Brady Morningstar was the only Kansas University basketball player not to enter a 94-59 exhibition rout of Pittsburg State on Thursday night at Allen Fieldhouse.

It likely will be a pattern that continues all season.

Morningstar, a 6-foot-3, 187-pound sophomore out of Free State High, is leaning toward red-shirting – practicing but not playing in games – this season.

“I’d say it’s 60-40 (in favor of red-shirting),” Morningstar said. “There’s really not a downfall to it, a year to improve. It’s probably a good decision. I probably will red-shirt. I’m not sure yet, though.

“I was going to get the same playing time as last year,” Morningstar reasoned, “which is not what I came here to do. I came here to make an impact on the program, and this year I probably won’t make an impact so with me getting better next year and so many people leaving, I’d have a better chance to make an impact (next year).”

KU coach Bill Self has met with Morningstar and his parents to discuss the red-shirt option.

“We’ve not made a decision yet,” Self said. “The decision is not mine.”

He will allow Morningstar to make the final call.

“I have an opinion. The decision is certainly Brady’s and his family’s decision. Brady came to me today and said, ‘Coach, I’ve not made up my mind 100 percent. I’d rather not play and forfeit my red-shirt year in case I decide to do it.”

Playing in the exhibition would have taken away the red-shirt option.

“I told Brady I think he can help us, but when Brandon (Rush) comes back, if he’s 100 percent (recovered from ACL surgery) there are some talented guys probably ahead of him. It’s something he has to think about.”

Morningstar is a 21-year-old sophomore, having attended prep school a year out of FSHS.

¢Rush dresses: Rush suited up and looked good during warmups. He had a heavy black brace on his right knee.

“He said he didn’t have any clothes,” Self cracked of the reason Rush wore his uniform and warmups.

On a serious note … Rush in the very near future will practice with contact. He currently can do everything his teammates can do except get hit.

“I do believe he’ll be released for limited contact soon,” Self said. “He’s chomping at the bit. He looks good to me.”

¢Aldrich fares well: KU freshman Cole Aldrich hit four of six shots and had eight points in 17 minutes.

“The guy I was most pleased with tonight was Cole,” Self said. “Cole has been battling against Sasha (Kaun), Darnell (Jackson) and Shady (Arthur) every day. You see today when he doesn’t have to play against them, he looks better. You saw him at Late Night. He’s improved a lot already in a short period of time.”

¢Reed hits trey: Freshman Tyrel Reed hit one of two threes and had four assists in 15 minutes.

“My defense was not good at all tonight. They scored way too many on me,” Reed said. “That is one thing I know with a little experience guarding all our guards, it will get better in the future.”

¢Arthur blanked early: Darrell Arthur scored 12 points, 10 the second half.

“He had zero attempts (at half), but had been fouled three times,” Self said. “We were disappointed because we have to play through him. In the second half, to start the half, I told our guys that is what we are going to do, play through him. He scored so easy when he scored.”

He hit five of eight shots and just two of seven free throws.

¢Notes: KU has won 27 straight home exhibition games and is 45-7 overall in exhibitions. KU is 13-0 in practice games under Self. … KU hit 53.2 percent of its shots but was outboarded, 36-33. “We didn’t block out,” guard Sherron Collins lamented. … Mario Chalmers made his first four threes before missing one late in the first half. … KU will meet Fort Hays State at 7 p.m., Tuesday at Allen Fieldhouse.