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: Kept the team in aggressive mode the whole way and did a magnificent job distributing the ball on the fastbreak. Also made 4 of 6 three-point shots. Finished with 25 points, six assists, five rebounds and five turnovers.
2. Cole Aldrich: Dunks with incredible force, runs the floor hard and uses his long arms to dominate the boards. Finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and two blocked shots.
3. Tyshawn Taylor: Based on his performance in the past two games, he’s back and better than ever. Made good decisions in determining when to drive to the hoop and how to contort his body at the end of the drive. Attempted just seven field goals and finished with 15 points and six assists.
4. Markieff Morris: Had six points and seven rebounds in 15 physical minutes.
5. Tyrel Reed: Made 3 of 4 three-pointers, had three assists and did not turn it over in 18 minutes.
6. Mario Little: Broke out of his slump with five points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals in 15 minutes.
7. Marcus Morris: Had four points, five rebounds and two blocked shots in 11 minutes.
8. Brady Morningstar: Would have jacked the crowd if his one-handed dunk attempt hadn’t popped out. Is in a mini-shooting slump, hitting 1 of 8 field goals and misfiring on all four three-point attempts in the past two games.
9. Travis Releford: Played five minutes without turning it over and contributed an assist.
10. Quintrell Thomas: Scored three points and picked up a rebound to go with two turnovers in six minutes.
11. Tyrone Appleton: Played two minutes, scored two points and had a turnover.
The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (total points)
1. Sherron Collins (255 points)
2. Cole Aldrich (253 points)
3. Tyshawn Taylor (188 points)
4. Brady Morningstar (177 points)
5. Tyrel Reed (155 points)
6. Marcus Morris (154 points)
7. Markieff Morris (143 points)
8. Travis Releford (98 points)
9. Mario Little (82 points)
10. Quintrell Thomas (56 points)
11. Tyrone Appleton (27 points)
The Keegan Ratings: Conference Standings (total points)
T1. Cole Aldrich (121 points)
T1. Sherron Collins (121 points)
3. Brady Morningstar (87 points)
4. Tyshawn Taylor (86 points)
5. Marcus Morris (74 points)
6. Mario Little (72 points)
T7. Tyrel Reed (71 points)
T7. Markieff Morris (71 points)
9. Travis Releford (41 points)
10. Quintrell Thomas (14 points)
11. Tyrone Appleton (8 points)
