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Thursday, September 4, 2008

Morris twins declared eligible

By Gary Bedore

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The Kansas men's basketball team receives good news Thursday night. The NCAA Eligibility Center has cleared freshman Marcus and Markieff Morris for competition beginning immediately.

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What Keegan says

Not sure who first came up with it, but the new nickname circulating on the joke circuit for former Kansas University basketball players Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers is "Cheech and Chalmers."

Typical college kids? Not really. While Arthur and Chalmers were at basketball practice, the non-athletes who broke similar rules learned how to stuff a towel into the crack of the door to contain the odor.

Here's a thought: They both could have returned to Kansas for one more year, won one more national title, matured, and arrived to the NBA a little more worldly and as much higher draft picks.

Oh well, it's not as if either one of them pointed an air gun out the window and scared the bejesus out of a middle-aged woman - who had the gall to come to Lawrence to drop her daughter off at school - by grazing her on the arm with a plastic pellet. They weren't that foolish.

Meanwhile, it's nice to see that the Morris twins, Marcus and Markieff, finally were deemed by the NCAA Clearinghouse worthy of attending school. If they play with the kind of telepathy with which they apparently talk, they should be an amazing act to watch.

In announcing the good news, a KU press release included this paragraph: "Statement from the twins: 'We've been waiting for this day for a long time, and we're excited that it is finally here. We're looking forward to getting to class and to begin playing with our teammates. We want to thank everyone involved who helped us reach this point.' "

The release did not say whether they said the words simultaneously or separately.

- Tom Keegan

Kansas University's basketball team grew in both size and stature at 4 p.m., Thursday.

That's when KU athletic director Lew Perkins received word from the NCAA Clearinghouse that 6-foot-9, 232-pound Markieff Morris, and 6-8, 225-pound Marcus Morris, two featured players in KU's recruiting class of 2008, had been deemed academically eligible to compete at KU as freshmen.

"It's a great day," KU coach Bill Self said from his office two hours after Perkins personally delivered the news.

"We were hopeful we could hear good news like this for the last several days. They still have a long ways to go as players obviously and have to mature, but certainly our team got better today," Self added.

The twins from Philadelphia, who today will begin attending classes on the 11th day of first semester, join a KU frontcourt that on last weekend's trip to Canada consisted of Cole Aldrich (6-11), Quintrell Thomas (6-7), Mario Little (6-5) as well as walk-on Matt Kleinmann (6-10).

"Now we've added two big guys to go along with Cole, Quintrell and Mario. Hopefully you have a healthy Sherron (Collins, point guard), then your pieces have grown to the point we think we have some options now," Self said of the addition of Marcus and Markieff, Rivals.com's No. 29 and 49-rated players nationally.

"Although they have not made a basket yet, they have received a lot of attention so far. The bottom line is this: They are young kids that should look forward to the opportunity to attend a great university and represent the University of Kansas in a way it deserves to be represented and they are getting ready to do that," Self added.

He said he was not upset it took two weeks into the semester for the Clearinghouse to make its final ruling.

"It's obviously been a process that a lot of people may have thought took a long time, but the reality of it is the process worked," Self said. "It's a unique situation, one that information had to be gathered about different things (the twins went to two high schools and prep school). We felt all along that the twins had successfully completed their required courses, but we respect the fact that we had to go through this process. I thought everybody was cooperative. Even though we wished we had them on the Canadian trip, the most important thing is we have them and most importantly for them they get to start their college career tomorrow in class.

"That is something that probably presents the biggest issue - they are starting class two weeks late. But we'll put them in an environment these next couple weeks to get them caught up."

The twins have not been able to work out with the team or even use KU's facilities since the start of school.

"Hopefully they've been doing a little bit on their own," Self said of Markieff, who averaged 27.2 points and 12.0 rebounds a game last season at APEX Academies in New Jersey, and Marcus, who contributed 24.8 points and 8.0 boards.

"They have basically been limited and couldn't do much of anything. Hopefully they have been doing some physical activity. The bottom line is we couldn't work with them and they couldn't attend class yet, so basically what they've been doing is waiting."

He said it's not a setback that the twins are not in playing shape.

"It's the first of September, early September," said Self, whose Jayhawks open the season at the Oct. 17 Late Night in the Phog.

"The important thing is the system did work. It was not what I'd call a headache. I'd say it was more of a test of patience on everybody's part, whether it be the twins, whether it be ours, whether it be everybody because there was documentation that had to be recorded. We did it in as timely a manner as we possibly could."

