Kansas University assistant coaches Tim Jankovich and Kurtis Townsend subbed for head coach Bill Self on Tuesday on the coach’s Hawk Talk radio show. Self took advantage of the team’s off day and hit the road recruiting.

Jankovich, of course, was a standout guard at K-State.

“I take a little ribbing from both sides,” Jankovich said. “I was very proud to have gone to school at K-State. I don’t think it in any way means you can’t love somewhere else. I’m so lucky to be here. I love every minute of it.

“Manhattan was my home,” added the former Manhattan High standout. “It’s a little strange going back, even where there is no game. Everywhere you go, there is a memory. It is special to go back, even moreso because of the rivalry and the importance in this state. It’s always been important, but it had calmed down a bit. For years and years, we remember the rivalry game in the 1960s, ’70s and on. It was such a big deal. It looks like a lot of that is back and that’s only good for our state.”

¢Gottlieb’s take: ESPN announcer Doug Gottlieb commented on KU’s win over KSU in an online chat on ESPN.com:

“KSU has not beaten KU at home since 1983. As ‘Huggy’ himself has said, there is no rivalry until they win a game. The energy was great. I saw the students on the satellite at 6:30 for an 8 p.m. tip. It was awesome. More crowds like that and there will eventually be a rivalry. It used to be a great one by the way. My dad coached at Silo Tech (K-State) under Jack Hartman and it was the best rivalry in the Big Eight.”

¢Jankovich on both teams scratching and clawing all night: “A friend called me today and said, ‘Great game. I really enjoyed the football game last night.’ I thought that was clever and correct. It was a hard-fought physical game. Both teams are coached to play tough. What was at stake last night took it to another level.”

¢Aldrich growing: KU signee Cole Aldrich of Jefferson High in Bloomington, Minn., is now 7-feet tall and 245 pounds, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. He has grown an inch since the start of the season. Aldrich, who has passed the 1,000-point, 1,000-rebound marks in high school, is expected to be named a McDonald’s All-American in coming days.

¢Freshmen excel: KU assistant Townsend on the play of freshmen Sherron Collins (20 points) and Darrell Arthur (13 points, 12 rebounds) on Monday:

“It’s good to see ‘Shady’ come out of his thing,” Townsend said of Arthur’s recent slump. “He’s gaining confidence and had only one foul. The game before he didn’t have any (fouls). To have only one foul and have his mom (Sandra) there to see him play like that had to be special for him.

“Sherron … like coach (Bob) Huggins said, he has such a strong base. He is so low to the ground it’s hard to knock him off line. You get on the side of him, he will not let you get back around him. He looks big, but he is really quick. He can hold you on his hip or side and then he can finish inside with the big guys.”

¢Next up: KU will meet Iowa State at 5 p.m. Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse. The Cyclones (13-13, 4-8) play host to Colorado tonight.