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. Sherron Collins: Took just 14 shots from the field and scored 25 points, scoring on hard drives to the hoop, mid-range jumpers and four three-pointers. Talk about hard to guard.
2. Cole Aldrich: Easily the team’s best low-post scorer and defender and the top rebounder, Aldrich picked up two first-half fouls and the team wasn’t nearly as good when he went to the bench. Finished with 12 points, six boards, three blocked shots and three steals in 19 minutes.
3. Tyrel Reed: Kept the ball moving well and made both of his three-point shots.
4. Tyshawn Taylor: Had a good first half, but became a little out control again in the second half.
5. Travis Releford: Scored eight points, the most spectacular on an outstanding jam on which he was fouled. Three-point play? No. Think Sasha Kaun at the free-throw line.
6. Brady Morningstar: Had six assists, three steals and no turnovers.
7. Marcus Morris: Had 10 rebounds (five offensive) and four steals, but forced too many shots and missed some of them by a lot. He made 2 of 8 from the field.
8. Markieff Morris: Got his first start. Could have done a much better job of blocking out on the boards. Finished with six points and five rebounds.
9. Quintrell Thomas: Gets good rebounding position and would have done even better on the boards than seven in 12 minutes if he had more reliable hands.
10. Tyrone Appleton: Six minutes, two turnovers.
The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (total points)1. Sherron Collins (20 points) 2. Cole Aldrich (18 points) 3. Tyrel Reed (15 points) T4. Travis Releford (12 points) T4. Tyshawn Taylor (12 points) 6. Markieff Morris (11 points) 7. Brady Morningstar (8 points) T8. Quintrell Thomas (6 points) T8. Marcus Morris (6 points) 10. Tyrone Appleton (2 points)
