Kansas vs. NC Central: Player Ratings to the Theme of Potatoes
The first Kansas basketball game is in the books, so that means that we’re back for a brand new season of player ratings. I’m sure you’ve missed the way we rate the players around here, comparing their performances according to mundane (or exciting!) themes all season long. We’ll start off with something that has been a much debated topic among my friend group, the preparation of potatoes. I really don’t see how, the five star is so clear, clearer than many a five star in the long and storied history of these ratings.
The humble potato is a glorious vegetable, capable of being prepared in so many amazing and tasty ways. There is really no wrong way to cook one, so even our two-star is a tasty treat. This is the perfect way to start the player ratings off as after a blowout against NC Central, there were no poor performances.
But first, it is the first player ratings post since the 2023 postseason, take a look at the ever so scientific way that these posts are created and judged:
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: French Fries
The king. The greatest side dish ever created. So many varieties and cuts. They go with anything.
Being as the competition was completely overmatched by the speed, athleticism, and talent of Kansas, no five-stars will be awarded for this game. Plus, the starters all vacated the floor at the under eight timeout, leaving time for the walk ons to get quality minutes.
4.5 Stars: Chips
Potato chips are so good. And, like fries, you get choices in texture- ridged, regular, kettle, wavy. Plus, the endless list of flavors makes this a high star choice.
Hunter Dickinson made his presence felt from the onset, and you get the feeling that if Kansas wanted to, they could’ve fed the big man on literally every possession. As it turns out, Dickinson finished eight of nine from the floor including three of three from behind the three point stripe for a total of 21 points. The big guy also grabbed eight rebounds, dished out five assists, and had two blocks.
Kevin McCullar was outstanding in this game, finishing with a game high 22 points on 66% shooting, including going four of seven from long range. If this is what bonus year McCullar looks like, we’re in for a treat.
There were those out there that questioned KU’s acquisition of Nick Timberlake after the two preseason games, but I doubt those same vocal overreacters are still posting about it. Timberlake started his KU career with aplomb, nailing three of four from behind the arc and finishing with 13 points.
4 Stars: Mashed
Now we move on to the more elegant choice. If I'm going more upscale, you know what goes well with my perfectly seared pork chop? Velvety mashed potatoes. But of course, these don’t have to be upscale, not by a longshot. They are the perfect side at any family holiday gathering.
Dajuan Harris will obviously have to shoot more than the zero times he did in this one for Kansas to reach its full potential against quality competition, but Juan didn’t have to do that in this one. He dished out 10 assists in this one and offered the floor leadership that he is well known for.
KJ Adams played within himself, scoring 12 points, grabbing five rebounds, and dishing out two assists. Playing with another big man is an adjustment that it appears KJ has made with relative ease. We’ll know more when KU plays higher level competition.
I was quite impressed with Parker Braun in this one. Ten points, five rebounds, and three assists is a nice debut, but the way he played is what will excite KU fans. Sure it was a rebuilding NC Central team, but Braun fit in perfectly, and I for one was pleasantly surprised by his touch near the rim.
For a guy who hadn’t gotten as many reps as Head Coach Bill Self would’ve liked, freshman Johnny Furphy had a nice debut. He hit two of his four attempts from three, had two assists, and grabbed five rebounds. It was as much of a non-pressure game that you can have, but Furphy looked like the real deal out there.
3.5 Stars: Tater Tots
Could these be higher on this list? Yes. When you bite into a perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside tot, you kind of forget about that hamburger sitting next to it.
Elmarko Jackson got into some early foul trouble (two “freshman” fouls around the three point line) and his first half minutes were limited. He did get an opportunity to play with three fouls and did pretty well, and that first step on the drive to the basket is going to be an asset for Kansas going forward as he’s about as explosive as anyone in a Jayhawk uniform. He finished with eight points and five assists. Not bad.
Michael Jankovich went two of three from the field in eight minutes of action in mop up time. Canned a three and finished with five points.
3 Stars: Twice Baked
Another personal favorite, but they are a little lower because the preparation is so much more tedious than everything above.
I’m tossing the rest of the walk-ons, the “cleanup crew” as Wayne Simien called them, right here. The only thing they didn’t do was get the team to 100 points. Along with Jank, Wilder Evers played after the under eight timeout and scored his first basket as a Jayhawk. Dillon Wilhite and Patrick Cassidy both played five minutes, neither scoring a point, but what a thrill it must’ve been for Cassidy, a former manager for the team to get minutes as a Kansas player. A dream come true.
2 Stars: Baked
I guess this is a two star because they can get dry. I still love them though and add enough butter and they moisten up quite nicely.
See, I told you the two-star was still a tasty treat. No one deserved a two star in this game.
1 Star: Raw?
Not sure why you’d eat a raw potato
No one was a one-star in the blowout.
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