Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self was saddened to learn of Texas Tech coach Bob Knight’s retirement on Monday.

“I’m disappointed for selfish reasons,” Self said. “He is great for our league. From a selfish standpoint, I’d like him to come here one more time (for KU-Texas Tech game on March 3). I felt the same way when Barry Sanders retired. How can he do that with so much left? I’m happy for Coach; still, I feel it takes away from the interest level in our league. I’m happy for Pat (Knight, replacement) and know he will do a great job. And I’m happy for Coach. Whatever he wants to do, he has a right to do that.”

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Faces in crowd: San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy, the father of KU baseball pitcher Brett, attended and sat with former big-league pitcher Rick Sutcliffe. … Former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson sat behind the Missouri bench to support his former assistant, MU coach Mike Anderson.

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Bowl celebration: KU’s football team was honored at halftime. Coach Mark Mangino stood between Chancellor Robert Hemenway and athletic director Lew Perkins for presentation of the Orange Bowl trophy after a highlight video was shown.

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Perkins comments on TV time: Athletic director Perkins, who was shown on international TV numerous times while sitting in the Gatorade suite in the row below Peyton Manning at Sunday’s Super Bowl, was back in time for Monday’s game.

Perkins said he received about 50 text messages during and after the game from friends stunned to see the KU leader on TV.

“It was crazy, all the texts, the calls,” Perkins said.

So which team was he rooting for? New York or New England?

“I wanted either team to win,” he said. “I have ties to both teams (friends either in front offices or coaching staffs). I actually grew up a Giants fan because the Patriots weren’t there yet,” noted Perkins, who grew up in Massachusetts.

Perkins’ wife, Gwen, who also received a lot of TV time at the Super Bowl and is a Giants fan, Perkins said.

Manning, by the way, tried to avoid the cameras at the bowl, which was played in Glendale, Ariz.

“He said to me before the game he was sitting in the back row so he wouldn’t be noticed. He was there supporting his brother (Eli, Giants quarterback),” Perkins said.

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Majok to visit: Ater Majok, a 6-foot-10, 220-pound high school senior center who attends the American International School in Carlingford, Australia, will make official recruiting trips to KU and Connecticut sometime in March, according to Rivals.com. Majok, 20, a native of Sudan who has played for Heat Basketball Academy in Virginia, has also heard from West Virginia, Baylor, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgetown, St. John’s and others.

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Appleton update: Texas is trying to schedule an official visit with Tyrone Appleton, a 6-3 guard from Midland (Texas) College, who recently visited Kansas. Appleton told Rivals.com his final list consists of KU, Kentucky, Iowa State, Texas and Indiana. The Gary, Ind., native is averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals a game. He has cited immediate playing time as his main factor in picking a school.