Kansas To Host Creighton
Dec. 19, 2005
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Kansas Jayhawks vs. Creighton Bluejays
Game #9 – Wed., Dec. 21, 2005 – 7:05 p.m. – Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Live video streaming, Gametracker and post-match results will be available on Kansas Athletics’ official website, kuathletics.com.
Radio
Jayhawk Radio Network. Nate Bukaty (play-by-play), Brenda VanLengen (color).
Television
Sunflower Broadband Channel 6. Kevin Romary (play-by-play), Steven Davis (color).
Records
Kansas is 8-0 to open the season. Creighton is 2-4, prior to its game against Kansas State on 12/19.
Rankings
Kansas is receiving votes in the Associated Press poll. Creighton is not ranked.
Coaches
Bonnie Henrickson is 20-16 in her second year at Kansas and 178-78 in her ninth season overall. The Bluejays are coached by Jim Flanery, who is 69-32 in his fourth year at CU (prior to K-State on 12/19).
Series History
Kansas leads Creighton 14-12 overall. The Blue Jays have won the last five meetings. The Jayhawks lead 8-5 in Lawrence.
Jayhawk Storylines
– KU’s 8-0 start is its best since 1991-92 when the Jayhawks went 10-0. Kansas also went 8-0 to begin the 1980-81 season.
– KU has scored at least 70 points in every game this year, and averages 78.1 per game. Last year, the Jayhawks reached 70 points only four times. Additionally, KU has only given up 70 points once — against Wisconsin which had 70 at the end of regulation, and finished with 87.
– Crystal Kemp has scored 20 or more points in each of the last two games including a career-high 28 against Wisconsin and 20 against Florida International. She owns three 20+ games for the season.
– Kemp has also posted two straight double-doubles. She has three for the season, while Taylor McIntosh and Erica Hallman have each posted one double-double.
– KU freshmen Jen Orgas and Katie Smith are both natives of Omaha, Neb. The duo played for Skutt Catholic HS, where they finished second at the state tournament as juniors and seniors.
The Matchup
The University of Kansas women’s basketball team (8-0) will take on the Creighton Bluejays Wednesday, Dec. 21. Game time is 7:05 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse. Creighton is playing its second game in three days against Big 12 competition after facing Kansas State on Monday. The Blue Jays were 2-4 heading into the KSU game.
KU’s perfect 8-0 start is the best since 1991-92 when the Jayhawks recorded a program-best 10-straight wins to open the season. The mark ranks among the top three starts all time for Kansas, as the 1980-81 Jayhawks also opened the year 8-0.
Last time out against Florida International, Kansas overcame a season-low 40.3 percent shooting performance from the floor to defeat the Golden Panthers 73-65. KU jumped out to a quick 20-8 lead behind the strong play of Crystal Kemp, who finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
For the season, Kansas is averaging 78.1 points and 39.4 rebounds per game. After scoring 70 or more points only four times last season, the Jayhawks have reached at least 70 in every game. The last time KU averaged 70 for the season was 1999-2000 when the team averaged 70.4.
Creighton has had a difficult time playing away from home this season. Prior to its game at Kansas State on Monday, the Blue Jays were 0-4 on the road including an 84-50 loss against Big 12 foe Nebraska. Creighton also played Colorado this season, defeating the Buffaloes 77-72 in Omaha. CU is led by senior Angie Janis with 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Also is double-figures is senior guard Kristi Woodard with 16.3 points and 6.0 boards per outing. The Bluejays average 67.2 points and 45.2 rebounds per game, while giving up 72.8 points and 38.8 rebounds. CU has struggled to find its shot, connecting on just 37.6 percent of its field goal attempts.
The meeting is the 25th all-time between Kansas and Creighton, with KU holding a 14-12 advantage. CU has won the last five meetings. CU is coached by Jim Flanery.
Game Promotions
Promotions for the game include “Coaches v. Cancer” night, Johnson County Night ($2 ticket with valid Johnson County ID), “Big Blue Night” (free popcorn for fans wearing blue) and a halftime performance by America’s Best Frisbee Dogs.
