Matt Kleinmann just shakes his head and smiles.

With striking red hair, he is accustomed to the nicknames “Big Red” and “Opie.” At 6-foot-10, he is used to standing out in a crowd.

But at Kansas University the tall freshman, who took a red shirt during the 2004-2005 season, never really meant to become the dress-up guy.

“I did it the first game, and the next game was a big TV game,” Kleinmann said. “I started to think, ‘I can’t look worse than the week before.’ Now I think if I didn’t show up in a suit and tie to the game, I’d feel like I wasn’t doing my part.”

Though Kleinmann can’t participate, teammates will tell you he has done more than his part. As a member of the white squad, Kleinmann competes against the blue team, which makes up Kansas’ starting five.

And he hasn’t taken it easy on them.

“He takes it to all the big dudes,” forward Darnell Jackson said. “He can take the ball to the rim. He’s real strong in the post.”

Kleinmann has found his main purpose — and challenge — has been to line up against Wayne Simien and Keith Langford during the times when no fans are watching.

Though not the strongest or most athletic, Kleinmann said he had learned how to hold his own.

KU red-shirt Matt Kleinmann, right, pushes C.J. Giles during a clinic.

“I know I have to play to my strengths,” Kleinmann said. “I can’t jump or shoot like some other guys can, but I have a big body and I can use it to my advantage.”

A 6-foot-10 forward from Overland Park’s Blue Valley West High, Kleinmann has used this season to gain experience and maturity.

“It’s a pretty neat feeling to think that I still have four more years here,” Kleinmann said. “This has been like a year of prep school — a year to understand what it’s like to be in a Division One program.”

Kleinmann and coach Bill Self decided before the season a red shirt would be advantageous for academic reasons, too. Kleinmann will need five years to obtain an engineering degree.

“Spending an extra year, people say is kind of a bad thing,” Kleinmann said. “I see it as a great thing.”

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Kleinmann was offered scholarships out of high school by a few schools, including NCAA Tournament-bound Pacific. In addition to scholarship money, these teams offered him a chance to contribute right away in a program that might have had more of an immediate need.

While there is no doubt he has enjoyed his first year at Kansas, he admits occasionally he wonders where he might be now if he had gone elsewhere.

“The thought has crossed my mind,” Kleinmann said. “I’m sure everybody thinks ‘what if?’ Still, I heard coach Self say to Wayne once that you play the hand you’re dealt. I chose to come here, I chose to walk on and I’m happy with my decision.”

Off the court, Kleinmann spends the most time with fellow big men Jackson and Sasha Kaun. Early in the season, Kleinmann even invited Jackson back home for a church service and a family meal afterward.

“I might be the reason of the group,” Kleinmann quipped. “Sasha’s got the brains down and Darnell’s got the jokes, but I might be the reason behind the three of us.”

Jackson also gave Kleinmann credit for being somewhat of a jokester.

“Matt is a goofy kid,” Jackson said, “but when he’s on the court, he’s a hard worker. He plays hard.”

Kleinmann has taken his position towards the end of the Kansas bench in stride, enjoying the camaraderie.

“We form special bonds,” Kleinmann said. “When you’re in that situation, you have to make the best of it. Sitting at the end of the bench sounds bad, but we’re down there having a great time. Coach always says get the energy from the bench first.”

Meanwhile, he has been able to accomplish exactly what he wanted. From the sidelines, he has been able to observe the game, learn and, most of all, be a part of the team.

“Next year I can come in with the same attitude that I had this year — that I’m a freshman and I can get better every year,” Kleinmann said. “It’s nice to be able to just see it the first year.”