Oklahoma City ? Sitting comfortably at her designated interview table, Bonnie Henrickson entertained media members one at a time Wednesday morning at Cox Convention Center.

Kansas University’s third-year women’s basketball coach was able to provide a personal touch to her sound bites – since most of the media horde had descended on Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale, whose Sooners were picked first in this week’s coaches’ poll. Henrickson’s Jayhawks were tapped 10th.

“Not any longer. I’m done. This is it. No more,” Henrickson said with a smile, asked how long she could stand not qualifying for the NCAA Tournament after earning invitations to the Big Dance five of her seven seasons at Virginia Tech. “I’m crazy enough to think we have a chance this year.”

She has her sights set higher than a second straight appearance in the Women’s NIT, despite the fact the Jayhawks return just two starters from a 17-13 team and will be blending in a whopping seven freshmen.

“I didn’t say we have to get in (NCAAs). I said we should expect to get in, and we should work like we expect to get in and play like we expect to get in,” Henrickson said of her discussions with her players about postseason goals.

Her freshman class – led by Olathe East’s Danielle McCray – will be bolstered by returning starters Ivana Catic and Taylor McIntosh, as well as Marija Zinic and Shaq Mosley. The rookies have been receptive thus far; Henrickson indicated she had noticed more enthusiasm at practice this preseason than last.

“I’ve never been afraid of young kids,” Henrickson said. “I always joke with our young players: ‘I’ll take young and talented over old and not very good.’ I believe in these kids. I believe in their ability.

“I’ve had heart-to-heart talks with myself over the past year that I’m going to have to be patient. We will probably lose to somebody we’re not supposed to, but we might beat somebody we’re not supposed to. We’re that young. You just don’t know.”

The Jayhawks, who opened last season 12-0, will have to improve on last year’s 5-11 league record if they hope to surprise and reach the NCAAs.

Yet Henrickson will not examine the schedule and assess the Jayhawks’ chances.

“I have not done that. I’ve never done that,” Henrickson said. “I have a hard time looking at a team (on the schedule) and saying, ‘We can’t beat them.’ I look at it and say, ‘We’re capable of beating them.’ We are going to have to stay healthy and grow and learn quickly.”

The Jayhawks open against Seton Hall, then play either Iowa or Missouri State (both NCAA teams) in the WBCA Classic on Nov. 11-12 at Kemper Arena. KU travels to Creighton, Wisconsin and Indiana in the nonconference season and has home games against California, Santa Clara and Xavier.

“We didn’t have an official talk about it. It’s what every person at KU is about – NCAA Tournaments, the big wins,” sophomore point guard Catic said. “We are aware we have to do a lot more work before that happens. We will have to win some games we are not supposed to win and win all the games we’re supposed to, definitely.”

“Of course everyone wants to go,” McIntosh said, “but I think we set smaller goals in order to reach that ultimate big goal. Everyone has been working even harder, which I didn’t think was possible.

“I think it (bid) is possible. It’s so exciting watching on TV. I know it’d be more exciting actually playing.”

The Jayhawks said they’ve been too busy practicing for the preseason to worry about the league coaches tapping KU a dismal 10th in the preseason poll.

“I don’t think we’re upset. We have three people graduating and seven new players,” Catic said. “It’s not a surprise. Obviously, nobody is happy about it, but we’re going to try to prove that is not realistic.”

“I think we can do better,” McIntosh said. “I am surprised I guess that they would pick us there. I don’t think we have proven ourselves yet. We can’t be mad, but at the same time we know what we have to do in order to do better.”

At this point, the Jayhawks can dream of dancing in March.

“Sometimes,” Henrickson said, “freshmen can surprise you. It can be a positive surprise.”