The twins issued a joint statement late Thursday: "We've been waiting for this day for a long time and we're excited that it is finally here. We're looking forward to getting to class and to begin playing with our teammates. We want to thank everyone involved who helped us reach this point."

¢ Brown to be honored: This year's Bert Nash Center fundraiser is entitled, "An Evening With Larry Brown and Friends." It's scheduled for Sept. 27 at Crown Toyota. Former KU coach Brown, who now is head coach of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, is guest of honor. For information go to www.bertnash.org.

¢ CBE slate: The CBE Classic is expected to announce tourney pairings today or Monday. KU's opponents have already been revealed. The Jayhawks will play Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 16 and UMKC on Nov. 18 in Allen Fieldhouse. KU will meet Washington on Nov. 24 at Sprint Center and either Florida or Syracuse on Nov. 25 also at the Kansas City arena.

Comments

Chiliskate (anonymous) says...

please..... can it take a little while longer???? We won't have anything to talk about anymore

September 4, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

joedavis (anonymous) says...

no one can question the speediness of this :)

September 4, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

swishymcjayhawk (anonymous) says...

thank god.

September 4, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ttoulouse (anonymous) says...

Now, keep THEM off the weed

September 4, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mgolany (anonymous) says...

yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

September 4, 2008 at 7 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

adamjhwkfan (anonymous) says...

Still hope the "BB" gun incedent isn't all it's made out to be

September 4, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

phoenixjayhawk (Rodney Stice) says...

Great news, too bad that they could not play with the team in Canada

September 4, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

TtownHawk (anonymous) says...

Finally! coulda used this news a week ago so they could play in Canada but hey, i'll take it. now lets get goin!

September 4, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

truefan (anonymous) says...

Glad to hear it...about time too.

September 4, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

halogenlamps (anonymous) says...

Here's to all you goobers who thought the twins would be an academic liability just because the clearinghouse was slow to get the job done. dolts.

September 4, 2008 at 7:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk (anonymous) says...

Oh no! What am I supposed to do now that I can't read 20 posts a day of people freaking out that the twins aren't eligable yet!

I'm a sad panda.

September 4, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

killabees (anonymous) says...

Wonderful, now if they can stay out of trouble, we'll be rocking and rolling.

September 4, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkjayhawk4ku11 (anonymous) says...

YES, lets get to business.

September 4, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

WichitaKUJHAWK (anonymous) says...

Maybe I'm stupid (but I did graduate from KU) but aren't "the twins" a little late to be starting classes? What type of classes do "the twins" take that they can make up approx 2+ weeks of lecture and tests and have decent grades? I had only one...psychology of satisfaction. I would of been hard pressed to catch up in my other classes.

September 4, 2008 at 8 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JHawk74 (anonymous) says...

Wichita,
They are basketball players which mean they will have tutors and I'm sure the instructors will work with them to catch them back up. If they were a 'normal' student they may have trouble catching up, but they are special students.

September 4, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cobweb (anonymous) says...

They missed almost two weeks of attending classes with their Ipods on.

September 4, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mdalesh (anonymous) says...

Whewwww, let's get down to business! They have a few weeks to catch up on school before the real work begins. I'm sure tutors will get that taken care of. NOW, if they can only respect the concern of the Jayhawk Nation and get down to business? Maybe in N.J. shooting a female in the butt with a BB Gun is a mating ritual, but not here. Coach, it's time to go to work.

September 4, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kcphantom (anonymous) says...

FINALLY! Let the games begin! (and I'm not talking about carnival games....take that damn BB gun away from them!)

September 4, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

njjayhawk (anonymous) says...

A much better and glorious headline than the sad headline proclaiming two ex-Jayhawk morons suck'in reefers at NBA camp.

September 4, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jbrownjib (anonymous) says...

It was easier for Morris to become eligible for Bill's dog house. He's not going to like Bill's Boot Camp.

September 4, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Great news for our front court!

Even better news for Mario Little, who gets to play his natural postion.

And best news of all for Cole, who now does not have to worry about constant double and triple teams.

And two weeks is nothing for the twins to make up, if one of the frats will just ante up their class notes and prior tests they keep on file for their pledges. There must be some frat on campus that wants to quick-rush two eventual NBA draft picks (like they haven't already)! If you want to bring any freshman up to speed quickly, can there be a better academic accelerator than a fraternity house file? Combine those prior semester notes and tests with athletic tutors and the twins can probably make the Dean's honor roll without going to a single class. Ah, the system. It's great when it works for you and infuriating when it doesn't.

