Kansas University’s preseason men’s basketball practices have been running two hours, 15 minutes per session — about the same length of time as a year ago.

What’s happening during the workouts, however, has changed.

“There’s been a lot more learning,” KU sophomore guard Russell Robinson said before Monday’s practice at Allen Fieldhouse. “Coach is taking his time. Last year was straight to the point — get in here, do what you do and get out. It’s the same stuff, just a slower pace to retain it better.”

It’s not as if KU coach Bill Self is bringing instructional manuals to peruse during water breaks. He is, though, stopping play more than he did with last year’s senior-dominated team.

“We’re doing some correcting,” Self said. “Remember last year, we went to Canada (in summer) and had several practices before the trip. We don’t have that luxury this year (so) we’re probably breaking stuff down more.

“We’re going slower. Still, we’ve got our meat and potatoes in, we’ve gotten a lot of stuff in.”

He’s been relating knowledge to an audience that includes freshmen Mario Chalmers, Micah Downs, Brandon Rush and Julian Wright. Missing are Keith Langford, Wayne Simien, Michael Lee and Aaron Miles, who knew the system and didn’t need a lot of extra instruction.

“I think there’s definitely a lot more teaching this year, a lot more explanation from coach, the whys and stuff like that,” sophomore center Sasha Kaun said. “He’ll tell the freshmen why and explain things.”

Self has managed to avoid outbursts while talking to his four freshmen.

“Coach has been real patient, because he knows he has a lot of freshmen. A lot of players don’t know the offense like they did last year,” Chalmers said, estimating, “Sixty percent of practice is teaching; 40 percent is just hard work, applying the things he’s teaching.”

What has the coach been preaching?

“Teaching the freshmen about defense — ‘strong help,'” Chalmers said. “Getting all the way over to help. Get farther above the lane so you can help out your teammate on drives to the hole.”

Offense hasn’t been ignored.

“We’ll be a running team. (We’ve been working on) just getting up and down the floor,” Chalmers said.

Chalmers and senior Jeff Hawkins are involved in a battle for the starting point guard position, with Robinson and Jeremy Case playing more two guard at this time.

“I’d say it is about even,” Chalmers said. ‘”Hawk’ has a little advantage over me, because he knows the plays. He does everything well. He shoots it well, gets his teammates the ball, runs the offense.”

Robinson, who said he was happy at shooting guard, said the point guard battle “is pretty competitive. Practice is real competitive at every position.”

Self said all positions remained up for grabs.

“Everybody is battling for playing time and minutes,” the coach said. “We still are looking at different combinations.”

As far as difficulty of practices?

“These are a lot more intense than high school. In high school, we wouldn’t run as much,” Chalmers said. “We (freshmen) were tired the first couple days, but everybody is getting used to how intense it is.”

“I’d say they are about the same this year as last year,” Kaun said. “It feels a little easier in terms I know what things are. Other than that, it’s the same stuff.”

Self isn’t trying to overwork the team.

“It’s a long season, and we’ve got a lot of young players who can wear down,” Self said. “The guys are trying. They’re doing well. They are starting to get it. It’ll take another month. I believe these guys if they continue to work as hard as they are and stay healthy, we’ll have a good team.”