“It’s just a big difference from your freshman year to being a sophomore,” said soph point guard Hinrich, who exploded for a career-high 21 points on 5-of-6 shooting in Kansas’ 99-98 win over UCLA on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.

KU’s floor general hit eight of nine free throws and three of four threes. He also had six rebounds.

“Yes it probably would have been different if this was my first game last year. I don’t know why. There’s just a world of difference from this year to last year.”

Hinrich admits he was a bit concerned who would replace the scoring of senior guard Luke Axtell, who did not make the trip to New York because of a severe ankle sprain.

“I thought about that a little bit,” Hinrich said of possibly stepping up and shooting more. “Someone will have to take the scoring load with Luke out.”

Seven Jayhawks played 19 or more minutes rookie Mario Kinsey dishing three assists against one turnover in 19 minutes.

“Mario did some nice things,” KU coach Roy Williams said.

He wasn’t nervous playing on TV in his major college debut.

“It was very fun, very exciting,” Kinsey said. “I was not worried about it

being on TV or in the Garden. I was thinking about our main goal winning.

“I am kind of a quick learner. Everything coach is throwing at me, I’m getting a hold of it.”

Senior veteran Kenny Gregory had an eventful game.

He hit 11 of 18 shots, including two of six threes. Gregory also missed three free throws and had seven boards and three assists.

He played all 20 minutes the final half.

“I was pretty beat by the end of the game,” Gregory said. “I realized Bryant

(Nash) hadn’t come in for me. I overcompensated at times. My legs were gone.”

Nash played three minutes first half and wasn’t used in the second by coach’s decision.

“Bryant was a little bit out of it in the first half so I went with Kenny,” Williams said. I don’t think Kenny came out at all the second half. Congratulations to him. He had some big-time offensive rebounds.”

Five of Gregory’s seven boards were offensive.

Two of Gregory’s missed free throws looked good, felt good, but rolled out.

He’s hoping to improve on last year’s 41.9 percent mark.

“I was a little disappointed in that. That was the down point of the night for me,” Gregory said. “Two of them went in and out. Tomorrow I plan on stepping up, shooting some and making them.”

Gregory really likes the fact KU won despite squandering a 16-point first-half lead.

“Last year at times we gave up,” he said. “One game that comes to mind is Oklahoma State (86-53 in Stillwater). I think it’s something we can build on. We gave up a lot of points, but we had mental toughness tonight.”

Drew Gooden had a big game with 18 points and 10 boards. He started with

Gregory, Eric Chenowith, Hinrich and Jeff Boschee, Nick Collison and Kinsey the first two off the bench.

He played 31 minutes.

“I was not broke during the game,” Gooden said. “It’s our training in the preseason that pays off.”

What’s ‘broke’ mean?

“Broke is tired, fatigued,” Gooden said with a laugh.

KU basically went with seven players. Bryant Nash and Jeff Carey tallied three minutes apiece.

The international lane was used in the game, which is a bit wider than the college lane.

“I didn’t like it. I’d post up and I almost was on the sideline,” Gooden said.