J.R. Giddens was more than a bit surprised Tuesday when told he’d earned his first award as a college basketball player — Big 12 Conference Rookie of the Week.

“I didn’t expect it. I didn’t even know there was any such award like that,” said Giddens, Kansas University’s freshman guard from Oklahoma City. “I’m happy. It’s not hit me yet. Hopefully there will be more to come.”

The 6-foot-5 Giddens scored a career-high 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Saturday’s 77-67 victory over Oregon. That performance came three days after he’d scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in an 80-40 rout against Fort Hays State.

“Probably McDonald’s All-American,” Giddens said of his biggest individual honor to date. “That one was pretty exciting, too.”

Giddens has scored in double figures in three of KU’s last four games. For the season, he has averaged 9.5 points and 4.8 boards.

“I’ve tried to be more aggressive, doing what coach says, to be a threat every time I get the ball,” Giddens said.

Of Giddens, KU coach Bill Self said: “It’s exciting to watch J.R. grow and mature every day. The young man has a very bright future.”

Oklahoma’s Drew Lavender was named Big 12 player of the week. KU’s Wayne Simien won that honor Dec. 1.

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Upcoming Classic: This weekend’s Wolf Pack Classic at 11,200-seat Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nev., also is being called the Dodge Holiday Classic with the Dodge dealers in Nevada and California paying $25,000 for naming rights.

6Sports video: Giddens earns conference honor

KU will play UC Santa Barbara at 7 p.m. CST Saturday. A game between Nevada and Alabama State will tip at 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, KU will play host Nevada approximately 9:30 p.m., after a 7 p.m. battle between Alabama State and UC Santa Barbara.

“It’s a great event for the local economy with Kansas bringing 2,000 fans,” Nevada athletic director Chris Ault told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

KU receives $40,000 guarantee money for playing. UC Santa Barbara and Alabama State each receive $20,000.

Crowds of 10,000 are expected each night, the Gazette-Journal indicated.

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Self exchange: A reporter opened the Big 12 coaches teleconference Tuesday with a witty exchange with KU’s Self.

“I guess I can guess what you are going to get Jeff Graves for Christmas … an alarm clock,” the reporter said.

“To be honest, I think he’s probably already thought of that,” Self said of Graves buying a clock.

The senior center was suspended for one game by Self last Friday in response to Graves oversleeping and missing a practice.

Self then was asked if Graves, who was reinstated to the squad Monday, “got the message.”

“I don’t know,” Self said. “Jeff knows what he’s supposed to do. Even he said this, I’m not going to say any more what I’m going to do any more, I’m just going to do it.’ I do believe Jeff can and will do it. He also understands if he can’t do it, then there won’t be much margin for error.”

Yes, Graves attended KU’s practice Tuesday afternoon. Self and assistant Norm Roberts weren’t on hand, however. They were off recruiting. Assistants Tim Jankovich and Joe Dooley ran the workout at Allen Fieldhouse.

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More on Weber flap: Illinois coach Bruce Weber on Monday had the final word, commenting to ESPN’s Andy Katz about his holding a mock funeral for his predecessor, Bill Self:

“I’ve got no problem with Bill,” Weber said. “All I was trying to say is that he’s not coming back.”