on their ability to control the pace of play. If Kansas can get points in transition early and often Missouri could become wined. The Tigers rely heavily on their starters, who combine to play more than 75 percent of the game.
- Edited by James Pinick
Kansan sportswriter Asher Fusco can be contacted at afusco@kansan.com.
On the other hand, Kansas has recovered admirably from an embarrassing two-month stretch in which the team lost 15 of 17 games. After defeating a weak Colorado team at Allen Fieldhouse, it appears Kansas has made winning a habit. Most recently, the Jayhawks traveled to Austin, Texas, and stunned the Longhorns 50-49 on Saturday afternoon.
COLLEGE
SURVIVAL TIP
Even before they started winning, the lahaywks were beginning to show signs of life. Senior guard Shaquina Mosley helped revive the Kansas offense in close losses to nationally ranked Baylor and Nebraska teams.
He added that confidence isn't just something Collins has on the court; it's also how he approaches life outside of basketball.
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Kansan senior sportswriter Michael Phillips can be contacted at mphillips@kansan.com.
"If he went out for the baseball team right now, he'd think he could take somebody deep in his first atbat." Self said.
— Edited by Katie Sullivan
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"This whole season has been tough, even the wins," said coach Bonnie Henrickson. "But we need that. We don't need it to be easy."
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Self said. "We're in a position where if we're going to win the league you have to take care of business every game. We have to approach this game like it is just as big as any game."
"He is so coachable," self said. "Whatever we ask of him, he's going to try to do."
BASKETBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
worked with him to cut down on his habit of eating junk food, which has resulted in his weight loss and therefore his energy level rising.
Containing forward EeTisha Riddle should be the lajawhays' first order of business. The 6-foot-3 Riddle is one of the most complete players in the Big 12 conference, averaging 16 points and almost 8 rebounds per game while shooting
COLORADO (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
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attract the national attention for their stellar play.
No matter how good Collins is, though, it's unlikely that he will be nationally recognized for his talent. Texas forward Kevin Durant locks up the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award. As for the layhawks, sophomore guard Brandon Rush and sophomore forward Julian Wright
more often.
Kansan sportswriter Mark Dent can be contacted at mdent@kansan.com.
Rush said that the best thing Collins brought to the team was his aggressive attitude, something that most freshmen lack. Instead of playing to not mess up, he's playing to create a basket or force a turnover.
endured an 83-57 pummeling at the hands of Oklahoma State, which is 5-6 in conference play.
"It's not something we were going to make a big deal of." Self said. "Most of these guys have played out there before. There's definitely some altitude but we have good enough depth. Hopefully we can sub enough to keep guys fresh."
RIVALS (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Edited by James Pinick
"His fearlessness is what makes him who he is," Self said. "He's in attack mode the whole time he's in there. He is aggressive and confident. That's something this team needs."
One more aspect of the upcoming game could be troubling. For the past three games, Kansas has had reasons to be more pumped up
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"You could have those thoughts, but I don't think that will occur."
than normal. Against Texas A&M, first place was on the line, and against Kansas State and Missouri, bragging rights were involved. Now, the Jawhawks are taking on the lastplace Buffaloes, a team that they smoked earlier this season. Despite a seemingly less important game, Self said he was not worried about his team coming out flat.