After a week of firsts, Kansas University’s women’s basketball team hopes for another today one it won’t be disappointed about.
The Jayhawks’ loss to No. 11 Baylor on Wednesday night signaled the first time a KU team had lost its first three conference games, but coach Marian Washington says a conference win is possible today when KU plays rival Missouri at 1:05 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse.
“It’s a game that we have a great opportunity to win,” said Washington, whose team is 5-11, the worst start for a Kansas team since the 1982-83 season when the Jayhawks started 4-11. “We’re ready to go, our upperclassmen are well aware of the intensity of this game.”
Kansas, which is 2-8 since Dec. 1, hopes that the strong rivalry with the Tigers and the fact that the 60th all-time meeting is coming in Allen will help the Jayhawks win their first game this month.
“No question it would mean a lot if we can pull a game out here,” Washington said. “We’ve been able to play strong for 20 minutes lately, but haven’t played two strong halves. That kind of inconsistency has hurt us all season.”
The Tigers will be no pushovers. Missouri is 10-3 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12, including a victory over No. 10 Texas Tech Wednesday in Columbia, Mo.
The Tigers are averaging 10 more points per game than KU, scoring at a 73.9 clip and are led by junior forward Kerensa Barr’s 17.2 ppg. Two other Tigers are averaging double figures as Evan Unrau and Natalie Bright are scoring 14.8 and 10.5 points respectively.
One key could come on the glass, where Kansas has been outrebounded by its opponent nine times this season.
MU holds a slightly better average coming into today with 40.8 rpg compared to KU’s 36.9.
Another question mark for the Jayhawks is who will be playing? Kansas has had eight different starting lineups this season and injuries and inexperience has forced Washington to shuffle her squad. KU’s third leading scorer, freshman Blair Waltz, did not play Wednesday night because of a stress fracture in her right foot. Waltz is questionable for today.
In fact, the only given this season for the Jayhawks has been the play of seniors KC Hilgenkamp and Selena Scott who are scoring 12.9 ppg and 12.6 ppg respectively, which accounts for 40 percent of Kansas’ offense.
“There have been very few games where we’ve had everyone we wanted to,’ Washington said. “Physically we just donhave as much depth as some of these teams.”
The Jayhawks hope the friendly confines of Allen will help in their effort, as they have played .500 level basketball there this season. But not even a home-court advantage is certain to aid the Jayhawks as Kansas lost for the first time ever to Texas A&M last Saturday, 58-51.
Today’s game will mark only the third home game for Kansas in more than a month, and the Jayhawks would like nothing more than to play like they did against Wichita State on Dec. 13, when they defeated the Shockers, 82-66.
While Washington says she isn’t panicked about the rest of the season, she admits today’s game could be big the rest of the way, especially with a conference schedule that doesn’t get any easier, including a home game Wednesday against No. 19 Colorado.
“This is the strongest the conference has ever been,” Washington said. “It’s tough for us because we are in a rebuilding year. But we’re still excited about building this program this season and in the future.
“And we’re hopefully going to help do that today.”
NOTES
l Today’s meeting will be the 60th all-time between the two teams. Kansas leads the series 33-26, but the Tigers have won the last three games including a 69-55 win last year on Kansas’ Senior Day.
l The Border War series is the second longest running series in KU history besides Kansas State, which started in 1970 and will enter its 81st meeting later this year. KU-MU dates back to Nov. 25, 1973, Washington’s first season at KU.
l In addition to the rivalry, there is a close connection between the two teams as three players between the two teams all attended Blue Valley North. KU’s Waltz and MU’s Tracy Lozier and Wannette Smith led BV North to the 1998 Class 6A state title, while Waltz and Lozier also helped win the 2000 title.
Probable Starters
Missouri (10-3, 1-1)
F Evan Unrau So. 6-1 14.8 ppg
F Kerensa Barr Jr. 5-10 17.2
G Lauren Podratz Fr. 5-10 2.6
G Natalie Bright Sr. 5-8 10.5
G Melanie Fisher So. 6-2 8.6
Kansas (5-11, 0-3)
F KC Hilgenkamp Sr. 5-10 12.9
F Sharonne Spencer So. 6-2 4.8
C Kristin Geoffroy Sr. 6-6 8.0
G Chelsey Thompson Fr. 5-10 3.9
G Selena Scott Sr. 5-5 12.6
Tipoff: 1:05 p.m. today, Allen Fieldhouse. Television: Cable channel 50.
