The Morris Twins are In!

Big news for Kansas fans, Bill Self has landed a coup. According to our "Phriend" and Eric Bossi at phog.net, Marcus and Markieff Morris of Philadelphia have given their oral commitments to Kansas, choosing the Jayhawks over their local school Villanova. The Lawrence Journal-World has now confirmed it. The 6'9 Markieff, ranked #74 nationally by Rivals.com, told Bossi "I was blown away (by his trip to Lawrence) but that didn’t make my decision. It was playing time. The coaching staff, the players and the winning tradition, we come from a winning team. Kansas is a winning team and we just fit right in." Marcus is the better of the two prospects, ranked #37 by Rivals and is more of a true wing player. Markieff is a post player.

This news came just in the nick of time for Self. Tomorrow, J'Mison "Bobo" Morgan will be choosing his school. Self has been after him hard for months, but the rumors are out there that Morgan has soured on KU, one his top lean. Looks like either Alabama or LSU will get the talented Center from Dallas. The Morris Twins commitments will definitely quiet the buzzards surrounding Self's head as his recruiting strike-outs this year have been well documented. Don't forget, the KU coach is the king of the last minute swoop in signings. Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur were the first two of this ilk. Not bad. Markieff and Marcus originally verballed to Memphis, before going to a year of prep school at the Apex Academies in Cherry Hill, N.J. Memphis coach John Calipari recruited over the twins when he received a verbal from 6'10 Angel Garcia.

So Self's 2008 Class looks like the following:

Travis Releford - SG - 6'4, Shawnee Mission, KS - 4 star

Marcus Morris - SF - 6'8, Pennsauken, NJ - 4 star

Markieff Morris - PF - 6'9, Pennsauken, NJ - 4 star

Quintrell Thomas - PF - 6'7, Elizabeth, NJ - 4 star

Mario Little - SF - 6'4, Chicago, IL, Chipola JC - 3 star

Still in the hopper for Self are Morgan (but that is on life support), Top 10 talent SG Willie Warren out of Ft. Worth, TX, who won't commit until the spring, and PG Verdell Jones from Champaign, IL. I don't expect any of these guys to wear Crimson and Blue next year.

More good news, Friday night is KU's preseason opener against Pittsburg State. Expect PG Sherron Collins to take Rush's spot in the starting lineup until he is healthy. ESPN Full Court doesn't start until the 9th, so I won't be able to scout my boys until the opener.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk.....