(#16/16) Kansas State (17-4, 8-2) vs. Oklahoma (12-9, 4-6)
Game #22
February 13, 2005 2:00 p.m. (CT)
Lloyd Noble Center (12,000)
at Norman, Okla.
Television: ESPN2
Radio: Mid America Sports Network
Series History: K-State leads 23-21
Internet: Audio Broadcast on www.k-statesports.com
GAME PREVIEW
“February Frenzy” debuts on ESPN2 as No. 16 Kansas State (17-4, 8-2) takes on Oklahoma (12-9, 4-6) on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. (CT) in Norman, Okla. The network will carry eight games in two telecast windows, previewing its “whiparound coverage” to be used during the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament in March. Dave Revsine (play-by-play) and Brenda VanLengen (color analyst) will call the action live from Lloyd Noble Center. Radio coverage can also be heard on the Mid America Sports Network with Steve Webster (play-by-play) and Matt Walters (color analyst).
SCOUTING OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma has lost four out of its last five games including three losses against top 25 foes. K-State will be the second consecutive top 25 opponent to visit Norman. The Sooners suffered a heartbreaking 73-72 loss to No. 8 Baylor on Feb. 9. With the nation’s 12th strongest schedule, OU is led by senior Dionnah Jackson who currently ranks 15th nationally in assists per game (6.1). As a team, OU is 12th nationally in the same category (17.9). They are 1-6 vs. the top 25 this season.
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
No. Name 2004-05 Stats
24 Leah Rush, F, 6-1, So. 14.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg
11 Laura Andrews, G, 6-0, Jr. 4.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg
12 Lauren Shoush, G, 5-11, Sr. 5.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg
34 Erin Higgins, G, 5-9, So. 8.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg
35 Dionnah Jackson, G, 5-9, Sr. 14.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg
LOOKING INTO THE SERIES
Kansas State has a two-game lead in the all-time series, 23-21. The Wildcats have only beaten OU three times in Big 12 regular season play and are 3-5 vs. the Sooners since the league’s inception in 1996-97. K-State is 8-10 all-time when playing in Norman and last won on the road (74-45) on Feb. 1, 2003. The Cats have won the last two out of three meetings between both schools with Oklahoma taking a 78-66 victory in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals last season. K-State has not played an unranked OU team since the 1998-99 season.
PLAYING ON THE DEUCE
The game between the Wildcats and Sooners will be aired in its entirety in both schools’ home markets in the state of Kansas and Oklahoma. ESPN2 plans to “whiparound” to the day’s best action from each game for national viewers outside of the home markets of the two competing teams. The Wildcats are an undefeated 7-0 this year when playing on television. They are 5-4 all-time when playing on ESPN2.
NATIVE OKLAHOMANS
Sophomores Twiggy McIntyre (Sapulpa) and Naytanda Smith (Enid) return home to the Sooner State for only the second time of their K-State careers. Last season, McIntyre did not play at Oklahoma State on Jan. 13, 2004, due to a sprained left ankle suffered in K-State’s previous game at Colorado. Smith, however, played five minutes in her home state debut bringing down a career-and season-high tying two rebounds. McIntyre was an all-state player at Sapulpa High School where she is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,964 career points. Smith was a second team all-conference player at Enid High School averaging 9.0 points and 8.0 rebounds as a senior.
AGAINST THE SOONER STATE
Having already notched a “W” in the win column against Oklahoma State (66-55) on Feb. 5, Kansas State will look to sweep both Big 12 schools hailing from the Sooner State. K-State has only accomplished this feat three times in the conference’s nine-year existence during the 1996-97, 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.
OSU RECAP
The Wildcats bounced back with a 66-55 victory over OSU on Feb. 5, after suffering a 72-62 setback at No. 8 Baylor on Feb. 2. Senior All-American Kendra Wecker recorded her 45th career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds against the Cowgirls. She has scored in double figures in 16-of-17 games played this season. Senior teammate Laurie Koehn paced the Wildcats with 13 points, including a 3-for-5 shooting performance from three-point range. Megan Mahoney finished the game with seven points and 10 rebounds marking her third consecutive home game to collect double-digit boards. Brie Madden also added 10 points and is one point away from collecting her 500th career point at K-State.
NOT “BOARD” AT ALL
Three Wildcats have recorded double-digit rebound performances this season. Kendra Wecker has boarded the ball 10 times in double-figures, while Megan Mahoney has done so five times and Shana Wheeler once. Wecker grabbed a team season-high 15 rebounds vs. Iowa State on Jan. 25. Three of Mahoney’s five double-digit outings have come against top 25 opponents (Duke, Texas Tech and Iowa State).
AROUND THE LEAGUE
For the first time in conference history, four teams are tied for the top spot after 10 games in the latest Big 12 standings as of Feb. 9. Kansas State along with Baylor, Iowa State and Texas Tech are 8-2 in league play. K-State continues to lead the league in rebounding defense (32.0), while Kendra Wecker tops all Big 12 players in scoring (20.7 ppg). Laurie Koehn also leads the league in three-point field goals made (57).
School Overall Big 12
1T. Baylor 18-3 8-2
1T. Iowa State 18-3 8-2
1T. Kansas State 17-4 8-2
1T. Texas Tech 17-4 8-2
5. Texas 14-7 7-3
6. Nebraska 14-8 6-4
7. Oklahoma 12-9 4-6
8. Texas A&M 13-8 3-7
9. Kansas 10-11 3-7
10. Missouri 8-13 2-8
11. Oklahoma State 7-13 2-8
12. Colorado 8-13 1-9
