Who: Kansas vs. Texas
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Allen Fieldhouse
Series: Longhorns lead 18-10; series tied at 6 in Lawrence
KU-UT Part Deux
KU opened Big 12 play with a 14-point loss at Texas back on Jan. 3, which set the tone for five straight losses in conference play. The Longhorns, unbeaten and ranked No. 3 at the time, led KU by just four points at halftime before outscoring the Jayhawks by 10 in the second half. Kansas shot just 36 percent from the field in that loss and also lost the turnover battle, 19-11, and rebounding war, 39-31.
Importance of the paint
The Longhorns are outscoring their opponents by an average of 14 points per game (35-21) in the paint this season. That edge has dipped to a 29-22 advantage in Big 12 play, but this one definitely could come down to which team does better near the basket. The Longhorns also have outrebounded 22 of their 23 opponents this season.
Streaking
Since scoring just seven points and turning it over six times in a road loss to Baylor on Feb. 1, KU senior Chelsea Gardner has responded big-time. The 6-foot-3 forward has scored in double figures during the past three KU games, averaging 18.3 points and nine rebounds per outing during that stretch. She also has recorded nine blocks and turned the ball over just five times combined in those three games.
Slumping
The Longhorns have lost four straight in Big 12 play since knocking off Oklahoma, 84-81 in double OT, back on Jan. 29. During that time, UT dropped games at TCU, Kansas State and Oklahoma State and also lost by just two at home to Baylor. Texas’ four losses during its recent losing skid have come by an average of just five points per game.
Probable starters
KANSAS (13-12 overall, 4-8 Big 12)
G — Natalie Knight, 5-7, sr.
G — Lauren Aldridge, 5-7, fr.
G — Chayla Cheadle, 6-0, fr.
F — Jada Brown, 6-0, soph.
F — Chelsea Gardner, 6-3, sr.
TEXAS (15-8, 4-8)
G — Brooke McCarty, 5-4, fr.
G — Brady Sanders, 5-11, jr.
G — Ariel Atkins, 5-11, fr.
F — Kelsey Lang, 6-5, soph.
F — Imani McGee-Stafford, 6-7, jr.
