Josh Selby looks to the crowd after a KU score during the first half of the Jayhawks' game against the Kansas State Wildcats, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse. KU defeated KSU 90-66.

Lubbock, Texas ? Texas Tech’s Singletary honored

Texas Tech forward Mike Singletary on Monday was named Big 12 player of the week.

“He’s been playing off the charts,” KU’s Self said of the 6-5 senior from Humble, Texas, who scored 33 points in a win at Iowa State and 25 in an overtime home win over Oklahoma State last week.

Of Singletary, KU’s Brady Morningstar said: “He is a tough guard, a bigger guard. He can do everything on the floor — score, rebound, pass, steal. He’s capable of putting up big numbers. And he can make his team go. He’s a tough matchup, but we’re looking forward to it. It’s so much fun playing guys who are capable of scoring a lot and helping their team. I think if we shut him down, that will be a pretty good start to trying to get our first win in Lubbock (since 2003).”

Selby honored

KU’s Josh Selby was named Big 12 rookie of the week for the second time this season after averaging 14.5 points in wins at Colorado and at home over Kansas State.

NCAA bound?

Knight at Big 12 Media Day said he believed the Red Raiders would qualify for the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Tech returns six seniors off last year’s NIT team.

“I really thought we had a chance to be good, but then on the other side, this group of kids has struggled in the Big 12,” Knight told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal back when the Raiders were 0-4. “You’ve got that in the back of your mind. You’re dealing with kids who just haven’t won anything yet. They’ve gotten better each year, but they haven’t won anything. So in the back of our minds we knew this might happen, but we were hoping by talking about it, making them believe in themselves, they’d overcome it.”

Closing in on top spot in polls

KU’s Morningstar on the Jayhawks moving back to No. 2 in the AP poll this week.

“We are back to square one, but I’d rather be No. 10 in the country and 6-0 in conference than 5-1 in the conference and No. 2 in the country. The rankings at the end of the year will take care of themselves. No. 2 is good, but our ranking right now doesn’t mean much,” Morningstar said.

Rest

KU coach Self gave the Jayhawks the day off on Sunday.

“We are a tired team,” Self said before Monday’s practice in Lubbock.

The Jayhawks left Lawrence early Monday afternoon in an attempt to beat heavy snow that’s predicted for both Lawrence and Lubbock.

“I believe by today we should have our legs under us. We should have those intangibles back.”

The Jayhawks not only played at Colorado last Tuesday, but traveled to Washington, D.C., Wednesday and Thursday for the funeral of Thomas Robinson’s mother.

“We’re starting to (get our legs back). Last week was very tiring,” Marcus Morris said. “There was a lot of traveling, a lot of games. As we move forward, we’ll take more days off, and get back to where we were at. Our legs will come back sooner or later.”

Noted Morningstar: “I think it (Saturday’s win over K-State) was a good step forward for sure. It was definitely what we needed. I’m so glad Thomas played like he did (17 points, nine boards). He deserved everything in the world. It just shows everyone how focused he was, and how prepared he was. He knew it was a big game for him and the team. You really have to give it to Thomas for what he’s going through.”