A big challenge

Kansas University freshman power forward Quintrell Thomas was ready to play on Wednesday after coach Bill Self challenged the big men Tuesday at practice.

“He was telling us he thought he recruited athletes and we were tough,” Thomas said after scoring a career-high 10 points and tying a career high with seven rebounds in the Jayhawks’ 100-79 rout of New Mexico State. He logged a career-high 17 minutes.

“He was like, ‘You three (he and Morris twins) are so soft. The only person who can dunk on the team is Cole (Aldrich).’ He said we were all soft and just lay the ball up. I guess we had to come out and kind of prove him wrong today.”

Thomas grinned when a reporter suggested Self saves the word “soft” for rare occasions.

“I don’t know if he saves it,” Thomas said. “He talks to me all the time about finishing around the rim.”

Self is not pleased with KU’s play around the goal this season.

Self said in conference play, “There’s a no dunk rule. People will foul you hard. You can’t flinch when you go to the rim. We’re a team of flinchers now.”

Intentional foul

KU freshman Markieff Morris was whistled for an intentional foul for a hard hack on Jahmar Young as Young drove to the goal in the first half. N.M. State’s Wendell McKines took exception and yelled something at Morris. KU’s Sherron Collins took up for Morris and said something to McKines before the refs stepped in and told all parties to stop yapping.

Stats, facts

KU notched its 100th 100-point game in school history. KU has seven 100-point games under Self … Kansas has won 29 straight home games. … KU went 9-of-9 from the free-throw line in the first half. The last time KU was perfect in a half was 10-for-10 against Oklahoma last January.