September 4, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

OutlawJHawk (anonymous) says...

The NCAA sucks...these kids should have been allowed to attend class this entire time, no matter what the outcome. And of course, the NCAA made sure the kids did not get a chance to play ball in Canada.

Long live the fascist NCAA, a charter member of the Axis of Evil.

September 4, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BCRavenJHawkfan (anonymous) says...

Any of you remember when Fred Sanford would hold his chest and call out "Elizabeth". That's the way I feel now, complete shock. The best part is the NCAA is now on record, regardless of any disgruntled teacher that decides to worm out of the woodwork later.

September 4, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

crooner (anonymous) says...

Good. Now, get to work, guys!

September 4, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mikehawk (anonymous) says...

Let's get those tutors over to the towers and let's hope the FourM boys can remain eligible.

September 4, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JJHAWK (anonymous) says...

WOO HOO

September 4, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

vmwskywalk (anonymous) says...

GAME ON!

September 4, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

DSommersby (anonymous) says...

Good news! Now get to work and make sure you keep alert and active to get caught up with your classes.

The NCAA should really have allowed these guys to be attending classes. Had they not been eligible they could have just dropped them from their enrollment.

It seems unfair to me that they could not have been allowed to be attending and almost auditing their courses with the scenario being that if they are eligible they stay enrolled and are on track and if they were deemed ineligible they are just dropped.

Would it have really hurt to let them be attending class while this was being researched? If it did not work out so what they went to classes for a couple weeks on KU. Would that be some great advantage to KU or any other school?

September 4, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rabyers (anonymous) says...

They couldn't enroll in class but they still with the instructors permision could attend class. Okay I'm ready lets get going....................

September 4, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

DSommersby (anonymous) says...

rabyers:

I had not heard that. I was under the impression they could not go to classes. Your scenario makes sense and hoped all along they could be at least sitting in on classes. Hope they were able to do that.

September 4, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

joedavis (anonymous) says...

I'm sure they went to class, just weren't enrolled.

Anyone can walk into a lecture hall *which most freshmen have classes in* and sit down.

September 4, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

DSommersby (anonymous) says...

JoeDavis,

I hear you. I was told they could not even go to classes or anything as KU could get in trouble since they were not officially enrolled. I thought that sounded off as they should at least be able to sit in on their courses so if it works out great if not they would just bail.

Good to hear just from a fairness sake. I thought I had bad info. This makes more sense.

September 4, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mbmerriman (anonymous) says...

yes! now we can win 19 games instead of 16! now we can be an 8 seed in the NCAA tourney! Thank god for the MORRIS TWINS!

September 4, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

This is very good news for Bill Self, too, regarding his recruitment of the #1 high school player in the United States (and world, if there were such rankings).

It's all about Xavier -- let's face it, Jayhawks, he's one and done. Thus, for Xavier, having the previous year's #2 recruiting class in tact, and gelled for a full year, along with the nation's #1 center and #1 point guard, when he shows up his freshman year is a key element to getting Xavier and Kansas a national championship ring, thus boosting his and his father's image (marketing, respect, family glory, loyalty and marketing) that much more before entering the NBA.

With this recruiting class intact, he will essentially QUADRUPLE his national television exposure by playing for Kansas. And he'll be THE STAR, on a loaded team, which, of course, will make him THAT much better in the NBA (ask MJ)...

His dad indeed will be very proud of his decision, a decision which might have not gone KU's way -- had the Morris twins been ineligible during his visit.

It's what a good son like Xavier does (uses loyalty and intelligence to make wise life choices) and I've heard first hand all about his character through a lifelong friend who knows him very well down in that state below Kansas -- he's a great son, a great human being, who deeply respects his father.

In short, having the Morris twins eligible, happy, practicing and proud is THE key to good vibes during Xavier's visit during Late Night in the Phog. He's a smart kid, he'll compare good brands like any of us would.

In the end, he will love it in Lawrence. Thank you, Morris twins, and thank you, NCAA clearinghouse.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

September 4, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CarterFaucheaux (anonymous) says...

Talk about a man crush. I think Xavier needs to get a restraining order on 100 if he commits to KU.

September 5, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jasonsgill (anonymous) says...

You heard it here first. With this team we WILL win the Big 12 Regular season.

For serious, this team is going to surprise everyone except me, Bill Self, and themselves.

September 5, 2008 at 12:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

I've felt that our program has had nothing but bad news since the tournament. This is great! A weight is lifted.

September 5, 2008 at 2:08 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

Also, the restraining order comment a few posts above is right on. Wow.

