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The Keegan Ratings

Russell goes out a perfectionist

By Ryan Greene
March 4, 2008 | 9 comments

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. Russell Robinson: A perfect ending to his four years of playing and three years of starting games in Allen Fieldhouse. Made all five field goal attempts, all three three-point shots and both free throws. He finished with 15 points, three assists and two steals.

2. Jeremy Case: Took control of the game for a three-minute stretch in the second half during which he scored nine points, all on three-pointers, and dished two assists.

3. Cole Aldrich: It never hurts to have a freshman stand out on Senior Night. Had 11 points, 11 rebounds and a blocked shot in 17 minutes.

4. Darnell Jackson: Had 10 points, nine boards, two assists and a steal during the game and shined a beautiful spotlight on his mother after the game.

5. Sasha Kaun: Contributed 10 points, four rebounds, three blocked shots, two assists and stuff during 18 minutes on the floor.

6. Sherron Collins: His speed is back, which is bad news for the rest of the country. Had 13 points, three assists and one turnover in 20 minutes.

7. Mario Chalmers: He drove into the lane, left his feet hoping to at least draw a foul, didn’t, and then turned his back to the basket in mid-air and threw the ball over his head toward the basket. And then ....

8. Darrell Arthur: Took that “pass” from Chalmers out of the sky and slammed it through the hoop. Keep your eye on the scoreboard next season to see a replay of that one.

9. Rodrick Stewart: Had a terrific performance and even made both three-point shots. Had made 11 of 57 during his college career coming into the night.

10. Brandon Rush: On a night to defer to the seniors, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year logged just 10 minutes, time enough to get up 10 shots and block two of them.

11. Tyrel Reed: Ran the team well, getting three assists in 10 minutes.

The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (based on average points)

1. Darnell Jackson 7.80 (234 points, 30 games)

2. Mario Chalmers 7.66 (222 points, 29 games)

3. Brandon Rush 6.96 (195 points, 28 games)

4. Darrell Arthur 6.57/b> (197 point, 30 games)

5. Russell Robinson 6.47 (194 points, 30 games)

6. Sasha Kaun 5.77 (173 points, 30 games)

7. Sherron Collins 5.67 (136 points, 24 games)

8. Cole Aldrich 4.31 (125 points, 29 games)

9. Rod Stewart 3.66 (106 points, 29 games)

10. Tyrel Reed 3.05 (58 points, 19 games)

11. Jeremy Case 2.56 (64 points, 25 games)

Comments

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Posted by justanotherfan (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It would be awfully tough to rank players from last night. Robinson played a near flawless game. Aldrich controlled the paint for every minute he was in the game. Sasha and DBlock were both great. Rush and Chalmers both had solid games working, but since it was a blowout and senior night, neither logged the kind of minutes they normally get. Case and Stewart both got hot, which I was glad to see since it was senior night. All in all, last night was the kind of night you only dream about happening on senior night. To have it actually happen was a beautiful thing to witness.

Posted by ibrown3 (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know it was senior night, but I would, in my opinion, have put both Sherrron Collins and Cole Aldrich ahead of Jeremy Case. It was refreshing to see him knock down a few shots (for once) and dish out a couple of assists, but Sherron did more than just shoot a few threes. He penetrated their defense, got to the basket to score or opened up opportunities for Rush, Chalmers or Robinson to knock down a three. Moreover, I cannot forget to mention when he went coast-to-coast to score an easy layup in what seemed like no more than 3 or 4 seconds. He honestly looked like a cheetah. And Aldrich had more than a one-minute three point competition. He was out there hustling for every rebound and even displayed some creative offensive moves down low. I know it was senior night, but upperclassmen Case, Kaun and Jackson belong below underclassmen Aldrich and Collins (in last nights ratings). 1. Russell Robinson. 2. Cole Aldrich 3. Sherron Collins

Posted by KU (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I really think Aldrich has a chance to be a special, special player. He is the kind of defensive presence in the paint we haven't had for a long, long time.

He has the right mentality for a shot blocker--he just stays on the floor and does frantically jump like all our other Bigs at the first head fake.

His rebounding is amazing. The thing I notice about his is his ability to go get rebounds that are not in his immediate area. He has the ability to leap vertically, yet horizontally at the same time that allows him to cover so much of the floor.

Posted by ibrown3 (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Now don't think that I didn't like the way the seniors played, because I did. They all played great games--especially Robinson, which is why I gave him the number 1 nod. However, I just think that Aldrich (which Keegan did acknowledge) and Collins had better all around performances than anyone else on the court (besides Robinson). Anyhow, this is completely subjective and I am sure there are others out there who disagree with me as well as Keegan. Great game Jayhawks and I will sincerely miss seeing the likes of Darnell Jackson and Russell Robinson and the rest of the seniors playing in Allen Fieldhouse; but, I must say, I'm ready to see what this team can do in the NCAA tournament.

Posted by ibrown3 (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Agreed, KU. I have noticed the same potential/abilities in Aldrich over the stretch of the season. I am quite impressed and interested to see how much more he will progress between now and next season.

Posted by KU (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hate to jinx Sherron by saying "he's back"......but he's darn close to where he was last January-February as a freshman eating up the Big 12.

Let's hope all the time off he had this year.....plus his better weight control......will allow him to play through March without his body breaking down again.

Posted by fansincewilt (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Collins and Aldrich coming on here at the end only makes this already good team a great team. I don't see them losing again this year. This team is peaking at just the right time. They have improved every game since Okla. State. With all that happened that week, it was understandable. They are now clicking on all cyinders.

Posted by janeyb (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrats Russell on a perfect final game in Allen. You have been my favorite Jayhawk since your Freshman year (mine too), so congrats to your Mom for convincing you to stay at KU. Darnell, Sasha, Rod best of luck in the future, and especially in the next few weeks!

Mario, you completely understood Senior Night and showed so much heart making sure the Seniors had a chance to shine. Know it will be a tough decision, but hope you are honored at Senior Night next year.

Posted by didjabuti (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did Keegan really say that Brandon Rush is the reigning Big 12 player of the year?

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