UT poses stiff test for KU’s conference opener

By Andy Samuelson     Jan 7, 2004

The Texas women’s basketball team won’t end Kansas University’s season.

However, the third-ranked Longhorns could give KU coach Marian Washington an indication of how her team might fare during the next 16 games when Big 12 Conference play begins at 7 tonight at Allen Fieldhouse.

“Texas is one of the best teams in the country, and they have been beating a lot of teams,” Washington said of the Longhorns, who ended the Jayhawks’ last two seasons in the Big 12 tournament.

“The schedule that Texas has had has really gotten them ready for conference play,” Washington said. “I think that the first round of games in the conference will help us get ready as well. Going into this game, I think we have to stay very positive. We hope that we have a very strong gameplan.”

Texas (12-1) presents a challenge either way. Kansas (7-4), at times, has had shaky play during its nonconference schedule, but Texas has dominated.

The Longhorns had hoped to move up in this week’s Associated Press poll before No. 4 Duke knocked off No. 1 Connecticut and leaped over both the Longhorns and second-ranked Texas Tech. UT defeated the Blue Devils, 85-77, in its season-opener.

After its only loss of the season — a 79-59 setback Dec. 7 at Penn State — Texas has won five straight by an average margin of 34.8 points, including a 10-point win at No. 2 Tennessee.

All five Longhorn starters are averaging more than 8.9 ppg. Junior guard Jamie Carey just collected Big 12 Conference player-of-the-week honors because of her 31 points in victories over Tennessee and New Mexico — including knocking down seven of 11 three-point shots.

In addition to Carey, Texas freshman Tiffany Jackson was honored this week for the second time this season as Big 12 rookie of the week. She tallied 13 points and 12 rebounds after coming off the bench against the Lady Vols, and scored 17 points and nine boards against New Mexico.

Jackson is averaging 12 points coming off the bench in all 13 contests for UT. Junior Heather Schreiber leads the Longhorns with 13.5 ppg, while Carey adds 12.6.

Despite her squad’s strength, Texas coach Jody Conradt warned KU could be tough.

“I think they’re scary. I think they’ll beat someone,” Conradt said. “I hope it’s not Texas. I think they’re definitely improved.”

Showing improvement over last year’s lopsided losses — Texas defeated the Jayhawks, 89-47, in Austin, Texas, and 87-56 in the Big 12 tourney in Dallas — is exactly what Washington is seeking in tonight’s opener.

“The difference between our teams is our experience,” Washington said. “But we want to play better against them than we did a year ago. That is the main thing.”

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