Kansas University’s fast-breaking basketball players put on an inspired show at the Bill Self Coaches Clinic on Saturday morning in Allen Fieldhouse.

“This is good for our players because they get to practice with people in the stands, and they know how important it is to try real hard when other coaches are watching,” KU coach Self said, satisfied with the live scrimmaging portion of a two-hour practice held before 250 small-college, junior-college and high school coaches.

“Our guys certainly did that,” he added of players putting forth maximum effort.

Two plays were worthy of special mention:

¢ Running at full speed, Julian Wright accepted a chest pass from halfcourt, and, from the free-throw line, gently tapped the basketball to Sasha Kaun for a one-step slam dunk.

¢ Moments earlier, Brandon Rush dished from up top to Darrell Arthur on the block. “Slim Shady” caught the basketball and cashed a five-foot bank shot in one fluid motion, not needing to put the ball on the floor first to get in position to score.

The players’ intensity had Self smiling after a 45-minute question-and-answer session with the coaches.

“I like them (Jayhawks) when they try,” Self said. “They are trying hard right now.”

Junior guard Rodrick Stewart practiced after returning from Seattle and the funeral of Rainier Beach High School teammate Marcel Pellum, who died last weekend in a car crash.

Freshman Sherron Collins also worked out despite his strained calf. He was effective, at one point slicing through the lane for a contested layup.

“Health-wise, he is just average. He is not moving like he can. He’ll be fine,” Self said of the point guard.

Regarding C.J. Giles, Self said there was no change in the suspended player’s status – that is, he has not yet been booted permanently from the team.

Giles has been not been allowed to practice since missing a morning workout on Oct. 16. Self has said it would be exceedingly difficult to envision a scenario in which Giles, who has “personal issues,” would return to the team.

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Self commented on a variety of topics in a 45-minute Q and A with the coaches:

¢ On the six Big 12 programs with first-year coaches: “Missouri has a breath of fresh air, a lot of enthusiasm; Kansas State big-time enthusiasm with high expectations there.

“Oklahoma will play faster under Jeff (Capel). Sean (Sutton) at Oklahoma State may play faster than his dad, more up-tempo. Greg McDermott (Iowa State) will make you execute, make plays over the top. Believe me, Doc (Sadler) will get guys at Nebraska, can coach, is tough. Change brings energy and enthusiasm.

“Our league was down last year because it was so young. I think our league will be one of the top three in the country. Last year, everybody would probably agree it was only top five or six.”

¢ On avoiding “stale” practices: “At Kansas it isn’t as much a problem. Every time our guys go to practice, they step over students in that tunnel who have been camping out for three, four days. It’s selfish for players and coaches to not go to work when you get support like that – when people sacrifice like that to watch us play.”

¢ On how to develop team chemistry: “Our guys have fully ingrained, ‘We instead of me.’ It all starts in that locker room.”

¢ Why he uses no whistle at practice: “If you have a whistle in your mouth, you can’t yell at ’em. I’d rather yell than blow a whistle. You’ve got to be coordinated to put a whistle in your mouth. I’m not that coordinated.”