THE TIP-OFF
For the second straight season, the Washburn women's basketball team begins regular season action at Municipal Auditorium, participating in the Central Region Challenge. The Ichabods will open face a pair of Northern Sun (NSIC) members as they face off with Augustana on Friday and Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday. Both games are slated for 5:30 pm.
FOLLOW THE BODS
As usual, fans not in attendance can stream the action on their computer or mobile devices via The MIAA Network or tune-in Country Legends 106.9 FM (KTPK) on their radio dial as get all the Washburn play-by-play and commentary provided by Jake Lebehan and Dan Lucero. Links for stats and streaming video/radio can always be found at wusports.com/live or on the women's basketball schedule page.
STRONG START
Under head coach Ron McHenry, Washburn is 17-1 in season openers with a 6-1 record whens starting the year on the road or at a neutral venue.
SCOUTING AUGIE
• Augustana is the defending NSIC Tournament champion and is coming off a 29-4 season that included an appearance in the NCAA Central Regional Tournament finals.
• In the last three seasons, the Vikings are 3-1 against MIAA competition.
• Despite their finish a year ago, the Vikings were picked to finish fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll.
• Augie senior Shelby Selland was named the conference's Player to Watch ... a 6-2 center, Selland started 32 of 33 games in 2017-18, averaging 10.1 points and 5.2 rebounds.
• In total, the Vikings return 13 players from a season ago including seven upperclassmen and begin the year with four newcomers.
SCOUTING CONCORDIA
• Concordia-St. Paul opens the season following a 13-18 record in 2017-18, finishing sixth in the NSIC South Division at 8-14.
• The Golden Bears began the season with a 70-45 victory over St. Kate's in their lone exhibition contest before opening the regular season with Harding on Friday.
• Over the last three seasons, CSP is 1-2 against MIAA competition.
• The Golden Bears however begin the season with high expectations as they were tabbed to finish three in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll.
• Senior guard Anna Schmitt was named NSIC South Preseason Player of the Year ... in 2017-18 she shot .457 from the field and hit .407 from deep, while converting on .867 from the line ... averaged 19.4 points and paced the team in assists (84) and steals (29).
THEY GOT (ALMOST NO) HISTORY
• Friday's showdown with the Augustana will be just the third-ever meeting with WU trailing the series 0-2.
• The last time Augustana and Washburn played (12/6/1985), "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister was atop the Billboard music charts, with the first meeting coming Jan. 8, 1983.
• Saturday's contest will be the first-ever meeting.
SEASON REWIND
Washburn finished the season 20-10 for its 18th consecutive winning season, while going 11-8 in the MIAA action. As the No. 7-seed, the Ichabods made their 18th-straight appearance in the conference postseason tournament and advanced to the quarterfinal round for the first time in four seasons. Reagan Phelan and Axelle Bernard each garnered postseason accolades. Phelan was named second team All-MIAA while also repeating as team MVP, while Bernard received an honorable mention nod.
EXHIBITION RECAP
The Ichabods opened their preseason against No. 16 Mizzou at Mizzou Arena on Nov. 1. Washburn outscored the Tigers 19-14 and headed into the break with a 29-28 lead. Mizzou bounced though pacing WU 46-30 in the second half. The preseason slate concluded three days later in Lawrence as the Ichabods took on Kansas. A tough outing as WU made 14 of 52 (.269) from the field while the Jayhawks were an efficient 29 for 69 (.420) in an 87-43 decision.
EARLY SUCCESS
Since taking the reins for the 2000-01 season Ron McHenry has put together 12 perfect Novembers, including a 6-0 mark during the 2014-15 season. Washburn has never loss more than two games during the opening month of the season and is 80-10 all-time under McHenry's watch.
50TH SEASON
The 2018-19 academic year marks the 50th season of women's athletics at Washburn University, which began with volleyball, basketball, softball, field hockey and gymnastics. Although, field hockey and gymnastics are no longer available, the offerings for female student-athletes have grown to eight sports with the addition of soccer, tennis, and most cross country and track and field.
