Kansas
Projected finish: 10th
Key returners:
Kylee Kopatich 9.5ppg, 36%, 4.4rpg, 1.2 apg, 29.2 mpg
Biggest Losses:
Jessica Washington 17.1ppg, 34%, 4.1 rpg, 2.8 apg, 28.7 mpg
McKenzie Calvert 10.2 ppg, 29%, 2.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 22.7 mpg
Newcomers:
Christalah Lyons G, 5-5, Dallas, Texas, Junior
Brianna Osorio G, 5-8, Las Vegas, NV, Junior
Micaela Wilson F, 6-2, Rayville, LA, Freshman, Ranked 24 (blue star report)
Austin Richardson F, 6, Lee’s Summit, MO, Junior
Brittany Franklin C, 6-5, Plymouth, N.C, Freshman, Ranked No. 91 (Pass Scouting)
Bailey Helgren C, 6-5, Edina, MN, Freshman, Ranked No. 89 (blue star report)
Sara Boric C, 6-5, Kator Varos, Bosnia, Junior, Top 5 junior college center
Head coach: Brandon Schneider begins his third season at the helm of the Kansas women’s basketball program. During his second season leading the Jayhawks, Schneider signed Jessica Washington, a transfer from North Carolina. Washington became the first Jayhawk to earn Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors. She led the league with 19.3 points per game during conference action, while averaging 17.1 points throughout the season. Recently, Washington announced that she will be out for the 2017-2018 due to a torn ACL. With a roster full of bigs, and without their star point guard, things are not looking good for the Jayhawks.
Key Non-conference games:
Arkansas 12/3
Nebraska 12/6
Outlook: Last season Kansas ranked last in just about every statistic tallied. That explains the 2-16 conference record. The Jayhawks have added a lot of size in the front court, but are lacking depth in the guard position. Although some of these new players have experience, I don’t see significant improvement happening very quickly. Jessica Washington was their saving grace, but without her there aren’t many positives to look forward to this season.