They played well during three exhibition games – all victories – over Labor Day weekend in Canada.

Now it’s time to see how Kansas University’s wide-eyed newcomers fare in a practice game in the U.S.A. – on election night, no less.

“I think we are all anxious and ready to get after it,” KU freshman point guard Tyshawn Taylor said, speaking for six newcomers, heading into Tuesday’s 7 p.m. exhibition against Washburn in Allen Fieldhouse. Juco transfer Mario Little is out because of a stress fracture in his lower-left leg and won’t dress for the contest.

“We’ve been practicing several weeks. We scrimmaged a couple times, had long practices, tough practices. I think we are ready to actually play somebody else. We kind of want to get out there and play,” Taylor added.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder from St. Anthony High in Jersey City, N.J., said it had been quite an adjustment scrimmaging with and against his Jayhawk teammates since the Oct. 17 Late Night in the Phog.

“The difference I guess is just how physical the guys are, how hard you have to go all the time,” Taylor said. “You can take breaks in high school. You can’t really take breaks in college.

“I think playing for a great coach like coach Hurley (Bob, of last year’s undefeated St. Anthony team) helped me get to this level. Me being here now, it’s a lot different. Playing against high school teams we blew out by 30 points is not helping me right now. The talent is different in college.”

He proved diplomatic when asked who has stood out at practice.

“Every practice it’s somebody different,” Taylor said. “Sherron (Collins) and Cole (Aldrich) have been playing well. Marcus and Markieff (Morris twins) are playing well. Conner (Teahan) has been playing well. Tyrone (Appleton) played well yesterday. It varies. Different days different people are playing well. I think all my teammates are doing great.”

There’s a chance he and Collins will be on the court together a lot this season. When that happens, either player figures to dash the ball up-court.

“If I’m bringing it up, it means Sherron will be the scorer most of the time,” Taylor said. “If the ball is out of his hands, bringing it up means I can create for him and the team to get a shot. With him bringing it up, he can create for the team to get a shot. I think it’ll vary.”