Sports and Numbers

Kansas at Georgia Tech (Atlanta, GA)

PSAN-Related Player Ratings - Cumulative This Season

Note: ePSAN70 weighs recent games more, but cPSAN70 weighs all games equally

Player Analysis:

(largely in context of ratings above)

The first thing to note is that senior forward Ra'Sean Dickey has been academically ineligible the first semester.  Some sources indicated he would be playing in this game, but the latest report from Atlanta is that he will not suit up.  Last season, he wasn't a particularly efficient offensive performer.  He did pick his spots and didn't shoot much, but did make nearly 60 eFG%.  His biggest strengths were his rebounding (particularly DREB) and blocks (#157 in nation).  He shouldn't change the entire outlook of the game, but he is a good enough player and experienced enough to make a significant impact if he plays.  For the purposes of this game preview and projections, he won't be factored in.

Overall, there are only three players who have made significantly positive contributions to the Yellow Jackets' season.  Jeremis Smith doesn't shoot all that often and makes 50 eFG%, but he really gets to the FT line well.  He's a good rebounder, blocks some shots, makes steals and rarely turns it over.  He's a great passer for his 6-8 size (18.4% AST rate).  Anthony Morrow is the long-range bomber who's shot 44% from behind the arc without turning it over much at all.  Alade Aminu, the big 6-10 junior, shoots a lot and shoots pretty well (58 eFG%) but doesn't get to the line much.  He is a solid rebounder but doesn't block many shots.  Lewis Clinch, 6-3 guard, has had an up and down season.  He shoots a respectable 52 eFG% but turns it over more than he makes assists.  He does have a solid 43.9% from 3FG, but he doesn't do enough of the other stuff to get a solid rating.  With Dickey in the lineup, GT would have three fairly efficient players in the regular rotation and a couple of others who could make a difference if their shot is on.

Kansas player ratings continue to climb as the team's performance has skyrocketed.  Mario Chalmers now has a superstar-caliber efficiency rating.  Very interesting that in the current MVP analysis, his numbers don't help explain KU's performance variability though.  Thus, Darnell Jackson continues to be the MVP so far.  Make no mistake, Chalmers has been the "best player" so far, but Jackson's play has been the most valuable to team performance.  Though some may see this as a drawback to the analysis, I see it as a confirmation that MVP's aren't always the best players.

There is tremendous balance in efficiency at the top of KU's ratings.  Chalmers and Jackson are the headliners, but role players like Sasha Kaun and young guys like Cole Aldrich have put in efficient performances this season.  Looking further down the list, guys like Darrell Arthur and Brandon Rush are the ones mentioned most often for going early in the NBA Draft, so there is no question they are talented.  But their performance has still been less than stellar.  During stretches, Rush takes over, and Arthur looks like he could score at will.  Then, they'll both start missing lots of shots or not rebounding.  In the end, the only KU regular who hasn't played efficiently this season is Sherron Collins, but that's because his numbers are affected by his injury.  That should change drastically over the next 3-4 games.

On paper, there is no comparison in player performance between these two teams.  Kansas has the stars and tremendous depth. 

Game Projections

(Not a prediction.  Read more details in "FAQ & Terms" section.)

Projected Boxscore

Game Projections