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March 22, 2007
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. Darnell Jackson: Repeatedly picked up loose balls, had a huge steal late, made both free throws with 1:44 left, did his job in composed fashion on the press break, battled hard for big boards, made all three field goal attempts, hollered encouragement to wake up slumbering teammates and generally played the best all-around game on the team on the way to eight points and five rebounds. 2. Brandon Rush: Scored eight of his team-high 12 points in the second half. 3. Darrell Arthur: Had trouble rebounding because of the physical nature of the game, but hit some big buckets on his way to a nine-point night. 4. Russell Robinson: Had three steals, including a huge one in the end. Didn't have his shooting touch and committed four turnovers, but didn't lose his aggressiveness. 5. Rodrick Stewart: Came off the bench, immediately took a charge and soon after soared in the lane for a jumpshot he swished. Also came up with a big offensive rebound that somehow escaped the notice of the stat crew. 6. Sherron Collins: The constant trapping gave him trouble and he turned it over three times. His coast-to-coast drive was a beauty though. 7. Julian Wright: He has fallen in love too much with the one-handed lefty shot. The ultra-physical play didn't bring out the best in him and he was limited to 28 minutes. 8. Mario Chalmers: The first sign this was going to be a long night for him came early when a loose ball was in his vicinity, he didn't dive on the floor for it, and an SIU player came up with it. Missed three free throws and committed four turnovers. 9. Sasha Kaun: The Salukis were too quick for him and he was limited to 11 minutes, three in the second half. He had just one rebound. The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (total points and average rank) 1. Brandon Rush (126, 37 games) 3.41 (Breaks tie with Wright for 1st) 2. Julian Wright (131, 37 games) 3.54 3. Mario Chalmers (133, 37 games) 3.59 4. Sherron Collins (161, 37 games) 4.35 5. Russell Robinson (163, 36 games) 4.53 6. Darrell Arthur (183, 37 games) 4.95 7. Darnell Jackson (221, 37 games) 5.97 (Jumps Kaun for 7th) 8. Sasha Kaun (198, 33 games) 6.00 9. Rodrick Stewart (263, 29 games) 9.07 10. Jeremy Case (178, 19 games) 9.37 11. Brady Morningstar (156, 16 games) 9.75 12. Matt Kleinmann (190, 17 games) 11.18 13. Brennan Bechard (150, 12 games) 12.50 14. Brad Witherspoon (131, 10 games) 13.10
Comments
Roysoldboy (anonymous) says...
I think that Keegan and I watched the same game. He says that Jackson was the top dog tonight and I certainly felt that way. In fact I was ready to agree about all three of his first picks. I would have picked Stewart four if it hadn't been for the fact that Russell had to play point most of the game because of Mario's troubles. Rodrick came in and played as well as anybody else in the little bit he had to play.
Once again it was hard to figure out who the main weapons were since they were Jackson, Rush, and Arthur. How many times has Keegan rated Jackson at the top and Arthur at third.
Great game and I was really proud of the whole team since they could have just given up because of the tight defense and I got so unhappy with the game announcers who didn't try to hide the fact that they wanted SIU to win by calling attention to every questionable call of lack of same that favored KU and never mentioned any that favored SIU and there were plenty of them.
I don't think UCLA will be as tough since they may try to outrun the best running team in the Great Eight that will be left. I sure do hope they do it long enough to get beat for trying that.
March 23, 2007 at 12:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dagger108 (anonymous) says...
Mostly, I didn't notice Roderick, which is good. It means he was just playing solid defense. My general impression in the past has been that he has been too anxious on offense. I was pleasantly surprised to watch him drive on one possesion when he was left open and pull up for a nice mid-range jumper. It was really encouraging for the future. That he is understanding fitting into the offense.
March 23, 2007 at 3:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Brock (anonymous) says...
I hope that Mario plays better against the Bruins than he did versus Southern Illinois. SIU was so rough on Chalmers that it appeared as if they were guarding his free-throws.
Brock
March 23, 2007 at 6:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biggestFish (anonymous) says...
Darnell would have been player of the game... except, it should go to Russell Robinson. Sure, he missed open shots in the first half. But, towards the end of his game he kept driving to the basket and kept KU in it. Collins was on the bench a while. Chalmers was on the bench a while. Self kept Robinson out there because he was defending the best, and he was aggressive. Darnell is a close second; he made his freethrows.
March 23, 2007 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
worrynotjhawk (anonymous) says...
I liked that Rush was willing to step up and take the tough shots late in the game. It really helps when it seems like he wants to play all the time. SIU played hard (some times dirty), but the Hawks proved that they could overcome all obstacles SIU threw at them. I do wish that Julian would have made one free throw at the end, though.
March 23, 2007 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mom_of_three (anonymous) says...
As the season progressed, I became more and more impressed with Darnell Jackson. He is such a great rebounder and has the short jumper which he hits about every time he is open. He seems to play with such passion and energy. He is one of my 3 favorite players (Chalmers, Collins and Jackson).
March 23, 2007 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mollyolly1986 (anonymous) says...
I have been impressed with Darnell Jackson every time he plays. He seems to always make the most out of his minutes and rebounds when others won't. Its nice that Jackson is finally getting the credit he deserves.
And yes the made free throws were nice.
March 23, 2007 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bswen (anonymous) says...
DJ! I love him. I'm hoping he gets a fair chance at the starting lineup next year. He deserves it and I think it would make a lot of sense to have his passion on the court at the start of every game. He's consistently better than Sasha and more experienced and consistent than Darrell.
March 23, 2007 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
skolvikes (anonymous) says...
Favorite moment: 2 Salukis roll up DJ [foul] on the floor under the basket in one of the many loose-ball scrums, and camera zooms in on Jackson. Darnell has this beatific smile.
The smile said, "OK, boys, I like it like this--and I'm bigger than you are. Let's get it on."
That's why DJ was our most effective post player against SIU. Some games just require that kind of attitude.
March 23, 2007 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JayCeph (anonymous) says...
skolvikes, you couldn't be more accurate. Had the rest of the team taken that attitude, the game wouldn't have even been close.
Rock Chalk the Bruins on Saturday!!
ps- Did anyone hear the RockChalkChant in the HP Pavillion last night? Even after the games was over? I tried to listen for it but... nothing. :(
March 23, 2007 at 1:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tsweat (anonymous) says...
Finally Keegan shows Darnell some love. He IS our best post player. our post player are Kaun, jackson and arthur, I consider Wright a tweener so he doesnt count. Jackson is the toughest, has a good shot, hustles the most and doesnt make dumb plays. I hope he can be healthy and get more minutes on our way to the ship and then start next year or be 6th man
March 23, 2007 at 6:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )