Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self says it’s possible freshman Royce Woolridge and/or senior Conner Teahan could red-shirt — that is, practice but not play in games — this season.

As a freshman, Woolridge is allowed (by the NCAA) to play in KU’s two exhibition games and still be red-shirted. If Teahan plays in tonight’s KU-Washburn game or the Emporia State game a week from Tuesday, he cannot be red-shirted.

“I have not talked to Royce about it. I’m not saying I want to. I’m not saying I don’t. We’re going to use these exhibition games to get a better feel for him,” Self said of the combo guard from Phoenix.

“He is going to be a guy who really helps our program over time. I don’t know if he can really have a huge impact right now. A lot probably depends on Josh’s situation,” he added of freshman guard Josh Selby, who is awaiting word from the NCAA on his amateur status.

Self said he has chatted with Teahan about the possibility of red-shirting. Depending on what players leave the program for the NBA, to go with graduating perimeter players Little, Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar, KU might be in need of guards next season.

“If we don’t play him tomorrow, it doesn’t mean he is red-shirting. It just means that opportunity is still there,” Self said of the senior from KC’s Rockhurst High. “If we do play him tomorrow, it means the red-shirt year is done unless he were to get an injury, of course — a medical red-shirt.”

Self said Selby would not play tonight, nor would Jeff Withey (foot injury), who is a week or two from being full strength. Self said barring any setbacks, Markieff Morris (hernia) would play.

Of 7-footer Withey, Self said: “We thought he’d be 100 percent healthy, full speed by today. This was six weeks ago (following surgery). He’s still a week away, maybe two weeks from where we want him to be. It’s not from lack of trying. He’s just sore. He needs reps as much as anybody. Missing practice this time of year is like missing two-a-days in football. Missing the last three weeks is like missing the next five weeks because you get so many things in.”

Self on KU’s progress: “I like our team. I don’t like how we played the last few days. We have to pick some things up from a leadership standpoint and intangibles standpoint.”

Self on team’s style of play: “I don’t know if two weeks in you’ll see a true indication of how fast we can play because right now I’m not going to reward them by playing fast if we don’t take better care of the ball. This team is noticeably more athletic than last year’s team.”

Recruiting: Ben McLemore, a 6-foot-5 guard from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., completed his recruiting trip to Missouri on Monday.

“I’m going to wait a few days and then call my mom. I’m going to let her know where I want to go to college,” McLemore told Rivals.com. He’ll sign with KU or MU in the Nov. 10-17 signing period.

Tidbits: NCAA Div. II Washburn will be without junior guard WIll McNeill, who broke a bone in his foot in practice. … KU is 5-0 against Washburn in exhibition play and 30-3 in the regular season. Washburn is coached by Bob Chipman (678-278 in 32 years). … KU has won 35 straight exhibition games and is 21-0 under Self. … Washburn returns 83 percent of its scoring off a 16-14 team that is picked to finish in a tie for fourth in the MIAA.