Kansas welcomes TCU for final game of 2017
Beginning in August 2017, fans will be allowed to bring only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person inside Kansas athletics events.
Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches.
| Game 13: vs. TCU |
| December, 31 |
| 2 p.m. |
| Allen Fieldhouse (16,300) |
| JTV/ESPN3 |
| Listen |
| Live Stats |
| Game Notes |
| Stats | KU | TCU |
| Record | 9-3 | 9-3 |
| Points/GM | 66.8 | 80.2 |
| Field Goal % | 40.6 | 47.9 |
| 3-PT Field Goal % | 27.9 | 35.5 |
| Free Throw % | 65.7 | 77.3 |
| Rebounds/GM | 44.5 | 38.7 |
| Assists/GM | 13.2 | 20.5 |
| Blocks/GM | 3.9 | 5.9 |
| Steals/GM | 6.7 | 8.3 |
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Jayhawks welcome TCU to Lawrence for their Big 12 home opener on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m., inside Allen Fieldhouse. The game will air on the Jayhawk Television Network/ESPN3 and the Jayhawk Radio Network.
Fast Breaks
- KU opened the 2017-18 season with a seven-game winning streak, marking just the eighth time in program history to begin a season 7-0.
- Kansas concluded nonconference play with a 9-2 mark, the best start to a season in head coach Brandon Schneider’s three years at KU.
- The Jayhawks have held their opponents to 57.7 points per game, ranking third in the Big 12 for scoring defense.
- Kansas remains in the top 10, ranking seventh, in field goal percentage defense, holding its opponents to shooting just 32.9 percent per game. The Jayhawks only trail Baylor in the Big 12, who has held its opponents to shooting 30.7 percent from the field.
- Junior guards Kylee Kopatich and Christalah Lyons rank in the top 15 in scoring in the Big 12. Kopatich’s 15.3 points per game are eighth in the league, while Lyons’ 14.5 points per game come in at 14th in the conference.
- Kopatich’s 28 3-pointers made this season ranks fifth in the Big 12. The Olathe, Kansas native is averaging 2.3 long-range baskets per game.
- Lyons has dished out 51 assists (4.3 per game) so far, good enough for seventh in the league for assists.
- Lyons leads Kansas with 11 double-digit scoring efforts in the last 12 games, including a career-high 22 points against UMKC (11/29).
- After playing all 45 minutes in a 71-69 OT loss at Iowa State (12/28), Kopatich and Lyons each rank in the top six for minutes played in the Big 12. Kopatich is second, playing 35.8 minutes per game and Lyons concludes the top six, playing 34.3 minutes per game.
- Junior forward Austin Richardson leads the Jayhawks, grabbing 6.7 rebounds per game. Richardson’s 80 rebounds this season rank 14th in the Big 12.
About the Jayhawks
Kansas concluded nonconference action with a 9-2 mark, the best nonconference record during the Brandon Schneider era. After falling 71-69 in overtime at Iowa State on Dec. 28, the Jayhawks look to get their first conference win of the season inside Allen Fieldhouse against TCU.
On the season, KU is holding its opponents to 57.7 points and 32.9 percent shooting from the floor, which is one of the best defenses in the nation and the Big 12. KU’s scoring defense ranks third in the Big 12, while the Jayhawks only trail Baylor in field goal percentage defense in the league and rank seventh in the nation. The Jayhawks have held six opponents below a 32 percent shooting percentage, including a season low against Texas Southern (.250). Junior forward Austin Richardson has pulled down a team-leading 6.7 boards per game, which ranks 14th in the Big 12.
Junior guards Kylee Kopatich and Christalah Lyons lead the Jayhawks offensively, serving as KU’s only players averaging double-digit scoring. Kopatich averages 15.3 points per game, including 2.3 long range baskets per game. Lyons has notched double-figure scoring efforts in 11 of KU’s 12 games this season, averaging 14.5 points per game. Both Kopatich and Lyons’ offensive efforts have ranked them in the top 15 for scoring in the Big 12 with Kopatich ranking eighth and Lyons coming in at 14th in the league.
Scouting the Horned Frogs
The Horned Frogs ran out to a 3-0 start to begin nonconference play before suffering their first loss of the season, 82-72, against Yale. TCU went on to win six of its last seven games to finish off nonconference play with a 9-2 record. The Horned Frogs tested No. 9 West Virginia to open up Big 12 play, leading by as many as five in the fourth quarter, but the Mountaineers netted 34 points (10-of-14) in the final 10 minutes to remain the only unbeaten team in the Big 12.
TCU ranks fourth in the Big 12 in field goal percentage, knocking down 47.9 percent of its shots from the floor. The Horned Frogs lead the conference in free throw percentage, making 77.3 percent of their shots from the charity stripe.
A trio of double-digit scorers lead the way offensively for the Horned Frogs. Junior forward Amy Okonkwo has led the way through TCU’s first 12 games, averaging 16.4 points per game. Junior center Jordan Moore and sophomore guard Amber Ramirez add an average of 14.3 and 13.5 points per game, respectively.
Defensively, TCU sits second in the league with an average of 5.9 blocked shots per game and sixth in the Big 12 for snagging 99 steals through its first 12 games. Moore leads the way on the defensive end for the Horned Frogs grabbing a team-leading 7.2 rebounds per game. The Round Rock, Texas native leads the league in blocked shots, having swatted away 34 shots thus far in the 2017-18 season.
This Day in Kansas Women’s Basketball History
Record on Dec. 31: 2-3
Kansas plays on Dec. 31 for the sixth in program history on Sunday afternoon. In 2008, the Jayhawks defeated Houston, 73-56, behind 26 points from Danielle McCray.
Around the League
While the Jayhawks sit among the top of many national stat rankings, Kansas is also fairing well in the Big 12 Conference. KU’s scoring defense is third-best in the league after limiting its opponents to 57.7 points per game. Additionally, the Jayhawks’ defense is second in field goal percentage defense (32.9) and second in 3-point field goal defense (28.5). Individually, junior guard Kylee Kopatich is eighth in scoring (15.3) and junior guard Christalah Lyons is 14th in points per game (14.5).
D-D-D-Defense
After 12 games in 2017-18, Kansas’ tough defense has been on display. The Jayhawks have limited their opponents to an average of 57.7 points per game, putting them in third of the league’s scoring defense standings. KU has also held its opponents to just 32.9 percent shooting from the field, ranking seventh in the nation and second in the Big 12 for field goal percentage defense.
There’s No Place Like Home
Named in honor the late Dr. F.C. “Phog” Allen, the Jayhawks’ head coach for 39 years, Allen Fieldhouse is labeled by many as one of the best places in America to watch a college basketball game. This astounding basketball monument has been home to Jayhawk basketball for 63 years, including the last 44 years for Kansas women’s basketball. Prior to 1973, KU women’s hoops played in Robinson Gymnasium. Over the last 49 seasons, Kansas women’s basketball has amassed a 419-186 (.692) record when playing in front of a home crowd.
Up Next
Kansas hits the road again to tip off with Texas Tech on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 6:30 p.m., inside United Supermarkets Arena. The game will be broadcast on the Jayhawk Radio Network.
FOLLOW
KUAthletics.com: The official online source for Kansas Athletics, Williams Education Fund contributions, tickets, merchandise, multimedia, photos and much, much more.
