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: Every time Oklahoma pulled within a possession, Collins nailed a three. He wanted to take every big shot and hit almost all of them. He finished with 26 points and made 5 of 8 three-pointers.
2. Cole Aldrich: Needed to dominate underneath in Blake Griffin’s absence and he did. Scored 15 points, had a career-high 20 rebounds, blocked four shots and had two steals.
3. Tyshawn Taylor: Nobody has played this well in a game this season and not ranked higher than third. Had 26 points, three assists and just one turnover.
4. Markieff Morris: Had seven points and two rebounds, but would have scored nine points if he dunked one ball that he could have. He showed he has the hops against Nebraska. Use them, big fella, use them.
5. Marcus Morris: Five points, three rebounds, two assists, two turnovers and four personal fouls in 17 minutes. Check the replay to see if he was a victim of some overzealous whistles.
6. Brady Morningstar: Shots weren’t dropping but he did a nice job of bringing the ball up against pressure and finished with three assists and a turnover.
7. Tyrel Reed: Hit a huge three at the end of the first half, but had an otherwise quiet night.
8. Travis Releford: The always-active, raw freshman picked up two offensive rebounds, an assist and three personal fouls in 10 minutes.
9. Mario Little: He’ll figure out how to restore his confidence soon, but this wasn’t the night.
10. Quintrell Thomas: Picked up two rebounds in four minutes.
11. Tyrone Appleton: Played one minute.
The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (total points)
1. Sherron Collins (245 points)
2. Cole Aldrich (244 points)
3. Tyshawn Taylor (180 points)
4. Brady Morningstar (174 points)
5. Marcus Morris (150 points)
6. Tyrel Reed (149 points)
7. Markieff Morris (136 points)
8. Travis Releford (96 points)
9. Mario Little (77 points)
10. Quintrell Thomas (55 points)
11. Tyrone Appleton (27 points)
The Keegan Ratings: Conference Standings (total points)
1. Cole Aldrich (112 points)
2. Sherron Collins (111 points)
3. Brady Morningstar (84 points)
4. Tyshawn Taylor (78 points)
5. Marcus Morris (70 points)
6. Mario Little (67 points)
7. Tyrel Reed (65 points)
8. Markieff Morris (64 points)
9. Travis Releford (39 points)
10. Quintrell Thomas (13 points)
11. Tyrone Appleton (8 points)
