Jeff Graves has been doing extra running of late — sprints and treadmill laps that have nothing to do with the 6-foot-9, 250-pounder’s battle of the bulge.

Graves, Kansas University’s junior center from Lee’s Summit, Mo., has been penalized by coach Roy Williams for arriving late for one workout and skipping one class — infractions that haven’t made Graves’ coaches and teammates happy.

“It’s kind of frustrating,” KU sophomore forward Wayne Simien said. “You know, this guy has one of the best opportunities in the world. I mean we are trying to contend for a national championship.

“When you show up late to practice or don’t come to class … stuff like that gives off the image you are not serious about what we’re trying to accomplish. Some of the guys have not been real pleased with that. When coach has to constantly be on you and discipline you, we’re tired of seeing that. With what we’re trying to do here, there’s no room for that.”

Graves was in the doghouse during the preseason for reporting overweight, but he had gained Williams’ good graces by playing well in Simien’s 11-game absence — including a 14-point, 10-rebound performance against Wyoming Jan. 15.

He appears to be backsliding — especially after arriving late for a workout last Saturday before KU’s game Sunday against Iowa State.

“He’s been in a funk since last Saturday,” Williams said. “He’s got to get his life straightened out. He’s got to do the right things every day.”

Graves’ teammates are hoping he turns it around quickly with the season entering the home stretch.

Kansas coach Roy Williams chews out Jeff Graves during Wednesday's game. Several Jayhawks have questioned Graves' discipline.

“I don’t know if he’s swallowed the fact we’re going to need him down the stretch. He’s a big part of our success,” sophomore guard Keith Langford said, quickly adding, “I’m not frustrated with his play. I just know how good he can potentially be.

“I thought after the Wyoming game he’d finally caught on. Obviously he’s in his first year of basketball at this level and you’ll have ups and downs. He had the car accident (in September, suffering concussion) that set him back. I’m behind him 100 percent however he plays.”

So is Simien, who said the Jayhawks — 20-5 overall and 10-1 in the league entering Sunday’s showdown at Oklahoma (18-4, 9-2) — have no team chemistry problems.

“When we have things to say to him, he listens. It’s nothing with team chemistry,” Simien said. “You sense it might be a sense of discipline or maturity on his part. You hate to see that. He’s a junior. He’s a grown man. Hopefully he can put it behind him and we can focus on a title run.”

It has been a rough year on Graves. Aside from the car wreck, he recently learned of the death of a good friend, whose funeral was Thursday.

“He got shot in the head,” Graves said, asked by one reporter if it was a case of suicide. “No. I think he was messing around (with gun). I have been thinking about him.”

He’s not made excuses for his tardiness.

“It’s my fault and I must suffer the consequences,” Graves said. “Coach Williams talks to me a lot about being late and doing things right and having to deal with the consequences.”

It’s been theorized Graves is relaxing now that the injured Simien is back.

“I hope that’s not the scenario,” Simien said. “He’s still out there starting. We need him. He’s a key.”

Graves has nine points and 10 rebounds in two games since Simien’s return.

“I’m happy Wayne is back,” Graves said. “You can see the spark in everybody’s eyes when Wayne is out there. I feel good about my game and confident about my game. I’m in better shape now and feel I can do a lot more things now that I can jump.”

That was evidenced when he put home a reverse jam Sunday against Iowa State. Time will tell if he can he play that inspired all the time, as inspired as Simien did in his 20-minute stint Wednesday when he burned Colorado for 21 points and 13 boards in a 94-87 victory.

“He’s been huge for us, big-time with Wayne out,” Williams said of Graves, who averages 5.2 points and 5.8 boards overall and 6.6 points and 7.2 boards in Big 12 play.

“We can be really good if Wayne is healthy and Jeff plays they way he has in certain stretches all the time.”