Kansas vs. Manhattan: Player Ratings to the Theme of Famous Jaspers
If you’re a consistent reader of the player ratings, you know that I love to connect a theme to a team. But today, you’ll find that in this ratings post, I’m grasping at straws. It started off as a simple thought of rating dudes named Jasper, but after extensive research (a five minute google search), I realized that there just weren’t that many.
Oh well, sometimes you have to stretch a bit to get to the point. Before we rate the players, here is the method we use to determine the ratings:
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.
5 Stars: Jasper Johns
Abstract Expressionism. Pop Art. Whatever you call the collected works of Jasper Johns, you’ll be able to see his masterpieces throughout the world’s great modern art museums.
Like the NC Central game, the opposing team didn’t offer much resistance, so there again will be no five-star ratings.
4.5 Stars: Jasper Cillessen
A goalkeeper for the Netherlands national team, Jasper Cillessen has played for some prestigious soccer clubs in his career including Barcelona, Valencia, and Ajax. He currently plies his trade for NEC in his native Netherlands.
Elmarko Jackson had his best game as a Jayhawk, and before you point out that it was the second game of his college career, hear me out. Before the first media timeout, Jackson already started to make his presence felt, making two top defensive plays. Later he proved what an asset he is going to be by racking up 10 assists on the night. He nailed a three late to show off his range.
Another freshman to shine was Johnny Furphy. The Australian nailed six of his ten field goal attempts including three of seven from behind the arc. He proved he was more than a jump shooter when he swooped in and grabbed a rebound on a missed three for an easy putback. He finished with 15 points on the night.
It seemed like all of KJ Adams’ baskets were dunks and you have a feeling that he likes it that way. I certainly like it that way. The athletic wing finished with 14 points against the Jaspers.
4 Stars: Jasper’s restaurant in Kansas City
People really like this place.
It’s difficult to rate the Kansas starters in games like this because their points are coming in only 30 minutes of game clock and about 20-25 minutes of game time, but Kevin McCullar continues to do the small things that are going to help the team. He struggled from three point range (one for five for the game) and at one point missed two in a span of five seconds, but he was perfect from two point land and the free throw line, things that are going to be important going forward. He added four assists and seven rebounds to his 15 point performance.
Hunter Dickinson wasn’t as prolific in this one as he was against NC Central, but he still finished with 18 points to lead the team and made 50% of his shots from the floor, including his only three pointer.
Sure, a lot of Parker Braun’s minutes were in mop up time, but his three blocks weren’t and he again finished with a stat line that impresses: ten points and five rebounds to go along with those blocks. His awareness of where he is is on the court and his scoring the with his back to the basket or quickly cutting to it, especially in the second half, looked effortless
Michael Jankovich nailed two threes and scored a career high six points while again logging seven plus minutes. Yes, he’s getting a high rating today.
3.5 Stars: Jiminy Cricket (given name Jesper)
Why does a cartoon have a given name? No one knows (Shaggy from Scooby Doo is apparently named Norville Rogers for some reason) or cares, but this is sadly the most iconic name on the list, so it gets a high star ranking.
After being hurt in the first game, Jamari McDowell got significant playing time on Friday and the experience is only going to help him going forward. He hustles and works hard and these are the kind of guys that Bill Self has molded into four year high level contributors. Five points and six assists in your college debut is a fine start.
If you’re a walk-on and you score your first points as a Jayhawk, you’re getting a decent rating. Welcome to the ratings, Dillon Wilhite.
3 Stars: Brother Jasper
This is the man that the Manhattan Jaspers mascot comes from. Brother Jasper brought baseball to the college and became its first ever coach. It’s a unique mascot, but it’s not very intimidating.
Dajuan Harris didn’t have to do anything in this one. He did finally shoot it, but he seemed content to let others soak up the spotlight. He drops to a three star, but it wasn’t a bad performance.
2 Stars: Jesper Parnevik
A fine golfer, but not really a Jasper, so he gets a low ranking through no fault of his own.
The only disappointing performance of the night belonged to Nick Timberlake. His three point shot wouldn’t fall (he went one of four from deep), and after a nice opening night performance, Jayhawk fans will be a little let down with game two.
1 Star: Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford
Someone had to be the one star so this guy that you've never heard of gets the nod.
No Kansas player was a one-star in this one.
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