Lawson, Conley, Augustin, Crittendon and crew are getting all the props, but mightn’t Sherron be hiding behind fewer minutes and actually be the best among them?

Luke “I’m your Father” Winn kept KU at 8th in his power ratings, but he did give us some statistical comparisons of Ron versus his peers. The results?

Player Team OEff. ARate TORate Min%
Augustin UT 117.0 35.2 24.6 83.1
Crittenton GT 107.4 30.9 26.4 77.2
Conley OSU 120.9 38.4 20.2 75.4
Vasquez MD 107.0 26.3 24.7 68.7
Lawson UNC 115.1 33.5 23.6 60.7
Collins KU 119.5 22.9 19.5 52.4

He’s 2 out of 6 in Offensive efficiency, last in assist rate (although he creates assists for his teammates if you follow me) and lowest in turnover rate. He’s also lowest in minutes played, so his early season growing pains are still factoring in more heavily than his peers.

I don’t know what his minutes % has been over the last several games, but I’ll bet it looks a little different if you amortize things over a shorter period of time…Sherron is probably even better offensively.

Julian Wright and Sherron Collins have been inducted into Luke Winn’s Style Archive for their matching shaved-in hair designs from earlier this year. Says Winn:

KU’s Chicago duo had matching patterns in the front-right portion of their close-cropped ‘dos in late January. KU readers: If you have any more information on the design’s significance, leave it in the comments.

It was a sad night for Kansas State fans, all of whom suffered the 24th consecutive loss to the Jayhawks in Manhattan came at the end. For at least three of those fans, that sadness bracketed the emptiness that engulfed them during the player introductions at the instant necessity dicatated removing the live chicken from their pants and throwing it on the floor.

I was right to predict that Kansas couldn’t shoot 60% from the field and grab 50% of their offensive rebound opportunities. Shooting 56% from the field and grabbing 40% of possible offensive rebounds is a lovely consolation prize. Shooting 56% from the field while missing more than three-quarters of their three-point attempts and scoring 1.08 points per possession while missing more than three-quarters of their three-point attempts and turning the ball over on almost a quarter of their possessions is the latest example that this may, in fact, be a pretty good offensive team.

The Jayhawks didn’t force many turnovers but unlike earlier in the year (@Iowa State, Missouri), they appeared content to let Kansas State dribble from sideline to sideline behind the three-point line before attempting a contested shot. They were few dumb fouls and very little dribble penetration allowed until the final minute when Clent Stewart’s running one-handers were considered a lesser evil than letting anyone throw up a three-pointer.

Having spent the morning enlightening strangers about the glories of Sherron Collins (I contend he resembles no recent Kansas player more than Paul Pierce shrunk down to a square, 5′ 9″ frame.), I’ll allow myself one final marvel: Last night was Sherron Collins having a good half.

I’m generally not a big Seth Davis fan, but his latest Hoop Thoughts hits the nail on the head with regard to the Jayhawks:

This is still a Bill Self-coached group, so you know they play some mean D. … There is also something to be said for having a variety of different weapons to keep opponents off balance. … But in order to win an NCAA championship, a team at some point will need a great escape. (Think Danny Ainge, Tyus Edney and Christian Laettner.) When that critical moment comes, be it in the first round or the Final Four, whom will Kansas turn to?

Then he goes through the potential candidates.

Brandon Rush?

…has been shooting pretty well the past month, but the word is out that he is not a good ball handler. That makes him easy to defend in the half-court — and he knows it. Plus, Rush does not have the mentality to take over a game in a tough spot.

Julian Wright?

a dynamic athlete, but his forte is passing and he does his best scoring in transition, not in the half-court.

Russell Robinson?

mentally tough, but he is averaging just 6.8 points … and making 41.1 percent of his shots

Mario Chalmers?

has the skills to take over … but apparently lacks the moxie to demand the ball like [Acie] Law did [on Saturday]

Sherron Collins?

The one player with the skills and the moxie to be a go-to guy … But it’s hard to imagine a freshman taking on that role, even if he is from Chicago.