After a week of firsts, Kansas University’s women’s basketball team hopes for another today one it won’t be disappointed about.
The Jayhawks’ loss to No. 11 Baylor on Wednesday night signaled the first time a KU team had lost its first three conference games, but coach Marian Washington says a conference win is possible today when KU plays rival Missouri at 1:05 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse.
“It’s a game that we have a great opportunity to win,” said Washington, whose team is 5-11, the worst start for a Kansas team since the 1982-83 season when the Jayhawks started 4-11. “We’re ready to go, our upperclassmen are well aware of the intensity of this game.”
Kansas, which is 2-8 since Dec. 1, hopes that the strong rivalry with the Tigers and the fact that the 60th all-time meeting is coming in Allen will help the Jayhawks win their first game this month.
“No question it would mean a lot if we can pull a game out here,” Washington said. “We’ve been able to play strong for 20 minutes lately, but haven’t played two strong halves. That kind of inconsistency has hurt us all season.”
The Tigers will be no pushovers. Missouri is 10-3 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12, including a victory over No. 10 Texas Tech Wednesday in Columbia, Mo.
The Tigers are averaging 10 more points per game than KU, scoring at a 73.9 clip and are led by junior forward Kerensa Barr’s 17.2 ppg. Two other Tigers are averaging double figures as Evan Unrau and Natalie Bright are scoring 14.8 and 10.5 points respectively.
One key could come on the glass, where Kansas has been outrebounded by its opponent nine times this season.
MU holds a slightly better average coming into today with 40.8 rpg compared to KU’s 36.9.
Another question mark for the Jayhawks is who will be playing? Kansas has had eight different starting lineups this season and injuries and inexperience has forced Washington to shuffle her squad. KU’s third leading scorer, freshman Blair Waltz, did not play Wednesday night because of a stress fracture in her right foot. Waltz is questionable for today.
In fact, the only given this season for the Jayhawks has been the play of seniors KC Hilgenkamp and Selena Scott who are scoring 12.9 ppg and 12.6 ppg respectively, which accounts for 40 percent of Kansas’ offense.
“There have been very few games where we’ve had everyone we wanted to,’ Washington said. “Physically we just donhave as much depth as some of these teams.”
The Jayhawks hope the friendly confines of Allen will help in their effort, as they have played .500 level basketball there this season. But not even a home-court advantage is certain to aid the Jayhawks as Kansas lost for the first time ever to Texas A&M last Saturday, 58-51.
Today’s game will mark only the third home game for Kansas in more than a month, and the Jayhawks would like nothing more than to play like they did against Wichita State on Dec. 13, when they defeated the Shockers, 82-66.
While Washington says she isn’t panicked about the rest of the season, she admits today’s game could be big the rest of the way, especially with a conference schedule that doesn’t get any easier, including a home game Wednesday against No. 19 Colorado.
“This is the strongest the conference has ever been,” Washington said. “It’s tough for us because we are in a rebuilding year. But we’re still excited about building this program this season and in the future.
“And we’re hopefully going to help do that today.”
NOTES
l Today’s meeting will be the 60th all-time between the two teams. Kansas leads the series 33-26, but the Tigers have won the last three games including a 69-55 win last year on Kansas’ Senior Day.
l The Border War series is the second longest running series in KU history besides Kansas State, which started in 1970 and will enter its 81st meeting later this year. KU-MU dates back to Nov. 25, 1973, Washington’s first season at KU.
l In addition to the rivalry, there is a close connection between the two teams as three players between the two teams all attended Blue Valley North. KU’s Waltz and MU’s Tracy Lozier and Wannette Smith led BV North to the 1998 Class 6A state title, while Waltz and Lozier also helped win the 2000 title.
Probable Starters
Missouri (10-3, 1-1)
F Evan Unrau So. 6-1 14.8 ppg
F Kerensa Barr Jr. 5-10 17.2
G Lauren Podratz Fr. 5-10 2.6
G Natalie Bright Sr. 5-8 10.5
G Melanie Fisher So. 6-2 8.6
Kansas (5-11, 0-3)
F KC Hilgenkamp Sr. 5-10 12.9
F Sharonne Spencer So. 6-2 4.8
C Kristin Geoffroy Sr. 6-6 8.0
G Chelsey Thompson Fr. 5-10 3.9
G Selena Scott Sr. 5-5 12.6
Tipoff: 1:05 p.m. today, Allen Fieldhouse. Television: Cable channel 50.
