It looked as though Texas A&M was trying to foul Sasha Kaun with KU up 64-61 and about 1:30 left on the clock. After Marlon Pompey was tangled up with Kaun more than once as KU dribbled up court, a foul finally was called and Kaun – a poor free-throw shooter – clanked the front end of the 1-and-1.

Pompey and Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie insisted fouling Kaun wasn’t the plan.

“Not at all,” Pompey said. “(Gillispie) told us all to deny the ball.”

It did end up working out for the Aggies, who tied the game up on the ensuing possession and went on to win.

“I didn’t know his stats,” Pompey said of Kaun’s free-throw percentage. “I’ll probably get in trouble for saying that because they gave us a pamphlet to read (with Kaun’s numbers in it). He missed the first free throw, so I’m glad he missed that one.”

¢ SRO: The fire marshal informed KU officials the building was full with some ticketed students not yet in their seats. KU officials offered refunds to a few students and ushered some 50 or so others into Hadl Auditorium where the students could watch the game on TV until they eventually were seated.

“Some were in Hadl until the students (in the student section) squeezed in to let them in,” KU associate AD Jim Marchiony said. “Students save seats until a certain point, and then they have to move over to let others squeeze in.”

¢ Curses, Sasha: An adult screamed an obscenity, ordering Sasha Kaun to “make your free throws” as Kaun exited through the northwest tunnel after the game.

The Jayhawk players had more sympathy than that fan for their teammate, who missed two 1-and-1s late.

“I wasn’t surprised at all Sasha was in there. I have faith in my teammate to knock them down,” Darnell Jackson said. “Some go in, some don’t. He’ll make them.”

¢ South gets one: Texas A&M became the first South Division team to win in Allen Fieldhouse in the history of the Big 12 after 31 straight losses.

¢ Simien donation: Former Kansas University forward Wayne Simien of the Miami Heat has donated his 2006 NBA championship ring to KU’s athletic department. The ring, worth $35,000, will be displayed in KU’s Hall of Athletics.

¢ Clinic set: KU’s players this afternoon will hold their annual clinic with the state’s Special Olympians in Allen Fieldhouse.

¢ Hoops lover busy: ESPN announcer Dick Vitale stopped by press row to talk to a pair of Journal-World reporters before the game.

“You hoops junkies will appreciate this: I’m here tonight, do A&M-Texas Monday (in College Station), Duke-Carolina on Wednesday (in Durham) and Florida-Kentucky Saturday (in Lexington). That’s what keeps me going,” the always-energetic Vitale said.

“These Kansas students are amazing.”

¢ A&M in prime time: College GameDay on Saturday in Lawrence followed by Big Monday two days later at home against Texas.

It’s quite a three-day spell for Texas A&M.

“It’s going to tell a lot about our team,” senior guard Acie Law said. “This is why basketball players come to college. Top 5 team, one of the best teams in the country, and on top of that, you get to go to their house,” he added of the trip to historic Allen Fieldhouse.

¢ Digger takes dig at KU: Digger Phelps’ much-anticipated “Digger of Oz” skit took place as planned during Saturday morning’s GameDay show in front of 3,500 fans at Allen Fieldhouse.

Phelps said the key for KU avoiding a first-round NCAA Tournament loss would be not only avoiding tornadoes, but “Killer B’s” – a reference to Bradley and Bucknell. He said the Jayhawks would be fine if they could escape Butler this season.

“It’s very good Digger did that piece,” joked KU coach Bill Self, who was sitting at the table with the GameDay hosts for an interview at the time the segment showed on the scoreboard.