Pairings for 2013 Paradise Jam Released

April 18, 2013

LAWRENCE, Kan. – After back-to-back NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearances, the Kansas women’s basketball team is already scheduled to go to paradise next season, as the pairings for 2013 Ezybonds Global Payments U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam were released.

The Jayhawks will play three games on the Virgin Islands as part of round-robin pool play in the Island Division, which features three NCAA Tournament teams from this season. KU will face Central Michigan, Xavier and Duke over the three-day period.

“This is a terrific trip for our players and fans,” head coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “We will face some quality opponents on a neutral floor. It will be a great trip and a chance for a young team to grow and prepare for Big 12 Conference play.”

Kansas will open the event on Nov. 28 against Central Michigan from the Mid-American Conference. The Chippewas were 21-12 during the 2012-13 season, including a 12-4 mark in league play. After winning the MAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the conference tournament, CMU lost to Oklahoma, 78-73, in the first round. Kansas owns a 1-0 all-time record against Central Michigan.

On Nov. 29, the Jayhawks will face Xavier for the fourth time in school history. The Musketeers own a 2-1 lead in the series and posted a 13-16 overall mark last season, including a 7-7 mark in the Atlantic 10 Conference. However, Xavier will be a member of the new Big East starting for the 2013-14 campaign.

Kansas will conclude the event on Nov. 30 against Duke, which like the Jayhawks, had its 2012-13 season ended by Notre Dame at the Norfolk Regional. KU fell to the Irish in the regional semifinal, while the Blue Devils stumbled two days later in the final. This will be the first meeting between the two programs. Duke finished the season with a 33-3 mark and won both the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season and tournament titles.

For more information about the 2013 Paradise Jam, please visit the official website at www.ParadiseJam.com.

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