If James Naismith were still alive, he almost certainly would have been baffled by all the white lines painted on the basketball floor named in his honor.

No doubt many Kansas University basketball fans who watched Tuesday nightâÂÂs so-called exhibition game between the Jayhawks and Washburn University must have been a little confused, too.

Then there was the media. We knew about the NCAAâÂÂs mandate to experiment with a deeper three-point line and a wider lane, but we couldnâÂÂt decipher the third test-tube trial.

Experiment No. 3 – and this is official language – involves âÂÂrelocating the free-throw lane block between the first free-throw lance space adjacent to the end line and the next lane space on both sides of the lane.âÂÂ

Yeah, right. LetâÂÂs just say you have to see the diagram and itâÂÂs about as clear as the directions for assembling do-it-yourself furniture.

Still, the NCAA, in its wisdom, realizes all these additional experimental lines could work a hardship on maintenance crews so it allows the lines to be modified, if necessary, by using shoe polish.

Not that Dr. Naismith would turn over in his grave if he heard shoe polish had been applied to his court but, for the record, KU officials did not have to make a trip to Target or Wal-Mart or Kmart to purchase white shoe polish.

By the way, the reason the additional white lines were on the floor was to accustom the Jayhawks because it will be in force during the entire Preseason NIT Tournament, which will begin next Tuesday when the Jayhawks entertain Holy Cross.

Of all the extra lines painted on Naismith Court, the most vexing are probably the extra two feet on each side of the free-throw lane.

âÂÂI donâÂÂt know âÂÂ: itâÂÂs a little hard to get used to,â said Nick Collison who seemed to have as little trouble as anybody with the wider lane because he snatched 15 boards – 10 more than any player on either side.

âÂÂHopefully, we can practice a little bit with it,â Collison added. âÂÂItâÂÂs really not that hard to get used to.âÂÂ

Meanwhile, adding nine inches to the three-point line, boosting the depth from 19 feet, 9 inches to 20 feet, 6 inches had about as much effect as putting nine more feathers in a pillow, or adding $9 to the national debt.

Even Collison, who drained his only three-point attempt, said the extra three-quarters of a foot âÂÂdidnâÂÂt make much of a difference.âÂÂ

Meanwhile, senior Kirk Hinrich, who will be making a living next year shooting three-pointers from NBA range (22-6), also was nonplused by the additional nine inches because he usually shoots from 21 to 23 feet anyway, although he admits he hardly notices.

âÂÂI donâÂÂt think it makes that big a difference,â Hinrich said. âÂÂI try to get well behind the line anyway.âÂÂ

With the deeper line in force, the Jayhawks made six of 11 three-pointers. Washburn cashed 6 of 17, but forward Ryan Murphy was 3-for-5 from beyond the expanded arc.

No big deal, said Murphy, who hails from suburban Wichita.

âÂÂIf you canâÂÂt shoot that far out,â the Ichabodsâ senior said, âÂÂyou shouldnâÂÂt be shooting anyway.âÂÂ

Of course, none of the statistics from TuesdayâÂÂs game will count. Well, one will âÂÂ:quot; KU coach Roy Williamsâ early second-half technical foul. The T was only the ninth in Williamsâ 15 years on Mount Oread, and IâÂÂm sure it took everyone by surprised because, after all, this was just a meaningless preseason game. âÂÂGlorified practicesâ is what Williams calls them.

After it appeared official Winston Stith missed an over-and-back violation by the Ichabods early in the second half, Williams exploded, searing StithâÂÂs ears with a long lacing of lividity. Too long. Too livid. Toot.

Afterward, asked about his unexpected explosion, Williams mentioned how few times heâÂÂs been rung up through the years, then said: âÂÂIâÂÂll stop there.âÂÂ

But then he added, âÂÂSometimes you get a chance to tell them what you really thinkâ before he actually did become uncharacteristically mum.

Anyway, like all exhibition games, this one will be long forgotten a month from now, and so will all those superfluous white lines on the floor.