They call them exhibition games, and they’re usually little more than glorified basketball practices.

That may not be the case today, however, when the Kansas University women tangle with Emporia State, a projected NCAA Division II power.

“They’re good,” KU coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “They’re very good.”

Tipoff will be at 1 p.m. today in Allen Fieldhouse. Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 will telecast the game live.

Emporia State returns four players from last year’s 27-6 team that advanced to an NCAA regional championship and twice knocked off No. 1-ranked teams.

Moreover, the Hornets have added Denisa Svarova, a 6-foot-5 transfer from College of Southern Idaho, and guard Tegan Stuart, who played at Iowa State last year.

ESU will start a front line of three 6-footers, while Henrickson goes with a three-guard lineup and a double post of 5-11 Taylor McIntosh and 6-2 Crystal Kemp.

In Sunday’s 90-65 exhibition victory over Pittsburg State, Kemp scored 24 points, but McIntosh and reserve inside players Jamie Boyd and Marija Zinic didn’t do anything memorable.

“We need more production in the post,” Henrickson said. “Jamie has some moments, but Taylor got in foul trouble, and Marija played like a freshman.”

In the backcourt, however, Henrickson had solid performances from incumbents Erica Hallman, Kaylee Brown and Sharita Smith and newcomers Ivana Catic and Shaquina Mosley.

Hallman, who has played point guard the last two seasons, has been switched to off guard and, says Henrickson, is still adjusting.

“She’s still trying to find her niche on the wing,” the KU coach noted. “She’s still looking to pass first, and she passed up a couple of shots (against Pitt State).”

Nevertheless, Henrickson couldn’t complain about scoring 90 points or that all but four of the Jayhawks’ baskets came off assists. But she wasn’t happy about surrendering 65 points.

“We need to be more aggressive defensively than we were last Sunday,” Henrickson said. “We need defensive improvement.”

Emporia State didn’t show much offense in bowing to Kansas State on Tuesday in Manhattan. The Hornets stayed close for about 30 minutes, but the Wildcats used a late 22-7 run to post a 60-46 victory.

Kansas will open for real a week from today when it plays host to Binghamton.