Sept. 2, 2012

Kansas men's basketball players signed autographs for approximately 1,000 fans for more than an hour at the Hy-Vee Hawk Zone prior to KU's football victory against South Dakota State Saturday.

"We enjoy coming out, seeing these fans and showing support for the football team," senior center Jeff Withey said. "We go to all the home (football) games. It's a great atmosphere and with Coach (Charlie) Weis, there is a lot of excitement for this year's team."

"Right now we are doing individuals (workouts), lifting and getting ready for boot camp," Withey, the 2012 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year who set the KU single-season blocked shot record last year, said.

Former KU guard and New Orleans Hornet Xavier Henry also visited the Hy-Vee Hawk Zone. Henry said due to Hurricane Isaac he needed to get out of New Orleans and chose a trip Lawrence to be with former teammates.

Kansas men's basketball returns three starters and either letterwinners from last season's Big 12 regular-season championship team which advanced to the school's 14th Final Four and the NCAA title game. KU went 32-7 in 2011-12 and ended the year No. 2 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll and No. 6 in the Associated Press poll released prior to the NCAA Tournament.