Jayhawks Face Arizona in First Road Test of 2015-16

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas women’s basketball heads west for its first road trip of the 2015-16 campaign when the Jayhawks travel to Arizona on Monday, Nov. 23, the first of two Pac-12 match-ups during their non-conference slate. The road trip marks the first time since 2000 that KU has ventured to Tucson, Arizona. KU tips off with the Wildcats at 12 p.m., on the Jayhawk Radio Network.
 
FOLLOWING THE JAYHAWKS
Kansas’ match-up with Arizona will be broadcast on the Jayhawk Radio Network, along with audio streaming via KUathletics.com. Fans can follow live stats through arizonawildcats.com. For the most up-to-date information, follow Kansas women’s basketball on Twitter (@KUwbball).
 
KANSAS FAST BREAKS

• The all-time series between Kansas and Arizona is tied, 2-2. The Jayhawks and Wildcats square off on the hardwood for the fifth time in program history and second time in Tucson, Arizona.
• The Jayhawks return to the McKale Center for the first time since 2000 and are 0-1 against Arizona in Tucson.
• KU has a 49-42 record against programs from the Pac-12 Conference. Kansas has faced nine of the 12 schools that are members of the Pac-12.
• When Brandon Schneider-coached teams are leading with less than five minutes to play, his overall record is 348-12, and 2-0 at Kansas.
• In the month of November, the Jayhawks have an overall mark of 121-31 (.793). Kansas has won 24 of the last 27 games played in November dating back to the start of the 2010 season.
• Kansas has a record of 408-166 (.715) in Allen Fieldhouse. Over the last five seasons, Kansas has posted a 63-29 mark on its home court.
• KU shot an even 50 percent from the field against the Memphis Tigers, a feat that was only accomplished just four times in 2014-15.
• The lane was quite friendly to Kansas against Memphis (11/19), as the Jayhawks pounded 46 points in the interior, their most since also scoring 46 down low against Alabama on Nov. 21, 2014.
• Kansas is 2-0 with junior forward Caelynn Manning-Allen winning the opening tip.
• Kansas returns six letterwinners, including three starters, and welcomes nine newcomers to the squad in 2015-16.
• The Jayhawks’ roster features six local products that hail from Kansas or Missouri. Junior Sydney Benoit and freshmen Kylee Kopatich and Tyler Johnson are from the Sunflower State, while redshirt junior Timeka O’Neal and sophomores Lauren Aldridge and Chayla Cheadle are from the Show Me State.

 
ABOUT THE JAYHAWKS
A balanced offensive attack propelled Kansas to a victory over Memphis on Nov. 19, as KU improved to 2-0 on the young season. All nine Jayhawks that hit the hardwood against the Tigers scored four or more points. Kansas shot 50 percent from the field, a mark that was accomplished only four times last season.
 
For the second-straight game, three Jayhawks posted double-figure scoring efforts. Freshman guard Kylee Kopatich netted a career-high 14 points, leading the Jayhawks past Memphis. Sophomore guard Lauren Aldridge and junior forward Jada Brown each posted 10 points in KU’s second win of the season. Freshman forward Tyler Johnson recorded a team-best 10 rebounds against the Tigers, marking the first time a rookie logged a double-digit rebound effort since junior forward Caelynn Manning-Allen tallied 10 at Texas in 2014.
 
KU averages 72 points per game, while shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from beyond the arc. Kansas averages 39.5 rebounds, 13.0 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.0 blocks per contest.
 
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Arizona faces University of San Diego over the weekend before hosting the Jayhawks in the McKale Center. The Wildcats are 2-0 on the season after recording a 65-28 win over Howard and a 62-59 victory at Toledo.  Arizona was selected to finish its conference slate last in both the Pac-12 Coaches and media polls.
 
Arizona held Howard to a 15.4 shooting percentage from the floor. That mark tied a Pac-12 record for lowest opposing field goal percentage. The Wildcats also held the Bison to just six total field goals in the game, which set a new school record. Sophomore guard JaLea Bennett scored a career-high 18 points in the history victory over Howard. Redshirt freshman Taryn Griffey leads the Wildcats with 12.5 points per game behind 60 percent shooting from the field. Bennett is also averaging double figures with 10.5 points per game, while shooting 66.7 percent from beyond the arc.
 
After a 2-0 start, Arizona is averaging 63.5 points per game, while connecting on 43.5 percent of shots taken from the floor. The Wildcats have limited their opponents to 43.5 points per game and 30 percent shooting from the field. Arizona has posted 36.5 rebounds, 17.0 assists, 13.0 steals and 17.5 turnovers per game.
 
SERIES BREAKDOWN
Record
The all-time series between Kansas and Arizona is tied, 2-2.
 
Overview
After a 15-year hiatus, the Jayhawks and Wildcats meet on the hardwood for the fifth time in program history and second time in Tucson, Arizona. The series began in 1987 with a two-point win for KU. Kansas faced the Wildcats three years in a row from 1998-2000.
 
Last Time Out
Brooke Reves led the Jayhawks with 16 points and four steals in an 81-73 loss to Arizona. Jaclyn Johnson contributed 14 points and nine rebounds as she fell just short of a double-double.
 
THE WEEK THAT WAS
Kansas women’s basketball continued its winning ways Thursday night inside Allen Fieldhouse, concluding its four-game homestand with a 72-63 victory over Memphis. Three Jayhawks posted double-figure scoring efforts to earn their squad its second win of the season. Freshman Kylee Kopatich set a career-high with 14 points on 50 percent shooting, including two triples. Junior forward Jada Brown and sophomore guard Lauren Aldridge each logged 10 points.
 
THIS DAY IN KU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HISTORY
Record on Nov. 23: 10-2
Kansas women’s basketball will face off for a game on Nov. 23 for the 13th time in program history. In 1999, Kansas defeated Northern Arizona 69-40 behind a 19-point performance from Brooke Reves. Lynn Pride followed with 11 points to go along with eight rebounds.
 
Around the League
After the first two weeks of the 205-16 campaign, Kansas sits in tied for fourth place in the Big 12 Conference standings. Currently, the Jayhawks are third in the league in three-point field goal percentage, connecting on 38.2 percent of attempts from beyond the arc. KU is fourth in the conference in offensive rebounds with 15.5 per game. Redshirt junior Timeka O’Neal leads the Big 12 in three-pointers made, averaging 3.5 per contest. Sophomore Lauren Aldridge and freshman Kylee Kopatich lead the league in minutes played with 35.5 and 33.0 minutes per game, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Jayhawks continue their three-game road swing in Dallas, Texas for the SMU Thanksgiving Classic, Nov. 27-28. Kansas opens the holiday tournament against Northern Illinois on Nov. 27 and will face either SMU or Cal State Fullerton on Nov. 28. Both games will be broadcast on the Jayhawk Radio Network.
 
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