Notebook

Kansas University sophomore center C.J. Giles played with his right thumb taped. He sprained his thumb in practice this week.

“It’s just a little sprain. It’s OK,” he said.

Giles scored eight points and had four rebounds in 10 minutes the first half. He didn’t score or grab a board in just three minutes the second half.

“The other guys were on fire. I was not discouraged,” Giles said of sitting out because of lackluster play. “When guys step up, they should play. I was not playing with as much enthusiasm as the first half.”

¢ Rush reaction to Web tape: There’s a tape on the Internet of a KU cheerleader pinching or slapping KU’s Brandon Rush on the behind after the final horn sounded in Sunday’s home victory over Oklahoma.

It’s been a hot topic on the KUsports.com message boards.

Yes, Rush felt the contact.

“I haven’t seen it (tape). I read about it on the Free For All (on student newspaper Web site),” Rush said. “I got a Facebook (Internet site) message from her saying she was sorry, that she got carried away. She said she was all into the game.”

Rush said he felt contact, turned around and, “I saw a cheerleader. I didn’t know if she was going to slap me or what.”

¢ Bahe attends: Former KU player Nick Bahe, who transferred to Creighton after last season, attended and was welcomed into the locker room by coach Bill Self after the game. He joked with close friend Jeremy Case on the court after the game before the Jayhawks boarded their team bus. Oh, yes : Bahe also signed a batch of autographs for KU fans.

¢ Recruiting: Blake Griffin, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound junior from Oklahoma Christian High in Edmond, Okla., attended Sunday’s KU-Oklahoma game on an unofficial visit. Griffin is considering KU, OU, Oklahoma State, Illinois and others. He averages 21 points per game.

¢ This, that: KU entered the game No. 52 in the RPI ratings. : NU retired the jersey numbers of three Huskers on Wednesday: Dave Hoppen, Stuart Lantz and Karen Jennings. : One fan seated near the press section yelled, “See Ya Barry,” as the final seconds ticked off the clock, referring to Barry Collier, who could be fired after his sixth season with the Huskers. :. KU is 7-2 in the Big 12 for the third straight year under Self and the sixth straight year dating to 2001. : KU has won six in a row and 13 of 15 games. : KU has won five straight versus NU. : KU was 0-for-1 from the free-throw line the first half. The last time KU was held scoreless from the line in a half was against Arkansas on Nov. 21, 2005. The single attempt marked the fewest since Dec. 10, 2003, when KU shot none against Fort Hays State in the first half. KU hit 10 of 13 for the game. : KU held Nebraska to 48 points to mark the 12th time this season KU has held its opponent to 59 points or less. It has happened 25 times under Self.