Out of all of these choices, Chalmers and Collins have the least standing between them and “go-to player” status. They have the skill sets, they just need a little attitude (Chalmers) or experience (Collins). There’s been a growing sentiment on this site that Collins needs to be the man with the ball in his hands at the end of the game, and I’m beginning to agree. From the looks of it, I think Seth Davis is as well. (Now if we can just get Bill Self on board…)

I haven’t yet acquired the statistical jones of some of Phog Blog’s contributors, but some stats are so glaring they get up and slap you in the face. Example: The current four-way tie for first in the Big 12. KU, Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech all stand at 4-1. True, it’s early yet to discern the shape of the conference race, but this unsightly log jam provides some food for thought:

Is Texas Tech a genuine contender? After the KU loss, word was that the Jayhawks lost to a team that was mediocre at best. Second thoughts, anyone?

How far can freshman Kevin Durant carry Texas? After Darrell Arthur’s less-than-sterling performance in last night’s played-up match-up with Kevin Rogers, it’s not hard to guess who would get the best of a Durant-Arthur match-up. Texas has other tools (DJ Augustin, A.J. Abrams), but Durant makes or breaks the Longhorns. So far, that’s been good news for Texas.

And, on the KU front: Whose minutes will Sherron Collins steal? Mario Chalmers’ foul trouble has freed up time for the poised freshman, but this won’t last. Bill Self has been vocal about “Glue-man” Robinson’s place in the line-up, and Chalmers seems to be coming out of the offensive fog that has troubled him for the last four games. But increasingly, KU is better when Collins is on the court. Collins flourishes under pressure and knows how to change the momentum of a game-so something has to give.

Your takes?

As the “number two” guard in last year’s class, Sherron Collins will likely feel some heat if Stefhon Hannah continues to play anything like this.

Most prominently on display was Hannah, the 6-foot junior-college transfer who started in the backcourt with fellow junior Jason Horton. The other starters were Brown, center Kalen Grimes and guard Matt Lawrence.

Hannah finished with 25 points, six assists and seven steals in 25 minutes. He was nine of 17 from the field, including four of six from behind the three-point arc.

“You look at Stefhon and his stat line - it’s amazing,” Anderson said.

Andy Katz’s nice profile of Brandon Rush leads ESPN.com’s college basketball coverage today. Personally, I’d be surprised if Rush was Kansas’s best player this year. His perimeter shooting, defending, and defensive rebounding will be crucial but I expect Mario Chalmers, Julian Wright, and (later in the season) Sherron Collins to initiate most of the offense.

Behind the Insider wall, Katz suggests that Darrell Arthur will probably start the year behind at least Wright and Kaun in the rotation but figures to take on a bigger role in the second-half of the season.

Also, Bill Self compares the last two NCAA Tournament games Kansas has played.

“Bucknell had two or three guys who could have started for us, they were well coached and it was a scary game.”

“But we played to our age against Bradley. We weren’t under duress. We didn’t play with pressure, since we weren’t hunted all year. Last year’s team was better equipped to go longer in the tournament, but it still didn’t surprise me how it ended. We were so loose at shootaround that day, but by 9 p.m., we went out for warmups and I said, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ I had a totally different feel.”

“Sherron breaks down pretty much any defense,”

Friend of PB Mic points out this Gary Parrish entry on Sportsline and snips out the best part:

On another note, Wright said the pick-up games at Kansas this summer have been intense. He didn’t hesitate when asked for the name of one guy who has been impressive and could surprise with his impact on this team.

“Sherron Collins is looking exceptional,” Wright said. “His ball-handling is great. His quickness is great.”

Collins is a 5-11 freshman point guard from Chicago. He was a McDonald’s All-American.

“Sherron breaks down pretty much any defense,” Wright said. “He’s just smooth with the ball, and he makes everybody around him better.” On another note, Wright said the pick-up games at Kansas this summer have been intense. He didn’t hesitate when asked for the name of one guy who has been impressive and could surprise with his impact on this team.

Link to the rest of Parrish’s thoughts.

It’s not what you’re thinking. Really.

Pretty good analysis, I think, except for his pegging of Russ at 2G instead of Mario. I think our most talented starting lineup is Arthur, Wright, Rush, Chalmers and Collins. They *could be the starters at some point this year for some games, but they’ll be smallish for others. Here’s what GD had to say:

Kansas shrinks: By adding power forward Darrell Arthur to a roster already loaded with wings and guards, Kansas coach Bill Self will occasionally find himself going smaller this season. If he wants to play his five most talented guys, Self would start Arthur at center, Julian Wright and Brandon Rush at forward, Russell Robinson at shooting guard and Mario Chalmers or Sherron Collins at point guard. Off the bench? Pure centers C.J. Giles and Sasha Kaun, plus power forward Darnell Robinson and USC wing transfer Rodrick Stewart. Freshman guard Brady Morningstar, a better player than advertised, could redshirt.

