Flu bug hits Aldrich

Kansas University sophomore center Cole Aldrich scored 13 points off 6-of-8 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds despite being weakened by the stomach flu.

“His stomach was cramping the whole game. It took a lot of courage to grab 11 rebounds and score 13 points. We need him. We all tipped our hat to him,” KU guard Sherron Collins said.

Aldrich said he never considered skipping the game.

“That never even occurred to me. Sherron wasn’t feeling well last week and played. You’ve got to fight through it. Not feeling well is no excuse. (Michael) Jordan had 50-something when he was sick. Sometimes that’s when you are the most focused,” Aldrich said.

Twin talk

The Morris twins combined for 17 points off 7-of-12 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds in contributing to the victory against their hometown school, Temple.

“I definitely got bragging rights,” said Marcus Morris, who came off the bench. His starting role was taken over by Markieff Morris, who opened his first game since Florida Gulf Coast (Nov. 18). “Dionte (Christmas, fellow Philadelphia native) might say something like he scored 21, but he put up 100 shots.”

Christmas scored 21 points off 6-of-14 shooting. The two-time Atlantic 10 scoring leader made six of 12 threes.

“He’s an awesome player, a great player, a pro,” Marcus added.

Markieff hit three of four shots and two of three free throws en route to his eight points.

“I was real comfortable (starting). Coach said, ‘Don’t worry. Go have fun,”’ Markieff said. “We needed a new start. Coach emphasized we were starting over after the UMass loss.”

Marcus, who hit four of eight shots and had nine points, said: “This is the first time I think I did play as hard as I could. I felt I was in the game from the start watching my brother. I think my energy off the bench helped a lot.”

Point guard Collins cracked the joke of the day when asked about the twins faring well at practice lately.

“When Matt Kleinmann is not starting, it’s a good week,” he said with a smile.

Kleinmann started the Jackson State game in place of the Morris twins.

Kleinmann shines

Kleinmann, a senior center, grabbed a career-high four rebounds in a four-minute stint in the first half. He was called upon with Aldrich, Markieff Morris and Quintrell Thomas saddled with two fouls each.

“I thought Matt was our second best big man the first half. I was happy for him,” KU coach Bill Self said.

Self on the Morrises

“(Marcus) has a hard time finishing. He long jumps instead of high jumps. He did some good things. One thing ‘Kieff showed today is he can run.”

Christmas plans

The Jayhawks will travel to Arizona after practice today, play the Wildcats on Tuesday night, then arrive back in Lawrence at 5 a.m. on Christmas Eve. The players will head immediately to their hometowns for Christmas, then return late afternoon Dec. 27. The Jayhawks’ next home game is Dec. 30 versus Albany.

Unofficial visit

Perry Ellis, a 6-foot-8 freshman standout from Wichita Heights High School, attended with his family members and sat behind KU’s bench.

Stats, facts

Because of final exams, the Owls didn’t arrive to Lawrence until 2 a.m. Saturday. … KU has won 30 straight games in Allen. … Self won his 150th game here against 34 losses. … KU led 13-2 just 41/2 minutes into the game. Temple rolled, 16-7, over the next 7:50. KU broke open the game with a 27-12 run from the 15:08 mark to 3:12. … The Jayhawks shot 52.7 percent from the field, marking their second best percentage of the season. … Dionte Christmas hit six threes, most by an opponent since Arizona’s Chase Budinger made six last November. Christmas’ five three-point makes in the second half marks the most since Texas’ Kevin Durant made five in the first half on March 3, 2007.