Kansas University junior forward Darnell Jackson pounded his chest three times after slam-dunking with eight minutes left in Saturday’s 92-39 rout of Nebraska at Allen Fieldhouse.

“It’s for my grandma, my mom and my friend Don (Davis),” said Jackson, who also taps his upper torso after made free throws.

All that chest tapping apparently is contagious.

Mario Chalmers, who made the dish to Jackson that resulted in the dunk just 50 seconds after a slam of his own, pounded his chest as well.

“I know Darnell does that for his grandma, and my grandma died, so it was a little dedication to his grandma from me personally,” Chalmers said. “I mean, he’s doing a lot. He’s going through a lot, but for him to step up, he’s being strong about it.”

The gesture didn’t go unappreciated from the big man, just as it hasn’t since Chalmers began doing it to lend his support for his teammate. The two also share the bond of having tattoos to commemorate their grandmothers.

“When Mario does it, he says it’s contributed to your grandma and family,” Jackson said. “So that means a lot to me. Every time I dunk or something, he always does it.”

Therefore, there was probably no one more relieved to see Chalmers play well than Jackson. Chalmers has been mired in an on-again, off-again slump throughout Big 12 play.

“He was struggling a little bit. He was frustrated,” Jackson said. “I just told him, ‘Can’t nobody stop you. Keep your head up and keep ballin.”’

Chalmers finished with 10 points, including a pair of threes, a trio of steals and three assists with zero turnovers.

It was also his first time hitting multiple treys in a game since KU last played Nebraska on Jan. 29.

It was his fourth time in double figures this Big 12 season – all KU victories.

And his reward to himself?

Well, just more of the same.

“Now I’m starting to come out of it, and I’ve got to keep getting better from here on out,” Chalmers said. “Just keep shooting, keep working hard, staying after practice to get some extra shots and stuff like that.”

Memories of ’57?

Were you at the 1957 national championship game to watch KU and North Carolina in Kansas City, Mo.? If so, we want to hear your stories.

Also, if you have mementos of any kind from that game, let us know, so we can make it part of our 50th-anniversary special coming next month in the Lawrence Journal-World and on KUSports.com.

If so, call Ryan Greene at (785) 832-6357 or e-mail to editor@kusports.com