“It is something we talk about in our (recruiting) presentation. We’ve never gotten a player because of one game on the schedule, but it is something we discuss with our prospects,” said Williams, who was able to schedule last Saturday’s KU-Ohio State game for senior Kenny Gregory, a native of Columbus, Ohio.

“Sometimes we can’t get it worked out. It’s like getting married. Both sides have to agree.”

Williams with the help of associate athletics director and scheduling guru Richard Konzem has had his share of scheduling successes. The Jayhawks have played in California against the likes of UCLA, Santa Clara, Pepperdine, USC and Long Beach State for Californians such as Scot Pollard, Jacque Vaughn, Paul Pierce, Adonis Jordan, Jerod Haase and Eric Chenowith.

Next year, the Jayhawks will travel to UCLA for Richmond, Calif., native Drew Gooden, with a trip to the Pete Newell Classic in the Bay Area a possibility down the line.

The Jayhawks have ventured to Iowa City, Iowa, for Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich; St. Louis for Ryan Robertson; and Chicago for Sean Pearson, Marlon London and Calvin Rayford, a Milwaukee native.

Trips to Big 12 cities have sufficed for other Jayhawks, such as native Iowan Raef LaFrentz, who played against Iowa State in Ames for four years; Colorado native Mark Randall, who competed against the Buffs for four seasons; and current KU junior Jeff Carey of Camdenton, Mo., who plays in Columbia, Mo., against the Tigers each season.

Carey will be fired up for Saturday’s Sprint Shootout contest against Southwest Missouri State of Springfield, Mo.

KU frosh Mario Kinsey will be certain to revel in a trip to Waco, Texas, on Feb. 12 to play Baylor. Other Texans Luke Axtell and Bryant Nash will be up for the trips to Texas, plus signee Keith Langford of Crowley, which is close to Fort Worth.

Next year, the Jayhawks will travel to North Dakota to play the University of North Dakota in Jeff Boschee’s home state.

Two Jayhawks who didn’t get games back home were Billy Thomas (Shreveport, La.) and Nick Bradford (Fayetteville, Ark.).

“I wanted to take Billy to Shreveport. We tried to play Centenary, I believe, but it didn’t work out,” Williams said.

University of Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson had no interest in playing the Jayhawks. Bradford had no real desire to play Arkansas State in Jonesboro, so no series was scheduled.

KU will attempt to schedule games in Oregon for signees Michael Lee and Aaron Miles of Portland.

Portland State is a possibility, along with Oregon and Oregon State.

“I told those youngsters we would try to play some games out there for them,” Williams said. “They want to play somebody in Portland. The only thing that has to happen is the other side has to be agreeable. I do want to take those youngsters home.”

KU’s nonconference schedule is not complete for next year.

What is known is the Jayhawks will travel to UCLA, Arizona, Princeton and North Dakota and also play in the Maui Invitational. There is the possibility of playing UCLA twice, since the Bruins also entered in the eight-team Maui field. Other teams in that tourney, slated for Nov. 19-21, 2001, are Seton Hall, Duke, Ball State, Chaminade, Houston and South Carolina.

Tulsa will play at KU again next year, with the Jayhawks playing at UT during the 2002-03 season. UCLA and Arizona will both play at Allen Fieldhouse during the 2002-03 campaign, making that home nonconference slate one of KU’s best in recent years.

Miles and Lee of Portland’s Jefferson High scored 20 points apiece in a 57-53 loss to Compton, Calif., Dominguez High Saturday night in the finals of the Schwab Invitational in Portland.

Miles and Lee both were named to the all-tournament team. Evan Burns, a 6-foot-7 junior from Los Angeles Fairfax, who may be on KU’s recruiting list for next year, also made all-tourney. MVP was Tyson Chandler, a 7-1 senior from Dominguez High, who is undecided on a college but expected to turn pro after this season.

KU is ranked first in the country in the RPI rankings, which were last updated on Sunday. KU’s strength of schedule is ranked eighth best in the land.

Former KU assistant Jerry Green’s Tennessee Volunteers are ranked second. The Vols’ strength of schedule is 10th. Iowa State is ranked 20th in the RPI rankings and Missouri 28th.