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The Keegan Ratings

Russell's efficiency grinds it out

By Ryan Greene
March 23, 2008 | 2 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: Talk about an efficient night. He attempted just five shots from the field and had 13 points and three steals.

2. Mario Chalmers: His three-point shot was off (2-of-7), but he did finish with 17 points.

3. Darnell Jackson: Had eight points and a game-high nine rebounds.

4. Brandon Rush: His three-point shot continues to look on the money. His strong rebounding ability enabled coach Bill Self to go with a smaller lineup for long stretches to counteract the quick Runnin’ Rebs.

5. Sherron Collins: Took it to the hoop aggressively and shook off a scoreless first half with a 10-point second half.

6. Darrell Arthur: Had trouble using his size advantage and had just nine points and five boards to go with four turnovers.

7. Sasha Kaun: Played just 10 minutes on a night that UNLV’s quickness created matchup problems that necessitated going with a smaller lineup.

8. Cole Aldrich: Scored two points and committed two personal fouls in three minutes.

9. Jeremy Case: Rodrick Stewart was sidelined by a throat infection, which gave Case a chance to make a cameo appearance in the first half.

10. Tyrel Reed: Got in during the final minute and picked up a steal.

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

1. Mario Chalmers 7.60 (266 points, 35 games)

2. Darnell Jackson 7.28 (262 points, 36 games)

3. Brandon Rush 6.91 (235 points, 34 games)

4. Darrell Arthur 6.61 (238 point, 36 games)

5. Russell Robinson 6.39 (230 points, 36 games)

6. Sherron Collins 5.93 (178 points, 30 games)

7. Sasha Kaun 5.50 (198 points, 36 games)

8. Cole Aldrich 3.92 (141 points, 36 games)

9. Rod Stewart 3.41 (109 points, 32 games)

10. Tyrel Reed 2.91 (61 points, 21 games)

11. Jeremy Case 2.56 (69 points, 27 games)

Comments

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Posted by janeyb (anonymous) on March 23, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If I had read this last night I would have disagreed with you and put Collins in second place. After having a 2nd look at the game I totally agree with your ratings. Jackson, Mario and Brandon all had a good first half, and Russell really stepped up midway through the fist half and kept it going into the 2nd half. Brandon played good defense and was always under the basket for a rebound. Jackson had those two jump shots in the 1st half and rebounded like crazy. Mario wasn't hitting the three, but still had some great 1st half shots. They played really well when you look at it a 2nd time and take the emotion out of it.

Posted by hardwick15 (anonymous) on March 23, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Even though Tyrel and Jeremy did not contribute during crunch time, I would put Aldrich at the bottom. He has to find a way to slow the game down and not leave his feet on every shot. He is a excellent compliment on the defensive end but would be much more valuable staying on the ground, keeping his hands up, letting the guards and forwards challenge the shot, and then grabbing the rebound. Another thing is that we have to find a way to stop back court penetration. It is killing us.

The fact that I had to fish for those pieces of constructive criticism shows how well the 'Hawks played this weekend. Rock Chalk.