Boulder, Colo. ? It’s not over until it’s over, so Bonnie Henrickson maintains hope of escaping the Big 12 Conference cellar.
“We still have something to play for,” said Henrickson, Kansas University’s third-year women’s basketball coach. “Anybody who doesn’t think so is crazy.”
In order to avoid a basement finish, the Jayhawks will almost certainly have to win their last two regular-season games, and both are on the road, starting with Colorado tonight.
Tipoff will be at 8 p.m., Lawrence time, in the Coors Events Center.
If KU (9-18 overall, 3-11 Big 12) can knock off the Buffaloes (11-5, 5-9) and win at Missouri in the finale next Thursday, the Jayhawks might climb a notch or two in the standings and improve their seeding for the conference tournament the following week in Oklahoma City.
“There is a lot of movement that will go on in these last few games,” Henrickson said. “We still have a chance to get out of where we are.”
However, if the Jayhawks lose either of both of their last two outings, they’ll be doomed to a last-place conference finish for the third time in the last six years.
After beginning the league race with nine consecutive defeats, Kansas has won three of its last five. One of those losses was a 76-70 decision Wednesday to No. 13 Oklahoma.
“Our kids have gotten better,” Henrickson said. “They are talented kids. It’s been a bit of a roller coaster, but we’re excited about the way they compete.”
Kansas posted its first league victory 18 days ago against Colorado, earning a 70-68 overtime decision in Allen Fieldhouse. The Buffs are 1-9 on the road this season, but 10-5 at home. CU has won five of the last six meetings with Kansas in Boulder.
“It’ll be another tough game,” said KU senior Shaquina Mosley who has averaged 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists since becoming a starter 11 games ago. “It won’t be easy playing in their place.”
Still, the Jayhawks have shown marked improvement over the last month.
“As a team, we have great momentum now,” freshman guard Kelly Kohn said. “And I think it will be on our side for both games.”
In the meantime, Henrickson prefers not to portray her team as a spoiler.
“Not yet,” she said. “We haven’t talked about that, but it could be in the conversation at some point.”
Next Thursday’s Missouri game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.
