Kansas University has agreed to play Tennessee in a home-and-home series starting next season.

The Volunteers will visit Allen Fieldhouse next Dec. 20, with the Jayhawks returning the trip to Knoxville, Tenn., the following season.

“It should be a great game,” KU coach Bill Self said. “They play fast. You would think with a bunch of young guys (on KU team) it would be a very difficult game, but a game that should give us preparation before we play someone in our league like Missouri in the way they press.”

KU also will travel to Arizona for a Dec. 23 game and visit Michigan State in a game set for the first week of January.

KU also will compete in the CBE Tournament, which starts with two games at Allen Fieldhouse. If the Jayhawks win those two against yet-to-be-determined opponents, they would advance to the semifinals at Kansas City’s Sprint Center.

Syracuse, Florida and Washington are the other host schools for the event.

KU is looking to schedule another home game from a school in a major conference, such as a Tennessee, senior associate AD Larry Keating indicated.

¢ What a line: KU junior Mario Chalmers came close to a quadruple-double, with 12 points, a career-high nine rebounds, a career-best seven steals and seven assists.

“It’s the best game he’s played all year by far,” Self said. “He’s played some other good games. He’s the best anticipator I’ve ever coached defensively (for steals). He’s the best I ever had off the ball.”

“That’s a good line as far as stats,” senior Russell Robinson said, adding with a smile, “I think he got some of my steals.”

Robinson had two steals and tied a career high with nine assists in 31 minutes. He also skied for a dunk off an offensive rebound.

“I was surprised. I’ve done it in practice, never in a game,” Robinson said.

Self seemed to enjoy that dunk, as well as several alley-oops for slams, including a one-handed jam by Darnell Jackson.

¢ No boards for big man: KU sophomore Darrell Arthur scored 13 points, but didn’t grab a rebound in 22 minutes.

“That’s unheard of. How can you go 22 minutes and not get any rebounds?” Self said. “I’ll watch the tape to see if he didn’t go after the ball or it was one of those days he didn’t put himself in position to get them because the ball was bouncing the other way.”

¢ Ankle sprain shelves Reed: KU freshman Tyrel Reed did not play because of a sprained ankle. He should be able to play in Saturday’s game against Ohio (4 p.m., Sprint Center).

¢ Football recognized: On a day several football recruits were in attendance, Jayhawks James McClinton and Marcus Hereford were introduced during timeouts. Also, coach Mark Mangino was interviewed by ESPN at press row during the second half. He was cheered wildly as he made his way to the announcers.

¢ Stats, facts: KU had its 100th consecutive home sellout dating to the second home game of the 2001-02 season. : KU is 9-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season, when the Jayhawks opened 14-0. : KU is 8-1 versus DePaul. : Darnell Jackson, who had eight boards, has 30 in the last three games. : The Jayhawks recorded 25 assists, marking the seventh time this season they have assisted on 20 or more baskets.