Blogs
The Keegan Ratings
Collins paces second half run
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. Sherron Collins: Changed the pace of the game and was instrumental in KU scoring 64 second-half points. His legs are back and so is his impact.
2. Darrell Arthur: Influenced the game across the board with 23 points, 10 rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals.
3. Russell Robinson: Made 14 of 15 free throws, and showed a nice mid-range jumper he seldom shoots. Had trouble keeping Curtis Jerrells in front of him. Then again, who doesn’t?
4. Mario Chalmers: Had 10 points, seven assists and four steals, again doing a little bit of everything.
5. Brandon Rush: Completely shut down Aaron Bruce when he guarded him, but didn’t have his shot working for him.
6. Darnell Jackson: Despite foul trouble that limited him to 18 minutes, the senior still had 10 points and four rebounds.
7. Cole Aldrich: Nifty spin move for a bucket and two rebounds in seven minutes made for another productive night for the freshman from Minnesota.
8. Sasha Kaun: Atypically late with help defense and not too smooth offensively on a forgettable night.
9. Rod Stewart: Showed quick reflexes stealing a pass at point-blank range, picked up a rebound and badly bricked one of his two free throws in two active minutes of playing time.
10. Jeremy Case: Entered in the final minute.
The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (based on average points)
1. Darnell Jackson 7.96 (191 points, 24 games)
2. Mario Chalmers 7.74 (178 points, 23 games)
3. Brandon Rush 7.36 (162 points, 22 games)
4. Darrell Arthur 6.75/b> (162 point, 24 games)
5. Russell Robinson 6.29 (151 points, 24 games)
6. Sherron Collins 6.28 (113 points, 18 games)
7. Sasha Kaun 5.71 (137 points, 24 games)
8. Cole Aldrich 4.35 (100 points, 23 games)
9. Rod Stewart 3.96 (95 points, 24 games)
10. Tyrel Reed 3.12 (53 points, 17 games)
11. Jeremy Case 2.23 (49 points, 22 games)
- Darrell Arthur : F, Memphis Grizzlies
- Mario Chalmers : G, Miami Heat
- Nick Collison : C-F, Oklahoma City Thunder
- 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
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 Jacobpaul81 (anonymous) on February 10, 2008 at 6:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Big surprise. My question to you mister keegan: Where was Collins the whole first half? In fact, where was Arthur the whole first half? I think you're bias, and now I'm pointing out why. =)
The truth is, you're an idiot. Russell Robinson was the only player to have a solid outing for 40 minutes. You talk about him hitting 14 free throws, and having troubles defending curtis jerrells, but I remember Collins and chalmbers having as much trouble with Jerrells. You completely ignore the fact that Robinson was the only Kansas player worth a crap in the first half. Collins was up to his usual: drive it in, and get stuck under the basket ways. Rush couldn't hit the side of a barn. Arthur kept getting blown by inside by the guards. Hell Chalmbers was pulled from the lineup before the first TV timeout!
I think you're bias is based on the fact that you ignore the bad in your favorite player. Collins is still playing like a freshman when it comes to the dribble drive. He still refuses to pass the ball til the very last second. Until he thinks "pass first" when he's streaking to the basket, he will not be the best performer in any game, period. Yes, in the second half, he was much better, but who on this team wasn't better in the second half?
What a joke.
Posted by Brock (anonymous) on February 10, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We are getting close to the middle of February and Coach Self still hasn't installed the half-court offense. Baylor embarrassed the Hawks in the first half...even their bigs made us look bad.
Posted by ibrown3 (anonymous) on February 10, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jacob, I believe you're being anything but unbias. It appears to me as if you have something against Collins for his previous poor play. We were only up three at halftime; however, after halftime, Collins came out of the gates unleashed and put our team on track, having a nack for getting to the hoop and making high percentage, yet, challenged buckets, giving us a commanding lead throughout the majority of the second half. And his dribble drive? His dribble drive was the most beautiful thing I've seen since Lebron James or Allen Iverson penetrating the defense as if it was no big thing. Keegan, I am afraid, was not bias in this pick, for I saw the same Collins he saw last night. You, miy friend, appear to be the bias one.
Posted by janeyb (anonymous) on February 10, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought best overall game from beginning to end last night went to Robinson with Arthur very close second and Collins third. My worry about Collins is when we lose that important close one down the road, it will be because of Collins selfish play. Sherron's decisions still aren't always mature, and there is a fine line between his beautiful dribble drive and just plain out-of-control. I hope he continues to play like last night and not like some of his other recent games.
Posted by IdDoAnything2Win (anonymous) on February 11, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jacobpaul81,
Before you say anything, you might need to know how to spell Kansas' players names. It's Chalmers, not Chalmbers!
Posted by janeyb (anonymous) on February 11, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank God! We've been saved by the spelling/typo police. What's the punishment?
Do you have anything to say about basketball?
Posted by IdDoAnything2Win (anonymous) on February 11, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice, considering you just said nothing about basketball.