History buffs and basketball fans alike will pay heed to this matchup made in hoops heaven: Kansas University will open a two-day, three-game Labor Day trip to Canada with an exhibition against Montreal’s McGill University on Saturday, Aug. 30, in Carleton University’s gym in Ottawa, Ontario.

McGill is the alma mater of Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball and KU’s first hoops coach. Naismith graduated from McGill with a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1887. He participated in football, rugby, lacrosse and gymnastics at McGill.

The KU-McGill game, which KU senior associate athletic director Larry Keating indicated likely will start at either 11 a.m. or noon (details have yet to be finalized), will be part of a Saturday doubleheader.

KU will also meet Carleton University on Saturday night, either at Carleton’s 1,400-seat Ravens Nest or perhaps a larger venue in Ottawa.

On Sunday, Aug. 31, Bill Self’s Jayhawks will conclude their trip North with a game against the University of Ottawa at Ottawa’s 1,000-seat Montpetit Hall. The Jayhawks will be allowed 10 practice days in August preceding the trip. Details on travel packages and game times should be released in coming weeks.

The NCAA allows teams to make an exhibition tour of other countries once every five years.

KU’s current seniors will hold a “barnstorming tour” game at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Blue Valley Northwest High. KU’s seniors, who annually tour the state, will sign autographs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The game is sold out. KU also will hold a game at 3:15 p.m. Saturday at Garden City Community College; 3 p.m. Sunday at Hays High School; 8 p.m. April 25 at Wichita East High School, and 7 p.m. May 3 at Hutchinson Sports Arena. KU’s seniors have not yet announced any other tour dates publicly.

¢Walters tapped USF coach: Former KU guard Rex Walters is headed home to coach the University of San Francisco’s basketball team. Walters, a native of San Jose, Calif., went 10-21 at Florida Atlantic the past two seasons. He will take over for interim coach Eddie Sutton.

“One of the biggest motivations was to be able to come back home,” said Walters, who graduated from KU in 1993. “I am a Bay Area guy. From third grade on, this is where I made my home.

“At Kansas, we always talked about three things. Playing harder, playing smarter, and playing more together. It sounds simple, but it is hard and we’re going to strive for that everyday.”

San Francisco won NCAA titles in 1955 and ’56, but has not been to the NCAAs since 1998.

“There’s something special here. There’s something special about the city,” Walters said.

Florida Atlantic AD Craig Angelos, who lost coach Matt Doherty after one season, and Walters after two, issued a terse statement.

“Rex notified me of his decision late Sunday night,” Angelos said. “While we are disappointed in how coach Walters handled this situation, specifically as it relates to its effect on the team, program and university, we look forward to the opportunity to find a coach that will continue with our four cornerstones of institutional control, academic excellence, fiscal integrity and winning championships. I have met with the team and have assured them, as I assure the community, that we will seek a coach who is committed to Florida Atlantic and to winning the Sun Belt Conference.”