Huskies' Bryan-Amaning might return for matchup with No. 24 Kansas

The Washington men's basketball team should receive an added boost from the bench tonight as it takes a dramatic step up in nonconference competition and meets No. 24 Kansas in the semifinals of the CBE Classic at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Huskies reserve forward Matthew Bryan-Amaning, who missed the first three games due to leg injuries, is expected to make his season debut. Coach Lorenzo Romar upgraded his status from doubtful to questionable after Sunday's two-hour practice at Penn Valley Community College.

Bryan-Amaning didn't complain of soreness after the workout and told teammates he's anxious to return to the court.

The Huskies (2-1) will need all the help they can get against the defending national champion Jayhawks, who are off to a 2-0 start and appear to have rebounded after losing five players from their title team to the NBA draft.

"They believe that they can win because they've won," Romar said. "But when you lose a Darrell Arthur, Mario Chalmers [and] Brandon Rush all in the same year, you're going to be a little bit of a different team."

During Friday's teleconference, Romar noted 6-foot-11 sophomore center Cole Aldrich, who is averaging 12.5 points per game, and junior guard Sherron Collins, who leads Kansas with a 20.5 average.

The winner of tonight's game, which will be televised on ESPN2, will meet either No. 18 Florida or Syracuse on Tuesday; the losers will play in a consolation game.