Jayhawks Travel To Manhattan For Match-Up With #18 Wildcats

Feb. 7, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Game Notes

OPENING TIP

The Kansas Jayhawks will hit the road for a match-up at #18/18 Kansas State on Saturday, Feb. 9. The 95th meeting between the in-state rivals is scheduled for a 1 p.m. tip-off in Bramlage Coliseum. KSU owns the overall series record 53-41, however, the Jayhawks knocked off the Wildcats 82-74 in overtime in the last meeting between the two schools.

FAST BREAKS

-Kansas freshman Krysten Boogaard had her strongest performance in Big 12 play with a 20-point, 12-rebound effort in the Jayhawks win over Iowa State in their last outing. Boogaard made 8-of-10 shots from the field and also blocked three shots.

-KU is 2-2 versus Big 12 North opponents, but 0-4 versus the Big 12 South. The Jayhawks’ two wins are over Missouri and Iowa State. KSU is the only Big 12 North team the Jayhawks have not played thus far.

-Kansas sophomores Danielle McCray, Kelly Kohn and Sade Morris each had strong outings in the Jayhawks’ last meeting with the Wildcats. McCray finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Kohn and Morris were also in double-figures with 16 and 13 points, respectively.

-Kansas is ranked No. 31 in the latest RPI rankings on collegerpi.com. The Jayhawks’ strength of schedule is listed as the 15th toughest in the country.

A LOOK AT KANSAS STATE

The Wildcats, who enter Saturday’s game with a 15-6 overall mark and a 9-1 ledger in conference games, have put together their best league start in school history. KSU won its first nine Big 12 games before falling to No. 5 Baylor in its last outing. The Wildcats are led by senior Kimberly Dietz with 15.2 points per game. Dietz also dishes 3.1 assists per game. Junior forward Marlies Gipson is the top rebounder with 8.0 boards per game to go along with her 12.0 points an outing. Sophomore forward Ashley Sweat and junior guard Shalee Lehning also turn in double figures in points with 10.7 and 10.4 tallies per game, respectively. Lehning, one of the most versatile players in the conference, pulls down 7.1 rebounds and also leads the team with 135 assists and 50 steals. The Wildcats shoot nearly 46 percent from the field, while holding their opponents to 37 percent shooting. KSU takes good care of the ball, averaging just 14.4 miscues per game, while forcing 16.0 opponent turnovers. Kansas State head coach Deb Patterson is in her 12th season at the helm of the Wildcat program, collecting a 233-134 mark. Her overall coaching record is the same.

KANSAS-KANSAS STATE SERIES HISTORY

The Wildcats lead the all-time series 53-41, including a 25-13 lead in games played in Manhattan. Kansas snapped a KSU 12-game winning streak with an 82-74 overtime win over the Wildcats in the last meeting. KU head coach Bonnie Henrickson is 1-6 versus KSU, including an 0-3 mark in games played in Manhattan.

A LOOK AT KANSAS

Kansas enters Saturday’s contest with a 13-8 overall mark, including a 2-6 Big 12 Conference record after defeating Iowa State, 53-50, at home in its last outing. Sophomore guard/forward Danielle McCray is the top Jayhawk in scoring (14.4) and rebounding (7.2). McCray ranks in the top 10 in the Big 12 in both categories. Fellow sophomore guard Sade Morris is also in double figures in points per game with 11.1 tallies an outing. Morris also gives KU 4.1 boards and 2.4 assists per game. Freshman center Krysten Boogaard was inserted into the starting line-up after the team returned from its holiday break and ranks third on the team in scoring with 8.9 points a game to go along with 5.1 caroms per contest. Boogaard also leads the Jayhawks in blocks with 24 on the season, as well as field goal percentage at 54.6 percent. Senior forward Taylor McIntosh is second on the team in rebounding with 6.7 boards per game, while also dropping in 7.1 points. Junior point guard Ivana Catic is the team-leader in assists with 3.7 dishes per game, while also collec ting 33 pilfers on the year. Freshman forward Nicollette Smith comes off the bench to provide 5.9 points per game and leads KU with 31 triples on the season. The Jayhawks are coached by Bonnie Henrickson who owns a 53-57 mark in her fourth season at the helm of the Kansas program. Henrickson owns an overall coaching mark of 211-119 in 11 seasons on the sideline.

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION

-Kansas has two players on its roster from the state of Kansas in senior Taylor McIntosh (Wichita) and sophomore Danielle McCray (Olathe). Meanwhile, KSU has seven players on its roster from the Sunflower state.

-The Jayhawks and Wildcats have shared one common opponent this season outside of Big 12 foes in Creighton. KU defeated the Blue Jays 91-56 in Allen Fieldhouse, while KSU dropped a 62-69 decision at Creighton.