Allen Fieldhouse could become a home away from home for Kansas State’s women’s basketball team today.

Kansas University officials expect a crowd of as many as 10,000 fans for the clash between KU and K-State, and, since the Jayhawks are averaging fewer than 1,000 fans a game, it’s quite likely the majority will be wearing purple.

Tipoff will be 3:05 p.m. You can hear it on the Jayhawk Radio Network (KLWN 1320).

Kansas, mired in a 13-game losing streak and assured of finishing in the Big 12 Conference basement, would appear to be no match for the No. 12-ranked Wildcats, but KU coach Marian Washington thinks her cup is half full, not half empty.

“I’ll be honest,” Washington said. “I think we can beat Kansas State. That’s how I feel.”

Washington has three reasons for optimism.

One, the Jayhawks (5-21 overall; 0-13 in Big 12) are coming off their highest-scoring conference game of the season, a 77-70 loss to Nebraska on Wednesday night in Allen Fieldhouse.

“If they play like this,” Washington said of her players following the seven-point loss to the Cornhuskers, “I’ll go to the floor with them anytime.”

Two, Kansas State hasn’t won in Lawrence in 11 years. K-State’s last victory here was a 74-73 overtime decision in 1991.

Three, Kansas State (21-5, 9-4) has dropped two in a row and three of its last four.

On the flip side, Kansas State leads the league in shooting percentage while Kansas ranks last, and K-State won the earlier meeting in Manhattan, 72-59.

This year’s Kansas team is already assured of posting the worst record in the 34-year history of KU women’s basketball, but the Jayhawks are hoping to avoid becoming the first team to go 0-16 in conference play.

After today’s game, Kansas will have two league contests remaining at No. 10 Iowa State on Saturday and at home against No. 18 Texas on Feb. 26.