Richard GwinIowa State forward Craig Brackins has the feeling that in a few years he’ll still be hearing about Kansas University sophomore Marcus Morris.
“I’m definitely going to see him,” Brackins said, “or see him on TV.”
Brackins, who has been projected by many scouting services to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, isn’t ruling out the possibility that the two players might guard each other in the pros.
“I hope so,” Brackins said. “That’d be the dream.”
Following KU’s 73-59 victory over ISU on Saturday, Brackins said he enjoyed going up against his buddy, Marcus.
KU’s 6-foot-8 sophomore finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds on 4-for-12 shooting.
“He’s versatile. He can shoot, he can drive, he can pass,” Brackins said. “It’s kind of a playing-against-each-other-type of deal, because I’m just as versatile as he is. It’s kind of a challenge, and we like it.”
For the second straight game, the two shared some friendly banter as well.
Marcus fumbled one shot on the way up, later telling Brackins that the ball slipped.
“Man, you trying to do some of my turn-arounds?” Brackins replied with a smile before Marcus shared the laugh.
“The Kansas guys are a great group of guys,” Brackins said. “They don’t try to go out there and hurt you. If they knock you down, they pick you up.”
Brackins left disappointed with his own offensive showing.
The first-team All-Big 12 selection from a year ago finished with 18 points on 6-for-19 shooting.
“That’s the worst is when your shot is feeling good and you feel like you’re letting your team down, missing some shots,” Brackins said. “My team has faith in me, and I really appreciate my team and the faith that they have in me. I’m just going to keep doing what I have to do.”
In his two games against KU this season, Brackins made a combined 11 of 32 shots (34 percent).
“They were really aggressive with their double-(team). Kansas is always like that,” Brackins said. “Once I dribbled out of that, if I tried to go in, the guards would come and help. It was a team effort by them, and it frustrated me a little bit.
“I’ve got to watch tape and figure it out so that if another team tries to do it, I’ve got an answer for it.”
ISU changed up its defensive look against KU in the rematch.
In the first game, ISU’s guards helped double-team the post, and the Jayhawks either kicked it out for three-point attempts or slashed to the basket.
On Saturday, ISU only double-teamed with its bigs down low.
The Cyclones also avoided the whistles, finishing with just 12 personal fouls.
“We had eight capable players, so we couldn’t afford to be in foul trouble,” ISU coach Greg McDermott said. “I thought or guys executed the plan very well. It’s just Kansas is a very talented team.”
Nick KrugAmes, Iowa ? Right after Kansas University forward Marcus Morris made a long two-pointer, Iowa State’s Craig Brackins couldn’t help but crack a smile.
“When did you get a jump shot?” the ISU forward asked Morris on the court.
Morris grinned.
“I’ve been working, man,” Morris replied.
Brackins could tell.
“He should be most improved player from last year,” Brackins said after KU’s 84-61 victory Saturday. “We’ve played teams already, and he’s just an all-complete player. He’s making jump shots, he can drive it a little bit. His aggressiveness … we were talking a little bit on the court. He’s just a good guy. He plays hard, and he’s really improved.”
Brackins said the two continued their friendly banter throughout the game.
At one point, Brackins got to the basket by twirling around Morris.
“Oh, man, you don’t spin,” Morris said.
“Hey, you’ve got to learn how to do something,” Brackins quipped back.
“He’s just a hard player,” Brackins said of Morris. “He loves to compete. He loves guarding me. He says it.
“We’ve talked off the court sometimes, and when we were walking away, he was just like, ‘Man, I love playing you. You bring the best out.’ Everybody loves to compete. That’s all it’s about.”
At another point, Brackins remembered telling Morris, “Man, you’re balling.”
In just 19 minutes, Marcus finished with 16 points off 8-for-16 shooting to go with seven rebounds.
Brackins, meanwhile, scored 13 points on 5-for-13 shooting while having lots of defenders thrown at him.
Last year, when Brackins scored 42 points against KU, the Jayhawks double-teamed him once he received the ball in the post. This game, KU double-teamed Brackins every time he touched the ball.
After the game, Morris told Brackins: “Just keep working, man. You’re doing good. We had to double- and triple-(team) you, man. That’s what we have to do.”
“It’s always respect,” Brackins said. “I respect Sherron (Collins). I respect their whole team, their coach.”
Brackins also has earned Collins’ admiration.
“Sherron goes out there after we hand shake and says, ‘It’s all love. It’s all respect,'” Brackins said. “We all just respect each other. We’re all fans of each other. I watch him. He probably watches me. I watch other players in the Big 12 and all over the country. We just respect one another.”
