Three’s company

Little to help spell KU’s Morningstar at ‘3’ spot

KU’s Mario Little shoots over Texas A&M forward Bryan Davis in this Jan. 19 file photo at Allen Fieldhouse. Little, who has been used at power forward, figures to also play some small forward to spell Brady Morningstar.

Never in Bill Self’s wildest dreams did he think he’d play sophomore Brady Morningstar a full 40 minutes in a Big 12 basketball game.

“I’d have thought the whole team had a severe case of food poisoning if Brady played 40,” Kansas University coach Self joked Thursday, three days after Morningstar’s 39-minute, 45-second outing at Baylor.

“I’m real proud of him. But he doesn’t need to be playing like that. Too many minutes would not be good for our team over time. We need some other guys playing more minutes, resting him so he’s better in the minutes he’s in the game,” Self added.

The 6-foot-3 Morningstar, who averages 30.3 minutes a game, likely will be spelled at the 3-spot (small forward) in upcoming games by junior college transfer Mario Little, who has been playing the role of an undersized 4 (power forward) the past 10 games.

“I spoke to Mario about it yesterday. I think that he’s ready,” Self said. “When I say ready, I’m not saying he’ll play 20 minutes there. I’m talking about his mind … where he feels he has a grasp of what he’s supposed to be doing, being able to react instead of thinking there. Somebody has to play more minutes back there whether it’s Mario or Travis (Releford). We’ll practice Mario back there to see how he looks.”

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Little said he likes the idea of playing some small forward.

“It’s what I’ve been playing in the past,” he said. “(But) it’s not that easy. You have a lot of options of who to choose to get the ball to at certain times or you have to get your shot. The 4 (power forward) you really have nothing to do but screen.

“I like the 4,” Little added. “But I can get a few matchup problems. It’s tough boxing out a 6-8 or 6-10 dude, trying to go all vertical and get a rebound. It’s why I really haven’t been able to rebound like I know I can.”

Self said he’s not given up on 6-5 freshman Releford helping out at the 3-spot down the line.

“I think Travis is going to be really good player. It may not translate into a ton of minutes now. He may get frustrated with his minutes, but Mario needs to play some back there, too. Probably the best performer between Mario and Travis will see their minutes grow at the 3-spot,” Self said.

Self said he needed Releford to get to the point, “where I have more confidence in him, by being a great defender, a good rebounder, taking care of the ball, understanding what we are doing offensively, defensively. He’s gotten better, no doubt about that.

“But one thing about Brady … when you have a whole bunch of young guys out there it’s nice to have somebody who understands to help anchor the team,” Self noted. “Look at the best teams across America. Everybody has an anchor, a guy whose presence makes everybody feel more comfortable. We don’t need to have five uncomfortable guys out there.”

Releford admits he feels better about his future after a short chat with Self the day after the Baylor game.

“I was just going by on a day off, stop by the office and say hi to the coaches. It’s something I do every day. Coach (Self) stopped me. He said, ‘I know you are down about your playing time. Just keep your head up, keep working.’ He still sees me helping the team as a freshman,” Releford said.

Releford said he’s remained “strong mentally” despite averaging just 4.3 minutes a game while playing in six of KU’s seven league games.

“I am in it for the long haul,” Releford said. “Next year, the year after, the year after that. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to work harder in practice, just prove I can play.”