Through the Phog
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Kansas women’s basketball looking like an NCAA Tournament team

By Dillon Davis

Mar 20, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Brandon Schneider stands with his arms crossed during the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Brandon Schneider stands with his arms crossed during the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas women’s basketball team has quietly had one of the best starts of any team in the country.

This past week, the undefeated Jayhawks went on the road and beat previously undefeated No. 12 Arizona by a resounding 27 points (77-50). They followed that up by easily beating an 8-1 Wichita State team 72-52 in Allen Fieldhouse.

The win over Arizona was the team’s largest over a ranked opponent since 1996.

The Jayhawks currently sit at 9-0 and should find themselves in the Top 25 when the AP Poll gets released on Monday. If they are ranked, it would be the first time since Jan. 14, 2013.

This Kansas team was picked fifth in the Big 12 Preseason Poll, but they believe they’re capable of surpassing those expectations.

“I thought last year was a perfect example of we believed in our team a lot more than other people did when they picked us (to finish) 10th,” said head coach Brandon Schneider after the win against Wichita State. “I wouldn’t say that was any different than being picked fifth (this year). I’m sure our players felt like that they were maybe a little better than that. … Those are all good things to use as motivation, whether you are a team or an individual.”

The Jayhawks are being led this season by a pair of talented seniors in guard Holly Kersgieter and center Taiyanna Jackson.

Kersgieter is averaging a well-balanced 13.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Meanwhile, Jackson is incredibly averaging a double-double with 15.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

The team has two other players averaging double-digit scoring in senior guard Zakiyah Franklin (13.3 points) and junior guard Wyvette Mayberry (10.4 points).

Having four double-digit scorers and a bevy of upperclassmen is a good recipe for success in March.

The Jayhawks reached the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament a season ago before getting walloped by eventual Final Four participant Stanford, but this team has the potential to go even farther if they can continue the path they’re on.

The Jayhawks will look to continue their winning ways as they have two more non-conference matchups against Tulsa (8-2) and Nebraska (8-3) before Big 12 play begins on Dec. 31.

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