Kansas' Russell Robinson, left, and Darrell Arthur anticipate a rebound against a trio of Nebraska would-be boarders. The shot fell, but KU beat the Huskers, 79-58, Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.

Kansas University’s basketball players showered, met the media, then signed autographs for 200 or so Crimson and Blue-clad fans before boarding the team bus about 11 p.m., Saturday outside Nebraska’s Devaney Center.

The Jayhawks, who thumped the Cornhuskers, 79-58, in Lincoln, chowed down on pizza on their charter vehicle. Some also listened to music on headphones. Others watched the Bruce Willis movie, “Live Free or Die Hard” or napped the best they could.

Most reached their apartments by 3 a.m., then slept late since they were not required to arrive at Allen Fieldhouse until mid-afternoon Sunday to get taped for a 4 p.m. practice in preparation for today’s 8 p.m. Big Monday battle against Oklahoma.

“We will be fine. Everybody is refreshed, probably a little bit sore,” said senior Russell Robinson, who slept in until “about 2 (p.m.). No excuses, just suck it up. It’s a big game.”

His backcourt partner, junior Mario Chalmers, slept until about 1 p.m.

“I feel pretty good. It’s a late practice. Everybody got a lot of rest. We came out here focused to get prepared for OU tomorrow,” Chalmers said Sunday.

KU coach Bill Self, who watched tape until about 5 a.m. at his Lawrence home, was able to snooze until about 10 a.m.

“Our guys probably went to bed between 3 and 4 last night. Hey, that’s OK. That’s the way it is,” Self said Sunday. “If you have Friday-Sunday NCAA Tournament games and you play the last game (on Friday), you are not in bed until 2 or 3. You’ve got to get up for all the requirements the next day and be ready to play.

“We may be dragging a little bit today. OU may be also,” Self added. “Both teams will be ready to go. I think it’s a factor if you talk about it. We won’t talk about it,” he said of the possibility of being tired.

Self said he was impressed with both Kansas State and OU after watching tape of KSU’s 84-82 victory Saturday in Norman, Okla.

“It was a fabulous game,” Self said. “Both teams played great. Either team could have won. It was a great win for K-State. It was disappointing for OU, but certainly I thought OU played very well.

“OU is very good. They (Sooners) are sound,” he added, noting Blake Griffin (15.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg), Longar Longar (13.1, 6.1) and Taylor Griffin (5.4, 3.2) make up a “formidable front line.

“When they are making shots, they are good offensively, as evidenced by yesterday. Coach (Jeff) Capel has one of the most improved teams around.”

OU has defeated Arkansas (83-72), Gonzaga (72-68) and West Virginia (88-82, 2 OTs) and lost to KSU, Memphis (63-53), Southern Cal (66-55) and Stephen F. Austin (66-62).

“I know they play physical. They play hard. It’ll be a tough game. We’ve got to match their intensity,” KU sophomore forward Darrell Arthur said.

“I think they’ve got a good inside presence,” Robinson said. “We know they are good. We have to be ready for them.”

¢ Jackson knows two Sooners: KU senior Darnell Jackson, who hails from Midwest City, Okla., is a former Oklahoma Athletes First AAU teammate of OU junior Taylor Griffin, brother of freshman phenom Blake Griffin.

“Blake outgrew him (Taylor). I can’t believe how much he outgrew him when I see him on TV,” Jackson said. “I say, ‘He’s not a kid anymore, he’s a grown man.”’

Jackson will have some relatives in the stands tonight, including his mom, Shawn.

“This game means a lot to me,” Jackson said.

Of going against the Griffins, he said: “It’s like we always used to do when we played AAU ball back in the day. Take it at each other and play hard.”

¢ Series facts: KU leads the all-time series, 132-64 and is 67-16 in Lawrence. … OU has lost eight straight in Lawrence. … The teams are 4-4 in their last eight games. … OU is 4-11 versus KU since the formation of the Big 12.