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The Keegan Ratings
Chalmers gets last laugh
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. Mario Chalmers: Matched Stephen Curry dagger-for-dagger in the first half for a stretch and had a typically efficient shooting day, scoring 13 points from the field on 10 attempts.
2. Sasha Kaun: Gave the team a huge boost with 20 minutes of aggressive play. Had 13 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot. Made all six of his attempts from the field.
3. Darnell Jackson: Had seven points and five rebounds.
4. Brandon Rush: Had a rough shooting night (4-of-14) but was aggressive and finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Length gave Stephen Curry some trouble.
5. Darrell Arthur: Quiet nine points and seven rebounds. Committed three turnovers. Due to have a better Final Four than the four-game stretch leading to it.
6. Sherron Collins: Played aggressive at both ends, but misfired on all but one of eight shots.
7.Russell Robinson: Scoreless with four turnovers and one assist, Robinson did valuable defensive work on Curry.
8. Jeremy Case: Played two minutes at the end of the first half.
9. Cole Aldrich: Picked up a rebound, a personal foul and a turnover in five minutes, getting a rebound and then having a pass near the hoop intercepted.
The Keegan Ratings: Season Standings (based on average points)
1. Mario Chalmers 7.65 (283 points, 37 games)
2. Darnell Jackson 7.24 (275 points, 38 games)
3. Brandon Rush 6.94 (250 points, 36 games)
4. Darrell Arthur 6.58 (250 point, 38 games)
5. Russell Robinson 6.42 (244 points, 38 games)
6. Sherron Collins 5.84 (187 points, 32 games)
7. Sasha Kaun 5.68 (216 points, 38 games)
8. Cole Aldrich 3.82 (145 points, 38 games)
9. Rod Stewart 3.36 (111 points, 33 games)
10. Tyrel Reed 2.81 (62 points, 22 games)
11. Jeremy Case 2.59 (75 points, 29 games)
- Darrell Arthur : F, Memphis Grizzlies
- Mario Chalmers : G, Miami Heat
- Nick Collison : C-F, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Drew Gooden : F-C, Chicago Bulls
- Kirk Hinrich : G, Chicago Bulls
- Darnell Jackson : F, Cleveland Caveliers
- Raef LaFrentz : F, Portland Trailblazers
- Paul Pierce : G-F, Boston Celtics
- Scot Pollard : C-F, Boston Celtics
- Brandon Rush : G, Indiana Pacers
- Billy Thomas : G, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Jacque Vaughn : G, San Antonio Spurs Julian Wright : F, New Orleans Hornets
- All-time list of 'Hawks in the NBA
2003, 2004, and 2007 EPpy Award Winner. 
2003 and 2005 Digital Edge Winner
Comments
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Posted by 86finalfour (anonymous) on March 30, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I strongly disagree about Sherron Collins placement. If it weren't for him, they wouldn't have won tonight. He got the jayhawks moving the ball offensively. He's the xfactor for KU and has been all year. Last year, he was injured in the UCLA loss. I felt tonight's victory showed how valuable he is for this team. He also defended the three very well at the end of the game.
Posted by 86finalfour (anonymous) on March 30, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In addition, the one shot Collins made was a much needed three at a critical point in the second half -- some say it was a turning point.
Also, I noticed he was the PG down the stretch. He brought the ball down when the game was on the line...
Posted by b_asinbeer (anonymous) on March 30, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Darnell is #3? No disrespect, but he did not play like it today most of the time. He had great moments later on down the stretch, but I would put him at #7.
Still have love for the big guy though! Go get'em versus UNC!!!
Posted by trojanhawk (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 12:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Collins made critical TO, and forced up a bat shot at the end. I know he's sick, but he was non-existent in Omaha and Detroit.
Horrible offensive performance by most of the players, but almost everyone played great on defense. No point in ranking these players based on offense.
Posted by pmohr13 (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 1:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Collins was also battling what he calls a head cold. Was told that Self said it was actually tonsilitis, which is also why we haven't seen Stewart. With another week to get over his sickness I think we will see a better Collins and see him more ofton.
Posted by janeyb (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 1:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mario was great, but I would have put Sasha first. Sasha was a huge factor in both games. Thought Sasha, Authur and Collins all had big shots toward the end, but Collins took a shot too soon in a later possession then almost cost us the game with his turnover. Defense and not getting rattled by bad refs were the keys to the win. KU finally wore Davidson down. Something tough to do with all the TV timeouts. The teams are in timeout more than they play.
Posted by BannerforKirk (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 2:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand what everyone's saying - but no one would have been in the position to do well at the end had Mario not kept us in the game when NO ONE was hot.
Posted by Brock (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Darnell Jackson's play was dreadful. Nearly everything that he did resulted in disaster.
Posted by TtownHawk (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just about everyone had at least one play at a big point in the game. Russ Rob didn't show up on the Offensive end, but did a great job on Curry. Same with Rush. Collins had a timely 3. Great team play, Congrats again Hawks!
Posted by FSUJHAWK (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Darnell has indeed not been his regular season self since the post season began. He will be key to our Championship. I suspect Darnell fears that the end of the road at KU is near. He's been through a lot since his time as a Jayhawk began and now the thought of graduation and returning to a life outside of KU may be overwhelming him. It would certainly overwhelm me.
Darnell, regardless of what happens you'll always be Jayhawk, you'll always be family and you'll always be legendary at KU. The end of this academic year is just the begining Darnell.
Mr. Jackson...
Keep your head up for all you dreams can still come true,
No matter what happens we know you'll always bleed crimson and blue,
And that is why you'll always have a home at ole KU,
Now go out there, pound your chest and have some fun!
And by the way, tell Tyler Hansborough better luck next year because against the Jayhawks he's going to be one and done!
Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
Posted by janeyb (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Robinson would have had some great assists in the first half if Jackson, Arthur or Rush had been hitting. One of those games where it was tough to be the assist guy. Self was right. There were two players of the game. Mario in the first half and Sasha in the second. Still if any of the first seven had not been able to play yesterday, we probably would have lost the game. It was a team effort, especially on defense.
Posted by nebhawk77 (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Rush's rating is too low. He made big rebounds, and the game started to turn when he made a 3 point shot. And when he made that incredible off-balance shot and the free throw, and then 2 free throws later.
He played good defense on curry, and he got big rebounds.
His driving to the hoop led to some of Sasha's points.
Posted by dagger108 (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Russell is the one that is underrated here to me. His stats don't show his effectiveness, but Curry's stats do. The announcers kept saying, "Rush is long, but he can't keep up with Curry like Robinson." Curry's off night is what gave KU the win, not anything offensive by KU, and that definitely starts with Russell - #3 to me in uni and rank.
Posted by Jacobpaul81 (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it should be:
Sasha - No question, he played his best game... ever. Both ends of the court.
Mario - Mario played to his standard.
Russell - played the best D on the team, on a rough offensive night. Kept Davidson on their toes.
Brandon - pretty off night for brandon.
Sherron - Way too many turnovers. That 3 boosts him.
Darrell - Come on Shady. You should be all over those guys.
Darnell (i love ya big guy, but this may have been your worst outting all season). Please be big Darnell against UNC. We need ya buddy!
Cole
Jeremy