Blogs
The Keegan Ratings
King Kaun off the bench
After each KU basketball game this season, this is where you can find out the hardwood equivalent of The Nielsen Ratings from Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan. He'll rate the Jayhawk scholarship players' individual performances, telling you who was worth tuning in to watch. If you agree or maybe even differ, make sure to comment and tell Tom how you really feel. (Scoring: Each week, the top player in the ratings will be awarded 10 points. Second best gets nine points. Third best gets eight points, and so on and so on. The season standings are at the bottom)
1. Sasha Kaun: Blocked three shots, generally played strong defensively, and made 5 of 6 free throws.
2. Russell Robinson: Bricked three free throws and his man, Lewis Clinch, scored 22 points, many of them on Robinson. Still, the senior had team highs in points (17), assists (four), and steals (three).
3. Mario Chalmers: One-hand follow slam and above-the-head-batted-pass that resulted in him catching the ball and taking it in for a contested left-handed layup were the plays of the game.
4. Brandon Rush: Ballhandling remains a problem, but he came through with four big blocked shots and had 11 points and six boards.
5. Darrell Arthur: Limited by foul trouble to 19 minutes, but played solid defense and rebounded well when in the game.
6. Sherron Collins: When offense stalled, he aggressively took it to the hoop, sometimes too aggressively. Playground play under Georgia Tech hoop backfired, but Collins redeemed himself with a pair of free throws and picked up a loose ball and took it in for a hoop on the game’s final play.
7. Rod Stewart: Nice bounce-back game for Stewart, who contributed his usual variety of hustle plays in 13 minutes.
8. Darnell Jackson: Didn’t adjust to the whistle-happy referees and was limited to 21 minutes before fouling out.
9. Cole Aldrich: Played just two minutes.
The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (based on average points)
1. Darnell Jackson 7.27 (80 points, 11 games)
2. Mario Chalmers 6.91 (76 points, 11 games)
3. Brandon Rush 6.22 (56 points, 9 games)
4. Russell Robinson 6.09 (67 points, 11 games)
5. Darrell Arthur 6.00 (66 point, 11 games)
6. Sasha Kaun 5.36 (59 points, 11 games)
7. Sherron Collins 5.00 (25 points, 5 games)
8. Rod Stewart 4.91 (54 points, 11 games)
9. Cole Aldrich 4.00 (44 points, 11 games)
10. Tyrel Reed 4.14 (29 points, 7 games)
11. Jeremy Case 2.33 (21 points, 9 games)
- When: Aug. 30, 6:00 p.m. CT
- Where: Memorial Stadium
- Football
- Schedules: KU | Florida Int'l
- Rosters: KU | Florida Int'l
- 2008 Stats: KU | Florida Int'l
- Last time: 2007: 55-3 KU win
- Series record: Kansas leads 1-0
- Anthony Collins : OL, Cincinnati Bengals
- Derek Fine : TE, Buffalo Bills
- Charles Gordon : CB, Minnesota Vikings
- Justin Hartwig : OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Marcus Henry : WR, New York Jets
- Adrian Jones : OL, Kansas City Chiefs
- David McMillan : LB, Cleveland Browns
- Moran Norris : FB, San Francisco 49ers
- Brandon Rideau : WR, Chicago Bears
- Mark Simmons : WR, Houston Texans
- Aqib Talib : CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- All-time list of 'Hawks in the NFL
- Darrell Arthur : F, Memphis Grizzlies
- Mario Chalmers : G, Miami Heat
- Nick Collison : C-F, Seattle Sonics
- Drew Gooden : F-C, Chicago Bulls
- Kirk Hinrich : G, Chicago Bulls
- Darnell Jackson : F, Cleveland Caveliers
- Raef LaFrentz : F, Portland Trailblazers
- Paul Pierce : G-F, Boston Celtics
- Scot Pollard : C-F, Boston Celtics
- Brandon Rush : G, Indiana Pacers
- Billy Thomas : G, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Jacque Vaughn : G, San Antonio Spurs Julian Wright : F, New Orleans Hornets
- All-time list of 'Hawks in the NBA
- Watch this space as we track recruits for the 2008-09 Jayhawks.
- » LB Tharp commits
- » C.J. Henry commits to Memphis, says brother still undecided
- » Henry to visit for Late Night
- » 2008 football signees
- » All football recruiting
- » All basketball recruiting
2003, 2004, and 2007 EPpy Award Winner. 
2003 and 2005 Digital Edge Winner
Comments
You'll need a free KUsports.com user account (your LJWorld.com or lawrence.com account will also work).
Posted by KGphoto (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 1:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So, Sasha Kaun goes 1 of 1 from the field, has 3 rebounds in 24 minutes, and is the player of the game?
You're an idiot Keegan. Did you even watch the game? Are you in the Mitchell report too?
Quit rating the players. You couldn't rate your daughters girl scout cookies if they were shaped like numbers.
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on December 19, 2007 at 2:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dude was 5-of-6 from the free throw line (how many times can you say that about him?), had three blocked shots and was integral in numerous halfcourt double-team traps....There's more to the game than points, KG. Top-to-bottom, Kaun was their most valuable player Tuesday. I agree completely with Keegan.
Posted by JHawk74 (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would rate Robinson #1 and Kaun #2 in this game. I know Robinson missed some late free throws, but he still was the best player on the court for the entire game. Kaun was very good post defender in the game. Possibly his best defensive game of the season so far. Maybe this will be a wake up call for Self and need to spend more time working on free throws in practice.
Posted by plasticJHawk (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Remember, you defend your own castle. You don't defend your opposition's castle. Collins' goof-up occured under the KU basket and Tech took advantage of the open door
Posted by KGphoto (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rgreen:
I think the undefeated record has you a little near sighted.
Even Keegan's own descriptions defy his selections. Read them again. He gave Kaun the nod because he "generally" played strong defensively. Then he said Chalmers made the plays of the game, and we all saw Robinson lead the team in three statistical categories.
Hell, Brandon Rush had 4 blocked shots, 11 points and was the teams leading rebounder with 6. (THE LEADING REBOUNDER, WITH 6!!) in 29 minutes, and was equally important on defense. Not to mention lighting a fire with his athleticism early in the game.
I applaud Kaun's game. But I think you are a little smitten with the 5 for 6 from the line and his "general improvement". That's fine, but combined with "generally" good defense, and it's hardly player of the game material.
Robinson represented 25% of our scoring, had only 2 turnovers (KU's achilles heal) in 33 minutes of ball handling, and played well away from the ball, as always.
Yes Ryan, I understand there is more to the game than scoring. It's called rebounding, and at 6'11" you better do better than 3.
If Brandon leads this team in rebounding for the third straight year...? Well, we all know how that story ends.
Posted by okjhok (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you rate solely on over- and underachieving, then MAYBE Kaun is the player of the game. Kaun still had his normal stone hands under the basket, which once again limited his opportunities. If you rate the game on who played the best, no way you go with Kaun. Robinson was the man last night. Don't be alarmed by Clinch going off. He's a one-on-one player and will get his points no matter who's guarding him. Also, that was not a bounce back game for Stewart, who's apparently regressed to Rodrick Stewart of the past two years.
Posted by JayViking (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They're just friggin' rankings that Keegan puts on a blog. Disagree with them as you may, but don't get your panties in such a bunch.
Also, it's good to see someone ELSE noticing Brandon's complete inability to dribble the basketball.
Posted by KGphoto (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JayViking
Are you saying you want me to iron my panties before I ship them to you? Cuz that'll cost extra.