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Kansas notebook
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By Gary Bedore
January 31, 2006
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Kansas coach Bill Self has decided to give his blessing to freshman Micah Downs' transferring to Gonzaga.
Self said Monday he had been told Downs had fulfilled the obligations he needed to meet to leave KU, such as dropping classes and making sure books were returned.
The two will speak today, Self said, to finalize the matter and tie up loose ends.
Self has been told Downs doesn't need a release from his letter of intent at this time because Gonzaga has no available scholarships this semester, and Downs will have to pay his own way this semester.
"I don't know if we're obligated to do anything. I will (grant release) because eventually he's going to need to be on aid," Self said. "There's not an emergency need to give him a release (now) since they have no scholarships. It doesn't do him any good."
Self added, "We gave him a laundry list of things he needs to do. I'm told these things have happened. We'll talk (today) and make sure we are on the same page of him doing the stuff he needs to do."
Self said, "He'll be at Gonzaga from what I've been told.
Downs had not enrolled at Gonzaga as of Monday.
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Downs' roommate at KU, Russell Robinson, has spoken to Downs in the past couple of days.
"One time. I wished him luck, and he wished me luck. That's about it," Robinson said. "The way he left is kind of hard on me to swallow, but I wish him the best."
Recruiting: Robert Lewandowski, a 6-foot-9 sophomore from Blue Valley West, attended on an unofficial recruiting visit. ... Travis Releford, a sophomore guard from KC Central, has transferred to Miege.
Faces in crowd: James Reynolds, an actor on the Soap Opera, "Days of Our Lives," attended, as did ESPN SportsCenter anchors Scott Van Pelt and Neil Everett. Also on hand was a KU student decked out in a sweater, impersonating Tech coach Bob Knight. ... One fan held a sign that said, "Good Knight, Bob," appropriate considering the 86-52 final score.
Coach chat: Self and Knight chatted on the visitor's bench before the game. At one point, both coaches were smiling, Self at one point bursting into laughter.
"I've got a prety good relationship with coach. He's been really good to me in the short amount of time I've gotten to know him. He said something. I thought I had a pretty good one (liner) back, to be honest with you. I won't tell you what we talked about. Certainly I think he's as good as there's ever been," Self said.
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Asked if he was funnier than Knight, Self said: "No. I know I'm not. That's one contest I can't win."
Chalmers honored: KU freshman Mario Chalmers on Monday was named Big 12 Conference rookie of the week.
Chalmers, a 6-2 guard from Anchorage, Ala., averaged 18.0 points, 6.5 assists and 4.5 steals in victories at Texas A&M and Iowa State. He hit nine of 15 shots, four of six three-pointers and hit 14 of 17 free throws. He had a career-high eight assists against two turnovers versus the Aggies. Entering Monday's game, Chalmers averaged 15.9 ppg in Big 12 play.
Oklahoma's Terrell Everett was named player of the week after averaging 20.5 points a game in victories over Baylor and Texas. He also logged 7.0 reboounds and 6.5 assists in the two wins.
Knight talks: Fiery Tech coach Knight fulfilled his obligation to appear on the weekly Big 12 teleconference Monday ... sort of. Knight fielded one question, then when the same reporter from Indianapolis had a followup, a click was heard and Knight was gone. Self was on the teleconference for his full 10 minutes on game day. To be fair, it's believed Knight's cell phone went out, causing the coach's abrupt ending to the call.
RPI update: KU's RPI on Monday was 64, much improved from an RPI rating of 116 on Jan. 19.