KU freshman Marcus Morris, left, and Markieff Morris pose for a photographer Thursday during the basketball team's media day at Allen Fieldhouse.

When they are seated – as they were Thursday in Allen Fieldhouse – it’s almost impossible to differentiate between Kansas University freshman twins Marcus and Markieff Morris.

“My head might be a little bigger,” said Markieff, who measures 6-foot-10, 235 pounds to his brother’s 6-81â4, 225-pound frame.

“We have the same tattoos. Our facial hair is the same. Everything’s the same,” Markieff Morris added.

He’s not kidding about the tattoos.

“There are seven of them,” Marcus said. “I got them all first. He’s older than me by seven minutes. I think he should have gotten them first. He makes me do everything first. I don’t know why that is.”

Over their chests are inscribed the words: “Only the strong survive.”

There’s a Chinese symbol for “loyal” emblazoned on their left arms and Chinese symbol for “humble” on their right arms.

Also scribbled on their arms are the letters “FOE,” for “Family Over Everything,” “Angel” as in their mom’s first name; “Twin Towers” and a “A Gift From God,” next to a pair of hands draped over a basketball.

“If you ask him, he knows every aspect of my game,” Marcus said of the brotherly bond. “It’s the same with me about him. We always encourage each other.”

The two were there for each other during a most difficult time – start of the school year when the twins could not practice with the team or even use KU’s facilities as they awaited word on their eligibility from the NCAA Clearinghouse.

The two were unable to travel to Canada for KU’s three exhibition games over Labor Day weekend.

“I couldn’t sleep. I was so worried about it,” Marcus said. “I felt I was letting my teammates down. They called me every day and kept me updated.”

“It was real tough. I was stressing out not being with the guys,” Markieff stated. “The coaches said, ‘Keep your head up, it’ll be OK.”’

Finally, on Sept 4 – 11 days into the semester – the two were deemed eligible to play.

“I didn’t stay in shape. I was in for a rude awakening,” said Markieff, who played daily pick-up games with Marcus and some of their Kansas City Summer League basketball teammates from Haskell, but otherwise did nothing during their period of limbo.

“Actually I wasn’t in great shape,” Marcus noted. “I had to get in great shape once we got the word. We have great coaches who keep pushing and great trainers.”

The two made it through basketball Boot Camp and now are ready to vie for spots in KU’s rotation.

“They have a skill set you don’t expect. It’s amazing to see from guys their size,” KU senior Matt Kleinmann said.

“Marcus is in the mold of a Julian (Wright), going inside and out. Markieff is more comfortable inside, but has just as much a face-up game,” Kleinmann added. “Both will have to get more comfortable in there banging with Cole (Aldrich). We’ll need more guys bodying up in case Cole gets in foul trouble.”

KU coach Bill Self also likes what he’s seen from the duo.

“Certainly they bring a presence and I think an air of confidence to us we definitely need,” Self said.

The two also possess outgoing personalities. At Thursday’s Media Day proceedings, they joked about 1-on-1 battles.

“I think I’d win maybe nine times (out of 10), but if we played a video game 10 times, I think he would win nine,” Marcus said. “I’d rather win video games than beat him 1-on-1 any day.”

Markieff disputed his brother’s claim.

“If we are playing for something? I’ll beat him six or seven times (out of 10),” Markieff said. “If we’re not playing for something, he’ll beat me because I won’t post him up. If I’m mad, I post him up and shoot over the top. He can’t stop me at all.”

Marcus admitted his brother’s only advantage is down low.

“I move him out away from the basket. I can get around him all the time,” Marcus said. “I shoot the ball up high. Sometimes he won’t play defense. He just goes up (to block). I just make sure I get it over the top of him. Normally I beat him.”

The two say they are happy having relocated to Lawrence with their mom, Angel, who has her own place here and is employed at First Management.

“It’s great having her here,” Markieff said. “I’m just glad we’re in Lawrence right now. Philadelphia is a nice place, but other than family, the crime rate is kind of high.”

“More than anything,” Marcus said, “I just like being a Jayhawk, being in the tradition. We’ve bonded with everybody on the team. We became family quick. I didn’t expect that. Rarely will you see anybody by themselves alone. We are always together.”

At least two are always together – the Morris twins.

“It’s always been that way. We’ve always been so close. He is always there for me,” Marcus said. shaking his head in bewilderment wondering what will happen if the two someday are separated playing for different teams in the NBA.