“I hurt my wrist last game,” the 6-foot-8 Alexander said, bruising his wrist off a violent dunk in the second exhibition game against Emporia State. “It’s OK though.”

During Friday’s 69-59 victory over UC Santa Barbara, Alexander had nine points and four boards in 12 minutes. He showed a nice touch on a 15-footer the second half.

“It was ‘No, no, Good shot Cliff,”’ KU coach Bill Self said with a smile. “Cliff … he acted like he knew what he was doing. Cliff played well. He got two quick fouls early, but I thought Cliff did some good things,” Self added.

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KU freshman Devonté Graham took a charge from UCSB big man Alan Williams during the second half that impressed Self.

“It was a good play to draw the charge. It’s probably maybe a little acting on that one, but the guy weighs 270 pounds and you weigh 170, you’re going to look like you fall hard,” Self said.

Stats, facts:

KU won its 13th straight season opener dating to 2001-02. KU won its 42nd straight home opener dating to the 1973-74 season. Bill Self is 12-0 in openers at KU. … KU’s 69 points were lowest total in an opener since scoring 68 against Vermont in the opening game of the 2004-05 season. It was KU’s lowest margin of victory in an opener since a 68-61 win over Washburn on Nov. 19, 2004. … Six Jayhawks have scored more points than Graham in a debut since the 1989-90 season. He had 14 points. Xavier Henry had 27, Josh Selby 21, Andrew Wiggins 16. Perry Ellis, Mario Chalmers and Greg Ostertag had 15. … Perry Ellis had his seventh career double double (13 points, 10 boards). … Jamari Traylor had 10 rebounds.