When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Allen Fieldhouse
Who: Missouri State
Series: Jayhawks lead, 9-5
Looking to improve: In coach Brandon Schneider’s first season, Kansas struggled to a 6-25 record with the youngest roster in the Big 12. Last season, Kansas averaged just 54.4 points per game on 36.1 percent shooting, and never reached 90 points, including exhibition games. The 98 points KU scored against Fort Hays State on Oct. 30 was the highest point total in the Schneider era. The Jayhawks return 12 players, which is the most in the conference.
Fresh start for transfers: Kansas is the only team in the Big 12 without a freshman on its roster, but there are some new faces. Transfers Jessica Washington and McKenzie Calvert — who both sat out last season because of NCAA transfer rules — will both be key players for the Jayhawks. Washington averaged 7.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 18.3 minutes during her sophomore season at North Carolina, and McKenzie Calvert averaged 10.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 25.7 minutes in her lone season at USC. Both transfers were five-star recruits coming out of high school and should lead KU’s backcourt.
Strong openers: Kansas has won its first game of the year in each of the last 11 seasons, but it faces a tough task against a Missouri State, which was picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll. The Jayhawks have a record of 410-176 in Allen Fieldhouse, and over the last five seasons they’re 65-40 on their home court. Last season, four of the Jayhawks’ six wins came at home by an average of nine points per game. Over the last five seasons, Kansas is 20-0 at home in the month of November.
Streaking: Washington averaged 18 points, five rebounds and five assists in KU’s exhibition games. She nearly had a triple-double against Fort Hays State and scored 21 points against Washburn. Her 21-point performance won’t count as her career-high because it was an exhibition game, but it was one point better than her career high (20) at North Carolina.
Probable starters
Kansas
(0-0 overall)
G — Jessica Washington, 5-8, jr.
G — McKenzie Calvert, 5-9, so.
G — Kylee Kopatich, 5-10, so.
G — Chayla Cheadle, 6-0, jr.
F — Caelynn Manning-Allen, 6-4, sr.
Missouri State
(0-1 overall)
G — Danielle Gitzen, 5-10, so.
G — Liza Fruendt, 5-10, jr.
G- Alexa Willard, 6-2, fr.
F — Aubrey Buckley, 6-2, jr.
F — Rachel Swartz, 6-3, sr.
