Player Ratings to the Theme of Boats
After a very slow start, the Kansas Jayhawks boat raced the Oklahoma Sooners down in Norman. So what better theme than boats for the ratings. And it begs the question: What’s the best boat? Well, you’re about to find out. Here’s the criteria for how we rate the players:
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 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: Yacht
Even since the days of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, we normal people have dreamed about owning a yacht. It’s gotta be the ultimate form of prestige.
There were no five stars in this game.
4.5 Stars: Sailboat
The most traditional of all the boats or ships, it’s many peoples’ dream to take a luxury sailboat and see the world. Sounds pretty idyllic, but only if the crew is doing all the pulling and heaving, not one where the vacationers participate. I’m eating and drinking and swimming, thank you very much.
Jay Wright and Bill Raftery endlessly praising Ernest Udeh's performance wasn't expected, at least not by everyone, but what a game the freshman had. Eight points, four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks somehow only tells part of the story. Udeh was everywhere defensively, and the dunks? The man likes to dunk and that's fine by me.
Dajuan Harris took the second most shots of any Jayhawk (11) and finished with a solid 16 points. His three turnovers were uncharacteristic (I think he might've had two on back-to-back possessions, each on the other end of the floor) but when Juan is confident and his shots are falling, Kansas is a deadly team.
Kevin McCullar was really good in this one. He had 13/5/5 and I thought he was a little unlucky on a few foul calls that could've been clean strips, adding to his three steals.
Jalen Wilson set the tone in this blowout. He nailed three of four from three, adding five rebounds and five assists in a game that proved to be a huge rebound from his one off game this season.
4 Stars: Speed Boat
People that own boats on lakes sometimes like to drive them really fast. Pretty fun!
Let's get generous with these ratings, shall we? We'll start with Gradey Dick. He didn't score like he typically does, but he scored eight points on four of five shooting. And the tomahawk dunk? We're bumping him up a half star and eliminating a whole category because after a dominant win, we can do things like that.
It's hard to give a low rating on a day when very few guys did anything wrong (after the first eight minutes at least). So, KJ Adams gets a soft four as well. He made five of six from the floor.
As mentioned on the telecast, MJ Rice played within himself and had a solid game. He could become a key piece to the puzzle as this team negotiates the post season. Scored two points and grabbed four boards.
3 Stars: Pontoon
Relaxing and fishing or drinking on a pontoon is pretty great right? Except that they’re slow. That’s the only downside.
Joe Yesufu was probably the weakest of the KU regulars but had three assists in this one.
Michael Jankovich nailed a three! Good work in limited minutes.
2 Stars: Two-person kayak
My wife and I kayaked among the mangroves in southern Thailand once and by the end, we were as close to a divorce as we’ve ever been. Seriously, what was supposed to be a scenic boat tour turned into a giant disagreement. I have a friend with a similar story. If you’re not good at kayaking, I recommend something else. Anything else.
No one here.
1 Star: Cruise Ship
I have no desire to be on a floating city jam packed with people.
No one was a one star.
Chris Teahan Memorial No Star:
Good to see Zuby Ejiofor back and Dillon Wilhite got some rare minutes.
