Kansas University’s women’s basketball team isn’t exactly surging into the second season.
The Jayhawks, who have lost two straight and four of their last five, will play host to undefeated Baylor today in Kansas’ Big 12 opener.
Tipoff is 2:05 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse.
“We know it’s a new start,” KU coach Marian Washington said. “We really learned a lot in our nonconference schedule. We played a strong nonconference schedule. We played some very good ball clubs. They forced us to work on some things that will help us in this conference race.”
Washington is tickled by the amount of practice time the Jayhawks (6-5) have had during winter break.
“This is a very good time for us,” she said. “They’re really focused on trying to get better, and we’ve been able to get more practice time in. That’s so important since we have so many new people. We’ve had the opportunity to shoot the ball more. Will that help us right away? We’ll have to wait until (today) to see how we do at the line.”
League-leading Baylor enters with a 12-0 overall record, 1-0 in the Big 12.
The Bears downed Oklahoma State, 81-69, on Wednesday night in their league opener.
“They’ve been playing with a lot of confidence,” Washington said. “They haven’t had as challenging a schedule, but they’ve been playing very well.”
Baylor packs a potent 1-2 punch with point guard Sheila Lambert and forward Danielle Crockrom. Lambert, a 5-7 junior college transfer, leads BU and the league with 23.4 points per game, while Crockrom, a 6-2 junior, adds 21.3 points and 12.9 rebounds per game.
“Out of high school, (Lambert) was one of the top five players in the county,” Washington said. “She really helps the other players like Crockrom. Sheila’s so quick and very slender. She handles the ball well and has a great crossover. She has the ability to hit the three-point shot, but what she does best is penetrate and score or penetrate and get an assist.
“And Crockrom is tenacious on the offensive glass. She’s a very agile post player. She hits the boards hard.”
Kansas will counter with two double-digit scorers in forwards Jaclyn Johnson (17.3 points per game) and Brooke Reves (15.0 ppg).
Johnson had a big game against Baylor last season. In an 81-67 Kansas victory, Johnson had 17 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
Kansas leads the all-time series with BU, 6-2, including a 3-0 record in Lawrence.
The Jayhawks will travel to Iowa State on Wednesday, then return home for Kansas State next Saturday.
Probable Starters
BAYLOR (12-0, 1-0).
F Danielle Crockrom, 6-2, Jr.
C Monica Arnold, 6-2, Sr.
G Nicole Collins, 5-3, Jr.
G Chanelle Fox, 5-11, Fr.
G Sheila Lambert, 5-7, Jr.
KANSAS (6-5, 0-0)
F Brooke Reves, 6-0, Sr.
F Jaclyn Johnson, 6-1, Sr.
C Kristin Geoffroy, 6-6, Jr.
G Jennifer Jackson, 5-10, Sr.
G Selena Scott, 5-6, Jr.
Tipoff: 2:05 p.m. today, Allen Fieldhouse.
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