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by Ryan Greene
February 8, 2007 at 1:46 a.m.
The Keegan Ratings: Slimmer Sherron still surging
After each KU basketball game this season, this is where you can find out the basketball equivalent of The Nielsen Ratings from Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan. He'll rate the Jayhawks' individual performances from top to bottom, telling you who was worth tuning in to watch and who has seen better days. If you agree or maybe even differ, make sure to comment and tell Tom how you really feel.1. Sherron Collins: Did a phenomenal job of getting to the lane to set up teammates for wide-open shots. He especially did that for Brandon Rush, knowing he had the hot hand. Scored 11 points and had seven assists without a single turnover.2. Brandon Rush: Made four of seven three-point shots and finished with 18 points.3. Darrell Arthur: Looked like the Slim Shady of old in two regards: He was terrific scoring inside (14 points in 19 minutes) and committed ill-advised fouls, earning a disqualification.4. Darnell Jackson: Nobody plays harder. He contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds in 17 minutes.5. Julian Wright: Made some terrific interior passes and dominated the boards with 11 rebounds in 19 minutes.6. Russell Robinson: Six points, six assists and five rebounds. He also kept the Wildcats from getting into their offense.7. Mario Chalmers: Didn't have one of his better games at either end, but he wasn't needed.8. Sasha Kaun: Had nine points and three rebounds in 13 minutes.9. Jeremy Case: Wowed the crowd with a behind-the-back dribble that served a purpose and mixed in two points and an assist in three minutes.10. Rodrick Stewart: Had a wide-open shot from the right corner. It looked good all the way until it bounced out hard.11. Brady Morningstar: He can leap and make things happen. Scored two points and picked up a rebound in three minutes.12. Matt Kleinmann: Showcased his hook shot, the No. 1 move in his arsenal, for a bucket.13. Brennan Bechard: Whistled for two fouls in two minutes, but he gets the nod for the 13th spot because he came into the game before Witherspoon, which likely means he has done better in practice.14. Brad Witherspoon: He shoots! He misses!The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (total points and average rank) 1. Brandon Rush (78, 24 games) 3.25 2. Mario Chalmers (87, 24 games) 3.63 3. Julian Wright (91, 24 games) 3.79 4. Sherron Collins (104, 24 games) 4.33 5. Darrell Arthur (112, 24 games) 4.67 (Breaks tie with Robinson for 5th) 6. Russell Robinson (115, 24 games) 4.79 7. Sasha Kaun (121, 21 games) 5.76 8. Darnell Jackson (146, 24 games) 6.08 9. Rodrick Stewart (176, 19 games) 9.26 10. Brady Morningstar (104, 11 games) 9.45 11. Jeremy Case (123, 13 games) 9.46 12. Matt Kleinmann (120, 11 games) 10.91 13. Brennan Bechard (103, 8 games) 12.88 14. Brad Witherspoon (94, 7 games) 13.43
Comments
danimal33 (anonymous) says…
Wow. You'd think Self actually listens to what we say, used it, and it worked. A double-double in 19 minutes for Darnell Jackson, only 13 minutes for Sasha Kaun, and a 27 point win. Maybe he finally figured out how valuable DJ can be???
justanotherfan (anonymous) says…
The key element for KU in all of their big wins has been fast starts by Rush and Wright. When those two get going early everybody else seems to join in, something that doesn't necessarily happen if others (Chalmers, Kaun, etc.) get off to a good start.
I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that KU has unknowingly anointed its leaders. Wright is the most vocal. Rush is the best player and the defensive stalwart (with all respect to what Robinson and Chalmers do on that end). When those two are keyed in early, the entire team locks in and plays. When only one of them is focused, you get an iffy performance. If neither plays well, the team can seemingly disappear.
The leadership void we were all worried about appears to be filling, but it is now up to Julian and Brandon to accept the mantle of leadership and lead this team into March.
trueblue9 (anonymous) says…
I vote for Keegan's top 5 as our starters.
"I didn't want to have back-to-back games of not being aggressive," said Rush.
Um Brandon, lets try to do better than every other game.
wiltstilt (anonymous) says…
Has anyone else noticed that if Witherspoon would just grow a damn mustache, he has the potential to reach legendary status as a walk-on/end-of-the-bench guy?
I wonder if he realizes this?
b1afide (anonymous) says…
He needs to get a tad thinner as well. Too much muscle as he looks to athletic.
Roysoldboy (anonymous) says…
I can't go with trueblue's starters since Robinson is so obviously the second best defensive guard and his offensive play has improved since he started driving and dishing so well. He is not as flashy as Collins but he does keep other teams from getting into their offense with his one man press. He is still the number 2 guard behind Brandon no matter how many points he scores. 6 assists and 5 rebounds last night keep him at the top to me.
As to Jackson, he is one of my favorites but he scores only off rebounds. The main thing I like about him is that he doesn't try to be a ball handler and gets the ball back to the guards. He is too valuable the way he is being used to use him as a starter and take away the defense of Kaun.
I have talked about my two favorite players from the team behind Rush.
lalawguy (anonymous) says…
Anyone notice how the ESPN and CBS sports commentators LOVE to tell the story of Sherron Collins giving up fast food and losing weight? I admire Collins for his willpower and commitment to losing weight, and I agree that it was a great story the first time I heard it, but I don't need to hear about it during every ku game! We've all heard the story by now. Give it a rest, folks.
This really has nothing to do with Keegan's ratings or this article, but I just needed a place to vent.
canuckhawk (anonymous) says…
Keegan. Kudos for not giving the top spot to the highest scorer.
Oh. And how about an extension for Bill Self. The man can flat out coach. (Just trying to work in some parity with all the Self Sharks who work themselves into a frenzy every time they smell blood--a single lose).