Jayhawks Welcome Emporia State Thursday For Final Exhibition Game
Nov. 7, 2007
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Game Notes
OPENING TIP
The University of Kansas hosts Emporia State University in its second and final exhibition game of the 2007-08 season Thursday, Nov. 8. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse. Bonnie Henrickson is in her fourth season at the helm of the women’s basketball program after leading the Jayhawks to a 40-49 overall mark during her first three campaigns, including a 17-13 mark and a bid to the Women’s NIT during the 2005-06 season.
FAST BREAKS
-Kansas holds a 30-9 all-time record in exhibition games and has won 21 of its last 23 preseason contests. See page two for complete preseason exhibition results.
-Today’s game will mark the 10th time the Jayhawks have played an in-state Division II foe in the preseason, including Sunday’s 82-48 win over Pittsburg State.
-KU defeated Emporia State, 83-53, on Nov. 13, 2005, in Bonnie Henrickson’s second season as head coach. KU is 1-0 in preseason exhibition games against the Lady Hornets.
-Kansas leads the regular season series with Emporia State, 3-0. All three games were played in Lawrence. The Jayhawks and Lady Hornets have not met during regular-season play since KU took a 56-46 win over ESU on December 14, 1991.
-The Jayhawks will host Hartford in the 2007-08 season-opener on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m., in Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas and Hartford will be meeting for the first time in program history.
A LOOK AT KANSAS
The Jayhawks enter the 2007-08 season with a wealth of young athletic players mixed with two senior forwards in Taylor McIntosh and Jamie Boyd. A trio of juniors in guards Ivana Catic and Katie Smith and forward Marija Zinic will look to help anchor a young group of talented underclassmen. With six sophomores and three freshmen on the roster, the Jayhawk future is bright. In its exhibition opener, KU beat Pittsburg State, 82-48, led by sophomore Danielle McCray with 20 points. Sophomore Sade Morris added 15 points and McIntosh pulled down 11 caroms.
THE OPPONENT
For the eighth time in the last ten years the Emporia State Lady Hornet basketball team will start the season in the top ten of the USA TODAY/ESPN/WBCA Division II Coaches Poll. For the second straight year the Lady Hornets are ranked No. 3 in the preseason rankings. In addition, for the second consecutive year and the seventh time under head coach Brandon Schneider, the Lady Hornets are the pick of the league coaches to win the MIAA championship. ESU will be led by two-time All-American Michelle Stueve and 2007 MIAA Freshman of the Year Cassondra Boston. Stueve begins the season 430 points shy of the MIAA career scoring record of 2,159 points set by Becky Reichard from 1994-99 while playing at both Missouri-Rolla and Missouri Western.
EXCELLENT EXPOSURE
The Jayhawks’ television and radio coverage is one of the best in the country. KU will be featured on television 26 times this season, including all 18 contests at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas will also appear on national television four times. Among the Jayhawk Radio Network affiliates carrying the 2007-08 season is WIBW (580 AM), which boasts the 11th largest signal in the country. KLWN (1320 AM) of Lawrence will join KCSP (610 AM), weekend games, and KXTR (1660 AM), weeknight games, as a few of the affiliates fans can use to listen to Jayhawk basketball.
BIG 12 PRESEASON POLL
The University of Kansas was tabbed 10th in the preseason poll voted on by the league’s head coaches. Texas A&M edged two-time defending champion Oklahoma for the top spot in the poll. The Aggies return all five starters from last season’s team and received seven first place votes.
MCCRAY GARNERS PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 HONORS
Kansas sophomore guard-forward Danielle McCray was tabbed Preseason All-Big 12 honorable mention in a poll of the league coaches. It was the first such honor for the 5-foot-11 Olathe, Kan., native.
LEADERS OF THE HAWKS
Seniors Jamie Boyd and Taylor McIntosh and junior Ivana Catic have been named tri-captains for the 2007-08 season. It is the second-straight year for both McIntosh and Catic to be bestowed with the honor, while Boyd is serving as a captain for the first time in her Jayhawk career.
SMITH SOLID IN DEBUT
Freshman forward Nicollette Smith turned in a solid outing in her first game in Allen Fieldhouse. Smith tossed in nine points and also pulled down four rebounds in her 16 minutes of action. Smith canned 2-of-3 shots from beyond the arc and made 3-of-4 from the charity stripe.
