The Keegan Ratings: Russell quite the Valentine

By Staff     Feb 15, 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. Russell Robinson**: Even when teammates grew sloppy for a first half stretch, Robinson kept his head and made good decisions. There wasn’t anything he didn’t do well. He saw opportunities underneath, cut there for easy baskets and grabbed three offensive rebounds. Robinson also had six assists, five steals and just two turnovers. He also led the team in scoring with a season-high 14 points.**2. Julian Wright**: Used his quickness advantage to pick up seven rebounds, did a nice job of passing from the high post and on the interior and played a strong defensive game.**3. Sasha Kaun**: Was so unproductive in the first half he didn’t start the second half. Blocked four shots. In nine second half minutes he totaled 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots.**4. Darrell Arthur**: In the past seven games, has averaged 18 minutes and four fouls, totals he matched in this game. It was time enough to total 11 points and seven rebounds. He said he is considering playing defense with his hands behind his back at times in practice, which he did in high school, in order to force himself to play with his feet, not his hands. Chastised himself for going for too many steals.**5. Darnell Jackson**: He played 351 minutes last season and blocked three shots. This season, he has played 393 minutes and has blocked 15 shots. On one of his two blocks in this game, he swatted it against the board and grabbed it with two hands. His best work, though, was done on the boards. He had a game-high 11 rebounds in 17 minutes. He would be rated higher if not for an 0-for-5 night at the free throw line, dropping his percentage from .706 to .658. He’s hit only half of his free throws in Big 12 play.**6. Brandon Rush**: As did Robinson, Rush did a nice job in limiting Richard Roby to seven points. Had a rough shooting night and didn’t get a lot done on the boards.**7. Sherron Collins**: Forced things a little bit, didn’t have his typical long-range touch working and at times was abused defensively. Did look strong crossing over to his left and going up strong with his left for a driving bucket. Also skied remarkably high for one of three defensive rebounds.**8. Mario Chalmers**: Didn’t always make the best decisions on the fastbreak and didn’t do a great job of finishing.**9. Rodrick Stewart**: Made his only shot, a three-pointer, and picked up a rebound and an assist in seven minutes of non-stop hustle.**10. Brady Morningstar**: He hasn’t played enough to show whether he can defend Big 12 guards adequately, but he does have the look of someone who can score against strong competition. Has 27 points in 71 minutes, much but not all of that coming in garbage time. Has made three of seven three-pointers, including the only one he took against Buffaloes.**11. Jeremy Case**: Missed both three-point attempts and mixed in an assist in three minutes. **12. Matt Kleinmann**: Played a quiet three minutes.**The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (total points and average rank)** **1.** Brandon Rush (86, 26 games) 3.31 **2.** Julian Wright (94, 26 games) 3.62 **3.** Mario Chalmers (101, 26 games) 3.88 **4.** Sherron Collins (114, 26 games) 4.38 **5.** Russell Robinson (121, 26 games) 4.65 (**_Jumps Arthur for 5th_**> **6.** Darrell Arthur (123, 26 games) 4.73 **7.** Sasha Kaun (132, 23 games) 5.74 **8.** Darnell Jackson (155, 26 games) 5.96 **9.** Rodrick Stewart (185, 20 games) 9.25 **10.** Jeremy Case (132, 14 games) 9.43 (**_Jumps Morningstar for 10th_**) **11.** Brady Morningstar (114, 12 games) 9.50 **12.** Matt Kleinmann (132, 12 games) 11.00 **13.** Brennan Bechard (103, 8 games) 12.88 **14.** Brad Witherspoon (94, 7 games) 13.43

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