Kansas University athletic director Lew Perkins, who worked for 13 years at Connecticut before taking over at KU last summer, is thrilled for players and coaches at his former school.

The Huskies claimed the 2004 men’s and women’s national basketball championships — the first such sweep in NCAA Division One history.

“The fact the men and women for the first time in Division One history are both in the national finals tells a lot about the kind of basketball and athletic department UConn has,” Perkins said Tuesday after the men defeated Georgia Tech on Monday and before Gino Auriemma’s women beat Tennessee, 70-61. “I’m just excited for the whole university, those coaches and especially those kids.

“I talked to coach Calhoun (Jim, UConn men) last night. It was a late night. He was elated. I think everybody is so happy for George Blaney (former Seton Hall head coach, third year Husky assistant). Jeff Hathaway, their athletic director, is one of my best friends.

“I know a lot of those kids — Taliek (Brown), Emeka (Okafor) and Ben (Gordon) — all the upperclassmen — and I helped in the recruitment of Josh Boone. There’s so much invested in it. I’m happy for them all.”

Perkins has heard from both UConn’s men’s and women’s coaches this week.

“I feel part of it. Their coaches and kids kept me close to it,” he said. “I was invited by Geno and Jim and Jeff Hathaway to attend — I received e-mails from a lot of people — but my program is Kansas. My team isn’t there right now.”

Monday, Perkins was in San Antonio, site of the men’s Final Four, to watch KU assistant AD Jim Marchiony receive the Quinn Award from the United States Basketball Writers Assn., and to support ex-Jayhawk player and coach Lynette Woodard, who was introduced as a Hall-of-Fame inductee.

Of KU’s just-completed season, Perkins said: “I really think Bill (Self) should have received votes for national coach-of-the-year honors. I’d hesitate to count the number of times he had a full complement of players for practice because of injuries, and here we went to the Elite Eight. I don’t think Bill gets the credit he deserves. I’ve told him that. He did a marvelous job this year.”

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SDSU may talk to Niang: If Moulaye Niang announces his intention to transfer from KU, a possible destination is San Diego State. SDSU officials told the San Diego Tribune they had received an official release from KU, and Niang was ticketed to visit the Aztecs within two weeks.

Niang played at Christian High in El Cajon, Calif. KU coach Bill Self said transfer talk still was premature because the two were still discussing Niang’s future. Niang also might visit TCU, coached by former KU aide Neil Dougherty.

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This, that: ESPN.com has wasted no time in ranking KU the top team in the country next season. CBSsportsline.com counters with KU as No. 12. … Miami AD Paul Dee is expected to meet this week with KU assistant Norm Roberts about the Hurricane coaching position.