Kansas University women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson could fret about having to face another tough Big 12 Conference team after losing to Texas and Kansas State, but she’s not.

“Right now, we’ve got so many things to take care of ourselves that we’re not worried about Iowa State,” Henrickson said.

The Jayhawks (7-6 overall, 0-2 Big 12) and Cyclones (12-1, 2-0) will tip off at 7:05 tonight in Allen Fieldhouse.

KU dropped its first two Big 12 contests but gave then-No. 20 Kansas State all it could handle in the first half and challenged then-No. 7 Texas late before losing both games.

A lack of depth has forced the Jayhawk starting five to play 35 to 40 minutes each game. But Henrickson said her team couldn’t use its short bench as an excuse, and that KU must stay mentally sharp for 40 minutes to win in the Big 12.

“We just have to maintain our focus and concentration,” Henrickson said. “We’ve got to take it one possession at a time. We’re not going to become more athletic or bigger in a day, and our depth is not going to get better from here to the rest of the year.”

Among the encouraging signs on a team that has shown continual improvement is the defense of forward Taylor McIntosh, who limited K-State’s preseason All-American forward, Kendra Wecker, to six first-half points.

Still, McIntosh and her teammates will have to improve defensively against a commanding Iowa State offense, which outscores its opponents by an average of 24 points.

The Cyclones have three players who average double figures and two more who average nearly 10.

“Defensively, they’re not going to overwhelm you with athleticism or speed,” Henrickson said. “But they play tendencies very well.”

The Cyclones are similar to the squad Henrickson defeated last year as coach of Virginia Tech.

But Henrickson said she expected to face a tougher Iowa State team this time.

“I think they play with more confidence right now, and they should with the experience they’ve had,” Henrickson said.

Iowa State’s biggest threat could come from forward Katie Robinette, who averages 14 points a game and makes field goals at a 55-percent clip.

“She’s a difference maker,” Henrickson said. “She can hit tough shots and continues to get better and better.”

So do the rest of the Cyclones, who are riding a nine-game winning streak that includes Big 12 victories over K-State and Colorado.

Despite the daunting task tonight, Henrickson said she was pleased with the improvement her team had shown.

“We’re a work in progress,” Henrickson said. “What I love and respect about the kids is they’ve been coachable and they want to get it right.”