ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla is in the midst of working four consecutive Kansas University games – Wednesday’s home victory over Oklahoma State, Saturday’s game at Iowa State, Monday’s home game versus Missouri and next Saturday’s game at Texas Tech.

He is not yet ready to proclaim KU’s backcourt as No. 1 in the entire country.

“I think it’s the best defensive backcourt,” Fraschilla said before Saturday’s 68-64 overtime victory. He was able to fly into the airport in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday despite morning snow.

“A guy who never gets credit for his defense is Brandon Rush,” he noted. “Remember the job he did on Nick Young (USC)? He shut him down. If and when Brandon makes the jump to the NBA, it’s going to be because of his defense, the way he moves his feet.”

What does Fraschilla like the most about KU’s team?

“The key is their defense, the way they disrupt the opponent’s backcourt, especially (Mario) Chalmers,” noted Fraschilla, former coach at Manhattan, St. John’s and New Mexico, who has worked in broadcasting since October of 2004.

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The series: KU since 1999 holds a 10-7 edge over Iowa State. The Jayhawks have won three straight in the series and three straight in Hilton Coliseum. : ISU is now 18-17 versus KU in Hilton. Bill Self’s KU teams are 3-1 at ISU. : KU is 14-7 against ISU in Big 12 play, not counting a 2-0 mark in the Big 12 conference tournament.

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Hall anniversary: KU’s Booth Family Hall of Athletics on Monday will celebrate its one-year anniversary. More than 27,000 visitors have passed through the Hall’s doors since its opening on Jan. 21, 2006. Former KU radio announcer Max Falkenstien will sign autographs in the Hall prior to the MU game, which has an 8 p.m. tipoff.

The F.M. Acro tumbling team from Fargo, N.D., which thrilled the fans here Saturday, will perform Monday at halftime.

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Young league: The Des Moines Register points out that of 60 starters in the most recent games for the Big 12 Conference’s 12 teams, only nine were seniors. Five teams started no players in their final season of eligibility.

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No patsy: “Playing against a team like Kansas is a challenge for anyone, not just freshmen,” ISU’s Wesley Johnson said.

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Stats, fact: Julian Wright’s 12 rebounds tied a career high. : Rush had nine rebounds for the third time in his career. : Sherron Collins has scored 10 or more points in three of the last four games. KU’s 52 rebounds (to ISU’s 36) were a season high. : Dodie Dunson’s streak of 18 consecutive free throws ended Saturday. : Mike Taylor has hit a three-pointer in 13 straight games. He recorded his sixth 20-point game. : Wesley Johnson recorded his ninth double-double with 14 points and 11 boards. : ISU had eight blocks to KU’s five. The Jayhawks entered ranked fifth in the country in blocks.