Kansas center Cole Aldrich backs up against Radford center Artsiom Parakhouski during the first half, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Talking big

Kansas University junior center Cole Aldrich, who helped hold Radford big man Art Parakhouski (21 points, 13 rebounds) to zero points the first half, praised the 6-foot-11, 270-pound senior for bouncing back in the second half.

“He was big. He was good, too,” Aldrich said, noting Parakhouski reminded him of former Nebraska center Aleks Maric. “He’s a heck of a player, obviously, to be held to nothing at the half and get some ‘and-ones,’ make some free throws and finish with 21. That’s big for him.”

Aldrich, who was not double-teamed, finished with 15 points and nine boards.

“I tried to be more patient in the post,” Aldrich said. “The first half, I missed some real easy shots I usually make. The second half I got my feet under me and finished well.”

Minutes

Self admitted the rotation could grow soon when Brady Morningstar and Jeff Withey become eligible for the Dec. 19 game against Michigan.

“We could have some issues,” Self said. “I do think if guys buy in and play shorter minutes and play harder, definitely I think we can have a happy team.”

Football talk

Self was asked if he had a preference on who would be named the new KU football coach: “No, because I don’t know any of the candidates personally. I may have met a couple of ’em casually. I don’t know. I know Lew (Perkins, A.D.) must be working hard because he wasn’t here tonight, I think in large part because the weather didn’t allow him to get back (from New York). He’ll get a good guy. He’ll get his guy. Whoever it is I think will be a good fit. Nobody’s asked me if I was interested.”