It’s a good thing Rodrick Stewart, who played nine minutes the first half, wasn’t needed in the second half of Saturday’s 88-74 victory over Kansas State at Allen Fieldhouse.

“I cramped up so bad from halftime until the end of the game,” said Stewart, KU’s 6-foot-4 senior guard from Seattle.

The heat in the building generated by 16,300 screaming fans wasn’t the sole reason for Stewart’s leg discomfort.

“I think it was probably stress on my whole body, being in Seattle, the two-hour time difference. I wasn’t really eating or drinking water or staying hydrated,” noted Stewart, who much of last week was in emotional distress following the death of his brother, Allen, who was buried Wednesday.

Today, Southern California transfer Stewart will be playing his final home game for KU. Several of his relatives will be in the stands, including twin brother Lodrick, who starred at USC and in the same lineup as Rodrick at Seattle’s Rainier Beach High.

“I’m here to support my brother after the tragedy in my family and here to support the whole team. Even though I went to USC, I’m a big KU fan,” said Lodrick, who cheered loudly from the stands at Saturday’s game.

A KU fan?

“I love KU. Him (Rod), the coach, everybody … they are all good people,” Lodrick said.

Rodrick grinned when told of his brother’s comments about KU.

“That doesn’t surprise me,” Rodrick said. “He watched the K-State game. He told me, ‘You have true fans, dedicated fans.’ He loves KU a lot.”

Lodrick, who started the season in the NBA Developmental League but was recently cut, said he’s proud of his brother.

“I’ve watched him grow over the years,” Lodrick said. “He’s happy. As long as he’s happy, that’s all I’m worried about.”

Lodrick will be interested to hear Rod’s Senior Speech after today’s 8 p.m. game against Texas Tech.

“It’s hard on Senior Night. For me, it was hard last year. He’s going to be all right,” Lodrick said. “It’ll be emotional, but he’ll be all right.”

The season doesn’t end after tonight.

“I think they are going to win it all,” Lodrick said of the Jayhawks. “All their players are good. They are going to win it all.”