Dallas ? After numerous seasons at or near the top, long-time Kansas University women’s basketball coach Marian Washington didn’t like the bottom.

Now the Jayhawks have had almost a complete roster turnover as Washington approaches her 30th season as KU’s head coach.

“We need to remind our players that our program is turning around and getting back to the way it should be,” Washington said Wednesday at the Big 12 Conference Media Day.

The Jayhawks have only one way to go after failing to win a single conference game during the 2001-2002 season. KU went 0-16 in the league race, then bowed to Texas in the first round of the conference postseason tournament.

“Our main goal is to win more games than last year,” Washington said, “and to keep a positive attitude about the future.”

With six freshmen and a junior college transfer in camp, Washington faces the challenge of building team chemistry a task that became doubly difficult when Erica Hallman, a freshman who was projected as the starting point guard suffered a knee injury in practice and is expected to miss about a month of preseason work.

“We are very excited about our new players because they have the ability to step right up and challenge for a position on this team,” Washington said. “The new players have a style more along the lines of my philosophy, and it is going to be very exciting to watch them progress throughout the season.”

Washington is also counting on sophomore Blair Waltz to provide leadership.

As Kansas University coach Marian Washington, left, looks on, KU's Blair Waltz answers a question. The two participated in Big 12 Women's Basketball Media Day on Wednesday in Dallas.

“Blair is going to be a standout in this conference,” Washington said. “She has the size and quickness that makes her a special player. Her explosiveness and agility makes up for her lack of size when facing bigger players.”

Waltz, who made the trip to Dallas with Washington and junior college transfer Aquanita Burras, stressed the Jayhawks have been motivated by last year’s cellar finish.

“Our work ethic and our practices have been amazing,” Waltz said. “The team is determined to put the tradition back in Kansas basketball.”

Waltz is just as anxious as Washington to see the newcomers show what they can do when the bell rings.

“I think they all have shown something in practice,” Walt said. “I really can’t wait to get on the court with them and compete in the Big 12.”

Waltz has been particularly impressed by Hallman, last year’s Miss Kentucky Basketball, saying: “She’s a force. She can shoot and create off the dribble.”

Kansas State's Laurie Koehn answers a question as teammate Nicole Ohlde, right, listens during Big 12 Conference Women's Basketball Media Day on Wednesday in Dallas. The Wildcats are picked to finish second in the Big 12 this season.

Washington has received at least two verbal commitments from Lauren Ervin of Inglewood, Calif., and Sharita Smith of Dallas.

The 6-foot-1 Ervin, regarded as one of the top prospects in the country, averaged 20.4 points and 13.4 rebounds a game for Artesia, Calif., Lakewood High as a junior, but has since transferred to Inglewood High.

Ervin, in fact, has been at three high schools in three years. She quit the Artesia team before last year’s playoffs. Ervin was also suspended from a USA Basketball tournament last summer for undisclosed reasons.

Smith is a 5-8 guard from Dallas Lincoln High who averaged 16 points a game as a junior last season. Former KU standout Angela Aycock is also a Dallas Lincoln product.