September 5, 2008 at 2:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

derringer29 (anonymous) says...

well im not going to say that these two will save the season-there good soild performers not star studed--they have alot of growing to do as in basketball I.Q.-TECHNICE-STAMINA-AND MOST OF ALL TOUGHNESS-but the ku team did get deeper in the post so this is a good thang, lets not get are pannies in a waud just yet thou...

September 5, 2008 at 4:52 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhawk23 (anonymous) says...

Wow!
"star studed" star-studded?
"alot" a lot?
"TECHNICE" technique?
"thang" thing?
"lets" let's?
"are" our?
"pannies" panties?
"waud" wad?
"thou" though?

September 5, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

This is outstanding news. We should be gelling nicely by the time Nov. 4th rolls around.

mbmerriman feel free to find another team to follow if you would like.

September 5, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

RckChalkJeff (anonymous) says...

mbmerriman = Kitty kat
100 = douche

September 5, 2008 at 9 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jerhawk (anonymous) says...

they say rock chalk jayhawk, all the pieces coming toghter finally.

September 5, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

97jhawk (anonymous) says...

So, if these guys haven't been able to go to class or use KU's facilities where have they been living? Wouldn't the Jayhawk Towers be considered "school faciliites"? Wonder how they worked around that one. Hopefully that didn't violate NCAA rules.

September 5, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

My guess is this:

They made the twins pay rent out of their own pocket on a month to month basis. That probably comes out to be a couple grand for two months for the both of them, maybe less.

For class though, in order to attend, they would have had to pay out of their own pocket for that as well. That's several thousand dollars. It's pretty easy to get a short term loan for $1500-$2000 to pay rent for a couple months. We did that in grad school when loan money was late coming in. You could get an emergency loan to buy books and make your first tuition payment. They would approve you in a few minutes, and interest wouldn't start building for several weeks, so when your money came in, you paid off your loan more or less at cost (i.e. take $500, pay $500 back). However, there was a limit to how much you could take (either $500 or $1000 per person) so the twins may not have been able to pay out of pocket for classes, and they are too prominent (tall, recognizable) to just walk into a class and sit in the back without anyone noticing.

Good to hear, though, that they will be able to get back into class and catch up.

September 5, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

honk4tad (anonymous) says...

Anyone worried about possible NCAA infractions needs to remember who we have running the athletic dept. Lew doesn't mess around with the NCAA.

September 5, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...

It's about time this whole process was finally finished. Just another example of how the NCAA loves to flaunt their bloated power over the lives of student-athletes.

September 5, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Strikewso (anonymous) says...

Jhwkfan, I agree, it is ridiculous that it took this long for them to be declared eligible. They knew this was a big story and the twins have had to endure these comments about their status for months.

The NCAA certainly has become a major beurocracy. At least this is finally behind us and we can focus on playing ball.

I hope the players in the program do not embarrass us like Chalmers and Arthur have.

September 5, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ESUjayhawk (anonymous) says...

I will never be embarrassed by Chalmers and Arthur... I am however embarrassed by people like CJ Giles and JR Giddens... You know, the REAL punks

September 5, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bigjay83 (anonymous) says...

"I hope the players in the program do not embarrass us like Chalmers and Arthur have."

Yeah, stupid National Champions. What the hell is wrong with those guys?! Thanks for nothing. Well, except for that big trophy in the field house... oh, and the 20 and 10 performance in the championship, Darrel... and I guess hitting one of the biggest shots in Kansas basketball history in the biggest game was okay, too, Mario... and I suppose the fact that both of you were consistent, hardworking, and exemplary students and athletes your entire time in Lawrence wasn't TOO bad....

But besides that, you guys totally suck. A complete embarrassment.

September 5, 2008 at 7:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

It's about damn time!!!!!!

Now let's keep 'em that way.

September 5, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

spongebob (anonymous) says...

"The release did not say whether they said the words simultaneously or separately.

- Tom Keegan"

Nobody else thought that was a little funny?

September 7, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralsterKUMed95 (anonymous) says...

Good news. Nicely stocked team at all positions, although the experience level can, uh, only get better...
Fun to anticipate! Regarding Chalmers and Arthur--Im hopeful (purely for their sake) that they learn from their mistake and move on to successful careers.

September 8, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

davidsmom (anonymous) says...

to WichitaKUJHAWK: OUCH. That's "I would've been hard pressed," NOT "Would of..." I remember learning about contractions in elementary school, so it never ceases to amaze me how many adults make this mistake.

September 14, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. ( | suggest removal )