More From The Last Game
Kansas defeated Florida International, 73-65, Sunday, Dec. 18 at Allen Fieldhouse. Senior forward Crystal Kemp, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Week, spurred the Jayhawks to the victory with 20 points and a season-high 12 rebounds. The victory pushed the Jayhawks’ record to 8-0 on the season.
Helping Kemp and the Jayhawks fight off the pesky Golden Panthers were seniors Kaylee Brown and Erica Hallman. Brown finished with 16 points and a team-high four assists while Hallman added 10 points and knocked down two three-pointers.
The Jayhawks took a 34-30 lead into halftime. KU jumped out to an early advantage behind a 14-4 run to start the game. Kemp, who led all scorers with 15 points at the break, scored eight of the Jayhawks’ first 13 points and also grabbed six rebounds. Brown chipped in six points and Hallman scored five points and had four rebounds. Kansas also outscored the Golden Panthers 16-12 in the paint in the first half.
In the second half, a pair of freshmen helped KU withstand a late FIU run. Freshman Marija Zinic scored eight of her nine points after halftime and also finished with seven rebounds. Freshman Ivana Catic, who entered the game ranked third in the nation in assists per game, scored nine of her 10 points in the second half and dished out three assists, pushing her season average to 7.0 assists per game.
The Kansas defense was especially tough, forcing 18 FIU turnovers that resulted in 21 KU points. Kemp, Brown and Catic each snagged two steals.
Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson
Kansas head coach Bonnie Henrickson, one the top young coaches in the nation, is in her second season at the helm of the Jayhawks. In her first year on the Kansas sidelines, Henrickson led KU to its best record in five seasons and highest Big 12 finish in six campaigns. Following the season, Henrickson was honored with the Carol Eckman Award — given by the WBCA to a coach who exemplifies spirit, integrity, and character through sportsmanship, commitment to the student-athlete, honesty, ethical behavior, courage and dedication to purpose. Henrickson came to KU after seven successful seasons at Virginia Tech where she compiled a record of 158-62 (.718). Her teams averaged 23 wins per season and advanced to postseason play all seven years including five NCAA appearances. Overall, the Willmar, Minn., native has been a part of postseason play in 11 of the last 12 seasons. She is 20-16 (.555) at KU and 178-78 (.695) in her career.
Jayhawk Starters
Kansas has used three different starting lineups in eight games with sophomore forward Taylor McIntosh, senior forward Crystal Kemp, freshman point guard Ivana Catic and senior guard Kaylee Brown starting every game. Senior Erica Hallman (5 starts), junior Shaquina Mosley (2) and junior Sharita Smith (1) have all received starting nods at the third guard spot. Hallman has started the last five games.
Today’s Opponent – Creighton
Creighton enters the game against Kansas on Wednesday, Dec. 21, two days after facing Big 12 foe Kansas State in Omaha, Neb. Prior to the game against KSU, the Blue Jays owned a 2-4 overall record with all four losses coming on the road.
Creighton is led by preseason All-American Angie Janis, who scored over 20 points in four straight games and has logged consecutive double-doubles heading into the K-State game. The senior leads the team with 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, ranking 21st in the NCAA in scoring. Second-leading scorer Kristi Woodard has struggled recently, shooting 17.9 (5-28) in CU losses to North Dakota State and Louisiana Monroe, but still averages 16.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. The Bluejays lead the MVC in rebounding and have out-rebounded five of their six opponents to open the campaign. The Jays also top the MVC with 4.8 blocked shots per game, after swatting 10 against Louisiana Monroe. The Jays rank last in the MVC in turnover margin (-5.5), scoring margin (-5.7) and scoring defense (72.8). After ranking in the NCAA top 25 in fewest turnovers per game the last four seasons, CU ranks 199th in the NCAA this week with 19.3 turnovers per game.
Creighton was picked to finish third in the 10-team Missouri Valley Conference, receiving three first-place votes.
Creighton is coached by Jim Flanery, who is 69-32 (.683) in his fourth season as head coach of the Blue Jays. All stats and records in this section prior to Creighton’s game with K-State on 12/19.
