Technically, Kansas University’s nonconference basketball season isn’t over. The Jayhawks will play Richmond University of the Atlantic 10 Conference Jan. 22 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Aside from that made-for-ESPN2 game, however, the Jayhawks are through with their nonconference slate and take an 8-2 record into Monday’s Big 12 Conference opener at 6-3 Colorado (8:05 p.m., Coors Events Center).

“This is a totally different season,” KU junior Keith Langford said of conference games. “All your plays are thrown out the window. Everything is thrown out the window. Now it is, who is the toughest? Who will make shots, rebound? All the little plays and tricks are thrown out the window. You’ve gotta ball.”

The Jayhawks had a ball in conference play during Langford’s first two seasons. Kansas has won the last two regular-season titles with a combined record of 30-2. KU’s only two losses were last season, at Colorado and at Oklahoma.

“The fact we’ve been so successful in the conference the last two years isn’t going to help us that much this year. In fact, it will probably hurt us because everybody will be gunning for us,” Langford said.

“At the same time, this team’s mentality will continue to build. Coach won’t let us let up.”

The Jayhawks, who will try to become the first KU team to win three straight league titles since a stretch of four straight crowns from 1995 to ’98, realize league play promises to be physical.

“That was one of the most physical games I’ve played since I’ve been here,” junior Wayne Simien said of Friday’s 86-79 victory over Villanova in which he scored 23 points with four rebounds.

“That was a physical, athletic team. It’ll definitely get us ready to go into the Big 12 season. They (Wildcats) were all over the boards. We got our butts kicked on the boards. We can’t let that happen down the road.”

Villanova outrebounded KU, 41-35, on a night KU turned those numbers around, hitting 35-of-41 free throws.

“They were extremely physical and athletic. Colorado will be the same way,” Simien said of the David Harrison-led Buffs, who have dropped two straight home games to Utah and Richmond after opening the year with six wins in seven tries.

“It’s the way a lot of teams in the Big 12 will play.”

KU will have a long break between Big 12 games. The Jayhawks play at Colorado, then tangle with Kansas State Jan. 14 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Injured junior guard Michael Lee is expected to return for the KSU game.

“This is a second season for us. It’s when it really kicks in and steps up a notch,” Simien said. “We have our eyes set on the Big 12 championship like always. We hope we can get it done.”

Are the Jayhawks ready?

“We have no choice but to be ready,” Langford said.

“I can say we are (ready),” Simien said. “I have confidence in the team. We definitely know we have a big challenge at Colorado in our first game. We still have a little bitter taste in our mouths from last year (60-59 loss).”

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Morandais update: Colorado senior Michel Morandais, who is in danger of losing his academic eligibility Jan. 12 unless he can get a grade changed from a summer class, told the Boulder Daily Camera he thought his problems would be cleared by Colorado’s academic support staff.

“They’re confident about it, and I am too,” he said.

Morandais went 6-for-20 from the field and scored 16 points in CU’s last two losses.

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Harrison should play: Seven-foot junior center Harrison suffered a bruised shooting shoulder in the loss to Richmond, but said he would play against KU.

“It still hurts when I move it, but in three more days, I should be fine,” Harrison told the Daily Camera Friday.