Signing day

Thomas Robinson, one of the two blue-chip basketball recruits who have committed orally to Kansas University, will sign a national letter-of-intent with KU today, the first day of the weeklong early signing period.

Robinson, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound power forward from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., chose KU over runner-up Memphis on Oct. 10.

Elijah Johnson, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Cheyenne High in Las Vegas, will sign his letter Monday in a ceremony at his high school.

Robinson is Rivals.com’s No. 18-rated player; Johnson is No. 27.

“Signing date is tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll sign one tomorrow,” KU coach Bill Self said.

“I don’t think we’ll sign a second tomorrow based on availability with family as far as a press conference,” he added, apparently referring to Johnson. “I don’t anticipate any surprises.”

The November signing period runs from today until Wednesday. Michael Snaer, a 6-4 shooting guard from Rancho Verde High in Moreno Valley, Calif., is expected to have a news conference Thursday or Friday to pick either KU, Florida State or Marquette.

Thomas’ shoulder OK

Freshman forward Quintrell Thomas had his left shoulder whacked late in the game and left the court in pain.

“It slipped out of place a couple weeks ago. It’s not that bad unless somebody hits it. It’ll be fine by our first game,” Thomas said of Sunday’s 7:30 p.m. home game versus UMKC.

He started and had five points and four rebounds in 13 minutes.

“It was fun coming out and having them call my name, especially at a place like Kansas,” Thomas said of the introductions.

Of Thomas, Self said: “He was active tonight. He had a good carryover from last week.”

Collins hits elbow

KU guard Sherron Collins went down hard after getting hammered by ESU’s Doug Moore on a lay-up try with a second left in the first half.

“I hit my elbow on my funny bone. It went numb so I was a little scared. I was cool after that. It was all right,” Collins said.

Jayhawks sizzling

KU hit 24 of 30 shots the first half for a sizzling 80 percent.

“I hope every game we’re going to make every shot. That would be the best picture. I’m being sarcastic,” Self said, acknowledging, “We made everything we looked at.”

Tidbits

Emporia State coach David Moe’s daughter, Lyndi, sang the national anthem to the delight of KU’s crowd. … In all, 16,300 seats were sold, but there were no-shows in the northwest corner, which is the student section. Fans began leaving in droves with 10:25 left … Self today will be one of several dignitaries to speak at the Get Motivated Seminar at Sprint Center. Others include Colin Powell and Rudy Giuliani.