KU women learn Paradise Jam pairings

Kansas University’s women’s basketball team will face Central Michigan, Xavier and Duke at the 2013 Ezybonds Global Payments U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam.

The pairings for the tournament on the Virgin Islands were released Thurdsay.

“This is a terrific trip for our players and fans,” KU coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “We will face some quality opponents on a neutral floor. It will be a great trip and a chance for a young team to grow and prepare for Big 12 Conference play.”

Kansas will open the event on Nov. 28 against Central Michigan from the Mid-American Conference. The Chippewas were 21-12 during the 2012-13 season, including a 12-4 mark in league play. After winning the MAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the conference tournament, CMU lost to Oklahoma, 78-73, in the first round. Kansas owns a 1-0 all-time record against Central Michigan.

On Nov. 29, the Jayhawks will face Xavier for the fourth time in school history. The Musketeers own a 2-1 lead in the series and posted a 13-16 overall mark last season, including a 7-7 mark in the Atlantic 10 Conference. However, Xavier will be a member of the new Big East starting for the 2013-14 campaign.

Kansas will conclude the event on Nov. 30 against Duke, which like the Jayhawks, had its 2012-13 season ended by Notre Dame at the Norfolk Regional. This will be the first meeting between the two programs.