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. Tyrel Reed: Repeatedly hit three-pointers to stop the bleeding, both before and after the trainer stopped the bleeding in his nose.
2. Cole Aldrich: Life was difficult for him because UMass sagged him more than any team has thus far. Turned limited opportunities into 12 points. Also had two blocks and two turnovers. Could have made himself more useful by setting more screens.
3. Sherron Collins: Forced things too often, making just 6 of 21 shots. Did nice job defending Ricky Harris in the second half and turned the ball over just once in 38 minutes.
4. Brady Morningstar: Shot wasn’t falling. He made just 1 of 4 three-pointers.
5. Tyshawn Taylor: Needs to continue to refine jumper. Not his best effort at either end.
6. Marcus Morris: Fired up a three, then went down to the other end and fouled shooter 18 feet from the basket in the final second of the shot clock at crucial juncture late in the second half.
7. Quintrell Thomas: Picked up a point and a rebound in two minutes.
8. Markieff Morris: Two turnovers, two personals and one rebound in eight minutes. Ask not why he played so little. Ask why he played so much.
9. Travis Releford: Didn’t seem in the flow of things in four minutes.
The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (total points)
1. Cole Aldrich (81 points)
2. Sherron Collins (79 points)
3. Tyshawn Taylor (70 points)
4. Marcus Morris (49 points)
T5. Markieff Morris (48 points)
T5. Tyrel Reed (48 points)
7. Brady Morningstar (46 points)
8. Travis Releford (32 points)
9. Quintrell Thomas (28 points)
10. Tyrone Appleton (13 points)
