Graves, a senior center who had been suspended Friday by coach Bill Self and reinstated Monday morning, apologized to his comrades for being a distraction and unavailable in Saturday’s 77-67 victory over Oregon.

“He didn’t have to, but he took it upon himself to tell everybody (he was sorry), to apologize,” junior Keith Langford said.

“I think that’s the first step to knowing what you did was wrong — when you apologize. I think it showed he’s taking steps. It’s a small step, but we’ll take anything now.”

Graves was unavailable for comment Monday, but he conversed plenty with his head coach during an hour-and-15-minute meeting that included Graves’ parents.

Self was mighty miffed at Graves for missing practice last Friday, and it wasn’t Graves’ only episode of tardiness the past two seasons.

“The meeting went very well,” Self said. “Jeff is humble, remorseful. He knows he has to make changes, not just for his immediate future, but future in general. Jeff has accepted responsibility. He knows he has not been as responsible as he should have. I believe 100 percent he will be (responsible) in the future.”

If not, as Self said, “There’s not much rope left.

“I do think Jeff can do it. I also think Jeff would be the first to tell you, talk is cheap,” Self said. “If you say you can do it, then do it, which I believe he can. All he has to do is live up to what he said, live up to his word, which I believe he will do. He’s got to adhere to the requirements expected of all the other guys and he’s got to do it over time. There is no quick fix.”

Self said Graves, who had a good practice Monday, would make the trip to Reno, Nev., for this weekend’s Wolf Pack Classic.

He said whether Graves would play in Saturday’s game against UC Santa Barbara would be a game-day decision.

“That will be a coach’s decision based on how he does this week in practice,” Self said. “Certainly I am not going to guarantee it. I wouldn’t guarantee him playing no matter what, because I thought Moulaye (Niang) played really well Saturday (against Oregon).”

Basically, Graves’ status with the squad is the same as before Friday’s suspension. If he earns his minutes, he will play. If not, he won’t.

“There is no more margin for error,” Self said. “I want him to do it. This team needs him to do it. He can spin this into a positive.”

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Weber reaction: Self responded Monday to Illinois coach Bruce Weber’s bizarre comments regarding Self, whom Weber replaced at Illinois last April.

Sick of being compared to his predecessor, Weber said Saturday he wore a black sports coat, black tie and black pants to last Wednesday’s game against Maryland-Eastern Shore as a mock funeral for Self.

“It’s the end of Bill Self,” Weber said he told his Illini players. “It’s over. There’s no more comparing. He’s gone. No more talking about it. I’ll be honest, I’m fed up with it.”

Self’s rebuttal: “My wife showed me the article today (on page 2C of the Journal-World). I read the article and the first thing I did was check the pulse, make sure I was still alive. I’m very thankful that it’s one funeral I want to delay as long as possible being present at.”

Weber also said he “kicked Self’s butt” twice as coach at Southern Illinois, beating Self’s Tulsa team once and losing, 75-72, to the Illini.

Self expressed shock he’d had his butt kicked in an Illini victory.

“I have been in coaching 19 years and I’ve never played another opposing coach one-on-one,” Self quipped.

“I have coached against other coaches’ teams. There’s been numerous times my players have beaten other coaches’ players on the court and numerous times other coaches’ players have beaten my players on the court.

“I know, after being in the business as long as I have, it’s about players playing and any veteran coach knows that; any veteran coach knows and understands that,” Self said, stressing ‘veteran.’

Weber has been a head coach six years.

“The thing that blows my mind … I have only taken over four programs, but I would think no matter what … when a new coach comes into a program, there will be a time or two you’ll be compared to the people there before you.

“Believe it or not, I actually anticipated myself being compared to Roy Williams, who was here before me every now and then. I am proud of what coach Williams accomplished at Kansas. I took over a healthy program because of coach Williams. I would much rather take over a healthy program than unhealthy. Comparisons don’t bother me because they come with the territory.”

Self was asked if he’d ever speak to Weber again.

“I don’t talk to him now. He is a guy that after I got the job I want Illinois to do well, but his and my conversations are very, very limited. I have nothing against Bruce Weber. I think it’s hilarious.”

In fact, Self later issued a quip on his radio show in reference to Weber’s mock funeral.

“My two young children are still trying to get over daddy’s funeral,” he laughed.

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Power outage revisited: On his radio show, Self was asked about the 20-minute delay Saturday at Kemper Arena caused by a power surge knocking out the lights.

“Based on the way we’ve shot it, I don’t think anybody can accuse us of shooting the lights out at Kemper,” he said.

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Recruiting: KU has filled its allotment of scholarships, yet the coaching staff still is looking at high school seniors and junior-college sophomores as well as high school underclassmen.

“In case something breaks where we need to sign somebody else in the spring,” Self said, aware players could turn pro or transfer.