Kansas University’s Bill Self, who was named Big 12 Conference coach of the year Monday by his peers – the league coaches – Tuesday was tapped District VI coach of the year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Assn.

Freshman Brandon Rush was selected player of the year in the district, which includes schools from Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

¢ Tickets available: A number of single-session tickets for the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament – scheduled for Thursday through Sunday at Dallas’ American Airlines Center – will go on sale at 10 a.m. today. Tickets can be purchased by calling 214-373-8000 or visiting the Web site www.ticketmaster.com. Session tickets are also available at the American Airlines Center North box office.

The four-day, 11-game event is making its third appearance in Dallas, after back-to-back showings in 2003 and 2004. The 2007 event is scheduled for Oklahoma City’s Ford Center.

The Big 12 has announced any remaining tickets for the NCAA Tournament first- and second-round games in Dallas, slated for March 17 and 19, also will go on sale at 10 a.m. today. Tickets for the NCAA event can be purchased only by phone at 214-373-8000, online at ticketmaster.com or at the American Airlines Center North box office.

¢ Trophy is here: As promised by the Big 12 on Monday, KU’s Big 12 championship trophy arrived Tuesday. The Jayhawks planned no wild celebration with the hardware on campus.

“It’s anticlimactic now,” Self said. “It’s sitting in the office.”

He wished the team had a trophy in Manhattan on Saturday when the Jayhawks wrapped up a tie for the title by beating Kansas State. Texas’ players hoisted a trophy after the Longhorns’ title-clinching victory over Oklahoma. The league office has apologized for the situation.

¢ Hinrich not on list: Kirk Hinrich was not among the 23 players selected Sunday for the USA Basketball men’s national team program that ultimately will determine the 2008 Olympic Team.

KU’s Paul Pierce was the only former Jayhawk on the list of Olympic hopefuls.

Hinrich told the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald he withdrew his name from consideration for the U.S. national team after meeting with managing director Jerry Colangelo in late December.

“I had the meeting, and it went great,” Hinrich said. “It was fun sitting there talking to him. Walking out of there, I told him I was interested. Then I had my agent call him back and tell him I didn’t think I could do it. It just wasn’t right for me at this point.

“It’s something that you hope you don’t look back on and regret,” added Hinrich, who was expected to receive an invitation. “Thinking back on it, I wish I would have shown more interest. It’s a decision that I made. That’s all I can say.”

Hinrich said he didn’t think his Olympic hopes were that realistic.

“I looked at all the great guards in the league. I never really thought it would happen, because it seems kind of far-fetched. There are so many great guards. I just didn’t think I would be there,” he said.

Guards invited to training camp include: Luke Ridnour, J.J. Redick, Gilbert Arenas, Kobe Bryant, Chauncey Billups, Joe Johnson, Chris Paul, Michael Redd and Dwyane Wade.

“I really respect Jerry Colangelo and USA Basketball,” Hinrich told the Daily Herald. “I was really honored just to be able to sit down with him. I’ll be cheering for them hard. I just felt like it was something I couldn’t do.”