BOX SCORE
By DOUG TUCKER
AP Sports Writer
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -- Marcus and Markieff Morris combined to hit an all-time sibling high for Kansas Monday night.
While helping the No. 7 Jayhawks romp past Valparaiso 79-44, the two juniors from Philadelphia each had a double-double. Neither is a stranger to double-doubles. But this was the first time they'd done it in the same game.
"I think I got into a rhythm early," said Marcus, who is one inch shorter and 7 minutes younger than his 6-foot-10 brother.
Marcus had one of the early 3-pointers that helped bust the Valparaiso zone, and wound up with 11 rebounds and 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting. Markieff, with his second double-double in two games, had 13 rebounds and 12 points, all in the second half.
"I was really trying to guard No. 45 (Ryan Broekhoff), but I knew he could shoot real well," Marcus said. "I was able to cover him around the 3-point line and I just let the game come to me."
It was the 61st straight home win and the second straight lopsided victory for the Jayhawks (2-0), who can tie the school record against North Texas on Friday night.
"Coach just told me that it was going to be my half," Markieff said. "I tried to bring energy by rebounding the ball and defending. I don't think we played very good inside-post defense, but other than that, I thought we played pretty well."
Valparaiso (1-1), picked fourth in the Horizon League, had one lead -- at 2-1. Cory Johnson and Kevin Van Wijk each had 10 points for the Crusaders and Brandon Wood had nine.
"We're disappointed that we didn't play better tonight," Valparaiso coach Homer Drew said. "I think you have to compliment KU. Their speed really hurt us in transition early. We got it down to six points and I thought that if we could continue that tempo, that would make a huge difference. Next thing I know, we were down by 20."
Tyrel Reed, Marcus Morris and Travis Releford each made 3-pointers in the opening minutes and shortly thereafter the Jayhawks seized control with a 27-10 run, with Reed scoring eight points and Mario Little seven.
"We shot the ball well early," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "They missed some open looks. Our worst defense was probably the first 4 minutes. They got 5 offensive rebounds the first 4 minutes. But after that, we did a much better job. We got off to a good start."
After Howard Little -- Mario's cousin -- made a bucket to draw the Crusaders to 14-11, Reed drilled the Jayhawks' fifth 3-pointer, Little blocked a shot and Releford converted on the other end.
Two straight buckets by 6-9 Thomas Robinson gave the Jayhawks a 23-14 lead, then Robinson scored again and Reed drained another from behind the arc. Tyshawn Taylor stole a Crusaders pass and fed Reed, who was fouled by James Harris and sank a pair of free throws for a 30-17 lead that went to 32-17 on another bucket by Little.
Marcus Morris' bucket sent the defending Big 12 champions into halftime with a 44-27 lead that climbed to 69-42 on consecutive buckets by Marcus, Markieff and Taylor.
Casting a shadow over the Jayhawks' two lopsided season-opening wins is the uncertainty surrounding freshman point guard Josh Selby, who again sat on the bench in street clothes. The No. 1 recruit in the nation, Selby is awaiting clearance by the NCAA over amateurisn issues. Kansas officials continue to say a decision is expected any time, and they believe he will get the green light.
In the meantime, Taylor is handling most of the point guard duties, with sophomore Elijah Johnson benched for unspecified disciplinary reasons. The 6-3 junior, who had 10 assists in a victory over Longwood last Friday, had five assists and eight points.
Reed had 11 points and Little had nine for Kansas, which outrebounded the Crusaders 47-33.
"It's kind of hard in the beginning to go up against really strong guys that you've never played against, but after I learned a bit how to play, it was really fun, and I really enjoyed it," said Van Wijk. "It's good for the next game, and maybe someday we'll see them again and see what we're going to do then."
Updated November 15, 2010
