Various Web sites continue to speculate about Julian Wright possibly turning pro after this season.

“I hear stuff. I get messages (from friends). That’s all distractions. I want to be focused when I play,” Wright said.

He has said several times he’ll return for his junior season.

“Yes,” he said, asked if that was still the case. “I’m not worried about that (talk). I just look forward to finishing the year strong, get better in the offseason for next year.”

¢ Acrobatic shot revisited: Wright on his high-arching shot off the top of the backboard that opened Wednesday’s win at Colorado.

“I chased it down. It was a hustle play,” he said. “I slipped (and threw it up high). I wasn’t trying to do that. It hit the top (of backboard) and came back down.”

¢ Faces in crowd today: Don’t be surprised if former KU player Kirk Hinrich attends today’s game. The Chicago Bulls guard is in the Kansas City area for the NBA all-star break. Other possibilities include Nick Collison (Seattle) and Wayne Simien (Miami). Billy Thomas has returned from a stint overseas and Friday practiced with the KU team. He’s enrolled in classes this semester as he completes work toward his degree.

¢ Title winners here: Some members of KU’s 1952 title team watched practice Friday. They’ll be honored at today’s game.

“Hopefully I’ll get to see them after the game as well,” KU coach Bill Self said.

¢ White off NU team: The Huskers are down to just nine scholarship players on the active roster after sophomore guard Jamel White was suspended for the remainder of the season.

Coach Doc Sadler announced Feb. 11 that White violated team policy. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., White played in 22 games this season and 55 games over the past two years while averaging 8.9 points and 2.1 assists per game.