Little scores three points

Kansas University junior Mario Little hit three of four free throws and had two assists and a turnover in his five-minute stint. It was his second game since returning from a stress fracture in his left leg as well as a broken bone in his left hand.

“I think physically he’s doing fine,” KU coach Bill Self said. “I didn’t think he was as big a factor tonight (as he was Saturday versus Tennessee with five rebounds). Physically, I don’t see a problem. He may be a bit sore.

“How could he play great?” Self added. “He’s practiced four or five days now and been off six months. He wants to (play great). He has to understand how he can help the team until he gets his rhythm back. I don’t think he did anything tonight remotely negative. He made one pass I think the lady in the sixth row could have caught. Other than that, he did fine.”

King Cole

Self gave high praise to Cole Aldrich, who had 13 rebounds to go with his career-high 24 points.

“He’s doing a fabulous job,” Self said. “His effort on the offensive glass is stellar. If we can get the others to give effort like that we could be a great offensive rebounding team because he’s about as good as I’ve seen at that.”

Moment of silence

A moment of silence was held for former Jayhawk players Claude Houchin and Norm Cook. Houchin, who lived in Wichita, died Dec. 3 at the age of 83. Cook of Lincoln, Ill., died Dec. 22 at the age of 53.

Faces in crowd

Ex-KU player Christian Moody attended and sat behind the KU bench. Moody said he’d attend KU Med School in July … Jim Hinrich, dad of former KU player Kirk Hinrich sat next to Moody.

This, that

KU has won 33 straight games in Allen Fieldhouse … Self coached his 500th game as a head coach. He’s 153-35 at KU and 360-140 overall. … Freshman Travis Releford hit his third three-point basket of the season as part of KU’s 25-1 run in the first half. Releford is now 3-of-4 from behind the arc. … Tyrel Reed recorded a new career-high with 14 points. Reed’s previous high was 12, which he scored three times this season, the last being on Dec. 30, against Albany. Reed also set a career high in free-throw attempts and free throws made going 6-for-6 from the line. … Markieff Morris tied a career high with three blocks. … Siena set Kansas opponent highs this season for field goals (32), field-goal attempts (67) and assists (19) … Siena’s Ronald Moore recorded seven assists in the second half. His seven assists marks the most assists in a half by a Kansas opponent since D.J. Augustin dished eight in the first half on March 3, 2007.