After a week of firsts, Kansas University’s women’s basketball team hopes for another today one it won’t be disappointed about.
The Jayhawks’ loss to No. 11 Baylor on Wednesday night signaled the first time a KU team had lost its first three conference games, but coach Marian Washington says a conference win is possible today when KU plays rival Missouri at 1:05 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse.
“It’s a game that we have a great opportunity to win,” said Washington, whose team is 5-11, the worst start for a Kansas team since the 1982-83 season when the Jayhawks started 4-11. “We’re ready to go, our upperclassmen are well aware of the intensity of this game.”
Kansas, which is 2-8 since Dec. 1, hopes that the strong rivalry with the Tigers and the fact that the 60th all-time meeting is coming in Allen will help the Jayhawks win their first game this month.
“No question it would mean a lot if we can pull a game out here,” Washington said. “We’ve been able to play strong for 20 minutes lately, but haven’t played two strong halves. That kind of inconsistency has hurt us all season.”
The Tigers will be no pushovers. Missouri is 10-3 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12, including a victory over No. 10 Texas Tech Wednesday in Columbia, Mo.
The Tigers are averaging 10 more points per game than KU, scoring at a 73.9 clip and are led by junior forward Kerensa Barr’s 17.2 ppg. Two other Tigers are averaging double figures as Evan Unrau and Natalie Bright are scoring 14.8 and 10.5 points respectively.
One key could come on the glass, where Kansas has been outrebounded by its opponent nine times this season.
MU holds a slightly better average coming into today with 40.8 rpg compared to KU’s 36.9.
Another question mark for the Jayhawks is who will be playing? Kansas has had eight different starting lineups this season and injuries and inexperience has forced Washington to shuffle her squad. KU’s third leading scorer, freshman Blair Waltz, did not play Wednesday night because of a stress fracture in her right foot. Waltz is questionable for today.
In fact, the only given this season for the Jayhawks has been the play of seniors KC Hilgenkamp and Selena Scott who are scoring 12.9 ppg and 12.6 ppg respectively, which accounts for 40 percent of Kansas’ offense.
“There have been very few games where we’ve had everyone we wanted to,’ Washington said. “Physically we just donhave as much depth as some of these teams.”
The Jayhawks hope the friendly confines of Allen will help in their effort, as they have played .500 level basketball there this season. But not even a home-court advantage is certain to aid the Jayhawks as Kansas lost for the first time ever to Texas A&M last Saturday, 58-51.
Today’s game will mark only the third home game for Kansas in more than a month, and the Jayhawks would like nothing more than to play like they did against Wichita State on Dec. 13, when they defeated the Shockers, 82-66.
While Washington says she isn’t panicked about the rest of the season, she admits today’s game could be big the rest of the way, especially with a conference schedule that doesn’t get any easier, including a home game Wednesday against No. 19 Colorado.
“This is the strongest the conference has ever been,” Washington said. “It’s tough for us because we are in a rebuilding year. But we’re still excited about building this program this season and in the future.
“And we’re hopefully going to help do that today.”
NOTES
l Today’s meeting will be the 60th all-time between the two teams. Kansas leads the series 33-26, but the Tigers have won the last three games including a 69-55 win last year on Kansas’ Senior Day.
l The Border War series is the second longest running series in KU history besides Kansas State, which started in 1970 and will enter its 81st meeting later this year. KU-MU dates back to Nov. 25, 1973, Washington’s first season at KU.
l In addition to the rivalry, there is a close connection between the two teams as three players between the two teams all attended Blue Valley North. KU’s Waltz and MU’s Tracy Lozier and Wannette Smith led BV North to the 1998 Class 6A state title, while Waltz and Lozier also helped win the 2000 title.
Probable Starters
Missouri (10-3, 1-1)
F Evan Unrau So. 6-1 14.8 ppg
F Kerensa Barr Jr. 5-10 17.2
G Lauren Podratz Fr. 5-10 2.6
G Natalie Bright Sr. 5-8 10.5
G Melanie Fisher So. 6-2 8.6
Kansas (5-11, 0-3)
F KC Hilgenkamp Sr. 5-10 12.9
F Sharonne Spencer So. 6-2 4.8
C Kristin Geoffroy Sr. 6-6 8.0
G Chelsey Thompson Fr. 5-10 3.9
G Selena Scott Sr. 5-5 12.6
Tipoff: 1:05 p.m. today, Allen Fieldhouse. Television: Cable channel 50.
