If ever a basketball team needed a glimmer of hope, it's Kansas University's women. Losers of four straight and nine of their last 11, the Jayhawks may have some help on the way.
Sereeta Jones, a touted freshman who wasn't eligible during the first semester, was expected to enroll this week and could emphasis on could play during the spring semester.
However, Jones will not play when KU plays host to Colorado tonight.
Tipoff will be 7:05 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse. The Big 12 Conference contest will be available on the Jayhawk Radio Network (KLWN 1320). A televised replay will be on Sunflower Broadband (Cable Six) at 10:30 p.m.
Jones, a 6-footer from Visalia, Calif., averaged 25.7 points and 13.3 rebounds, as a senior in high school.
"We're really excited about her," KU assistant coach Maggie Mahood said. "We recruited her as a four (power forward). She's so upbeat. She really wants to play."
However, KU officials, Mahood said, are awaiting an NCAA ruling on whether Jones will be classified as a full qualifier or partial qualifier. Jones would have to be certified as a full qualifier in order to play right away.
Meanwhile, it's likely freshman Blair Waltz, who missed the last two games with a stress fracture in her right foot, will return to duty tonight.
"She hasn't been able to practice much," Mahood said, "so she'll probably be in a limited role. She's spent a lot of time on the (stationary) bicycle."
The 6-foot Waltz is the Jayhawks' fourth-leading scorer (7.3) and the team's most accurate three-point shooter at 37.5 percent (9 of 24).
Kansas is 5-12 overall and 0-4 in the league. Colorado, although 11-6 overall, has won only one of its four conference contests. Still, CU is ranked No. 22 in this week's polls because all six losses were to ranked teams. Moreover, five of those defeats were on the road.
Colorado boasts a bountiful experienced backcourt of seniors Mandy Nightingale and Jenny Roulier they're averaging 15.1 and 11.7 points respectively and a talented center in 6-5 soph Tera Bjorklund (13.1 ppg).
"They're a very hard-nosed team," Mahood said, "and they shoot the three extremely well."
Kansas' offense is basically two-pronged. Seniors KC Hilgenkamp (12.6) and Selena Scott (13.0) are the only Jayhawks who average double figures in scoring. Those two also lead in minutes played.
Notes: KU hasn't lost five in a row since the 1986-87 season KU's spring semester classes will begin on Thursday On Saturday, the Jayhawks will play at Nebraska. Tipoff is 7:05 p.m. Since Dec. 1, KU's only victories have been against Wichita State and Morgan State
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