/ SPORTS / FRIDAY, MARCH 11,2011 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM KANSAS 63, OKLAHOMA STATE 62 MEN'S BASKETBALL REWIND Marcus Morris shows leadership in hard times Junior forward Marcus Morris fights for a loose ball in the second half Thursday. Kansas defeated Oklahoma State 63-62. Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN BY MIKE LAVIERI mlavieri@kansan.com twitter.com/kansbail KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Despite not being named a unanimous selection for the All-Big 12 First Team by the coaches, junior forward Marcus Morris showed why he is the conference's Player of the Year in Kansas' 63-62 victory against Oklahoma State. was going to stop him. "For times I wasn't open at all, but for that one time I was definitely open and I thought I should have got it," Morris said. "I talked to Elijah and I told him that You're our point guard; you're our starting point guard. You have to have some awareness and know what's going on." Morris thinks Johnson is going to get better, especially since Johnson has never really been in that position before. tion before: It could have been the demise for Kansas, who narrowly escaped with the victory, but the layawhaws live to play another day in Kansas City. Morris is showing his leadership when it matters most. He wants the ball when the game comes down to Oklahoma State. In the waning seconds of the game Morris wanted the ball in his hands. He kept calling for it, and the shot clock continued to tick down. Sophomore guard Elijah Johnson elected not to pass it to Morris and instead gave it to senior guard Brady Morningstar, who shot an air ball. When Morris didn't get the ball, all that he was thinking about was trying to get the rebound, and no one was going to stop him. the end. the end. "I definitely want it in my hand," Morris said. "I definitely think that I can make a play, not saying, necessarily, I want to shoot it, but I feel like if it's in my hand I can at least bring more attention to me and be able to kick it or get a bucket." 21. able to kick it or get a win. Morris scored 16 points, but only four came in the second half. The biggest bucket was a 25-foot three-pointer that put Kansas up by four, 58-54, with 4:09 remaining. He also added nine offensive rebounds. On Thursday Marcus kept his composure. Coach Bill Self didn't think Oklahoma State was trying to bait the Morris twins. things I can say. Morris's brother Markteff was surprised Marcus didn't get the technical, given the twin's reputation, but knew he wouldn't when Marcus was on the ground. In the first matchup in Lawrence on Feb. 21, Oklahoma State senior forward Matt Pilgrim was trying to provoke Morris. "I didn't ignore him. In the beginning of the game, he just gave me a little bump to show me that he was there and I gave him 27 shoulder knobs back," Marcus said on Feb. added nine offensive shots. Morris is pegged as a "dirty" player. He has picked up technical and intentional fouls this season, with the latest being an intentional foul on March 5. Today, he was very even-keened. Morris had two shots blocked by freshman Markel Brown, and after both of them Brown was trash talking at Morris. After the second one, Brown was called for a technical foul. "I didn't sense that at all tonight." Self said. "I didn't sense that at all. And if they do, they do. But my guys have also been guilty on the other "Whatever he said got him the tech," Morris said. "I can't really repeat what he said. But it's all in the game. He was happy that he got those blocks. But he said some things I can't say." hand of doing the same thing to opponents. Saying that that's basketball. But certainly I think those two have done a better job, knock on wood, of seeing the big picture as opposed to seeing the small picture." Edited by Sarah Gregory 41|21-62 Kansas Sophomore forward Thomas Robinson reaches out to gain possession of a loose ball Thursday. Kansas defeated Oklahoma State 63-62 First Half 19:24 — Kansas plays tight defense on Oklahoma State's first possession and forces a shot-clock violation. (0-0) 18:39 — Elijah Johnson feeds Brady Morningstar a risky bounce pass, but it gets through and Morningstar rains down a three pointer. (40-43) 3:13 — Josh Selby forces Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford to call a timeout after a made three pointer. (33-27) 18:41 — Kansas gets on the board first. The conference Player of the Year Marcus Morris dunks it off a