Bryant Nash reacted as if Kansas University had hit a buzzer-beater to beat Missouri, jumping up and down on an invisible trampoline Monday as time ran out on the Jayhawks’ 76-70 men’s basketball victory over the Tigers at Allen Fieldhouse.

Nash, KU’s 6-foot-6, 205-pound junior reserve forward from Carrollton, Texas, was overcome with emotion after playing meaningful minutes down the stretch for the first time in his college career.

“I now know what it feels like to be out there pushing your way through the game, trying to stay tough for the team and get a win,” said Nash, who played 17 minutes — yes, 17 minutes — in the second half. “It’s the first time for me, the first time. It feels good.”

Nash scored seven points and had three steals while filling in for starter Jeff Graves, who sat the final 9:46 after committing his fourth personal foul just seconds after committing a wild turnover.

Nash entered and was steady, if not spectacular, hitting one of two free throws with 50 seconds remaining to stretch a two-point lead to 72-69.

He also partially blocked a Ricky Paulding eight-foot jumper in the lane, grabbed the carom and dished to Michael Lee, who was hacked and hit two free throws at :26.8, giving the Jayhawks a comfy 74-69 edge.

“I was not nervous at all,” Nash said. “It’s a matter of going out there and doing the job and not being nervous.”

Asked if he and Lee — who scored seven points in 28 minutes — were the game’s heroes or starters Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich — who combined for 46 points off 20-of-31 shooting, Nash said, “KU was the hero tonight. We came out with the win.”

KU coach Roy Williams also was pleased with Nash and Lee.

“I had one rule as a coach 30 years ago when I first started high school coaching — I was going to play the guy I wanted in the game at that specific time,” Williams said during Tuesday’s Hawk Talk radio show. “Last night, Michael and Bryant played 50 minutes. That might not happen on Saturday (at Kansas State).

“Last night I was disappointed in Jeff Graves. I was disappointed in Aaron Miles. I think if you operate not having a plan, operate not having any favorites and play who you want at that specific time — who you think will do the job at that specific time — then you are doing the best job you can and let it go at that.”

Williams felt bad for Miles, who had six turnovers and two points in 19 minutes, because the sophomore guard wasn’t feeling well Monday night.

“I was mad at Aaron. I didn’t like the turnovers, but at the same time he was sick,” Williams said on his radio show. “His eyes were red. He was sniffing, coughing … the whole bit. He didn’t have the energy level he normally has. He didn’t play well, but to say Aaron Miles is playing poorly, we can’t say that.

“Eight nights ago on national TV against Texas, that youngster played his butt off.”

Miles had 15 points, nine assists and one turnover in KU’s 90-87 win over the Longhorns.

As for Graves, Williams didn’t like the big man’s fourth foul.

“The court is 94-feet long. He’s only 93 feet from the basket and picked up his fourth foul. You can’t do those kind of things,” Williams said. “It started out with him making a turnover trying to make a move he shouldn’t be making to begin with.

“Jeff has really done some nice things for us, yet he can do so much, much more. I don’t think we’re getting him close to the potential that he has and that’s frustrating for me. I’m sure it’s frustrating for him.”

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Clemons chant unnecessary: In the first half Monday, Williams waved off the students in the north end zone, asking them to stop chanting “woman beater” at Missouri’s Ricky Clemons, who is facing domestic assault charges in Columbia, Mo.

The students listened to the coach and quit taunting Clemons.

“Our students are fantastic. Young kids, even sometimes guys 52, go a little above board,” said the 52-year-old Williams. “Last night I thought one of the things they were chanting wasn’t necessarily the best thing in the world. The kids responded very well. I’d heard they chanted it before I came on the court and when it started one time I asked them to stop because I think Allen Fieldhouse is a special place and we don’t have to get that personal, No. 1. And then I’m selfish, No. 2. I don’t want to make somebody mad and make them play better just because our people fire him up. I love coaching that game in the fieldhouse. The way the crowd reacts, it’s a special place.”