Kansas 85 - Boston College 60

Comments and Observations

Offensive and Defensive Performance

Using the outcome of the game and the adjusted offensive and defensive efficiencies for each team, performance indicates (in PTS per 100 Possessions) how each team would have fared against an average team.  That is, KU's offensive performance is how many points per 100 possessions KU would have scored against an average defense.  This provides a standard performance we can compare across teams.

Four Factor Analysis

(Actual statistics moved to Game Projections table below)

Player Performance Analysis

The dynamic frontcourt duo of Darnell Jackson and Darrell Arthur of KU stole the show.  A combination of post moves by Arthur, mid-range jumpers by Jackson, and stickbacks and fast-break dunks by both kept the entertainment level high.  Jackson shot 69 eFG%, while Arthur topped that with 83 eFG%.  Jackson had a career-high 25 PTS to go with his 9 REB (3 OREB), 7-of-8 FT, 2 STL and only 1 TO in 32 MIN.  Arthur scored 22 PTS and grabbed 7 REB (1 OREB), 2 BLK, 1 TO and made both his FT's in only 24 MIN for the more efficient performance of the two.  Either way you look at it, it had to be disheartening for BC to see one of these two on the floor the entire game and a fairly-efficient Kaun backing them up when one was out.

Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush were the other most significant contributors for Kansas.  Chalmers' 2-of-4 from 3FG kept his shooting at a respectable 50 eFG%, allowing his 6 AST and 4 STL against 0 TO to shine.  Rush had one of his best shooting performances (68.8 eFG%) in scoring 12 PTS, 5 REB (3 OREB), 2 AST, 2 BLK, 1 STL and 2 TO in 30 MIN.

Kaun had a pretty efficient outing with 8 PTS, 5 REB (2 OREB) on 4-of-6 FT shooting and 67 eFG%.  Russell Robinson had a mediocre performance, shooting poorly (38 eFG%, 1-of-2 FT) and turning it over three times but did have 2 STL and 1 BLK in just 24 MIN.  The most disappointing performance was probably from Sherron Collins, who was projected to play better than usual.  In 22 MIN, he made only 1-of-5 FG (a miraculous double-clutch reverse layup on a fast break) to finish with 2 PTS, 5 AST, 1 STL and 1 TO.  Some of those assists were very valuable though.  He just missed some open shots, which means better performances should be ahead.  Regardless, his numbers weren't great this game.

For Boston College, it may have looked the Tyrese Rice Show for a while, but his 20 PTS didn't come all that efficiently.  He did shoot 50 eFG% and made 4-of-5 FT, but he also had 6 TO.  His rating would have been better if not for BC's overall poor performance.  BC's main contributions came from freshman Rakim Sanders who scored his 21 PTS on 63 eFG% shooting and had 5 AST against 2 TO.  Unfortunately, he made only 2-of-6 FT (roughly equivalent to 2 made FT and 2 TO).  Most disappointing was freshman Corey Raji, who was projected to have the best game.  It's not unusual to see freshmen have bad games against teams like Kansas though.  Raji missed all four of his shots and had very little else to show for his 19 MIN.