Notebook

Kansas University may not have dazzled offensively Monday night, but part of the reason was by coach’s design.

“We could have scored more points had we shown anything,” Jayhawk coach Bill Self said after KU’s 73-47 victory over Pittsburg State, “but we tried to hide some things because we are trying to maybe steal a couple of baskets against Idaho State or in Maui.”

Teams often don’t show their entire offensive and defensive sets in the preseason.

The Jayhawks, who hit four of 18 threes and 44.6 percent of their shots, open the regular season against Idaho State at 7 p.m. Friday at Allen Fieldhouse.

KU will meet Arizona at 8 p.m. Central Time Monday in Maui.

¢ Lineup: Self said Friday’s starting lineup “if nothing else changes,” would be Jeff Hawkins, Russell Robinson, Brandon Rush, C.J. Giles and Sasha Kaun.

Monday, he went with Christian Moody instead of Giles.

“We’ll probably switch some things up,” Self said. “Sasha had a great first game (23 points versus Fort Hays State) and C.J. a very good game tonight (24 points). We just have to get everybody moving the same direction in all areas. Of course I know what Christian can do, and he’s been solid, but we’re not getting the production out of him that we need. He needs to be more aggressive.”

Moody had five rebounds, but was 0-for-0 from the field against Pitt State. He hit one of two free throws.

¢ Busy slate after today: The Jayhawks will be awarded the day off today.

Self said KU would have only two more practices, on Wednesday and Thursday, before playing its next four games. KU will play Friday, travel Saturday to Maui, then hold a short practice Sunday.

“We have to get ready for Idaho State, and that will be a great way to kick off our trip to Maui,” Self said.

¢ Top dollar: Pittsburg State received $20,000 guarantee money for playing the game.

¢ New emphasis: Pittsburg State was called five times for palming (carrying) the basketball in the game and KU twice.

Stopping palming is a point of emphasis for the NCAA this year.

“We had (official) Curtis Shaw speak to us about it,” Self said. “That is an emphasis this year. Pittsburg State got hit with five of ’em.”

“The ref said this year they are working a lot on people carrying the ball,” KU point guard Jeff Hawkins said. “Unfortunately, Mario was called for it. There were a lot more on the other team. It’s crazy how the rules change, and they are cutting down on that. It doesn’t affect me. I try to not carry the ball.”

¢ Not all seats filled: All tickets were sold for Monday’s game, but hundreds of seats in the northwest corner of the fieldhouse were left empty. It seems KU’s students have been slow to react to a new ticket policy in place for transferring tickets. If a student wants to skip a game and sell a ticket to a fellow student, both students must visit the ticket office, show ID and pay $2.50.

¢ Highlights: Mario Chalmers had a steal and behind-the-back pass to Julian Wright that resulted in a layup. … Rush scored on a slam off a lob by Robinson. … Kaun banked in his first free-throw try of the night, coach Self and his assistants smiling on the bench. … Stephen Vinson, who played six minutes the final half, had a steal and dished to Chalmers, who iced a three. … Darnell Jackson slammed off a feed from Chalmers.