Print edition: 
LAWRENCE — As a general rule, when a Morris twin is talking numbers, you'd better not take any of his calculations to the bank.
Markieff Morris, who has made 6 of 20 free throws in Big 12 play, says that he was a 90 percent free-throw shooter in high school. He slides this into conversation as if you aren't going to question the 60 percent difference. It's a clever technique, especially when followed by an easy-to-digest explanation.
"I told Coach, in high school, I'd catch the ball at the free-throw line and just shoot it," Markieff said. "I had so much confidence. I never took a deep breath or a dribble, just shot it every time I got it."
Well, why would a 90 percent free-throw shooter change what was working? Another general Morris rule: Their basketball decisions usually have something to do with battling fatigue. For instance, they have said that they did not dunk last year because it was too tiring and they wanted to make sure they could get back on defense. In this case, Markieff felt he needed to develop a free-throw shooting routine so that he could catch his breath. (The assumption, of course, is that he didn't run hard enough back in Philadelphia to ever get tired.)
"Never had a routine," Markieff said. "Just catch it and shoot it like I'm shooting a jump shot. Now, I'm just taking deep breaths, kind of slowing down a little bit and thinking too much about it. That's why I'm missing."
Markieff's poor free-throw shooting is becoming contagious — the Jayhawks made 18 of 38 in their overtime victory at Colorado on Wednesday — and it's not surprising at all that brother Marcus would be the first one to come down with the ailment.
Marcus, a 79 percent free-throw shooter in Big 12 play entering Wednesday, made 2 of 7 against the Buffaloes. Together, the Morris twins were 5 of 16, but Marcus at least made his two in the overtime period.
"I made the ones that really counted," Marcus said. "That's all that matters."
What both twins know is that every missed free throw is extra painful to their mother, Angel. She may not know that much about basketball, but she has taken an interest in free throws. Listen closely at Allen Fieldhouse today when the Jayhawks take on Nebraska, and you can hear Angel yell "Bend your knees!" before either twin shoots a free throw. It certainly explains why Marcus lowers himself to where he's almost parallel with the ground before rising to shoot.
"I don't bend my knees," Markieff said. "I'm an arm shooter. I guess I might listen to her."
On Thursday, the Jayhawks shot lots of free throws as a team. How did the twins do in practice? Be sure and gather up a couple grains of salt for this one.
"I shot about 100," Marcus said, "made about 80. The other 20 were just kind of playing around a little bit. So I made about 80 straight."
Markieff said he attempted 75 and paused for a good five seconds before saying he made 65.
"Missed like 10," Markieff said. "Coach had me doing push-ups when I miss, 20 for every one I miss."
KU coach Bill Self won't be comfortable with those twin calculations until he sees them in a game.
"Everybody shoots them well when nobody's watching," Self said. "I'm a great golfer when I play by myself."
