Jayhawks To Face Wisconsin in Big 12/Big Ten Challenge
Dec. 7, 2011
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LAWRENCE, Kan. – After suffering its first loss of the season Sunday at Alabama, the Kansas women’s basketball team (7-1) will look to bounce back when it takes on Wisconsin (4-5) on Thursday, Dec. 8 in the Big 12/Big Ten Challenge. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Allen Fieldhouse.
How to Follow the Jayhawks
Thursday’s contest will be televised on Metro Sports and the Jayhawk Radio Network will broadcast the game over the airwaves. Fans can also watch online (for a fee) at www.KUAthletics.com.
Fast Breaks
– Kansas is leading the nation with its 51.4 field goal percentage led by Carolyn Davis’ 68.1 percent mark, which ranks third nationally (through games on Dec. 4).
– In the most recent USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll, released Dec. 6, Kansas is receiving votes for the second-straight week. The team’s three votes put KU at No. 29. Prior to the 2011-12 season, Kansas last appeared in a poll when it received votes on Jan. 17, 2011.
– Kansas has outrebounded seven of its eight opponents.
– Carolyn Davis is three blocks shy of cracking KU’s top 10 career blocks list.
– Three different Jayhawks have reached the 20-point mark this season. Carolyn Davis owns three 20-point games while Aishah Sutherland and Keena Mays have one apiece. Mays recently hit the mark at Alabama on Dec. 4 collecting a career-high 21 points.
– The trio of Carolyn Davis, Angel Goodrich and Aishah Sutherland has combined for 53 percent of the Jayhawks’ scoring production this season and 42 percent of their rebounding.
– Keena Mays is shooting 58.3 percent from beyond the three-point arc over the last four contests, hitting 7-for-12 three-point attempts in that span. Her 44.4 three-point percentage on the season is the seventh-best mark in the Big 12 Conference.
– Freshman Natalie Knight has quietly started all eight games this season. The guard owns the fewest turnovers of KU’s starters committing just 13 miscues (1.6 per game) while averaging 26.5 minutes per outing.
– Sophomore CeCe Harper earned her first career start versus FAU on Nov. 27 and has started the last three games.
– Angel Goodrich has led the team in both assists and steals in all eight games this season (including ties).
About the Jayhawks
Kansas is coming off its first loss of the season after suffering an 80-76 setback at Alabama on Dec. 4. Junior Carolyn Davis turned in her third 20-point effort of the season with 21 points and currently paces the Jayhawks with 16.9 ppg while shooting 68.1 percent from the field, which ranks third nationally. As a team, Kansas is tops in the nation with a 51.4 field goal percentage helped along by the fact that the Jayhawks have collected 55-percent of their points in the paint. Sophomore Keena Mays came off the bench Sunday to add a career-high 21 points versus the Crimson Tide. She hit 4-for-6 from beyond the three-point arc and is KU’s leading three-point threat shooting 44.4 percent from long range and averages just over 10 ppg. Senior Aishah Sutherland has been productive on both ends of the court pulling down a team-high 8.6 rpg to go along with 13.8 ppg. Junior Angel Goodrich is the fourth Jayhawk averaging double-figures as she contributes 12.0 ppg but has been an unselfish player dishing 8.1 assists per game to rank second in the nation. Her 4.3 spg is the seventh-best mark among Division I players.
Scouting Wisconsin
Wisconsin has won its last two contests to bring a 4-5 overall mark to Lawrence, including 2-3 overall away from home. Taylor Wurtz is the Badgers’ top player averaging team-highs of 17.2 ppg and 9.2 rpg. She also leads the team with a 39.3 three-point percentage while earning over five trips to the foul line each game and converts 78.7 percent of her free throws. As a team, Wisconsin has been successful from the free throw line shooting 75.3 percent. Anya Covington is next for the Badgers adding 8.3 ppg and 6.0 rpg. Cassis Rochel comes off the bench to record 4.8 rpg and contributes 5.8 ppg on 60-percent shooting to go along with just over one block per outing.
Series History
The all-time series between Kansas and Wisconsin is tied at 2-2. The Jayhawks won the most recent meeting between the two teams, a 93-86 overtime thriller last season on Nov. 21 in Madison. Kansas also won 90-87 on Dec. 11, 2005. Wisconsin won its two meetings on Dec. 3, 2006 (68-41) and on March 16, 1995 (73-72) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Up Next
As finals week approaches, Kansas will have over a week to prep for its next contest, a match-up with UMKC on Saturday, Dec. 17. The game will tip-off from Allen Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. and be televised on Knology.
