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10 SEASON IN REVIEW
KANSAS 84 N 72 NEBRASKA
JANUARY 13,2010
TEXAS TECH
Jayhawks hold off Cornhuskers
Morris was all over the place, drawing offensive fouls, getting and-one plays down the stretch and fighting for every rebound.
All this coming after being benched for freshman forward Thomas Robinson. Morris, along with brother Markieff, have been scrutinized with a lack of toughness.
Lincoln, Neb. — Marcus Morris hasn't seen the bench since the second game of the season. He hasn't seen a performance like this all season.
It wasn't so much the 19 points and seven rebounds that helped Kansas to an 84-72 victory against Nebraska Wednesday. It was his toughness.
"I feel as though if I was aggressive earlier in the season, I would get a lot of points and a lot of offensive rebounds," Morris said.
By Corey Thibodeaux cthibodeaux@kansan.com
Even though Robinson's impact was minimal, Kansas coach Bill Self said after
Kansas head coach Bill Self discusses the team's victory over Nebraska in its first Big 12 game of the season.
the game the lineup may not change immediately, but the twins took a step in the right direct against.
KANSAS 89 63
Marcus Morris said he will try to exert this kind of effort on a daily basis in practice and in the games. With Cole Aldrich continuing his streak of sub-par play with six points and nine rebounds in 21 minutes, Morris was there to pick up the slack.
"I may start Thomas again, I don't know," Self said. "I haven't been happy with the twins' energy or effort since Christmas. But tonight and since the Tennessee game, their effort's been fabulous."
"I just try to be the energy guy," he said. "I know my role on this team and my role on the team is to get extra possessions and get guys shots and try to be effective on the offensive end, too."
Kansas head coach Bill Self discusses the team's victory over Nebraska in its first Big 12 game of the season.
JANUARY 16,2010
Texas Tech no match for Kansas
By Corey Thibodeaux cthibodeaux@kansan.com
When analyzing his team's performance in Saturday's 89-63 waxing of Texas Tech, Kansas coach Bill Self was more impressed with his bench than anything.
"You looked out there today if you're going to pick who our five best players are, it wouldn't be probably all the starters, which I think is a positive thing." Self said. "It means you have depth."
That statement was most likely an exaggeration, but arguably, the two best Jayhawks were sixth men Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar.
Reed said there isn't a set sixth man on this team, just a bunch of guys who give sparks off the bench.
"I think it's a team effort off that bench," he said. "It doesn't really matter who comes off first, who comes off whenever. I think we've got a lot of guys who can bring something to the table."
Reed finished with five points and three
Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN
Sherron Collins and the Jayhawks get ready for their game against the Red Raiders. Kansas defeated Texas Tech 89-63 for the Jayhawks' second victory in Big 12 play.
steals, but the hustle plays were his biggest contribution, getting extra possessions for the Jayhawks. The same can be said of Morningstar who had eight points and four assists.
"I thought they were everywhere for the most part," Self said. "And of course they made some plays they shouldn't have made and some turnovers they usually do a better job of taking care of the ball."
JANUARY 20,2010
Jayhawks survive challenge from Bears
By Corey Thibodeaux cthibodeaux@kansan.com
Since the beginning of conference play, there's been a new Marcus Morris.
Morris, the sophomore forward who coach Bill Self has deemed most improved from last year, hasn't shown that improvement all season. But his game against Baylor showed he may be over his deficiencies
Morris had 22 points and eight rebounds in Kansas' 81-75 victory against Baylor Wednesday. Even though senior guard Sherron Collins and junior center Cole Aldrich are considered the leaders of the team, Morris is slowly earning that title as well.
Whether it was the benching at Nebraska or being pulled aside by teammate Brady Morningstar and his coaches, Morris has turned his flashes of brilliance and lulls of non-existence earlier this season, and his benching three games ago, for the better.
"We know who our leaders are and I'm just trying to lead by example." Morris said.
Weston White/KANSAN
Junior center Cole Aldrich slams down a one-handed dunk off a rebound in the air Wednesday night against Baylor. Aldrich scored 10 points against the Bears during Kansas' 81-75 victory.
JANUARY 23,2010
Withey impresses against Cyclones
By Corey Thibodeaux cthibodeaux@kansan.com
The solution to Xavier Henry's shooting woes seemed so simple the way he described it after Saturday's game.
"You can call it a slump, but I just know if I keep shooting the ball, I'm going to get better"; Henry said.
Following his 15-point performance at Texas last Monday, Henry had 16 against Iowa State, leading the Jayhawks to a 73-59 victory.
Since the start of conference play, a new Henry emerged — one that hasn't been much of a factor in Big 12 games.
He said the high level of play in the conference had nothing to do with him scoring double figures only four times in 10 conference contests.
But Henry said he has done virtually nothing to correct the problem.
"There's little things I tweak and stuff like that, but other than that, it's just my mindset," Henry said.
Weston White/KANSAN
Freshman center Jeff Withey dunks the ball over Iowa State forward LaRon Dendy. Withey came off the bench for 12 minutes, scoring eight points against the Cyclones.
THE WAVE APRIL 7,2010
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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