Kansas University junior center Markieff Morris, who had hernia surgery Oct. 21, has returned to practice part-time.

“Sure, absolutely,” KU coach Bill Self said Sunday, asked if the 6-foot-10, 245-pounder could see duty in Tuesday’s 7 p.m. exhibition opener against Washburn. “I don’t know if he will play much, but, yes, there’s a chance he’d play Tuesday.”

Meanwhile, sophomore center Jeff Withey, who broke a bone in his right foot on Sept. 21, isn’t quite ready for action.

“He’s trying. He’s just sore. We were hoping he’d be full-speed by the first of the month. It probably will be a week later,” Self said of the 7-footer. “He’s walking through some stuff, not going full-speed.”

As to the ever-popular question about starting lineups, Self said he hadn’t put any thought into that matter two days before the Jayhawks’ exhibition opener.

The Jayhawks will meet Emporia State in a second tune-up Nov. 9.

“A lot depends on ‘Kieff. He deserves to start if he’s able to go,” Self said. “Marcus (Morris) is for sure a starter. I would say the two for sure are Tyshawn (Taylor) and Marcus, and Tyrel (Reed) has played awfully well. I’d imagine those guys would start. We’ll wait and see how it occurs. That’s not as big a deal to me (as media and fans).”

Self said Taylor would open the exhibition season as starting point guard, with Josh Selby still awaiting clearance from the NCAA regarding his amateur status.

“Tyshawn would be our point guard anyway,” Self said. “If you had Josh out there, they could alternate like Russell (Robinson) and Mario (Chalmers) and Sherron (Collins) did.”

The Jayhawks, who practiced late Sunday afternoon, held their second scrimmage of the preseason Friday.

“I wish we had one more under our belt before Tuesday,” Self said. “It was a controlled scrimmage, average at best, not very good.”