Notebook

Rush popular interview: Freshman Brandon Rush said his two least favorite questions were: “about my brother” and “one and done” or “two and done,'” referring to questions about Missouri grad Kareem Rush, now with the Charlotte Bobcats, and perhaps leaving college after a year or two for the NBA.

“I’ll put it to the side,” he said of NBA talk. “I don’t know what will happen. I can’t say I will not be here four years.”

He realizes he has a lot to learn after arriving at KU.

“Since I’ve been in college, it’s been really tough. It’s hard on me, just running plays. I’ve not been running plays the last two years.”

¢ Moulaye in the house: Senior Moulaye Niang dressed in full uniform for Media Day but insisted he was finished playing because of his chronic bad back. He’s a student assistant for the team. “It’s for the last time, I guess,” Niang said of donning a jersey. “I definitely wish I could play, but I can’t. I play maybe once a week to stay in shape. I can’t go every day.”

¢ Jackson’s mom OK: Darnell Jackson’s mom, Shawn, who suffered serious injuries in a car wreck that claimed the life of Jackson’s grandmother last summer in Nevada, will attend Late Night tonight. Shawn Jackson, of Oklahoma City, uses crutches because of her shattered ankle, but is expected to be 100 percent healed in time.

“She will be fine. She can’t drive, so she’s getting a ride here from friends,” Jackson said, adding, “I miss her. It will be great having her up here for Late Night.”

The 6-foot-9 Jackson is up to 250 pounds from 235 a year ago.

“I put on a couple pounds thanks to coach Hudy,” he said of strength coach Andrea Hudy.

¢ Bumps, bruises: Freshman Julian Wright said he was not 100 percent recovered from his foot and knee injuries but would be able to play tonight.

“I try to not see the trainer too much,” Wright said with a smile.

Both Jackson and Stephen Vinson have had back problems but are able to compete. In fact, no players are expected to miss Late Night.

“I think it’ll be more entertaining for fans. There will not be much dead time,” Vinson said. “I won’t say what it is,” he said of a possible skit or dance number, “but if we did it tonight we’d be in trouble. We were not very good last night (rehearsing).”

¢ Big recruiting weekend: Several recruits will be on hand at Late Night: Seniors – Darrell Arthur, 6-9, Dallas South Oak Cliff High; Sherron Collins, 5-11, Chicago Crane. Juniors – Cole Aldrich, 6-10, Bloomington, Minn., Jefferson; Tyrel Reed, 6-2, Burlington; George Goode, 6-8, Raytown, (Mo.) South; Lance Storrs, 6-4, Decatur (Ga.) Columbia; Gani Lawal, 6-8, Norcross, Ga. Sophomores – Travis Releford, 6-4, Kansas City Central. Freshmen – Xavier Henry, 6-5, Putnam City, Okla.

¢ Game time: The doors to Allen Fieldhouse will open at 5:30 tonight, with Late Night going from 6:30 until about 9:30. Part of the Midnight Madness will be televised on ESPNU (Sunflower Broadband Ch. 141) from 8 to 9 p.m., with ESPN2 (Ch. 34) set to simulcast the second half hour of ESPNU’s broadcast from 8:30 to 9. Also, streaming video will be available through the KU Athletics Web site.

¢ New Unis: KU’s new uniforms closely resemble last year’s – minus the obvious switch from Nike to Adidas. Differences on the jerseys occur around the neckline and arm openings. Instead of last year’s solid blue piping, this year’s threads included an intertwined crimson and blue trim. The encircled KU insignia that was pinned at the bottom of the neckline is gone.

The traditional KU block letters on the shorts have been replaced by the Adidas logo. A Jayhawk stays in place on the left side and crimson and blue stripes criss-cross the side of the shorts – in a slightly different pattern, with the leg openings also trimmed in red and blue.

“I like the jerseys,” freshman Micah Downs said. “I feel really good playing in them.”

¢ Chemistry: KU coach Bill Self was asked about players like C.J. Giles indicating chemistry was better this year than last year. “I never heard on Oct. 14 that the chemistry stunk,” the coach quipped.