Like the rest of the student body, Kansas University’s basketball players are expected to hit the books hard this week – finals week.

“Day One was a success. I certainly hope we have Day Two,” KU coach Bill Self said as freezing rain fell Monday night during the recording of his Hawk Talk radio show.

“If we can’t have class tomorrow, we’ll deal with it like everybody else will,” he added of the possibility of a weather-related shutdown on campus. “There were no negative surprises today academically. Hopefully the rest of the week will go as well.”

The No. 3-ranked Jayhawks (9-0) have no games scheduled during finals, of course.

Next up is Saturday’s nonconference clash against Ohio University, set for a 4 p.m. tipoff at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

The Jayhawks were able to practice Monday, working practice around the classroom tests.

“There’s time to do both,” Self said of practicing and studying. “If the guys study like they are supposed to study, you need a little break, exercise or something to keep your mind fresh or be sharp. We try to provide that an hour and a half a day.

“We got after it today from a conditioning standpoint because I thought we looked tired (at end of Saturday’s 84-66 rout of DePaul). We got after them, but not as much as we would at an Oct. 20 practice.”

Self said he’s looking forward to the period from after finals to the start of second semester, when the Jayhawks can have unlimited practice time in accordance with NCAA rules.

“We can get better in practice. We need to tighten up a lot of things,” Self said. “When school is out and there’s a month before it starts up again : it’s like coach (Larry) Brown used to say to the guys: ‘Now you know what it’s like to be professionals. We just aren’t going to pay you.’

“It’s unlimited ball. Guys come in and watch tape, take part in different shooting groups for practice.

“All teams have a chance to get better over Christmas break and get ready for conference season. It’s the last chance to really practice. Hopefully we’ll get better over break like we did last year.”

Self had a batch of speaking responsibilities Monday. First was the Big 12 teleconference with media members, next a Williams Fund luncheon in Topeka and finally his radio show.

Big 12 reporters sought an update on Brandon Rush, who played 29 minutes against DePaul, his second-longest stint of the season outside of a yeoman 36-minute outing in an overtime victory over Arizona.

“Brandon gets better daily physically. He still doesn’t have that fire to go in traffic and rise above everybody. He’s still a little hesitant to do some things like that,” Self said, noting Rush and Sherron Collins should both “be 100 percent by conference play unless there are any setbacks.”

Collins, who is recovering from left foot surgery, played 13 minutes against DePaul after missing six straight games.

“They say he is doing really well. He just doesn’t quite have his legs under him yet,” Self said of Collins. “Hopefully within a week he’ll be close to full speed physically. He may not have his rhythm totally back.”

¢ Dinner called off: Tonight’s Bill Self Roundball Dinner has been canceled because of weather conditions. The event, hosted by the Williams Educational Fund, will be rescheduled in January. Should the new date conflict with schedules, those who have paid for the event will be refunded.

¢ Wright called upon by Hornets: Former KU forward Julian Wright, who had been used sparingly so far his rookie season, started at shooting guard and played 38 minutes in New Orleans’ 91-88 victory over Seattle on Sunday at New Orleans Arena. He scored six points off 3-of-7 shooting while taking over for the injured Peja Stojakovic.

“He (Julian) made some great plays for us out there tonight,” Hornets guard Chris Paul told the New Orleans Times Picayune. “I told him I’m not going to treat him like a baby because he knows how to play.”

Wright had six rebounds despite playing with a sore right foot.

“I was just trying to get into a flow and give the team an edge in terms of defensive intensity and hustle,” Wright said.