Help wanted: Player rankings from A to Z as Kansas basketball survives Eastern Illinois
By Tony Zuzzio
![CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 14: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the Champions Classic at the United Center on November 14, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 14: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the Champions Classic at the United Center on November 14, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5cef717c569d2551b1ed80a07880c182c7cdc802c08bbe397b2e55d726e342a4.jpg)
Tier 2: Baby Jays
2. Kevin McCullar
Kevin continues to play Robin to Hunter’s Batman. He didn’t have his most efficient game and struggled early from the field, finishing 8-of-18 on field goal attempts. Kev finished with 18 points, three rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block and no turnovers. Great to see Kevin take care of the ball tonight after having 18 turnovers in the three games in Maui.
3. KJ Adams
KJ was his usual efficient self finishing several dunks going 4-of-4 from the field. KJ finished with 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks and two turnovers. KJ continues to play his role and play solid defense.
4. Johnny Furphy
Johnny came in and played for 14 minutes for Kansas basketball. He continues to struggle to keep other guards in front of him and he will need to continue to work on his defense to earn more minutes. That being said, Johnny can score and provide an element this team needs with multiple offensively challenged teammates in the starting lineup. Johnny came in and scored six points, had three rebounds, one steal, and one turnover.
5. Nicolas Timberlake
Nicolas played 11 minutes. He continues to struggle on the defensive end of the floor. However, he had a two minute stretch which showed the potential of the player we thought we were getting. Timberlake knocked down a three and followed it up with a midrange jumper on back-to-back possessions and followed it up shortly after with a nice assist to Big Hunt. This was his second-best game of the year. He finished with five points, three rebounds, two assists, and one block.