Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self – and a bunch of NBA analysts – are certain three Jayhawks will be selected in the first round of tonight’s draft at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Where Darrell Arthur, Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush are tapped, however, is anybody’s guess.

“It is an inexact science,” Self said. “Based on the reports I’ve received, there’s a great chance Mario could be one of the surprise picks of the first round. I’m guessing he would be in that range from 15 (overall) to 25, 26.

“Brandon … maybe 13 to 22. For ‘Shady’ (Arthur), I’d say anywhere from 10 to 17. They could all go in or out of that range,” Self added.

Self has one wish for all three first-rounders.

“I think an ideal situation is go to a place they can learn, where they don’t have the pressure on them but can still get minutes,” he said. “Julian (Wright, New Orleans) last year went to the perfect spot that fits him, running, jumping, playing fast with an unbelievable point guard (Chris Paul). As he got confident, they eased him into the deal.”

KU also could be represented tonight in the 30-pick Round Two with Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson and perhaps Russell Robinson.

“I think we’ll have five players drafted,” Self said. “Darnell, based on what I’ve been told, has had great workouts. Sasha (who has signed 3-year deal with CSKA Moscow) has a great chance. Russell is one of those guys late second round somebody may say, ‘Hey I want to draft somebody dependable who can be a third guard.’ Russell could be your man in that regard.

“I think all these guys will be drafted higher because we won (national title). Winning has helped their status immensely.”

¢ Rush would take Beasley: Rush said if he had a vote, he’d take Michael Beasley of Kansas State as No. 1 tonight.

“He’s the best player I’ve seen in college, since I’ve been in college,” Rush told the Associated Press. Remember, he also competed against Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant. “I would go with Beasley because he makes things look so much easier. He just looks effortless out there. He had 39 on us in our own house.”

¢ Rush lauds Blazers: Rush told Real GM on Wednesday the Portland Trail Blazers impressed him the most.

“They are a young team, and they are looking for some players,” Rush said.

¢ This, that: The most KU players taken in a single draft is three. It occurred in 1969, ’71, ’81 and ’86. … Since 2002, Kansas has had five first-round picks (Drew Gooden in 2002, Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich in 2003, Wayne Simien in 2005 and Julian Wright in 2007).