Little practicing

KU junior Mario Little, who suffered a broken bone in his left, non-shooting hand two weeks ago, practiced without contact Monday.

KU coach Bill Self is hoping Little can play in a game “in about seven days,” which means he might make his KU debut next Tuesday versus Siena.

“We are being patient in not bringing him back too quick. If it was the end of the season there’s no reason he would not be out there (now),” Self said. “It’s not the end of a season deal. The whole thing is to bring him out so he can play the rest of the season. He’s in that another week range from being able to play in a game.”

Of Little’s stress fracture in his left leg, Self said: “His leg is making progress, no doubt about it.”

Little wasn’t the only player wearing a wrap on his hand at practice Monday. Sherron Collins practiced with a jammed left thumb, while Marcus Morris had his right thumb wrapped.

“I jammed my thumb pretty good. It’s OK. I doubt I’ll even wear it (wrap) in the game,” Collins said.

“It (hand) may be bruised, but he’s OK,” Self said of Morris.

Bowl preview

KU sophomore center Cole Aldrich on Wednesday’s KU-Minnesota football game.

“I am all KU,” said Aldrich, who hails from Bloomington, Minn. “I’ve got some buddies playing for Minnesota. I’m rooting for the Jayhawks so I get a little bragging rights over the summer. We’ll meet as a team somewhere and watch our Jayhawks go.”

Withey report

Jeff Withey, a 7-foot transfer from the University of Arizona, is not yet on campus. He still has to complete some paperwork before arriving. He can practice, but not play in games until December, 2009.

Bowling outing

Albany’s basketball players went bowling on Monday afternoon at Royal Crest Lanes.

“I do think it’s good to do fun things,” KU coach Self said on Monday’s weekly Hawk Talk radio show. “I think that’s a good idea of Will (Brown, eighth-year head coach). He’s won multiple championships there. He’s done well.”

Brown, 37, is one of the country’s youngest head coaches. He’s led Albany to two of the past three NCAA Tournaments.

Notes

Located in Albany, N.Y., the University at Albany has an enrollment of 12,748. Nickname is Great Danes. Colors are Purple and Gold. The school plays in the America East Conference. … Albany was picked sixth in the conference preseason coaches poll. … Albany today plays a defending Div. I national champ for the first time. … Albany has won three straight games. The Great Danes won at St. Francis, 68-56, on Dec. 22. … The Great Danes are ranked 17th nationally in rebounding margin at plus-8.4 per game … The two schools have yet to meet in basketball. … Albany lost to Iowa State, 76-64, last Dec. 30 in Ames, Iowa. … The National Football League’s New York Giants have made the University at Albany its summer training camp home since 1996.