First-semester classes begin today at Kansas University with or without Brandon Rush, who did not reveal his college plans Wednesday.

“All I know is, he went to the dentist,” Rush’s grandmother, Jeannette Jacobs, said of Brandon’s itinerary Wednesday.

“He keeps saying he likes the guys and the school. The feeling is he wants to be close to home,” she said. “His mother and I would see a lot of games, probably all the (home) games.”

Jacobs insisted, however, she had no idea if or when her grandson would tap KU over Indiana or Illinois.

Rush’s mother also said Wednesday she had not heard of a final decision. Rush did not answer calls and was unavailable for comment.

It is conceivable Rush may not pick a school until he is cleared to play by the NCAA Clearinghouse, which is based in Iowa City, Iowa.

It is possible Rush’s transcripts from Mt. Zion Academy in Durham, N.C., – a school Rush attended the past two years – have yet to be examined by Clearinghouse officials, who must certify

all athletes before they are eligible for a college scholarship.

Rush also attended three high schools in Kansas City – Hogan Prep, Westport High and Kansas City Career Academy – and all those transcripts have to be examined by Clearinghouse officials to determine if Rush satisfies initial NCAA requirements for minimum core courses, grade-point average and test score.

It is unknown when the Clearinghouse will clear Rush for an athletic scholarship. At this time of year, Clearinghouse officials reportedly are swamped with paperwork from players in sports such as football, soccer and volleyball.

“Part of the problem is there is so much data on Rush they have to collect, they may not have it all yet,” one source with knowledge of NCAA procedure said.

“You have football walk-ons coming out of the woodwork. All that paperwork is sent to the Clearinghouse.

“One thing about the Clearinghouse … they take the cases in order. You take a number and get in line. He will not get to move up in line just because he is a Kansas recruit,” the source said.

Why would Rush want to wait for the Clearinghouse? Well, if he’s unable to play in college, he still could play pro ball in the National Basketball Developmental League.

It’s all speculation until Rush announces a final decision, though KU is obviously the heavy leader with one source indicating Rush returned to Lawrence from KC this week after his official visit to hang out with some of the KU players. Sources close to the Rush family have said that today figures to be decision day, one source indicating Rush has said he will announce for Kansas today.

“I think he is signing with Kansas,” the source said.

If that does not happen, today, what’s the holdup?

“He’s had other plans,” his grandmother said, stressing she had heard of no commitment. “When you have plans it takes you a minute or two to get it together. He was planning on the NBA and the NBA didn’t go his way.”

Rush declared for the NBA Draft but withdrew his name when told he wouldn’t be picked in round one.

¢ IU after Chaney?: Indiana, which is a finalist for Rush, may be landing a transfer in Utah guard Richard Chaney. CBSsportsline.com reports Chaney has told Utah coach Ray Giacoletti he was leaving Utah for IU. IU aide Kerry Rupp coached last year at Utah.