Notebook

Kansas University sophomore Darnell Jackson did not suit up for the game.

“He is not injured,” coach Bill Self said. “There is an eligibility issue with him we can’t elaborate on. We hope it’ll be resolved the next couple of days. We hope he’ll play on Monday.”

Self would not say if it was an academic issue and stuck to his “no comment” on the matter.

¢ Starters: Self rewarded “the hardest workers and the most consistent performers” in preseason camp with a start.

They were: former walk-on Stephen Vinson, who is on scholarship this year, plus Christian Moody, C.J. Giles, Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers. Vinson hit a three and had two assists in nine minutes.

Self went with a second-half starting lineup of Jeff Hawkins, Robinson, Brandon Rush, Sasha Kaun and Giles. Self said Chalmers played well in stretches, but gambled too much defensively instead of staying sound on defense.

¢ Ryan in house: Ex-Jayhawk Ryan Robertson, who lives in the St. Louis area, attended the game.

¢ Toots: KU committed 23 personal fouls to Fort Hays State’s 30. Giles led KU with four fouls.

“I’ll go check all the walking calls, a couple I disagreed with,” Self said. “We fouled a lot, which I knew we would do. It’s my fault. We’ve only had officials (at practice) one day.”

¢ Robinson shines: Sophomore Robinson, who had 11 assists, also had a steal and a dunk in the first half, giving KU an 8-0 lead. Fort Hays turned it over its first four possessions and didn’t get off a shot.

“Russell had 11 assists and one basket. I guess he got all excited (about the hoop),” Self joked. “Russell has improved a lot. He’ll improve as he gets more confidence.”

¢ Good D: Fort Hays State had 25 turnovers and just six assists.

“We did a decent job defensively,” Self said. “Once they get into the scoring area, we need to be solid. C.J. got into foul trouble because we gambled and missed and he had to cover for people.”

¢ Freshmen enter in first half: KU freshman Chalmers started the game. Rush entered with 16:58 left in the first half, Wright at 15:29 and Downs at 11:17.

¢ Rush doesn’t loaf on D: Freshman Rush had four steals. “Coach was happy with my defense today,” Rush said. “He told me that that was the best defense he’s ever seen me play. Three turnovers : he got on me about that. Some days he gets on me for two hours. It messes with my head, but it works.”

¢ Highlights: Robinson had a steal and went in for an uncontested dunk early in the first half, giving KU an 8-0 lead. : Rush’s first bucket was a mid-range jumper that flipped up and dropped. : Rush fed Kaun for a slam off an early pick-and-roll. : Hawkins hit three of five threes, including a pair after KU grabbed a rebound off a missed free throw in the first half. : Robinson fed Kaun three straight times for hoops early in the second half. : Downs hit a three, immediately followed by a Chalmers one-hander in the lane. : Rush showed good touch on a soft bank shot with 8:21 left.