Here’s the rest of the piece, which includes a bit of everything.

I’m pretty darn impressed by this. Notable is the fact that Jayhawk Sherron Collins hopped over UNC recruit Tywon Lawson. Darrell Arthur also makes it into the top 10.

Congrats to Self and Co. for yet another amazing recruiting class.

CLASS OF 2006 FINAL TOP 100

1. Greg Oden, 7-0 C, Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence North- OHIO STATE
2. Kevin Durant, 6-10 WF, Rockville (MD) Montrose Christian- TEXAS
3. Thaddeus Young, 6-8 WF, Memphis (TN) Mitchell- GEORGIA TECH
4. Chase Budinger, 6-8 WF, Carlsbad (CA) La Costa Canyon- ARIZONA
5. Brandan Wright, 6-9 BF, Brentwood (TN) Academy- NORTH CAROLINA
6. Spencer Hawes, 6-11 C/BF, Seattle (WA) Prep- WASHINGTON
7. Gerald Henderson, 6-5 WG, Merion Station (PA) Episcopal- DUKE
8. Sherron Collins, 5-11 PG, Chicago (IL) Crane- KANSAS
9. Tywon Lawson, 5-11 PG, Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill- NORTH CAROLINA
10. Darrell Arthur, 6-9 BF, Dallas (TX) South Oak Cliff- KANSAS

Link to top 100 from Eric Bossi.

Before this week, KU’s recruiting class was really too small to be ranked. But with the addition of Darrell Arthur, that has changed. I’ll let Dave Telep tell you about that:

Typically, it’s extremely difficult to create a Top 25 recruiting class during the spring signing period. When it happens, the circumstances tend to be extraordinary and that’s what took place in Lawrence, Kan., this week.

During the fall period, the Jayhawks signed all-american point guard Sherron Collins. They also bolstered their backcourt with the addition of post-graduate Brady Morningstar, a Top 25 prep school player whose father attended KU.

On Tuesday, the Jayhawks hit the homerun in the form of 6-foot-9 post Darrell Arthur. The Dallas (Tex.) South Oak Cliff two-time state champion picked KU and in the process gave Bill Self a pair of elite players. Arthur is ranked by Scout.com as the No. 2 power forward in American and Collins trails only UNC recruit Tywon Lawson in the point guard rankings.

Add up the 3-man class and you have what appears to be America’s 4th most powerful recruiting haul

Over the last 4 years, KU has had the 3rd, 4th, 1st and now 4th best recruiting classes, respectively. We should make some noise based on that fact alone this year.

I’m hearing that the press conference will be delayed, probably until tomorrow.

Take that for what it’s worth, but do not be surprised if we do not have a DA decision today.

A worthy twist to an already pretzly tale.

UPDATE: Evidently, 810 is now confirming this to be the case. They’re projecting a Tuesday conference now.

While you’re waiting, enjoy Dick Vitale’s six diaper dandies for next year:

Dick’s Super Six Diaper Dandies

Sherron Collins, G, 5-11, Crane Technical (Ill.), Kansas
Kevin Durant, F, 6-10, Montrose Christ. (Md.), Texas
Gerald Henderson, G-F, 6-5, Episcopal Acad. (Pa.), Duke
Ty Lawson, G, 6-0, Oak Hill Acad. (Va.), North Carolina
Greg Oden, C, 7-1, Lawrence North (Ind.), Ohio State
Brandan Wright, F, 6-9, Brentwood Acad. (Tn.), North Carolina

UPDATE 2:

Tom Keegan at the LJW has put pen to paper and confirmed, with a quote:

“I am still trying to figure out what is going on,” Mays told Rivals.com. “Darrell was supposed to announce his decision at 12:30 today, but it doesn’t sound like that is going to happen. I don’t exactly know what the problem is, but the press conference will not happen today. I believe that Darrell will definitely make his decision at a press conference tomorrow (Tuesday).”

Based on DallasPreps.com’s comments last week, we would appear to be benefitting by any delay, but who knows any more?