“Flipping coins,” Williams quipped at Big 12 Basketball Media Day, asked how he’ll choose his opening five.

Seriously, folks . . .

“We could alternate from game to game or go by defensive grades. The top five defensive graders from one game could start the next game. I have really thought of a lot of things,” Williams said.

KU appears to have seven leading contenders for the five starting slots.

A year ago, Williams closed the season with a fivesome of Kirk Hinrich, Jeff Boschee, Kenny Gregory, Nick Collison and Drew Gooden. Two players who have had impressive preseason camps Eric Chenowith and Luke Axtell also are in the mix.

“I think the most secure are probably Kirk and Jeff,” Williams said of point guard Hinrich and shooting guard Boschee. “Other than those two, we don’t have anybody on the club who has been asked to bring the ball up the court. Those two are pretty well taken care of. The other spots … it’s gonna be fun to see who wins them.”

The small forward position could go to the 6-foot-5 Gregory or 6-10 Axtell. Gregory has to be the leading contender, considering he started 33 of 34 games a year ago.

“Kenny gives you the great slasher, great jumper. Luke gives you the opposite he is a great shooting threat (from outside). Some may depend who the opponents are,” Williams said.

Seven-footer Chenowith, who started 21 games last year, has had 10 great practices, Williams says. If he starts, either 6-10 Gooden or 6-9 Collison would likely sit, unless of course Williams chooses to play three big guys and two guards.

“If we did that, I think we’d run some zone,” Chenowith said.

“It’d be tough for us big guys to match up with three guards. It’d give us a good rebounding presence I think.”

Chenowith won’t lie. He says it’s important to him to start his senior year.

“It’s big for me to start, yeah,” he said. “Losing my starting job was tough. I did everything I can to get it back so hopefully I did get it back, but I’m not going to make any predictions. That’s coach’s job.”

Ditto Gregory.

“That has nothing to do with me. I’ll leave it all on coach Williams who he wants to start,” Gregory said. “I think it’s a little more competitive (this year) because the rotation is not as deep as it was last season. Seven or eight guys are battling for five spots.”

Two guys who were supposed to be in the mix Marlon London (DePaul transfer) and DeShawn Stevenson (NBA) aren’t around.

That leaves guys like injured guard Mario Kinsey, plus guard John Crider, guard/forward Bryant Nash and forward Jeff Carey, plus a host of walk-ons to try to enter the rotation.

“It’s probably better to have a lot of depth, but not too many guys will complain about getting more playing time,” Gregory said.

The lineup that opens KU’s exhibition opener next Wednesday might not be, and probably won’t be, the one that starts the regular season.

“I have not picked the starting lineup and probably won’t until after the exhibition games,” Williams said.

As head of the NCAA men’s basketball rules committee, Williams is hoping officials crack down on overly-physical play this year.

“You’ve heard of points of emphasis (for officials) put out every year. The only emphasis we’ve put out this year is, ‘Let’s try to reduce the physical play in college basketball,” Williams said.

The goal is for officials to enforce the current rule book which means stop the holding, pushing and shoving that stains the game.

“As chair of the rules committee I’ve met with the NCAA Tournament committee, the Division One commissioners on behalf of the rules committee, traveled to the Big East and met with some of their officials,” Williams said. “It’s a move we’ve got to keep on task. If we just pay lip service to it we will not succeed and something drastic like changes in the rules will happen.”

Williams has been pleased with eight of 10 practices this season.

“Other than those two, I’ve hardly raised my voice,” he said.