KU women still hungry

By Ryan Wood     Mar 6, 2007

Kansas guard LaChelda Jacobs passes during a practice session for the Big 12 tournament. The Jayhawks worked out Monday in preparation for tonight's tournament opener in Oklahoma City.

? If Kansas University’s women’s basketball players aren’t still stuffed tonight, they might have a chance.

The Jayhawks arrived Sunday in Oklahoma City to prepare for the Big 12 tournament opener against Oklahoma State, which tips off at 8:30 tonight at the Cox Convention Center.

It’s an in-state advantage for the Cowgirls, yes, but Kansas already had the home cookin’ – literally.

Upon arriving Sunday night, the team bused over for a hearty meal at the house of freshman Sade Morris’ grandmother. And, well, they were a little spoiled there.

“It was like Thanksgiving dinner,” coach Bonnie Henrickson said with a chuckle. “They had a full china set, and they served us all. We ate like queens.”

KU's Bonnie Henrickson directs her team during Monday's practice.

It was a little more traditional Monday – a 2 p.m. practice at Bethel High in nearby Shawnee, followed by a short shootaround at Cox and dinner at a nearby restaurant.

It’s the second time the Jayhawks will face the Cowgirls this season. But if ever there were a time to disregard the first meeting, this might be it.

“It feels like our game earlier in the year was last year,” Henrickson said. “It hasn’t been that long ago, but we’re so much different offensively. And they are, too.”

Kansas (10-19) is stocked with freshmen who have developed considerably in the last two months, though the biggest breakthrough may have come from senior Shaquina Mosley. In the first meeting on Jan. 10 – a 68-54 OSU victory in Stillwater – Mosley had a then-career-high with 12 points.

She since has eclipsed that mark seven times, including a 26-point effort last week against Missouri. The Jayhawks won that game, perhaps gathering some steam heading into tonight’s clash.

The sixth-seeded Cowgirls (20-9) have done their share of improving, too. Freshman Andrea Riley committed six turnovers and had just four field goals against KU last time, but the Big 12’s freshman of the year has dazzled throughout league play. She averages 12.5 points and 5.0 assists per game, and her assist-to-turnover ratio ranks eighth in the Big 12.

“She’s cleaned (the turnover problem) up and has done a great job for them,” Henrickson said.

The winner of today’s game will play Baylor at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Kansas, winner of four of its last seven, may feel the time is as good as any to make a postseason run.

“It’s a confident group, but not false confidence,” Henrickson said. “It’s a completely different feel. A lot of teams at this point are hanging on, and some have cashed it in. This group hasn’t.”

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