KU Connection

KU basketball season arrives in style

With performances by two NBA mascots, an appearance from former KU football legend John Riggins and head coach Mark Mangino, a red carpet entrance by the men's and women's basketball teams and the sounds of a packed Allen Field House at the 23rd annual Late Night in the Phog—it is officially basketball season at the University of Kansas.

The 2006-'07 men’s basketball season brought 33 wins, a Big 12 Conference regular season and tournament championship, and a trip to the Elite Eight. With 13 of 14 letter winners returning for 2007-'08 campaign the bar has once again been set very high for the Jayhawks.

For the second consecutive year, and eighth time overall, KU is the preseason favorite to win the Big 12 Conference men's basketball title in a vote of the league's head coaches. The Jayhawks received 10 of 12 possible first-place votes in polling for the 2007-'08 season. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.

"It is nice to be selected, but this is based only on what we accomplished last year and what we have coming back. This is a whole new team and we hope we can play to this preseason expectation," Kansas head coach Bill Self said.

KU welcomes back four starters from last season, returning 84.6 percent of its scoring overall. The Jayhawks held 37 of 38 opponents under 50 percent shooting last year. A big part of the KU defense is sophomore Darrell Arthur, a forward who recorded 56 blocks a year ago. The number was the second-most by a Kansas freshman. Junior Brandon Rush also returns to the Jayhawk sidelines after averaging 13.8 points and 5.6 rebounds during the 2006-'07 season. Both Arthur and Rush have been named to the preseason All-Big 12 team.

The Jayhawks will begin their season with an exhibition game in Allen Field House on Nov. 1 against Pittsburg State.

Women's Hoops

The transformation of the women’s basketball program continues as Bonnie Henrickson begins her fourth season.

In her brief tenure, her teams have already punched holes into the illustrious Kansas Basketball record books. These records include the 12 straight wins to start the 2005-'06 season, the program's first winning season in six years, a pair of All-Big 12 athletes and the team’s first postseason berth since the beginning of the century.

The core of the 2007-'08 squad will feature a dominant sophomore class, made up of six talented players, three seasoned juniors and two seniors.

Sophomore Danielle McCray, who is one of three returning starters to the Jayhawks' line-up, was named to the preseason honorable mention All-Big 12 list after averaging 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds during her freshman season at KU.

"We are very excited for Danielle to be honored by the Big 12 coaches," said Kansas head coach Bonnie Henrickson. "This award is a direct reflection of the outstanding progress both Danielle and her Jayhawk teammates made during the course of last season."

The women’s season tips off on Nov. 4 in Allen Field House as the Jayhawks play host to Pittsburg State. Season tickets are still available for the 18-game home schedule. Jayhawk fans can purchase their women’s tickets online or by phone at 800-34-HAWKS.

Season tickets are $96 for adults and $68 for youths. KU faculty and staff can purchase season tickets for just $77 and senior citizens receive a discounted season ticket package for just $68. A new ticket package, called the Family Plan, is also available this year. For just $199, fans will receive two adult and two youth general admission tickets to all 18 home games.