pass from Brady Morningstar. (2-0) Prime Plays 13:27 Thomas Robinson picks up a loose ball and leads the fast break. He finds Tyshawn Taylor for a layup that gives Kansas its first lead since 26-25 with 8:26 left in the first. (51-50) Second Half Oklahoma State Jayhawk Stat Leaders Rebounds Marcus Morris 16 Marcus Morris 11 Assists Brady Morningstar 4 Player FG-FGA 3FG-3FGA Rebs A Pts Markieff Morris 3-5 0-1 5 1 10 Marcus Morris 7-15 1-3 11 1 16 Brady Morningstar 4-12 1-6 6 4 11 Tyrel Reed 1-8 1-8 3 1 6 Elijah Johnson 1-2 0-1 0 1 2 Thomas Robinson 0-5 0-0 8 2 1 Tyshawn Taylor 3-5 0-2 2 1 6 Mario Little 3-9 1-1 4 0 8 Josh Selby 1-3 1-3 0 0 3 Totals 23-64 5-25 42 11 63 Oklahoma State
PlayerFG-FGA3FG-3FGARebsAPts
Matt Pilgrim1-40-01002
Marshall Moses4-80-1709
Reger Dowell3-60-1136
Keiton Page6-122-62123
Nick Sidorakis0-10-0000
Jean-Paul Olukemi4-101-24017
Jarred Shaw0-10-0210
Markel Brown2-81-3525
Roger Franklin0-00-0400
Totals20-504-1336762
BASKETBALL (CONTINUED FROM 12A) The Jayhawks managed some good things in the victory, most of them in the second half. After giving up 41 points in the first half, Kansas clamped down and allowed 20 fewer in the second. Kansas shot worse from the field in the second half (a miserable 31.3 percent), but managed to win the half by seven, thanks to the stifling defense. "Our guys really didn't make too many shots," Marcus Morris said. "But, I mean, they've been making them all year. So we're going to live and die with those guys shooting." Perhaps the most impressive thing about the second half was that Kansas' comeback came largely without the help of Morris, who was awarded his Big 12 Player of the Year trophy a few minutes before tipoff. He was on the floor for most of the second half, but managed only four points after the break, despite foul trouble on the inside for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys top three posts pouled out over the course of the game. course of the game. Instead of Morris, Mario Little took over in the second half, putting up eight points in eight minutes of action when the Cowboys switched to zone to counter the foul trouble. "I feel like the game is slower when teams go zone," Little said, "so it's kind of for easy to make moves in there." Little's success aside, the Jayhawks' rally was entirely predicated on their defensive strength, which, earlier in the season, had let them down on occasion. Thursday was a different story. "We did guard and rebound the second half." Self said. "And we really feel fortunate to have won considering how we shot the basketball." Edited by Marla Daniels Discover the best new, affordable housing near KU Med. The Enclave at Mission Cliffs Townhomes, conveniently located just six blocks west of the University of Kansas Medical Center, offer new luxury living at rental pricing. "Mission Cliffs was the perfect location for me," said Susan Yang, a student at KU Medical Center. "It's just a 10 minute walk to school, is within two miles of the Plaza and Westport, and four miles from downtown, grocery stores or Target." Prospective buyers have the luxury of choosing from multiple styles of residences sized at 1,407 and 1,885 square feet. Luxury at Rental Prices "I knew I wanted to purchase a home as an investment, instead of throwing away money on rent," said Yang. "I am very happy in my townhouse and I plan on living here throughout medical school and possibly residency." We Offer the Most Options TWO BEDROOM, 3.5 BATH, WITH A STUDY ONE BEDROOM, 2.5 BATH, WITH A STUDY Amenities Offer You Comfort & Convenience All townhomes feature attractive decor, oversized kitchens with wood cabinets and hardwood floors throughout the kitchen, living room and dining room. All appliances, including refrigerator, washer and dryer, are provided. Other conveniences consist of laundry on the bedroom level, attached garage with door opener, security system, plus a deck and/or patio. Additional features include front porches, walk-in closets, ceiling fans, attractive landscaping and a finished walkout basement recreational room. Prices Start At $124,900 If you close by May 30, you get a $5,000 spending allowance for closing costs, prepaid HOA dues, down payment or other expenses such as new furniture. Open House This Saturday and Sunday 1-4 pm or schedule any time by appointment To schedule a tour call, text, or email Kevin Straub at 913-558-8000 or kevin@straubrealty.com. Marketed by Coldwell Banker Advantage. MissionCliffsTownhomes.com 11