Windy City buddies

Chicago natives Sherron Collins and Jacob Pullen talked to each other a lot during the game.

Collins finished with 24 points, five rebounds, four assists and four turnovers; Pullen had 13 points, two assists and no turnovers.

“We were more making jokes than talking smack,” Collins said. “I hit the floor, he said, ‘Ah, he’s all right.’ He pulled my shirt. I pulled his shirt. No hard feelings. It’s fun.”

Withey on board

Jeff Withey, KU’s 7-foot freshman transfer from the University of Arizona, sat on the bench. He can practice but not play in games until the conclusion of first semester next December.

“I’m excited to be here. It was a great game. The crowd was great,” said Withey, who hails from San Diego. “I just wish I could play now in front of them (fans). They are amazing.”

Of the 225-pound Withey, KU coach Bill Self said: “I think Jeff will be a big asset to us. You guys can see he’s very tall and very long, and he’s a great shot-blocker. He can alter shots, can run and has a great touch. You can also physically see he needs to put on some weight. I think he can easily put 20 pounds on by the time he’s eligible to play.”

Withey said he’d like to be 240 by next season.

Glove is gone

Mario Little didn’t wear a protective glove on his left hand for the first time this season.

“I’ve been missing with the glove. I was kind of late for the shootaround so I had to hurry up and go out there. I didn’t really want to wear the glove so I said forget it,” he said. “They tried to get me not to wear the glove in the Michigan State game. They’ve been wanting me to not wear it. It was kind of my decision.”

Taylor the Dow Joneser

Self had a good quip after the game. Referring to Tyshawn Taylor, Self said: “He’s been, as (Dick) Vitale would say, a Dow Joneser. Although recently all down,” Self said. “I’m not talking about Tyshawn, but the economy. He’s shown flashes of being the best freshman around. That was arguably his best game.”

Stats, facts

KU leads the all-time series, 176-90. KU has won 36 of the last 38 versus KSU dating to the 1994 season. … KU has won 34 straight home games. … KU has won 18 straight league openers. … The 18-0 run to start the game was the largest since KU started 18-0 versus LSU on Nov. 25, 1996. Kansas won that game, 82-53.