The Keegan Ratings: Julian’s ‘closer’ approach a success

By Staff     Feb 27, 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. Julian Wright**: Scored the team’s first six points, picked up an assist on the next two buckets and was big at the end of the game as well. Wright has been playing closer to the basket lately, which is a good thing. He’s learned how to exploit bulkier defenders with superior quickness. Finished with 18 points and eight rebounds.**2. Mario Chalmers**: Totaled 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists, which more than made up for the four turnovers. While teammates struggled at the line, he kept knocking them down, finishing 10-of-12 from the line.**3. Sasha Kaun**: It’s tougher for opponents to score inside when Kaun’s in the game. He also contributed 11 points and nine rebounds, made three of four free throws and had a huge putback late in the game.**4. Russell Robinson**: He said his foot injury, which kept him from playing Saturday against Iowa State, felt fine during his 19 minutes off the bench, and after the game. **5. Darnell Jackson**: Averages 14.5 rebounds per 40 minutes of playing time. Julian Wright, with 12.4 rebounds per 40 minutes, has the team’s second-highest total. Also Jackson, who blocked three shots all of last season, has swatted 13 this season. **6. Brandon Rush**: Had all sorts of trouble holding onto the ball, was very shaky against fullcourt pressure and made just two of seven field goal attempts. He did have a huge blocked shot early in the game and pulled in seven rebounds.**7. Sherron Collins**: Double-teamed on the perimeter much of the night, Collins had trouble negotiating his way through Oklahoma’s changing defenses. Misfired on all five field goal attempts, had two turnovers and went scoreless. He’s human, after all. **8. Darrell Arthur**: Wasn’t getting it done and was getting whistled for ticky-tack fouls. Played just six minutes and did not score a point or get a rebound. **9. Rodrick Stewart**: Limited to two minutes.**The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (total points and average rank)** **1.** Julian Wright (103, 30 games) 3.43 (**_Jumps Rush for 1st_**) **2.** Brandon Rush (105, 30 games) 3.50 **3.** Mario Chalmers (110, 30 games) 3.67 **4.** Sherron Collins (130, 30 games) 4.33 **5.** Darrell Arthur (141, 30 games) 4.70 **6.** Russell Robinson (137, 29 games) 4.72 **7.** Sasha Kaun (156, 27 games) 5.78 **8.** Darnell Jackson (180, 30 games) 6.00 **9.** Rodrick Stewart (221, 24 games) 9.21 **10.** Jeremy Case (151, 16 games) 9.44 **11.** Brady Morningstar (123, 13 games) 9.46 **12.** Matt Kleinmann (153, 14 games) 10.93 **13.** Brennan Bechard (123, 10 games) 12.30 **14.** Brad Witherspoon (119, 9 games) 13.22

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