Before Kansas University’s home-opening volleyball match against Oral Roberts Wednesday night, senior Sarah Rome said the Jayhawks couldn’t look ahead to this weekend’s Jayhawk Classic at the Horejsi Center.

How could they not?

With a trio of teams coming to town and the 6-1 Jayhawks’ excitement building, the weekend could be big for a KU team that painfully knows how important big wins can be in swaying the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

By the way, North Carolina is one of the three teams coming to Lawrence.

“Hopefully a lot of students will show up and cheer for the Jayhawks, and let them know that they’re missing a lot,” Rome said.

Who’s missing a lot?

“The people that left (KU),” Rome said.

“The whole Roy Williams thing,” said Brazilian-bred freshman Janaina Correa.

Fans could have it in for the Tar Heels because of the departure of men’s basketball coach Williams to UNC last spring, and KU could play UNC for the tournament championship at 7 p.m. Saturday.

But KU coach Ray Bechard said there shouldn’t be bad blood toward the Tar Heels, because he and UNC coach Joe Sagula were good buddies.

“He’s my very best friend in coaching, so I hope we treat him with respect,” Bechard said. “What transpired earlier this year could be on some people’s minds, though.”

KU will play Arkansas at 7 tonight; North Carolina plays Creighton at 5 p.m. in the tournament opener.

Last year, like KU, Arkansas (4-3) wasn’t invited to the NCAAs — despite a 27-6 record and second-place finish in the Southeastern Conference.

North Carolina advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 last season, and entered this season ranked in the Top 25 before losses to Michigan State and South Carolina dropped the Tar Heels to 3-2.

Creighton (2-4) has almost matched its win total from last year — the Bluejays were 3-23 last year, and have lost three straight.