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: Never played better. Would not be denied on coast-to-coast drives punctuated with amazing body control. Had 26 points and nine assists and made great strides in the area of trusting teammates.
2. Cole Aldrich: Threw down seven dunks and said he tried to rip down the rim on each one. Had 22 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots. He … was … awesome!
3. Brady Morningstar: Had trouble in-bounding the ball. Then again, most players do against Tennessee. Hit all three of his first-half three-point attempts and had a great steal (did not get credit for it in the box) and ensuing reverse layin. Did get credit for three floor burns.
4. Tyshawn Taylor: Penetrated well and contributed 12 points and three assists with just one turnover. Foul trouble limited him to 23 minutes. Still too often caught too upright defensively.
5. Tyrel Reed: Hit two big threes, hustled for two offensive rebounds and contributed two assists.
6. Marcus Morris: Didn’t foul at nearly the same rate as his twin. It took Marcus 20 minutes to foul out. Had four turnovers but also played aggressively on defense (two steals) and picked up six rebounds. Showed he has a pulse, but does he have a mid-range jumper? Firing an abundance of airballs.
7. Mario Little: Playing with protective armor on his shin and hand, Little made his debut and hustled on the boards, picking up five in 10 scoreless minutes.
8. Travis Releford: Picked up four rebounds in eight minutes.
9. Markieff Morris: Fouled out after seven minutes of action. A better-passing version of C.J. Giles?
10. Quintrell Thomas: Limited to two minutes.
The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (total points)
1. Sherron Collins (115 points)
2. Cole Aldrich (113 points)
3. Tyshawn Taylor (95 points)
4. Brady Morningstar (79 points)
5. Marcus Morris (72 points)
6. Tyrel Reed (69 points)
7. Markieff Morris (63 points)
8. Travis Releford (49 points)
9. Quintrell Thomas (36 points)
10. Tyrone Appleton (18 points)
11. Mario Little (4 points)
