The opposition had better beware when Kirk Hinrich is coming off a subpar basketball game.

“You can expect those things. If you ever noticed, every time he has a bad game he comes back with a good game. That’s ‘Superman,”’ Kansas point guard Aaron Miles said after watching the 6-foot-3 Hinrich blitz Nebraska for 28 points in the Jayhawks’ 92-59 rout on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.

It followed Hinrich’s five-point outing off 2-of-11 shooting in Monday’s victory at Iowa State.

Hinrich iced nine of 16 shots, including three of four threes. He didn’t miss a free throw in seven tries.

“He’s done that, played a bad game and then played really well the next game,” KU forward Nick Collison said. “He was just really into it and played one of his best games.”

Hinrich said he wasn’t extra focused because of his off-shooting night at Iowa State.

“I try to shrug it off,” Hinrich said, “(but) obviously it might tend to make me concentrate more the next game.”

¢

Strong charity work: KU hit its first 22 free throws before Jeff Graves missed with 6:48 left. The Jayhawks cashed 22 of 25 charities to NU’s nine of 13. KU has hit 39 of 45 free throws in two Big 12 Conference games for 86.7 percent.

“During the break period we’ve shot a lot,” KU coach Roy Williams said. “We have a list in the locker room, the top seven free-throw shooters every day at practice (are listed).

“I like the fact we are getting fouled.”

¢

Milestone nears: Williams is one win shy of 400 entering Wednesday’s game against Wyoming.

“It’s not something I’m keeping track of for sure,” the coach said. “I realize it’s out there. Hopefully the kids don’t. I want ’em to play Wednesday night just to play well, then I won’t have to answer those questions.”

The Jayhawks are aware of their coach’s impending milestone.

“I was reading the program before the game and I saw he had 398 wins and, like, 99 losses,” Keith Langford said. “I was thinking, ‘How’s coach going to react when he gets his 100th loss?”’

Williams’ record is 399-96. He could reach 400 wins in his 496th game. Just three coaches reached 400 wins quicker: Adolph Rupp in his 477th game, Clair Bee in his 488th and Jerry Tarkanian in his 492nd.

¢

Injury hurts NU: Williams felt for NU sophomore point guard Jake Muhleisen, who fell hard eight minutes into the game and couldn’t return after hurting his back. He had just two points.

“I know he’s a great kid. You hate to see that happen. I told him after the game I was sorry he got hurt and hopefully he won’t be out very long,” Williams said. “He’s a really good player. He averages 13 a game. They lose one of their guards with experience and Nate Johnson is in his first year in the Big 12 basketball. That’s hard. We were able to get them to turn it over. Losing Jake was a big loss for Barry’s club.”

¢

Stats, facts: Graves, who was called for his fourth foul with 18:14 left, rallied to score nine points the final nine minutes, including seven straight. … KU has won eight straight games this season, 22 straight Big 12 contests. … KU has won eight straight over NU. … Hinrich’s 19 first-half points were most by a KU player in a half since Drew Gooden had 20 in the second half versus Valparaiso on Jan. 2, 2002. … Hinrich passed Walt Wesley for 20th place on KU’s all-time scoring list. … Collison passed Wilt Chamberlain for sixth place on KU’s all-time rebounding list.