Big XII Champion Player Ratings to the Theme of Idyllic Locations
The most iconic building in college basketball is Allen Fieldhouse. Some might consider it an ideal place to watch a basketball game. I know I sure do. Add in the fact that last night was senior night, and you have as special an environment as there is in all of sports. So, today we rate the players to some idyllic locations around the globe. These aren’t going to be as specific as AFH or your favorite restaurant. Nope, these are more generic, but I think we hit all the main spots with these. As always, the criteria:
5 Stars: Out of this world performance. This is a hard to achieve rating and is only reserved for the most impressive or impressionable performances.
4.5 Stars: Very strong performance, packed the stat sheet, provided undeniable intangibles.
4 Stars: A strong performance that falls just short of the standards above.
3.5 Stars: Above average performance, perhaps stands out in one category or one aspect of the game.
3 Stars: Average performance. Also could be a very strong game in one aspect but a very poor game in another such as 15 points but seven turnovers. Could also be that the player played, did their job, but didn't do much spectacularly.
2 Stars: Below average performance, or we simply have higher expectations for the player on this particular night.
1 Star: Rare, but if a player has a stinker in all aspects.
Memorial No Star: Named after former KU walk-on Chris Teahan and is awarded to the player(s) who didn't have enough playing time to contribute or whose performance isn't worthy of a rating for another reason.
5 Stars: Mountains
Oooooh, controversy right away. It’s always a fight between the beach and the mountains, isn’t it? Well, right now I’ll take the mountains as I am currently living ten minutes from the ocean. I know, it's rough.
No one was a five star in this game.
4.5 Stars: Ocean
Not a bad choice here either, obviously. It’s really a toss up for the top two. What's really cool is when you can see the mountains from the ocean.
Kevin McCullar was KU's best player and had the play of the game late on when he wrestled the ball away from a Tech player under the basket and scored with 33 seconds to go to give Kansas a three point lead that they would never relinquish. It was the perfect way for Kevin McCullar to go out in his final game at Allen Fieldhouse. He finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.
4 Stars: The middle of nowhere
Let’s make sure that this means that we have some scenery to look at. This could be somewhere like the top two on this list or maybe a good national or state park. It could also be something like this: I enjoyed myself at a star gazing event in the middle of the Moab desert once. It was true middle of nowhere and I've never seen stars like that before or since.
Jalen Wilson also had a nice "senior" night. Jwill couldn't buy one from deep (0 for 5) but was a solid six for eleven from two and nine of ten from the charity stripe. He's going to remembered as a Kansas great and his name is going in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse.
Name a player that is more important to their team's success than Dajuan Harris. I'll wait. He has been so good for KU lately and been the real key to some of these close wins where many players don't perform up to expectations. Juan makes everyone around him better, a true point guard quality. But hey, he can score too. He had 16 in this one to go along with his five assists and two steals.
3.5 Stars: A quiet library
Give me one of those libraries with comfortable chairs, and we’re all set. Note: I'm a former English teacher so this certainly fits the stereotype.
No one was a 3.5
3 Stars: The City
The perfect three star, right in the middle. The obvious thing to say is that cities are rarely peaceful, they’re full of noise, and most wouldn’t consider them for this list. But most of the world lives in cities and for many, the comfort of knowing that everything you need is just a few minutes away is the ultimate idyllic idea.
KJ Adams had trouble with Tech's big guys and if we're being honest, if they hadn't have missed some bunnies, this article might have been drastically different. Adams finished with seven points and eight rebounds.
Ernest Udeh didn't do anything wrong, he just didn't play that much. He scored a basket and has now made all 17 field goal attempts that he has taken in the conference season.
Joseph Yesufu made his first three pointer of the game fresh off the bench which immediately triggered the "I'm shooting it more" part of his brain and he didn't score again after missing two from deep. He only played nine minutes in this one.
2 Stars: The middle of nowhere
There are places with nothing around, and when I say nothing, there’s just nothing. Something along the lines of 10 miles outside Dodge City. That kind of middle of nowhere. That isn’t all that enjoyable to me.
Gradey Dick had four assists and five rebounds, but we here at Player Ratings Headquarters* expect him to score. So when he doesn't score a single basket from the floor (0 for 7 overall including five misses from three point land), Gradey gets the worst rating of any Jayhawk. He'll bounce back and I wouldn't be surprised if he dominates against Texas.
*the couch
1 Star: War
Too many places like this on Earth right now.
No one will ever be compared to war.
Chris Teahan Memorial No Star:
Bobby Pettiford took one three in three minutes of play. Not sure what happened to him, but I hope he can find that extra gear in the post season. KU may need him.
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