“I wouldn’t have picked us ninth,” Henrickson said.

In other words, Henrickson believes her team will finish higher than the league coaches predicted. And, in truth, even a .500 record would look good to Henrickson who in four seasons on Mount Oread has compiled a lackluster 18-46 record against conference foes.

Speaking candidly at Wednesday’s basketball media session at Allen Fieldhouse, Henrickson confessed her inability to turn things around has been a “miserable” feeling.

“I came here to win,” she said. “I’ve won everywhere I’ve been. I have confidence and pride we’ve done it the right way, but we’ve got to get over the hump.”

With four returning starters, Henrickson hopes experience will lead to more consistency while, at the same time, freshman Angel Goodrich fulfills the need for a true point guard.

“I’m not going to try to hide my enthusiasm for what she can do,” Henrickson said of Goodrich. “She came here to be a program-changer, and I’m not going to tell her anything else.”

Goodrich was a sensation in the Oklahoma small high school ranks even though she admits to standing only 5-foot-2 in her bare feet and 5-3 1/2 in shoes.

Despite her small stature, Goodrich can deliver the goods. Just ask veteran point guard Ivana Catic who is likely to lose minutes to the nimble newcomer.

“She has a great basketball IQ and work ethic,” Catic said. “I do believe she’ll make us better.”

Henrickson noted she isn’t ready to hand the starting point job to Goodrich, saying senior Catic and junior LaChelda Jacobs remain viable options, but adding: “She’s pretty good if she beats a senior and a junior out.”

Even with the addition of Goodrich, the Jayhawks have deficiencies. For instance, they led the league in turnovers, made more than 150 fewer trips to the free throw line than their foes and were last in the Big 12 in three-point goals.

No doubt, the 11 other Big 12 coaches took those weaknesses into consideration when they tapped the Jayhawks to finish ninth.

“We’re sick of being picked ninth or 10th,” junior Sade Morris said. “But it is what it is, and it’s our job to prove them wrong.”

Junior Kelly Kohn wasn’t surprised the coaches relegated Kansas to the second division.

“It’s almost expected,” Kohn said. “You can’t knock anybody for their perception, but we feel that doesn’t describe our potential.”

Fans will have their first chance to check out the Jayhawks on Nov. 2 when they meet Fort Hays State in an exhibition game.