Kansas/Creighton Notes
Kansas and Creighton are meeting for the 25th time in history. Creighton has won the last five meetings including a 68-63 decision last year in Omaha on Dec. 21. Prior to the five-game streak by CU, Kansas took six-straight from the Blue Jays. Kansas leads the series 8-5 in Lawrence. Kansas freshmen Jen Orgas and Katie Smith are both natives of Omaha, Neb., graduating from Skutt Catholic HS in the spring of 2005. KU is 71-28 all-time against teams from the Missouri Valley Conference.
Offensive Explosion
Kansas has scored 70 or more points in every game this season with an average of 78.1 points per outing. Last year, the Jayhawks reached 70 points just four times all season. The last time KU averaged 70 or more points for a season was 1999-2000 when the team averaged 70.4. KU’s high scoring game this year came when the squad scored 100 points against New Orleans on Dec. 3. It marked the first time since Dec. 21, 2000 — when KU outscored Mississippi Valley State 116-34 — that Kansas reached 100 points. KU also reached 90 points against Wisconsin — marking the first time in six seasons the Jayhawks scored at least 90 twice in one season.
Random Notes
– KU trailed by as many as 18 points against Wisconsin. The 14-point halftime comeback for the victory ties for the third-biggest halftime comeback in program history.
– Marija Zinic has seen her minute increase over the last three games. In that span, she has averaged eight points and 7.7 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per contest.
– Kaylee Brown hit her 50th career free throw against Florida International to become eligible for the KU career free throw percentage list. She ranks third on all-time list at 78.8 percent (52-66).
– The Jayhawks have five 20+ scoring games this year as Crystal Kemp has three and Erica Hallman has two. Kemp has 20 or more points in each of the last two outings.
A Kansas Win Would
Make the Jayhawks 9-0 to start the season for the first time since 1991-92 when KU went 10-0 to begin the year … Give the Jayhawks their first nine-game winning streak since winning 11-straight between Dec. 22 and Jan. 30 in the 1993-94 season … Make KU 15-12 all-time against Creighton and 9-5 against the Blue Jays in Lawrence … Snap a five-game losing streak to CU … Improve the Jayhawks to 72-28 all-time against Missouri Valley Conference teams … Make the Jayhawks 9-0 at home this season … Improve head coach Bonnie Henrickson’s record to 21-16 at Kansas and 179-78 in her career … Make the Jayhawks 618-414 all-time.
A Kansas Loss Would
Make the Jayhawks 8-1 to start the season … Snap KU’s eight-game winning streak … Make KU 14-13 all-time against Creighton and 8-6 against the Blue Jays in Lawrence … Make the Jayhawks 71-29 all-time against Missouri Valley Conference teams … Give KU a six-game losing streak to CU … Make the Jayhawks 8-1 at home this season … Make head coach Bonnie Henrickson’s record 20-17 at Kansas and 178-79 in her career … Make the Jayhawks 617-415 all-time.
Kemp Among KU’s All-Time Elite
Junior Crystal Kemp became the 18th player in KU history to reach 1,000 career points when she hit a jumper from the right wing with 18:13 on the clock in first half against Texas Tech last season. Against Birmingham-Southern this year, the Topeka, Kan., native collected her 600th career rebound. She is now the eighth player in KU history to accumulate over 1,200 points and 600 career boards. She continues to move up both career lists as she ranks among the top players to ever don the Crimson & Blue.
No Place Like Home
Kansas plays an unprecedented 21 games in Allen Fieldhouse this season including two exhibition contests, all 11 non-conference matchups and eight Big 12 games. The Jayhawks will not play away from Lawrence until after the new year when KU plays at Nebraska on Jan. 7. KU was originally scheduled to play in the UNO Lady Privateer Tournament in New Orleans on Dec. 2-3, but those games were moved to Lawrence as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
Big 12 Preseason Coaches’ Poll
In the only official poll conducted this season, Baylor was picked by the Big 12 Conference coaches to win the Big 12 Championship again in 2005-06. The Lady Bears received six first place votes, while Texas received two first place nods and Texas Tech got four votes for first place. The coaches believe Kansas will be better this season as the Jayhawks were selected to finish sixth (after finishing eighth last season). The only Big 12 North team picked higher than KU was Nebraska, who was picked fifth.
