“If I say stupid things in the paper, then come out and play bad gosh it’d make me feel so bad,” Chenowith said.

Kansas’ senior center lashed out against critical fans last Wednesday, then apologized for his remarks Thursday. Two days after that, he had 17 points and 12 rebounds in a 77-61 victory over Oklahoma State.

“I was praying all week I’d play well. Our fans are so great and supportive of us,” Chenowith said.

Chenowith played 37 of a possible 40 minutes on Saturday, up from his 22-minute per-game average.

Did the additional minutes help him put up big numbers?

“The longer you stay under the basket, the more rebounds will bounce in your face, I guess,” Chenowith quipped.

Coach Roy Williams said Chenowith was “really huge for us.”

“He had a tough week,” Williams said. “He pretended he was Eric Chenowith and he talked without using his brain. I’m glad he had a great game. This week I think I’ll put a muzzle on him and tell him to play basketball, to respectfully decline any interviews.”

Info on Gooden’s cast

The cast on Drew Gooden’s injured right wrist will come off on Feb. 19, two days after KU’s showdown at Iowa State. At that time he’ll be evaluated.

Williams grew testy when asked if Gooden had any broken bones in his right hand. A press release issued before the game said X-rays of Gooden’s wrist were “normal.”

“You know what surprises me about media? Why do we make announcements? Seriously,” Williams said. “Normal X-ray means everything is OK. If they did my brain or your brain it wouldn’t come out normal.”

“There is no fracture on the X-ray. We are not trying to hide anything. He doesn’t have leprosy.”

Sutton brings book to game

OSU coach Eddie Sutton brought a copy of Phog Allen’s ‘Basketball Bible,’ published in 1924, to the game.

Also before the game, Sutton told Williams the Cowboys, who suffered a tragedy on Jan. 27 when two players and eight others involved with the program died in a plane crash, would not remain on the court for the national anthem.

The Cowboys right now aren’t comfortable with ceremonies, trying to move on from the tragedy.

“What they wanted us to do for their team is treat them like they were treated last year,” Williams said. “Exactly the same way. That’s healthier for them, too.”

A planned moment of silence for those killed in the crash never took place. KU officials said the scheduled singer of the national anthem did not show, throwing off the pre-game schedule of events.

The Cowboys stated they did not want a moment of silence, so the game went on without any ceremonies.

“I had no problem with Eddie wanting his kids to be in the locker room for the national anthem. It was not a problem or a slight. I agreed with what he wanted to do,” Williams said. KU’s fans applauded OSU during introductions.

The coat comes off again

Roy Williams, who fired his coat into the stands a week earlier during the Texas game, neatly folded his coat and presented it to broadcaster Max Falkenstien with 2:57 left.

“Evidently I didn’t like some of the calls,” Williams said with a laugh. “I was disappointed in a couple of things. It got awfully hot in the gym today, so I needed to take my coat off.

“I thought I’d have a little fun. If I can’t have a little fun I’m too serious over there most of the time anyway. I just tried to have a little fun.”

Famous fans

Former Jayhawks Scot Pollard, Danny Manning and Ryan Robertson attended and sat behind KU’s bench. Pollard (Sacramento Kings) and Manning (Utah Jazz) are on NBA All-Star break. They have homes in Lawrence. Robertson is a member of the Kansas City Knights of the ABA.

Roy ties Ted

Roy Williams tied Ted Owens for second place in all-time coaching wins with 348. “We’ve had some great kids who have made me look good,” Williams said.

Rose fills in

Jim Rose of KMBZ did the play-by-play for the OSU broadcast, subbing for Iowa State’s Pete Taylor, who could not make it. Big 12 announcers are filling in in memory of OSU play-by-play man Bill Teegins, killed in the Jan. 27 plane crash.

Stats, facts

Eric Chenowith’s 17 points were most scored since he potted 24 versus Tulsa on Dec. 16. KU held OSU to 37.5 percent shooting. It’s the 21st straight game KU held foes under 50 percent. Kirk Hinrich scored 20 points for the third time this season. Hinrich hit three threes the first half and is now hitting a league-leading 51.6 percent from beyond the arc. Chenowith has 872 rebounds, five shy of Wilt Chamberlain for fourth on KU’s all-time list. Chenowith played 37 minutes. His previous high was 30 versus Tulsa. OSU had six blocks in the first half, most by a KU foe since Oklahoma swatted eight in the first half on Jan. 13. Andre Williams had four first-half blocks.