David Padgett has been big man on campus this week — and not just because he stands 6-foot-11.

Kansas University’s 235-pound freshman power forward from Reno, Nev., has received a hero’s treatment from his classmates after sinking a game-winning shot against Missouri on Sunday in Columbia, Mo.

“A lot of people walk up and say, ‘Nice shot the other day,’ or ‘Good game,”’ Padgett said. “People you don’t even know giving you support … it’s good for your confidence.”

Padgett, who knew a little bit about the KU-MU rivalry before arriving at KU last summer, knows a lot more after playing — and defeating — the Tigers twice this season.

“I think if we had a losing conference record and still beat Missouri at Missouri, people would love it. It’s the game everybody talks about,” Padgett said.

“It was huge for us to win. Right now, we’re at a tough point of the season where we needed a win on the road (after four straight road losses). It was a huge confidence builder for everybody.”

It could be KU-MU Part Three Friday at the Big 12 tournament in Dallas.

KU will meet the winner of tonight’s Mizzou-Texas A&M battle at 8:30 p.m. Friday at American Airlines Center.

“They will not have an easy task against A&M,” Padgett said.

Indeed, the Aggies will be fired up to win for coach Melvin Watkins, who says he will step down as coach as soon as the Aggies are eliminated.

Kansas University forward Jeff Graves, left, battles for possession during the Jayhawks' game at Colorado Jan. 5. KU coach Bill Self said Wednesday that production from Graves would

“If we end up seeing Missouri again … it’s really hard to beat a team three times in a year, twice in a matter of six days,” Padgett said. “We’ve got to prepare ourselves for the tournament, not just one opponent. If we play them again, we just have to focus on winning the game.”

Padgett enters the postseason with averages of 6.7 points and 4.6 rebounds. He’s made 52.2 percent of his shots.

“It’s gone very well,” Padgett said of his freshman season. “I started a majority of the games. I’ve learned a lot in games and at practice and hopefully we still have a lot of games to play this season.”

KU junior Michael Lee says he thinks Padgett can be a big factor for KU in the postseason.

“It does help Dave Padgett stepping up and hitting that shot at Missouri. Entering this stage of the season it will give him a lot of confidence,” Lee said. “Everybody is feeling good about our team right now.”

Padgett isn’t KU’s only big man playing well.

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Senior Jeff Graves scored six points and grabbed two rebounds at Missouri.

“Jeff has been pretty focused of late,” KU coach Bill Self said Wednesday. “We’re certainly a different team when he’s playing well. He got 16 and 16 in the national championship game last year. He has that inside him.

“If he’s focused … even if it’s just 20 minutes we’d be happy with that. A big body knocking and banging for 20 minuters would be a huge key for us.”

Of the Big 12 tournament, Self said: “Obviously it’s an unbelievable field. The tournament should be terrific. We’re playing better. Hopefully the timing is right for us to make a strong showing in Dallas.”

Of possible sleeper teams, Self said: “The team I have been impressed with is Iowa State. When we saw Iowa State they were terrific. They have impressed me all year long. They are a team that could ripple some waters.”

The Cyclones and Jayhawks split this season.

“If Nebraska shoots it, they can beat anybody and that is very evident,” Self added of the Huskers, who also went 1-1 versus KU. “They go to Colorado and it came down to the last possession. Then look at Oklahoma State and Texas on the road and it came down to the last possession (in losses). At their place they beat Missouri handily. They shoot the ball well.”

Today, Iowa State will meet Kansas State at 2 p.m., Nebraska will play Oklahoma at 6 p.m. and Texas A&M will tangle with Missouri at 8:30 p.m.

• BU missing: Baylor’s self-imposed sanctions for violations under coach Dave Bliss means the Bears cannot compete in the tourney and there will be just three first-round games today.

“I would probably say no,” Self said, asked if Baylor should be allowed to compete in the tourney. “If there are no postseason (NCAA or NIT) hopes because of the sanctions that have been levied by the school then I couldn’t imagine why you would give that team an opportunity to knock out one of your fellow conference members. I think that in our situation it was handled correctly.”

• Travel plans: The Jayhawks will attend classes and practice in Lawrence today and fly to Dallas this evening.