I sure hope they qualify. Still seems ominously up in the air.

Gary:

Can you shed any light on why the twins have not qualified or what they still need to do?

why are we so worried about them quailfing if they do grate. but if they dont they could still be eligable at semesters end right, all i care about is getting HENRY next year...we dont rebulid we reload-----

I'm not Gary, but I'm guessing that the wait on "qualification" has to do with the NCAA clearing house. Apparently some of their school work was completed after the typical school year ended, so the NCAA got the paper work late.

See the comment section in yesterday's Giddens article for some of Gary's insights into the academic situation. He basically says not to worry, that the clearinghouse hasn't acted yet because they're still gathering all the info, which in many cases is routinely this late, and will not be completely resolved for some time yet. Remember, Rush didn't qualify until into August...

Now THAT is a great photo, cool concept and execution ...

and putting a Jayhawk on the front of KUSports wasn't so hard, now was it? ;)

Man, I hope they don't put us in academic jeopardy!!!!

We don't need to START recruiting sketchy talent!!!!

Give these guys a chance before bashing them. They are Jayhawks and they shall be treated like Jayhawks!

I'm NOT bashing them. This long, drawn-out process of establishing the twins eligibility should be a concern to every Jayhawk fan. It shouldn't be THIS complicated!!!!!

Take it easy, atl! The delay is caused by the bureaucracy of the NCAA and isn't at all unusual.

Geez, give them a freakiong chance. I know everyone is on edge because of the whole Arthur thing, but everyone involved is saying that they are going to qualify. I trust Bill Self.

The NCAA and not a complicated process....those two simply just do not go together. This is an organization that makes snails look like cheetahs. Has anyone seen how this organization handles anything else they take on?

Also for those who think their is a simple up/down vote by the NCAA Eligibility Center (Clearinghouse is actually their former name) a simple look to the FAQ's section of their website will show it is not:

https://web1.ncaa.or...

Question 5 in Frequently Asked Questions links is what happens if you do not qualify. They speak of a waiver process for students who do not officially qualify. So even if you fail to qualify through route 1 their is a second route. However, it was also funny that they do not have a suggested processing time.

Regardless, they have not been denied and are in the process of having their documents reviewed. I think anyone who thinks that this process is simple must have not dealt with bureaucratic systems in their lifetime.

Any truth to the rumor that they hired Arthur's math tutor?

Seriously, let's not get into questioning guys before they even play a game. This all happened with Brandon a few years ago and those people now look like total idiots and should never be allowed to comment on KU basketball ever again. Bill Self knows what he's doing - it will be fine.

I have the feeling these guys are going to be beasts for us this year. Can't wait to watch them play.

Great article, Gary. I love the quotes.
-----------

Marcus might be even more versatile.

“I think I can guard every position on the court. I just think I need to get a little bit stronger and a little quicker, make sure I’m more polished at guarding the 1’s and the 5’s,” said Marcus, who is known for both his shooting touch and ability to attack the basket.

*

“Marcus is a do-everything guy. He can post. He can play point. He’s one of the most versatile guys we’ve recruited since we’ve been here. He’s kind of like Julian (Wright) in some ways..."

*

The two like what they’ve seen of Lawrence thus far.

“It’s a nice town, nice people,” Markieff said. “It’s very different from Philly. Everybody gets along around here. I’m just grateful to finally be on campus.”

-------------

Man, I can't wait to see these guys play in a Jayhawk uniform.

Great point, Banner- We should remember the Brandon Rush saga quite well.

I doubt Marcus plays SF unless Releford and Little really dissapoint. Having only Aldrich and no experience in Q Thomas and Markieff, Marcus will probably share time at the 4. A role similar to Julian when he was here.

The bigger question is, how will I be able to tell these two apart on the court? And...Morris...with the dunk.

trich424 - They will probably have different numbers on their jerseys :o)

trich424 ,

It will be simple to tell the Morris brothers apart in game situations. Check out the numbers they wear :-)!

I think they started to wear numbers shortly after Dr neissmith came to KU!

Last look at NCAA title game KU is still wearing them!

Seriously, can not wait to see these guys bang with Aldrich on th efront court. KU will be a vastly different presence on the boards and in the paint!

GO HAWKS!

KU knows the rules for eligibility, and have the benefit of only needing to process a half dozen players. Our staff has the info for the twins, and undoubtedly has processed it internally. It hasn't been left to chance.