After a week of firsts, Kansas University’s women’s basketball team hopes for another today one it won’t be disappointed about.
The Jayhawks’ loss to No. 11 Baylor on Wednesday night signaled the first time a KU team had lost its first three conference games, but coach Marian Washington says a conference win is possible today when KU plays rival Missouri at 1:05 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse.
“It’s a game that we have a great opportunity to win,” said Washington, whose team is 5-11, the worst start for a Kansas team since the 1982-83 season when the Jayhawks started 4-11. “We’re ready to go, our upperclassmen are well aware of the intensity of this game.”
Kansas, which is 2-8 since Dec. 1, hopes that the strong rivalry with the Tigers and the fact that the 60th all-time meeting is coming in Allen will help the Jayhawks win their first game this month.
“No question it would mean a lot if we can pull a game out here,” Washington said. “We’ve been able to play strong for 20 minutes lately, but haven’t played two strong halves. That kind of inconsistency has hurt us all season.”
The Tigers will be no pushovers. Missouri is 10-3 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12, including a victory over No. 10 Texas Tech Wednesday in Columbia, Mo.
The Tigers are averaging 10 more points per game than KU, scoring at a 73.9 clip and are led by junior forward Kerensa Barr’s 17.2 ppg. Two other Tigers are averaging double figures as Evan Unrau and Natalie Bright are scoring 14.8 and 10.5 points respectively.
One key could come on the glass, where Kansas has been outrebounded by its opponent nine times this season.
MU holds a slightly better average coming into today with 40.8 rpg compared to KU’s 36.9.
Another question mark for the Jayhawks is who will be playing? Kansas has had eight different starting lineups this season and injuries and inexperience has forced Washington to shuffle her squad. KU’s third leading scorer, freshman Blair Waltz, did not play Wednesday night because of a stress fracture in her right foot. Waltz is questionable for today.
In fact, the only given this season for the Jayhawks has been the play of seniors KC Hilgenkamp and Selena Scott who are scoring 12.9 ppg and 12.6 ppg respectively, which accounts for 40 percent of Kansas’ offense.
“There have been very few games where we’ve had everyone we wanted to,’ Washington said. “Physically we just donhave as much depth as some of these teams.”
The Jayhawks hope the friendly confines of Allen will help in their effort, as they have played .500 level basketball there this season. But not even a home-court advantage is certain to aid the Jayhawks as Kansas lost for the first time ever to Texas A&M last Saturday, 58-51.
Today’s game will mark only the third home game for Kansas in more than a month, and the Jayhawks would like nothing more than to play like they did against Wichita State on Dec. 13, when they defeated the Shockers, 82-66.
While Washington says she isn’t panicked about the rest of the season, she admits today’s game could be big the rest of the way, especially with a conference schedule that doesn’t get any easier, including a home game Wednesday against No. 19 Colorado.
“This is the strongest the conference has ever been,” Washington said. “It’s tough for us because we are in a rebuilding year. But we’re still excited about building this program this season and in the future.
“And we’re hopefully going to help do that today.”
NOTES
l Today’s meeting will be the 60th all-time between the two teams. Kansas leads the series 33-26, but the Tigers have won the last three games including a 69-55 win last year on Kansas’ Senior Day.
l The Border War series is the second longest running series in KU history besides Kansas State, which started in 1970 and will enter its 81st meeting later this year. KU-MU dates back to Nov. 25, 1973, Washington’s first season at KU.
l In addition to the rivalry, there is a close connection between the two teams as three players between the two teams all attended Blue Valley North. KU’s Waltz and MU’s Tracy Lozier and Wannette Smith led BV North to the 1998 Class 6A state title, while Waltz and Lozier also helped win the 2000 title.
Probable Starters
Missouri (10-3, 1-1)
F Evan Unrau So. 6-1 14.8 ppg
F Kerensa Barr Jr. 5-10 17.2
G Lauren Podratz Fr. 5-10 2.6
G Natalie Bright Sr. 5-8 10.5
G Melanie Fisher So. 6-2 8.6
Kansas (5-11, 0-3)
F KC Hilgenkamp Sr. 5-10 12.9
F Sharonne Spencer So. 6-2 4.8
C Kristin Geoffroy Sr. 6-6 8.0
G Chelsey Thompson Fr. 5-10 3.9
G Selena Scott Sr. 5-5 12.6
Tipoff: 1:05 p.m. today, Allen Fieldhouse. Television: Cable channel 50.
