As if they need any extra incentive when archrival Kansas comes to town.

Although the Jayhawks (9-12, 3-7 Big 12) are far from the team that has been invited to nine NCAA Tournaments, Missouri players and coaches still anticipate the usual heated game.

"Kansas may not have the conference record they usually have, but there is not a bad team in our conference, especially when you talk about the Jayhawks," MU coach Cindy Stein said. "They come in here, whether they’ve not won a game or we’ve not won a game, it doesn’t matter. They’re Kansas and we’re Missouri and it’s going to be a good game."

MU guard Kerensa Barr agrees. "We’re excited about playing," she said. "It’s a big rivalry and that makes people play their best basketball."

The game has been billed as the Head to Hearnes game as the MU athletic department has made special promotion to draw a big crowd. More than 12,000 tickets were sold in advance.

Missouri (14-7, 5-5) is coming off its second road conference win this season, a 63-54 decision over Kansas State while Kansas lost 70-60 at home to Colorado.

A promising sign for the Tigers was the shooting performance of starter Tracy Franklin, who is averaging 9.7 points per game and hitting 41 percent of her 3-pointers. The senior guard made two 3-pointers, had five rebounds and scored 15 points at K-State. Also three newcomers, junior transfer Wendy Okeson and freshmen Tracy Lozier and Terianne Wolford, came up with crucial baskets in the game.

The Tigers are searching for more scoring options with forward Amanda Lassiter (19.8 points per game) and center Marlena "Pep" Williams (12.2 points) scoring 42 percent of the team’s points.

"Our team feels pretty good about itself," Stein said. "Our bench production really came through and won the game for us. I think Tracy Franklin really stepped up when we needed her to. We always have to work on every game. We’re not overconfident by any means, but I think we’re secure in the type of ball club we are."

In the Kansas State game Lassiter was limited to 28 minutes of action, partly due to flu-like symptoms sustained earlier in the week, but played through the pain and had team-highs of 18 points and six rebounds.

"She hasn’t been feeling good for the last week or so," Stein said. "She’s had some neck pain, which is due to a possible sore throat. She’s had a lot of stiffness. But with Amanda it’s something she always plays through and that’s the kind of kid she is. She won’t let you sit her down; she won’t take a day off. She just wants to keep playing."

Coach Marian Washington’s team has been a disappointment so far this season, but is still very dangerous because of its experience.

KU brings in three players - all seniors -averaging double figures in scoring with Jaclyn Johnson (16.3 points), Brooke Reeves (14.2) and Jennifer Jackson (10.3 points), but not much else. The Jayhawks are ranked ninth in the conference in both offense (70.7 points per game) and defense (66.8 points allowed per game).

"They’re not as athletic as they used to be but they have some tremendous shooters," Stein said. "You really have to take care of the main three and keep them in check. They’ve struggled in the past, when those three have struggled."