Kansas University’s seven women’s basketball freshmen will experience their first Big 12 Conference home game when KU plays host to Baylor University at 3 p.m. today.

“It’s something we’ve been looking forward to since the summer,” freshman Kelly Kohn said. “We’re really excited and pumped up about it.”

More important, however, than soaking in the fervor of Allen Fieldhouse would be a win for Kansas (5-8, 0-1) to end its four-game losing streak.

For the freshmen – many of whom dominated the high school circuit – such losing ways are unfamiliar.

“It’s frustrating,” said Kohn, who has started every game and ranks second among Big 12 freshmen in scoring. “Most of us were successful in high school and in previous basketball careers.”

Success today should prove difficult against Baylor (14-1, 1-0), ranked ninth in the current Associated Press poll. The Bears lead the nation in blocked shots, averaging 8.4.

“(They have) a tremendous combination of skill and athleticism and explosiveness,” KU coach Bonnie Henrickson said.

The Jayhawks saw those abilities first-hand last year in a 90-40 loss to Baylor in Waco, Texas.

“We didn’t play Baylor. We didn’t even show up,” Henrickson said. “That was a very, very poor performance on our part to say the least – probably the most disappointing game since we’ve been here.”

While seven Jayhawks were still in high school during that defeat, the Bears also have a valuable newcomer.

Forward Bernice Mosby, a transfer from the University of Florida, averages 17.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

But guard Angela Tisdale, who scores 11.6 per game and leads the team with 4.1 assists, will run the show.

The young Jayhawks – Henrickson started four freshmen during Wednesday’s 61-50 loss at Iowa State – must execute sound ballhandling.

The Bears score 80.4 points per game, with many of the baskets coming off the 23.7 turnovers they force each contest.

“We’ve got to be sure to take care of the basketball,” Henrickson said. “Our offense can’t become their offense.”

A strong rebounding game also accounts for Baylor’s offensive prowess.

The Bears outrebound their opponent by an average of 9.5 boards.

“I don’t know if we’ve seen them miss a putback,” Henrickson said. “If they miss the first one, they’re going to put the second one in.”

The Jayhawks, who need to rebound from a disappointing season to date, relish the opportunity of playing such a highly touted team in Allen Fieldhouse.

“When you first sign with Kansas, you’re thinking Big 12 Conference right away,” Kohn said. “You can’t wait to get started and get playing.”