Morris Twins dropping weight

Kansas coach Bill Self said the Morris twins dropped a lot of weight earlier this semester.

“Markieff lost 30 pounds and Marcus 25. Unfortunately for them, they went through a stretch where they didn’t feel well, typical flu symptoms,” Self said of 6-foot-9, 235-pound Markieff and 6-8, 225-pound Marcus.

“They’ve lost a ton of weight. They’ve started to gain it back. They’ve been working in the weight room. Physically, they have not gotten that confidence yet from being stronger. I think it will come. They will need a good rest of the year and offseason (in weight room). They are guys who gain so much confidence from their strength.”

Self reveals pet peeve about recruiting

Self on his radio show discussed one of his “pet peeves” about recruiting.

“ESPNU, which does a lot for college sports, has told recruits they would put them on TV for their announcement if they do not let anybody know where they are going to school. It gets better ratings if nobody knows when they announce (their college choice),” Self said.

“I’ve actually had kids and families say, ‘We couldn’t tell you or other schools (until announcing it live).’

“Schools develop relationships with families for two to four years, and ESPN is telling them the only way you get publicity is if you do not tell people what is going on. To me that is pretty sorry. It may make for better television, but that’s not the way it should be.”

Recently, a pair of KU prospects announced live on ESPNU, with coaches of their finalists unaware of the decision. Xavier Henry chose Memphis over KU. Michael Snaer picked Florida State over KU and others.

KU remains possibility for 7-foot Withey

Jeff Withey, a 7-foot freshman from the University of Arizona, told Rivals.com on Monday he’s still considering transferring to one of eight schools: KU, Texas, Gonzaga, Cincinnati, Indiana, San Diego, San Diego State and Boston College. Those are the schools he considered his senior year at Horizon High in San Diego.

“I am pretty sure I am not going to take any visits,” Withey told Rivals. “I will probably just talk to each coach on the phone and do things that way. I’m done with finals on the 18th, and then I’m going hope to talk with my family. We will discuss things as a family and then decide.”

WIthey, who said KU “is definitely an option,” will enroll at his future school for second semester classes so he’ll be eligible to play at this time next year. He visited KU and Texas his senior year of high school.

Players of week named

Cory Higgins of Colorado and Lucca Staiger of Iowa State on Monday were tapped Big 12 Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively. Higgins, a 6-5 sophomore guard, had 33 points in a 75-56 victory over Colorado State. Staiger, a 6-5 sophomore, averaged 16.5 points in games against Iowa and Drake.