Kansas guard Angel Goodrich dribbles past April Goins (40) during KU’s final game of the Basketball Travelers Classic against Florida Atlantic on Sunday at Allen Fieldhouse.

The message is spreading.

Since junior guard Monica Engelman’s benching for a lack of effort in Kansas University’s game against Florida Atlantic on Sunday, the KU women’s basketball players know that any slacking can result in a significant loss of playing time.

The Jayhawks took Monday off, so they haven’t practiced much in preparation for today’s 7 p.m. match-up against Southern Methodist. But coach Bonnie Henrickson said she’s seen a little more bounce in her players.

“That’s all I’m asking for,” Henrickson said. “It’s not about playing perfect. It’s that your effort needs to be consistent every day.”

Junior forward Carolyn Davis has been spreading that same message. This is Division I basketball, she said, so players need to compete or else they won’t get the playing time that they want.

“They always say that as captains, we have to be an extension of the coaching staff,” Davis said. “I think we’ve got the responsibility of having to continue to tell them what the coaches’ standards are.”

Henrickson said she had seen the biggest improvement in KU’s effort on the defensive end, especially rebounding, during the FAU game. SMU (4-2) will be one of the best teams that Kansas (6-0) has faced this season, so, Henrickson said, the rebounding has to extend to the offensive end, and the turnovers need to diminish.

The silver lining of Engelman’s benching was that young players could step into leading roles, proving that Kansas has depth.

“You never know when an injury will occur or anything like that,” Davis said, “just like our freshman year when Danielle (McCray) went out — Monica had to step up to the plate in the same situation.”

Sophomore guard CeCe Harper started in Engelman’s place and had five points, two assists and one turnover in 21 minutes. The stats don’t jump off the page, but Harper showed that she can help the team in a positive way, handling the ball without turning it over.

The same goes for freshmen Natalie Knight, who has been a regular starter for the Jayhawks, and Bunny Williams. Both have played well in large chunks of minutes, and both give Kansas reliable depth outside of the top playmakers.

Knight said she hasn’t felt much pressure this season because she just shoots the ball when she is open, and everything else falls into place. Knight also said the upperclassmen have contributed to her comfort level.

“On and off the court, we get along really well,” Knight said. “It’s fun to play with them, and their energy level is great every day.”

Good news for Davis

Davis, who scored her 1,000th career point Sunday, was named to the Naismith Women’s Early-Season Watch List on Wednesday.

It’s the latest accomplishment for a player who, just a few years ago, severely doubted her abilities.

“A lot of it was questioning myself, like how did I get a scholarship to college?” Davis said, referring to the start of her freshman season.

Davis had her injured ankle X-rayed Tuesday, and she said it looked good.

Davis should be able to practice soon, but until then, she has to endure stationary-bike workouts.

“I’ve probably done the Tour de France by now,” Davis said.

If all goes as planned –working out during practice and wearing a boot outside of games — she should be 100 percent in a couple of weeks.