Each team owns eight victories, and each boasts a standout performer.

Kansas and Houston appear to be evenly matched going into their women’s basketball game on the final day of 2008.

Houston, in fact, probably will be the Jayhawks’ toughest home opponent since they tangled with Iowa more than a month ago.

“That’s probably true,” KU coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “Speed, quickness and size …yeah.”

Tipoff will be at 1 p.m. today in Allen Fieldhouse. Metro Sports (Sunflower Broadband 37) will televise the game on a delayed basis starting at 5 p.m.

Kansas is off to an 8-2 start, with junior Danielle McCray enjoying her best season. The 5-foot-11 Olathe East product is averaging 18.7 points and 8.2 rebounds a game.

Houston is 8-3, thanks in large part to Courtney Taylor, a 6-foot sophomore from Crockett, Texas, who is averaging 16.8 points and 11.8 rebounds a game. Taylor posted her 17th career double-double in Sunday’s 74-59 victory over Akron, pacing the Cougars with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Kansas hasn’t played since its 82-54 flogging of Pepperdine two days before Christmas in Malibu, Calif. After a short holiday break, the Jayhawks resumed practice Sunday night.

Kansas will entertain New Mexico State at 2 p.m. Sunday, then play host to Fairfield in its nonconference finale next Wednesday.