Who: Texas Tech vs. Kansas
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Allen Fieldhouse
Series: Texas Tech, 16-8
Time to climb
If Kansas wants to climb out of the Big 12’s cellar, now would be a great time to start the ascent. Entering today’s slate of conference games, KU is one of five teams holding a 3-6 record in league play. Midway through the Big 12 season, there is a logjam at sixth place, which doubles, for now, as last place.
The five teams in search of separation — KU, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and West Virginia — all play tonight. The Jayhawks could be alone in sixth place by the end of the day if they handle the Red Raiders, a team they beat in Lubbock, Texas, two weeks ago.
K-State plays No. 20 Texas, OSU faces No. 3 Baylor, and West Virginia takes on TCU (5-4 in Big 12).
Streaking
Since hitting the game-winning shot at Texas Tech in the final seconds, senior KU guard Asia Boyd has continued rolling. For the first time this season, the 6-foot-1 guard from Detroit has scored in double figures in three straight games. In victories vs. WVU and at ISU, and a loss at BU, Boyd averaged 14.7 points on 52-percent shooting, while adding 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
Slumping
While KU has played well over its last five games, that success has coincided with a slump by starting freshman Chayla Cheadle. The 6-foot guard from Columbia, Missouri, went scoreless in three straight games and has only scored seven points combined in her last five starts. During the swoon, Cheadle has taken 15 shots, making two of them — 13 percent.
Probable starters
Kansas
(12-10 overall, 3-6 Big 12)
G — Natalie Knight, 5-7, sr.
G — Lauren Aldridge, 5-7, fr.
G — Chayla Cheadle, 6-0, fr.
F — Jada Brown, 6-0, so.
F — Chelsea Gardner, 6-3, sr.
Texas Tech
(13-8 overall, 3-6 Big 12)
G — MInta Spears, 5-10, so.
G — Rayven Brooks, 6-0, jr.
G — Amber Battle, 5-10, sr.
F — Dayo Olabode, 6-2, fr.
F — Kelsi Baker, 6-0, sr.
