Kansas University has been rebounding well the past four games, since KU coach Bill Self chastised his big men for being “soft” after a home victory against Colorado.

KU outrebounded Missouri, 40-33, after outboarding Nebraska (47-21), Texas A&M (40-29) and Kansas State (46-24).

“We went from a ‘called out’ soft team : I said it and you guys reported it : to a team that’s been rebounding the ball,” he said. “We’ve been doing a better job and a better job of making plays.”

¢Off day for Chalmers: Mario Chalmers scored six points off 1-of-8 shooting. He had four steals in 34 minutes. KU had 12 steals to Missouri’s seven.

“He and Russell shot a combined 2-for-13,” Self said. Russell Robinson missed four of five shots and scored four points with five assists in 29 minutes. “Without going into detail about individuals, we’ve had phases where guys’ confidence has been doing this and this,” he added, moving his hands high, then low. “We are getting to the point of the season everybody needs to do this,” he added, moving his hands sideways on an even keel. “Mario is a better shooter than what he’s shot it. He can impact the game in so many ways. He needs some good things to happen, to get that swagger back.”

¢Back-to-back wins: Self likes the way his team has bounced back with wins over K-State and Missouri since last Saturday’s defeat against Texas A&M.

“I’m proud of our guys. As you know, the sky is falling when you lose at KU. It’s good to see them respond in such a favorable way,” Self said.

¢Nice bench player: Don’t expect any lineup changes soon regarding Sherron Collins, who has been a spark off the bench. He had 14 points and seven assists in 27 minutes Saturday.

“I just want what’s best for our team,” Self said. “I feel I have a decent handle on chemistry on our team. He (Collins) could care less if he starts or not. He has emerged as a real good guard off the bench. He’s played well.”

Collins, who went against his former high school nemesis, Stefhon Hannah (19 points, five assists, five turnovers, five fouls), had a blast playing in loud Mizzou Arena.

“This was by far one of the best atmospheres we played in on the road so far. I loved it,” Collins said.

¢Miffed fans: Fans pelted the court with debris as the officials headed out of the tunnel at halftime. One police officer was hit with a plastic bottle.

¢Bad day for Butterfield: MU’s Darryl Butterfield, who had seven points in 20 minutes, pulled his jersey over his eyes as he exited the court. The dejected player ran smack into a tray full of beverages. He was OK as he continued to the exit.

¢Wipeout: KU’s 18-point margin of victory was the widest for Kansas at Missouri since a 77-54 win Feb. 5, 1966, a span of 17 victories for KU in Columbia.

¢Stats, facts: KU is 8-2 in Big 12 play for the second straight season. : KU is 1-2 in Mizzou Arena. : The Jayhawks are 5-2 in true road games this season. : : Kansas is now 36-6 (85.7 percent) in its last 42 games. : KU’s bench outscored Missouri’s bench, 28-12, to mark the 15th time in the last 17 games KU’s bench has outscored its foes : Kansas has held its opponents to under 50 percent shooting in 31 straight games dating to last season’s Texas contest. : Eighteen of Kansas’ 21 wins have been by 10 or more points this season. Sophomore Julian Wright’s 33 points were the most for a Jayhawk since Nick Collison also scored 33 against Duke on March 27, 2003, in the NCAA Tournament. It was the most in a conference game since Danny Manning scored 37 at Missouri on Feb. 27, 1988. : Wright tied his career high with 12 rebounds. He has accomplished the feat five times this season – vs. Oral Roberts, vs. Ball State, vs. Boston College, at Iowa State and at Missouri : Sophomore Brandon Rush’s 21 points tied a season high. He also scored 21 against Northern Arizona and versus Colorado this season.