My guess is their eyes will be opened a bit when SC is healthy - "You think you can handle this? (sizzle of seared ..." At least they are humble enough to admit they have a lot to work on.

Marcus is just the type of guy we need. In the past, a versatile guy who could step away from the basket at 6-8 or 6-9 gave us a lot of matchup problems. It left us with the choice of either putting a big guy on them and roll help to account for the quickness, or put a smaller guy on them and hope the double would come before they got shot over.

Markieff will give us some much needed size up front. I'd be excited to see he and Cole team up front. That would be a tough duo to get through in the paint!

Marcus seems like the type of guy you would love to have as a sixth man because he can play so many different positions. Start Aldrich, Markieff, Little, Releford and Collins, then bring Marcus in for pretty much anyone in that lineup except Sherron. Need more size? Pull Releford, slide Little over to the 2 and let Marcus play the 3. Need more quickness? Pull Cole, slide Markieff into the pivot, play Marcus at the 4 and run like crazy. Want to do something really wild? Go Super Big, playing Cole, Markieff, Q Thomas and Marcus all at once, with one ball handling guard (Collins, Appleton or Taylor). Or go super small with Marcus at the 5, Little at the 4, Releford at the 3, and Taylor or Appleton and Collins in the backcourt. Try keeping up with that group.

If I'm Coach Self, I'm drooling at the endless possibilities he has with this versatile group of incoming players. He can combine almost any group of 5 he wants and send them out there. Early in the year, we may see him combine random groups of 5 just to see how they play off each other.

good poiints justanother...i am not bill self (obviously) and i am drooling already!!!!!!!!!

"It will be simple to tell the Morris brothers apart in game situations. Check out the numbers they wear :-)!

I think they started to wear numbers shortly after Dr neissmith came to KU!

Last look at NCAA title game KU is still wearing them!"

Wow, thanks for that.

And if you don't know how to spell "Naismith" correctly, you shouldn't be allowed to post here, let alone poke fun at others.

Who is Naismith anyways?

You said:
I'm NOT bashing them. This long, drawn-out process of establishing the twins eligibility should be a concern to every Jayhawk fan. It shouldn't be THIS complicated!!!!!

Why a concern? This is modern athletics. A lot of "student-athletes" are in college now majoring in basketball. A lot of guys barely qualify, you just don't hear all their sagas.
There's not much to say or cover here except realize Self says he's not worried about it and they will qualify.
The sources can't comment too much about kids' grades, etc., for government privacy reasons. From what I understand they've taken the standardized tests many times in an attempt to couple those scores with their core test scores. I think they are still waiting on some scores and maybe even some grades. It will eventually go to the Clearinghouse.
I was saying yesterday, Mario Little had to pass two summer school courses and get a lot of work done second semester of his soph year to barely qualify.
I'd suffice it to say there are many guys the past five years who qualified late and we just didn't hear about it.
Self thinks there will be no problem; the twins think there's no problem; APEX people think there's no problem, so enjoy the summer and your national title.

Worst case scenario is they can't play this year (which nobody thinks will happen). Folks, it's a rebuilding year anyway. KU lost ALL five starters. The Jayhawks are not going to dominate this year folks, so enjoy the ride watching this team become a team as the kids mature.
I have to look it up but it's been a long long time since KU lost all five starters. Welcome to modern college basketball when the goal is to turn pro, baby, and maybe win a title along the way.

And BTW for what it's worth, the twins seem like nice, polite guys and they are really happy to be here.

From what I understand they've taken the standardized tests many times in an attempt to couple those scores with their core test scores.

Oops I mean to say in an attempt to couple those scores with their grades in core courses. sorry.

This is the most excited I have been about any player since we landed Julian Wright. I just like the way they carry themselves in interviews. They both want to work hard and just help out however they can. With all of these four star recruits some of them may stick around long enough to help us make another deep run in the tournament. I don't know if the twins will be here for more than a couple of years though.

"Folks, it's a rebuilding year anyway. KU lost ALL five starters. The Jayhawks are not going to dominate this year folks, so enjoy the ride watching this team become a team as the kids mature.
I have to look it up but it's been a long long time since KU lost all five starters. Welcome to modern college basketball when the goal is to turn pro, baby, and maybe win a title along the way."

The dumbest statement. Obviously KU isn't going to go 37-3 like last year, but don't sleep on this team. Sherron Collins? Cole Aldrich? Collins is a starter, and Aldrich can flat out play. We have two jucos with experience (both dominated) and Travis Releford is playing all over the country. We will be fine, better in 2009, but we will be fine.