Serbian Sensations
Kansas welcomes the addition of two international players in 2005-06 with the addition of freshmen Ivana Catic and Marija Zinic — both natives of Serbia & Montenegro. The duo has extensive experience playing together on various teams in their home country. The pair bring Kansas’ all-time list of international players to eight. Other international players to suit up for KU include Bente Dahl (Oslo, Norway – 1985), Sandra de Bruin (Beetgum, Holland – 1990), Suzi Raymant (Melbourne, Australia – 1996-2000), Fernanda Bosi (Americana, Brazil – 2000-01), Leila Mengüç (Stockholm, Sweden – 2000-04) and Valerie Migicovsky (North Bay, Ontario – 2001-03).
Kansas Inks Seven For `06-’07
Kansas signed seven recruits to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. Below is a quick look at those seven commitments for next season.
Player (position, height, hometown – high school)
Lindsay Ballweg (guard, 5-10, Overland Park, Kan. – St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
Rebecca Feickert (forward/center, 6-2, Goodrich, N.D. – Sheridan County HS)
LaChelda Jacobs (guard, 5-10, Mansfield, Texas – Mansfield Summit HS)
Kelly Kohn (guard, 5-9, Adrian, Mich. – Adrian HS)
Danielle McCray (forward, 6-0, Olathe, Kan. – Olathe East HS)
Sade Morris (forward, 6-0, Norman, Okla. – Norman HS)
Porscha Weddington (forward, 6-1, Temple, Texas – Temple HS)
An All-Star Staff
Joining Bonnie Henrickson on the sidelines are assistant coaches Karen Lange, Kyra Elzy and Katie O’Connor. Also on staff is director of operations Trena Anderson and administrative assistant Katie Capps. Lange, O’Connor and Anderson followed Henrickson from Virginia Tech, while Elzy and Capps both joined KU from Western Kentucky. Prior to WKU, Elzy also worked as an administrative assistant for Henrickson at Virginia Tech. At an average age of less than 29 years old, Henrickson’s three assistant coaches (Lange, Elzy, O’Connor) have already been part of a combined 19 NCAA tournaments, eight Sweet 16s, five Elite Eights, four Final Fours and two National Championships, combined.
Mosley Tabbed Preseason Big 12 Rookie of the Year
Junior transfer Shaquina Mosley was named the Preseason Newcomer of the Year in a vote of the Big 12 women’s basketball coaches released Oct. 18 by the conference office. A 5-6 junior guard, Mosley transferred to Kansas from Central Arizona Community College. She led her team to the NJCAA national championship last year while being named the 2005 WBCA Junior College/Community College Player of the Year.
Kemp Chosen Preseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
Senior Crystal Kemp was selected as a preseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention pick by a vote of the league coaches as released on Oct. 18. Last season, Kemp was named postseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention after leading the Jayhawks with 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. She is just the ninth player in KU history to have amassed over 1,000 career points and 600 career rebounds.
27 Games On TV
With 27 games on the tube, KU’s television package in 2005-06 is the finest in school history and among the very best in the nation for any men’s or women’s team. In fact, other than the Kansas men, no other Big 12 team will play more games on television this season. The next closest team in the league is Texas Tech with 21, followed by Texas (16), Oklahoma (13), Baylor (11), Nebraska (10), Kansas State (9), Colorado (9), Iowa State (7), Missouri (6), Texas A&M (5) and Oklahoma State (4). The only two KU games not on TV are at Texas Tech and at Oklahoma. Overall, KU plays two games on Fox Sports Net, three games on FSN regional television and three contests on CSTV. Locally, 14 games will be produced and aired by Sunflower Broadband in Lawrence, and five contests will be produced by Metro Sports of Kansas City.
Increased Radio Coverage
The Jayhawk Radio Network has improved its coverage over the past two seasons. Stations carrying the Jayhawks include KLWN 1320-AM in Lawrence, KWIC 99.3-FM in Topeka, KFH 98.7-FM in Wichita and KXTR-1660-AM in Kansas City.
Up Next For KU
Kansas returns to Allen Fieldhouse for its 10th-straight regular season home game when it hosts Pepperdine on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. The game will be aired live by Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 in Lawrence. Kansas leads the all-time series over Pepperdine 1-0, after defeating the Waves 60-59 on Dec. 28, 1996 in Malibu, Calif.
