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. Cole Aldrich: Had 15 rebounds and five blocked shots, but scored just eight points and had four turnovers. Guards didn’t look to feed him often enough.
2. Travis Releford: Sparked team with nine points and two rebounds in eight minutes.
3. Mario Little: Had trouble defensively, but totaled nine points and four rebounds in 24 minutes and hit the game-tying shot from the right corner with 29 seconds left.
4. Tyshawn Taylor: Had six turnovers in 20 minutes, but also contributed 11 points, three boards and a steal.
5. Tyrel Reed: Next to Aldrich, he was the team’s best rebounder, picking up five in 22 minutes. In a quick stretch in the middle of the first half, he hit two threes, grabbed a big offensive rebound and threw a ball off a Missouri players legs and out of bounds to save another possession. His long-range shot was off, though. He hit just 2 of 7 three-pointers.
6. Sherron Collins: Missed all four three-point attempts, had nine turnovers and missed both free throw attempts with 1:48 left in the game.
7. Brady Morningstar: Had three big turnovers and scored just two points in 34 minutes.
8. Markieff Morris: Two points, three rebounds and three personal fouls in 10 minutes.
9. Marcus Morris: He was KU’s best defensive matchup against DeMarre Carroll, but played just 11 minutes, none after picking up a technical foul that energized Missouri early in the second half.
The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (total points)
1. Sherron Collins (208 points)
2. Cole Aldrich (207 points)
3. Tyshawn Taylor (156 points)
4. Brady Morningstar (149 points)
5. Tyrel Reed (131 points)
6. Marcus Morris (121 points)
7. Markieff Morris (113 points)
8. Travis Releford (84 points)
9. Mario Little (70 points)
10. Quintrell Thomas (50 points)
11. Tyrone Appleton (24 points)
The Keegan Ratings: Conference Standings (total points)
1. Cole Aldrich (75 points)
2. Sherron Collins (74 points)
3. Mario Little (60 points)
4. Brady Morningstar (59 points)
5. Tyshawn Taylor (54 points)
6. Tyrel Reed (47 points)
T7. Marcus Morris (41 points)
T7. Markieff Morris (41 points)
9. Travis Releford (27 points)
10. Quintrell Thomas (8 points)
11. Tyrone Appleton (5 points)