"why are we so worried about them quailfing if they do grate."

That's not a very nice thing to say. Didn't Gary just say they seem like "nice, polite guys." So why would you say they grate. Have you met them? And even if they do grate, what does that have to do with them qualifying?

"I think they started to wear numbers shortly after Dr neissmith came to KU!"

"And if you don't know how to spell "Naismith" correctly, you shouldn't be allowed to post here, let alone poke fun at others."

Hear hear, jdhawk. I was about to say the same thing and suggest that FlaHawk should be banned from this site for sacrilege.

The dumbest statement. Obviously KU isn't going to go 37-3 like last year, but don't sleep on this team. Sherron Collins? Cole Aldrich? Collins is a starter, and Aldrich can flat out play. We have two jucos with experience (both dominated) and Travis Releford is playing all over the country. We will be fine, better in 2009, but we will be fine.

Folks, KU isn't immune to rebuilding.
Anybody who thinks KU isn't going to drop some games is wrong.
I never said KU wouldn't be fine. There ARE going be growing pains and losses, some at home.
If you don't believe that, you are not looking at facts.
KU lost all five starters. There will be growing pains.
Just ask Florida.
I'm not saying KU won't make the NCAAs. But it's going to be a lot different a season than you are used to. My statement was not dumb.

So I just read that UCLA inked a 7 year contract with Ben Howland. It seems to me that this shows the commitment UCLA has toward their coach. Even more importantly, it shows recruits that the guy who is recruiting them will be around during their tenure at the university.

So im wondering....where is this new contract for Self and how does this effect our recruiting in terms of the commitment both the school and coach have for one another, thus the commitment a coach has for a recruit?

I would hate to see this "new" contract sit in limbo much like billy g's contract at kentucky, which he has yet to sign.

I think the LJW should be so inclinded as to dig up some accurate information on this subject and report back to those of us who care about our coach staying at KU for a while.

There is no digging to be done, Travis.
The contract has been sent to the lawyers and will be announced soon.
We have a freedom of information act out on it.
We had an update last week if you read it with Perkins saying the contract is in the mitts of the lawyers right now.
The contract will not affect recruiting. Recruits don't come to schools because of coach contracts. Their AAU coaches tell them coaches can get out of contracts at any time.
We've also said look for the contract to make Self one of the richest coaches out there.
It's in the hands of the lawyers as we speak, per our article last week.

Self also has said the contract satisfies his desire for security. He also got the new practice facility and improvements to the Towers in the works, all which have been reported on.

Kinda like the 05-06 season. Except we have more coming back.

Thanks, Gary, for your work. You do a great job.

actorman, you really are one condescending a-hole. Do you ever have comments that aren't nit-picking other people's posts? Talk about a need to feel superior.....

Kinda like the 05-06 season. Except we have more coming back.

Yup I'll agree with that one.
Collins and Aldrich should be two of the league's better players. BUT remember Cole only averaged about 3 pts and 3 rebounds a game last year with all those blocks. Sherron was under 10 pts a game; yes they will improve. But there are a LOT of new bodies. Is this a rebuilding job or reloading?? Time will tell.

Actually I make a lot of comments that aren't nit-picking. But it's funny that you point out my critical comments, when 75% of the comments on this board are critical and you can't see a single article that doesn't have someone ripping the writer. Sorry if it offends your sensibilities, bigjay. I know it's a novel concept, but it just bugs me when so-called "educated" people don't know how to use the English language.

And personally, I thought my "grate" comments were pretty funny. But I guess that's just my warped sense of humor.

Gary,
No offense, but I personally feel a coaches contract has a huge impact on a recruits decision...especially when rival coaches are whispering in their ears that a particular coach may not be around during the course of a recruits time in college. A good way to put those types of rumors to rest is by securing a long term contract.

I do however apprciate you addressing the issue and I look forward to seeing this new contract for coach self.

No problem that we disagree.
That's what it's all about.
Obviously they do whisper stuff in ears of recruits, but those who consider big time programs like KU don't think about coach contracts.
I mean in a rare instance where a Ricardo Patton at Colorado has one year left and the university is telling the world they are going to let him walk, yes that might matter.
Not at a Kansas or somewhere. The recruits sign and the coaches often leave and then the player like Morgan or Taylor adjusts and leave the school they signed with.
Times have changed. It's all about getting to the league and who can get you there. And playing time.
The coach can leave at any time and usually does.